When in Paris, do as the Parisians do: drink espresso, eat croissants, and definitely channel that effortlessly cool style all French women seem to be born with. You know the one we're talking about: It's that I-got-dressed-in-five-minutes-and-look-absolutely-awesome look that we all aim to have.
With Paris Fashion Week just behind us, we've stolen some of the best French-girl style essentials for spring. And, to be clear, we fully plan to spend the entire season dressed head-to-toe in these classics. After all, some of the chicest girls around (French or not) have proven them to be total wardrobe must-haves.
The Slouchy Sweater:
Every girl should have that oversize cashmere sweater—in black, navy, or camel—that, slouchy as it may be, is still slim enough to wear to the office without looking frumpy. It's the perfect transitional season pairing for all of your statement pieces, like structured pants or a bright midi skirt.
The Tweed Jacket:
Channel Coco Chanel herself and grab a tweed jacket this spring. While your grandmother may have been in the habit of wearing a skirt suit in the textured weave, youthful French girls have borrowed from their elders and are mixing the elegant piece with slouchy denim and casual cotton T-shirts.
The Black Pants:
The black pants of French girl style are tailored yet perfectly slouchy. For this wardrobe classic, keep the legs slim, but don't go too skinny. We especially love an ankle crop to be able to style with either booties or ballet flat styles.
The Bomber Jacket:
This off-duty jacket sits somewhere between an edgy moto jacket and super casual denim trucker. Look for a shrunken silhouette that will pair best with an after-hours LBD and your favorite pair of jeans alike.
The Thick-Frame Sunglasses:
Make sure that you have a pair of tortoise or black sunglasses on hand in a classic shape. In a slight cat-eye style, they'll keep your look timeless and never feel too casual or outdated.
The Leather Jacket:
An eternal cool girl go-to, this forever wardrobe staple knows no bounds. Throw it on when heading out to brunch with friends, add the light layer to a midi skirt for office mornings, or give your after-hours style a bit of an edge by pairing a cocktail dress with a cropped moto style.
The Bright Bag:
French girls tend to stick to the classics, styling black pants and jeans with tailored blazers and elegant blouses. The secret to adding a bit of punch to every understated look? A bright bag with a bit of personality that will take you from day to night.
The Straight-Leg Jean:
Americans may love their jeans, but French girls have perfected the denim game. While trends come and go, they always have a pair of those perfect straight-leg jeans that give off that I've-had-these-forever-and-they're-perfect vibe.
For more on French girl style:
French-Girl Style: The Newest Style Stars From the Streets of Paris Fashion Week
10 Key Style Differences Between American and French-Girl Style
How to pull off spring's trickiest fashion trends with model Iskra Lawrence.
