Embracing effortless elegance

Decoding the allure of “French girl” style

trend guide

BY Nastassja Skorski

French actress and fashion icon Brigitte Bardot once said, “Every age can be enchanting provided you live within it” — and the same is true for the effortless gallic style she has come to represent.

Few trends have endured as reliably through the decades as the French girl aesthetic, and even fewer are as beloved by women of all ages.

It’s not just about the Breton top, the ballet flats, the signature red lipstick or the tailored blazer; no, this is an attitude, a certain confidence that comes with having a signature style and sticking to it.

Along with Jane Birkin and Coco Chanel, Bardot was one of the pioneers of this look, but there are a long line of women who have since adopted and updated it, from Carine Roitfeld, to Birkin’s daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg, to Clémence Poésy, and more recently, actress Camille Razat, who has added a Gen Z edginess to it.

Capturing the essence of ‘French girl fashion’ is a trick that, if you can pull it off, conveys elegance, class and cool.

So what is the secret behind this timeless Parisienne chic and how can we harness it?

The art of effortless elegance: History of the“French girl” aesthetic

To recreate the illusion, we first have to understand it. The idea of the French girl aesthetic has its origins in French New Wave cinema of the 50s and 60s.

The women were mysterious, moody and elegant. They were also romantic and daring.

Whether it’s Jeanne Moreau in Jules et Jim wearing loose fitting blouses and palazzo pants, or Catherine Deneuve floating around in tailored coats and dresses in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, these were modern women who were not afraid to mix old and new styles to create something fresh and exciting.

There’s a certain level of contradiction to the French girl aesthetic — it’s an alluring ‘melange’ of 60s vintage fashion with modern minimalism; of masculine tailoring and unstructured denim with feminine footwear and accessories; of looking like you ‘just woke up like this’ but actually investing a lot of time and effort into your look. It’s understated, yet impactful.

On a practical level, it means investing in high end basics and timeless pieces like good quality knits, beautifully tailored separates and of course, a little black dress, but combining those with a playful feminine twist.

A statement shoe here, a cat’s eye flick of liner there, a vintage piece, or a quirky necklace — used in moderation to create balance — completes the look.

“French girl” style for Fall 2023: Key Elements of a Parisian-inspired wardrobe

When it comes to this aesthetic, where else would we look for inspiration than Chanel?

Its fall 2023 collection was like a ‘greatest hits’ compilation of ‘French girl style’ elements, from tweed coats, to LBDs (little black dresses for the uninitiated) and statement midi skirts.

Above all, the watchword for this season is ‘wearable’ — classic separates that can be built into your existing wardrobe.

In particular, fall 2023 is the season of the denim skirt.

Maxi and mini styles ruled the runways, but out in the real world, a midi skirt offers an array of options, as it can be worn with all of this season’s core shoe styles — knee high boots, heels or slingback.

If you’re new to this look, your ‘French girl style’ starter pack should of course include a classic Breton striped top, a tailored blazer to master the balance between structure and nonchalance, and of course, the cornerstone of casual sophistication, relaxed fit denim.

Team with ballet flats, ankle boots or loafers for an effortless yet elegant look.

1. The palette of Parisian chicness: Neutral tones and beyond

The classic colour palate for a ‘French girl’ inspired wardrobe comprises a mix of beige, white, black and navy.

That’s never hard to find, and in particular when it comes to neutrals, you’ll be spoiled for choice this season because the ‘quiet luxury’ trend leans heavily on colours like cream, bone, and winter white.

If you want to add a pop of colour to your look, a single statement piece in this season’s ‘red dahlia’ or vivid magenta works well with this look — but use it sparingly for effect.

Hold onto those muted pastels you collected over spring/summer, because these can also be worked into this aesthetic alongside your neutrals and denim pieces this season.

When it comes to prints, the classic French girl go-to is of course the polka dot and the good news is that these are back in a big way for 2023.

Painterly florals with softer blooms and watercolour finishes are also big news, with designers such as Dries Van Noten and Richard Quinn using them to great effect this year.

Remember though that less is more — mix with harmonious neutrals for a chic overall impression.

2. The power of accessories: Less is exquisite

Coco Chanel’s mantra when it comes to accessories was, “before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.”

Accessories don’t feature heavily in the French girl aesthetic, instead they’re used as accents to the main look.

A quality handbag is a must-have, so invest in a timeless leather tote or structured crossbody bag and you’ll have a versatile piece that will work with many outfits.

Jewellery should be delicate, layering dainty necklaces or stacking rings is a great way to add interest to a look without overpowering it.

Taking inspiration from Jane Birkin, long thin scarves in luxurious fabrics like silk or cashmere are a must-have.

Birkin often wore her silk scarf around her wrist instead of jewellery, while Brigitte Bardot is famous for wearing hers as a headband.

You can also layer them on top of your Breton stripe and tailored blazer for a simple yet polished look.

Berets are also big news for this season but, interestingly the trend has been resurrected not on the streets of Paris, but the runways of Denmark.

Copenhagen Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2023 presentations were awash with berets — the fashion set’s favourite brand Ganni featured a chunky striped beret that is now on everyone’s most wanted list.

For a more classic look, a black beret worn with a cropped blazer and midi skirt is and always will be a style staple.

