By:
Lori of University of Georgia. Follow me @lori_37.
Admit it: you have at one point in your life (or in my case, several) wanted to dress like one of the stylish French women who gracefully glide down the avenues of Paris. “But how do they do it?,” you wonder. Similar to the way a fish takes to water or a bird to flight, you get the sense that the French have an incredible, almost innate sense of style: that they were born knowing how to look effortlessly chic on a simple run to the supermarché or knowing how to skillfully knot a scarf on their way out the door. But never fear. The work of two Parisian labels, Isabel Marant and Carven, are making this unbelievably cool and down-to-Earth French style more accessible and easier to imitate on your own budget.
Designs of Isabel Marant
Isabel Marant
claims to build her collections off of pieces that she would want in her own wardrobe. Favored by stylish gals like Natalie Portman and Alexa Chung, her collections are very wearable and embody understated class. Marant’s designs also perfectly capture the tasteful restraint that French women are known for in their style; her eclectic, comfy clothes never look as if they are trying too hard.
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To recreate the label’s effortless style:
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Modern French style is less about the classic look — being perfectly put-together or immaculately groomed— and more about adding elements of cool to an ensemble. Try mixing pretty, pared-down separates with urban boots, distressed shorts, tough utility shirts, chunky jewelry or masculine belts.
2) Look a little undone: The tousled hair and nude makeup of Isabelle Marant’s models can also be an inspiration for you mademoiselles with classes à 8heure. That just-rolled-out-of-bed look: c’est chic, n’est-ce pas?
Designs of Carven
The key to achieving that alluring French look has just as much to do with spirit as it does style. Carven’s great appeal is that it has managed to breathe life into French classics, such as the pencil skirt and the LBD, injecting these looks with an adventurous and youthful spirit.
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To achieve the look of a Carven girl:
1) Go for styles that are both sweet and saucy. Thigh-grazing hemlines, preppy details, sweet black pumps, and sleek pencil skirts are all part of that sexy, elegant French aesthetic.
2) Add a masculine touch. Carven also adds an edge to dainty, form-fitting French frocks by dressing them up with masculine oxford collars (magnifique!). Try mixing and matching your own shifts and dresses with an oxford shirt or tying a masculine sweater around a girly top.
3) Have confidence with shorter lengths and different shapes. Carven’s clothes feature many asymmetrical designs, cutouts and shapes, such as the puff skirt. Try out different styles to see which ones work for your body type.
Here are some quintessential French fashion pieces as well: an intricately wrapped scarf, the Breton sailor stripes that were so dear to Coco Chanel, and
le trench coat. (Please, also note the lack of berets. Although they are stereotypically French, I find them a little tacky and cliché.)
Thoughts?
What’s your favorite example of French style? If you tried the French-inspired trend and rocked it, send pictures and a description of your look and we’ll put you up on the site (including a link to your blog, if you have one).
Jun 20, 2011 | Reply
I would totally dress like that if I lived in New York, but no one really dresses like that to class, and I don’t really go out all that much, so I never really have a reason to wear all these great clothes I’d love to have.