5 Fashion Rules All French Women Live By

French women have been doing the whole quiet luxury thing before that was what it was called. Even when logomania was at its peak (the all-over logo trend has died down but is certainly still around), fashion icons like supremely stylish editor Emmanuelle Alt were eschewing in-your-face displays of branding in favor of subtler touches. Take the outfit above: Alt wears a simple sweater, blazer and trousers combo, but elevates things with a designer belt—in this case from Celine. When it comes to logos, opt for a more ‘if you know, you know’ approach.

The difference between a good outfit and a great outfit is how it fits, and French women like model and music producer Caroline de Maigret understand the power of tailoring. From the impeccable cut of her blazer to the perfect spot at which her pants hit her shoes, her look proves that the effort it takes to bring a new purchase to be hemmed and tweaked just so is totally worth it.

When it comes to exuding sex appeal, French women typically take a less is more approach, preferring to whisper ‘look at me’ than shout it. (Not that there’s anything wrong with the occasional overtly sexy ‘fit, of course.) But just look at how effortlessly cool French model Leia Sfez looks in this loose-yet-plunging tuxedo-inspired getup. If you’re going for sexy, keep balance in mind; a low-cut neckline is way more unexpected and chic paired with a looser fitting trouser than with a bodycon mini.

French women keep sustainability in mind when shopping. Back in 2019, stats via Fashion Revolution showed that French women wore each piece of clothing at least 30 times before considering an upgrade or new purchase. In comparison, women in the U.K. wore a piece an average of 14 times. (Americans were not included, but based on those massive shopping hauls on TikTok, we’re scared to know the truth.) French women see the value in purchasing high-quality, timeless and long-lasting pieces—think: blazers, straight-leg jeans and heeled boots—instead of flash-in-the-pan micro trends that we’ll forget about in two months. Note that ‘investment piece’ means something different to everyone; it’s not about spending $600 on a cashmere sweater, the point is to be mindful about how much wear you’re going to get out of a piece before committing to it.  

While some French traditionalists might prefer to go out naked than in leggings or sweats, others prove that just because it can be worn to the gym doesn’t mean it can’t also be appropriate for every day. But—and it’s a big but—it’s crucial to think about how you’re wearing athleisure. Leggings can look a little too HIIT class-ready with a sweatshirt and sneakers, but the same comfy pants take on an elevated vibe when worn with a leather blazer, luxe bag and knee-high boots.