There is no compliment more coveted in the fashion world than the enviable, “You look like a French girl”. Because, when it comes down to it, there is nothing more chic than Parisian chic. Of course, achieving that effortless French girl je ne sais quoi is easier said than done. It requires both restraint and playfulness; classic, strong silhouettes mixed with playful boho touches.
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Of course, first things first, to look like you’ve just come from a stroll along the Seine, you’ll need a few pristine, timeless basics: the perfect pair of high-waisted jeans, a chic little loafer, the ultimate crisp white button-down, and a striped cotton top. You’ll also want to play with texture by throwing in a few boho pieces — a ruffle here, a little crochet there. Finish things off with a few sophisticated, statement pieces of jewellery that keep the look edgy and undone — think resin bangles and layered pendant boho necklaces. Finally, you’ll want a tousled, air-dried hair look and a smudgey, undone makeup look to tie it all together.
Seeking the perfect mixture of sophistication and stylish mess that is Parisian chic might have you turning desperately to the tantalising pages of the Sézane website (trust me, I’ve been there) — but believe it or not, you will find absolutely everything you need at M&S. Yes, in case you didn’t hear, M&S is actually really good now. Either we’re all getting old, or we just weren’t looking closely enough, but M&S has quality pieces at affordable prices that are endlessly chic.
Here are a few picks for your French girl spring wardrobe refresh.
The elevated bottoms
Start with a strong bottom half. Focus on high-quality materials, timeless silhouettes and a soft, chic neutral colour palette — think deep brown, off-white and, of course, black. Invest in the perfect pair of jeans, a long linen skirt, wide leg flowy trousers and a statement suede pair of trousers.