8 Things People Get Wrong About French Style (I’m French)
My take as someone who actually lives in France.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting my blog.When Americans find out I'm French, they often have a very specific image in mind.
They picture women strolling through Paris in perfectly tailored outfits with a baguette under one arm.
The reality is pretty different.
Most French women don’t spend hours putting together outfits every morning.
They aren't constantly shopping, they don't all wear luxury brands, and they definitely aren't walking around looking like they've stepped out of a fashion editorial.
French women do have a distinctive way of dressing, but it’s got much less to do with expensive clothes or Parisian clichés than people think.
Here are some of the biggest misconceptions I see over and over again, and what French women actually wear instead.
1. They think French women dress up all the time
Maybe one of the biggest surprises for visitors is how simply most French women typically dress.
Most women are wearing basics, like jeans, flats, and trench coats.
The difference is that French women have mastered the art of making basics look good, without spending an hour getting dressed.
Here are a few affordable options I hand-picked that truly capture Parisian style:
2. They think French women never repeat outfits
The truth?
French women repeat outfits constantly.
In fact, one of the biggest differences I notice between French and American style is that here in France, nobody seems concerned about wearing the same jeans three times in the span of a week.
Most wardrobes revolve around a handful of pieces worn repeatedly, which is really liberating – you’re not expected to have a huge wardrobe or constantly go shopping.
3. They think French women only wear expensive clothes
There’s this idea that French women somehow have unlimited budgets and can afford to shop at Chanel and Gucci.
But the reality is, French women also have budgets, and that means they’re much more likely to shop at brands like H&M, Mango, and Zara:
4. They think French women wear high heels every day
Most French women consider comfort when they’re shopping for footwear, not just style. That means mile-high heels are actually not that popular.
You’ll see way more Mary Janes, ballet flats, sneakers. and ankle boots, like these:
5. They think French women follow every trend
Despite being know as a major fashion capital, French style is actually surprisingly repetitive.
Most women here buy fewer pieces and wear them longer than in the U.S.
So even though French women do adopt trends (sometimes), they don’t let trends take over their wardrobes because they focus on quality basics.
6. They think French women wear berets
This is possibly the funniest stereotype of all.
To this day, many people think French women wear berets when it gets cold as if it were a cold-weather wardrobe staple.
But the truth is, I can go months without seeing a beret in everyday life here in France.
And when I do see one, a tourist is typically wearing it.
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7. They think French women have massive closets
Many French apartments are small, especially in large cities like Paris or Lyon, where the cost of living is higher.
That means closets are often small, and wardrobes tend to be edited more carefully out of necessity.
When you don’t have much space, it doesn’t make sense to keep that shirt you haven’t worn in six months. And that’s where the capsule wardrobe comes in.
8. They think French style is about clothes
What if I told you French style isn't really about buying specific pieces?
So what is it about?
Knowing what suits you.
Wearing clothes that fit well.
Keeping outfits simple.
Feeling confident.
That's why two women can own completely different wardrobes and still look unmistakably French.
Final thoughts
After living in France for years, I've come to believe that French style has much less to do with specific clothes and much more to do with how they’re worn.
French women repeat outfits.
They prioritize comfort.
They shop secondhand.
They wear affordable brands.
They ignore plenty of trends.
And maybe most importantly, they don't spend much time worrying about whether they look "French."
That's probably the biggest secret of all.
The women whose style people admire most are simply wearing clothes that suit their lives, their bodies, and their personal taste.
Which turns out to be a much more interesting approach to getting dressed than any stereotype.
What do you think? Let me know!
Xoxo,
Luba