How to dress like a French woman: Spring chic edit
A lot has been said about French women's effortless take on fashion.
I was in Paris when Fashion Week was in full swing in early March. Outside Le Grand Palais Ephemère, after the Chanel show, a cohort of spectacular celebrities and influencers from all over the world paraded in front of the cameras, some of them aiming at reproducing an imaginary idea of French elegance.
But the true French cool could actually be seen at the back entrance, where casually dressed models were hastily heading to another job. Or a few streets away, at my friend's Charlotte freshly opened bookshop: dressed in a grey cashmere cardi, creme denim and red trainers, her dark hair held a rough bun, she was the real deal, advising me on what books to read this season.
When I'm asked about how French women pull it off, I usually say that, for me, it has to do with storytelling: fashion is and has always been intrinsically part of the French art de vivre. French women’s style is full of references – the outfit of an iconic French actress in a Nouvelle Vague movie, the way their grandmother wore a scarf in a family picture…
Luxury is also part of the heritage and there is nothing outré about going out with an expensive handbag or stunning high heels as long as you mix them with something less ostentatious.
A lot can also be said about the importance of having some ‘charme’, never trying too hard and turning your imperfection into something inspiring.
When spring arrives, it's key to show a slight tan under your cropped trousers and add some seasonal jewellery pieces. Parisiennes stay faithful to their elevated classic outfits – much more than their London counterparts – and bring sophistication with key accessories.