3. Embracing imperfection: Hair and makeup

Although French girl style is about seemingly messy up-dos and tousled loose waves, these are both looks that actually take some effort to achieve.

A simple Google search for ‘Brigitte Bardot hair’ produces thousands of hair tutorials, all promising the elusive ‘undone’ style of the actress, using many products to achieve it.

Depending on your hair type, achieving this look might take a while, but some of the work can be done by your hair stylist — if you know what to ask for.

One of this season’s biggest hair trends is in fact called ‘Birkin bangs’ which, as the name suggests, is inspired by Jane Birkin’s signature face framing fringe hairstyle.

For those with shorter hair, the ‘polished bob’ is another fall 2023 look that compliments the French girl style nicely, having been inspired by Coco Chanel’s blow dried bob.

Make-up, meanwhile, should also remain classic, with a focus on luminous skin and a bold lip.

Lightweight foundation, sparing use of concealer on problem areas and a light bronzer are all that are needed to create the look, being careful not to conceal unique features such as freckles.

Letting your natural beauty shine through is key to this look.

For the quintessentially classic French red lip, Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Colour in Pirate is the shade make-up artists recommend.

It works on a variety of skin tones and hair colours and is a failsafe option to have in your makeup bag.

4. Confidence is key: Owning your style

With the French girl aesthetic, the idea is for you to wear the clothes — not the other way around.

Whatever your age or body type, this look can be adapted to suit you and you should look to personalise it where you can.

The French approach is about feeling good about yourself, so rather than following trends, the focus is on what looks great on you as an individual, and what you feel best in.

In that sense, one or two well-fitting quality pieces of clothing are preferable to a wardrobe full of fast fashion.

There is a self-assuredness that comes from knowing what suits you and sticking with it.

Speaking about her approach to fashion at Chanel’s Fall/Winter show in Paris last year, renowned French actress and Chanel muse Marion Cotillard explained, “I think that everyone needs to respect their personality while having fun

[and]thinking outside the box…as long as you respect your personality, everything works.”

5. Shopping smart: Curating your Parisian wardrobe

Creating your own unique French girl capsule wardrobe isn’t something you can do with a one-stop shop.

Rather, it’s about building the basic pieces over time, mixing high-end and affordable items for a balanced wardrobe.

High-quality, timeless pieces such as a beautiful leather handbag, a cashmere sweater, or a perfectly tailored blazer are an investment that you’ll reap the benefits of for years to come.

Likewise, spending a little extra on quality basics, like a Breton striped top or white T-shirts that keep their shape after continuous wear is always worth it.

Where you can, scour thrift shops and vintage stores for unique finds to complement your look — this will lend your wardrobe a bit more individuality.

6. Embracing sustainability: A Parisian approach

Adopting a French girl aesthetic is, in effect, about breaking up with fashion fashion. Instead of following faddy trends and buying throwaway pieces, you’re looking for longevity with your purchases.

By choosing quality over quantity, you’ll have an elegant, wearable selection of items that you can mix and match for years to come.

Although the look comprises certain classic pieces that get reused time and time again, such as the cropped blazer or slingback shoe, it’s not a static approach; these pieces are constantly repurposed and restyled to move with the times.

For example, Roger Vivier’s pre-fall 2023 collection, fronted by Emily In Paris star Camille Razat, featured classic monochrome checkerboard patterns, updated for today’s woman with playful accessories.

The theme was ‘La Rentrée’ or ‘back to school’, which is symbolic of the fact that these are pieces you can return to every year — each time with a new twist.

If you’re investing more in high-end pieces that last a lifetime, it’s also a good opportunity to support local and ethical fashion brands.

Not only will you have unique items that stand out from the crowd, you’ll also be creating a more sustainable wardrobe for the future.

7. Parisian fashion beyond borders: Global appeal

The enduring appeal of the French girl aesthetic, and the reason it travels so well from country to country, is down to its versatility.

It transcends cultural divides because of its adaptability — it can be sexy or modest, you can layer it for colder weather, or strip it down for warmer weather.

Wherever you live in the world, whatever your age or body shape, you can achieve the look.

Not content with traversing the globe, the French girl aesthetic has also crossed the generation divide — Gen Z has now jumped on board.

TikTok searches for ‘French girl style’ and ‘French beauty’ produced totalled approximately 372 million and 15 billion respectively last year.

Authenticity is a key watchword for today’s social media savvy generation — the French girl aesthetic is about effortless cool that embraces imperfections, and what could be more attractive than that?

In today’s economic climate, shoppers also want to wear their clothes for longer — they’re turning away from here today, gone tomorrow styles, and are looking for clothes that will have longevity.

A look that promises timeless elegance is undoubtedly alluring, particularly in a turbulent world where everything else seems to be constantly changing.

How to style the “French girl aesthetic”

Casual french girl style: Effortlessly chic everyday

Achieve comfort and sophistication with relaxed, flared pants, a striped Breton top, and a tailored blazer.

Complete the look with ballet flats, delicate jewelry, and loose waves for an everyday Parisian vibe.

Classic french girl style: Timeless elegance

Elevate your wardrobe with a fitted blue jeans, structured handbag, pointy flats, and a red lip. Embrace simplicity and luxury in a style that transcends eras.