If you were to ask the eight year old version of myself what comes to mind when I hear the word “French” I would reply: Madeline, Mary Kate and Ashley’s Passport to Paris, croissants, berets, men with moustaches and funny sounding accents. As stereotypical as that may be, there is a certain something about the French. They have that je ne sais quoi. This phrase is reserved for the coolest of cool. Women, most commonly French, who have a perfect mix of beauty, charm, and mystery about them. You can’t pinpoint what it is about her that is so appealing or interesting so you shrug it off as “she has that certain je ne sais quoi” and leave it at that. While you may not live in a city like Paris or Marseille you can still dress like you do. Check out these basic fashion pieces for women who have that je ne sais quoi:
1. Striped Tee- A classic and flattering choice for any woman.
2. Trench Coat- A true French woman never leaves the house without her trusty trench coat. It’s perfect for layering and questionable weather.
3. Ballet Flats- While we may not be strolling along the Seine we, as college students, still do a lot of commuting. Invest in a classic and basic pair of flats that can be used season after season.
4. Little Black Dress- French or not every woman should have a LBD. For those dates, parties, or Sunday morning errand runs this is the perfect day-to-night fashion choice.
5. Slouchy Jeans- Skip the skinny jeans and pick a slightly oversize pair of jeans. And no, loosely cuffing them is not frowned upon and is actually quite trendy.
French fashion is something to aspire toward. It’s about investing in a couple classic pieces and pairing them with your more trendy looks. In the words of Don Draper: “make it simple but significant.”