What is the French girl look?
The French girl, though an aesthetic and way of life originating from the French, has transcended Parisian spaces into movies and fashion across the globe. She is confident but not arrogant, keeps things simple but not austere. Her hair is always perfectly out of place—the right amount of mess. She orders cappuccinos at coffee shops, and when she walks, her perfume leaves a trail that seems to announce her presence before she does: musky and deep. When people interact with her, it always feels as if something is going unsaid, as if she knows something other people don’t.
This is all a curation, of course. Most people are not actually real-life leading ladies in “James Bond” movies, but we all know someone like this French girl. More than that, we can all learn something from her about the power of presentation and essence.
Invest in your skincare
What all French women have known and the rest of those in the U.S. seem to be catching onto: the importance of skincare. Not just any skincare, but quality skin care (that means no more Kylie Skin, sorry.) Cost does not mean quality; instead, verify the ingredients of your products. Opt for brands like The Ordinary or Innisfree for affordable, no BS products.
Indulge yourself in specialized products like this oil from Amazon or this cool, hydrating spray from Caudalie. Healthy skin, however that may look for you, is essential to the French aesthetic you’re curating.
Make effort look effortlessness
The French girl aesthetic looks effortless on the surface like they just rolled out of bed gorgeous. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The secret is in making an effort to appear effortless. Skin care, as previously mentioned, would be the first step in this process. Sure, the French may not wear foundation, but they invest in keeping their skin from relying on it.
Buy some dry shampoo (travel sized to keep on hand at all times) and zhuzh up those locks. Think intentionally messy but fringe style, like Jeanne Damas–the queen of the French look. Go for minimal makeup; light concealer, mascara and a lip stain; maybe a light blush to add color.
Keep your nails on point: a clear coat, classic red, dark navy blue or black. These colors will enhance your outfits and not draw attention away from them. Paying attention to small details is critical as the look is not meant to be ostentatious but quietly eye-grabbing.
Shopping the Part
Choosing what to wear is where the glue in this aesthetic lies. Light makeup, classical nails and an emphasis on skincare can all be a part of any person’s routine. However, it is in the fashion (as the French love so much) that makes the look explicitly French girl-esque.
Here, the emphasis should be on the understated and the importance of fabrics. Jeans are not only welcome but a necessary part of the wardrobe. Various shades of denim convey different vibes, but for the sake of simplicity, a dark blue wash is always safe. Button-down, oversized blouses pair well with jeans (you can steal this piece from your partner) and for sunny days, a wrap midi dress like this one is perfect.
Shoes can be anything from nice white sneakers to ballet flats all the way to a minimal kitten heel. Play around with combinations of dressy and casual, like a dress with sneakers or jeans with kitten heels and a tweed blazer. The power is in balancing the feminine and masculine, delicate and bold.
Feeling the part
Now that you have all the tools to look the part, it's most important to truly feel the part. And not even as cliche or cheesy advice (though all things cheesy have the French seal of approval). Initially, we told you about the power of ~essence~ which can't come from the clothes you wear, your skincare routine or even a sophisticated coffee order. The essence is the unique energy you bring into any room you enter. People can feel when you feel good about yourself and when you want to cower away and dim the amazing sparkly light that is you.
When investigating the age-old question of what makes French women so "Je ne sais quoi," it can be boiled down to a cultural sense of self-assuredness. Rocking what you got (even if it's a bad haircut) gives the illusion to other people that you are ahead of the fashion curve or cultural trends. Because at the end of the day, confidence defies all other qualities about you and can make any questionable fashion choice "french."
