France has been renowned as a centre of fashion since the time of Louis XIV, who was known as ‘the Sun King’. During his reign in the 1670s, fashion prints began to be distributed around Europe to publicise French achievements. The extravagant styles of the French royal court contributed towards the French Revolution of 1789, after which the fashion became more simplified and inspired by Ancient Greece and Rome. France later renewed its dominance in haute couture between 1860-1960, when the first couturier houses and fashion press were set up in Paris.
During the twentieth century, French fashion was influenced by new French designers such as Coco Chanel, who in 1925 promoted a simple elegance with items such as the little black dress and Breton striped tops. After the end of the Second World War and France’s liberation from Nazi invasion, French fashion returned to prominence again with designers such as Christian Dior in 1947, Givenchy in 1952, Coco Chanel’s return to Paris in 1952, and Yves Saint Laurent who expanded mass manufacturing and marketing from 1966. Nowadays Paris is still referred to by many as ‘the world’s fashion capital’.
Today, the Parisian chic style is described as sophisticated and elegant, classy yet nonchalant, polished but ultimately effortless. It’s a beautiful style that is popular with many in France, yet I feel like there’s also a particularly American, mythologised concept of the ‘French Girl’. The stereotype’s been turned into a marketing ploy, overrun with clichéd phrases such as French women having a certain ‘je ne sais quoi‘ – a saying so overused that for some reason I find it almost grating. We need to remember that there is an element of myth or stereotype to the Parisian chic style, but that said, there is something to be learnt from looking to the customs of other cultures.
I interpreted all of this to mean that a Parisian woman does not see fashion as the ultimate expression of herself but rather as complementary to her mind, her talents, her opinions, and therefore it doesn’t need to be outlandish.
Lindsey Tramuta
The Parisian chic style is based on being elegant and well-groomed, whilst embracing your ‘imperfections’ with confidence. It is about timeless style rather than fast fashion, so looks to long-lasting classic pieces instead of fleeting trends. Many items are inter-generational because they believe that good style isn’t limited by age. Heirloom jewellery with sentimental value may be inherited from mothers or grandmothers, and French women tend to invest in quality over quantity. They may have relatively few items of clothing compared to some other cultures, but those they do have will last and are well-integrated with the rest of their wardrobe, allowing more outfit combinations.
French women usually prefer neutral colours such as navy, black, white, grey, denim blue, and beige. The overall impression is one of harmony, balance, and refined simplicity. It’s polished and well put together, with coordinating colours and well-fitting clean lines. Any bright colours or patterns will be balanced out with more neutral items in the rest of the outfit so that nothing clashes and its not too busy. Stick to just two or maybe three colours and no more than one patterned piece at a time.
Parisian chic is a classy standard for all occasions, as French women will tend to make only minor alterations instead of dressing up or down in the way that some other cultures (such as the British) do when going out in the evening. French women have a higher base standard of being well-groomed and harmoniously-dressed all the time but are then relaxed or nonchalant about it, coming across as effortless because it’s become their norm.
What makes Parisian chic style stand out is the attention paid to little details that make a subtle difference. These often give a slight twist and cool edge to an otherwise simple ensemble. This could be combining different textures in a neutral-coloured outfit, or adding a pop of bright colour such as red with accessories, or choosing items with subtle detailing that makes them a slight twist on a classic piece. Style is shown in noticing and paying attention to the details, rather than striving to stand out in some outlandish pattern or garish colour.
If you want to dress like a French woman or blend in like a local whilst visiting France, three words to bear in mind are: sophisticated, effortless, detailing.
Feminine Finishing School 
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