How to dress French when you are not. Wear a classic jacket or coat

You are here: Home » FASHION » How to dress French when you are not. Wear a classic jacket or coat

focus on

How to dress French when you are not. Wear a classic jacket or coat

French Chic Style Tips: Outerwear Rules

3 Women | 3 Looks | All Classic | How they did it

Bourgeois is the new trendy.

Trendy lasts a moment and is best left as a fashion bonbon to satisfy a craving for something new and sweet without much commitment. Über trendy is what makes you look dated in a photo and provides you with many “what was I thinking” moments, let alone leaving financial bruise on your recessionista thinking.

But dressing classic or classical as ‘they’ say lasts more than a moment.

There is nothing tricky, nothing contrived and classic always looks so fresh.… so modern… so pulled together… so French Chic.

Although the result may appear effortless, there is a very smart amount of calculation behind the look to get it just so that it has become second nature to so many French women. Or to the ones who want to master the elegant ease of French Chic, even if you were born on this side of the Atlantic.

Ageless & Timeless Style is not about looking like anyone other than who your really are

Dressed in classic styles, each of the women photographed during Paris Fashion Week at the Chanel show looks spectacularly timeless and ageless in her own unique way in her clothing choices and her hair and makeup. Simple but striking natural makeup and unfussy hair is what keeps them looking sexy and approachable.

>> READ MORE ABOUT FRENCH CHIC AND PARIS

What do Parisians wear that makes them look so chic? A classic jacket or coat, mais oui!

But there is one little thing that they all share to this studied effortless…

It’s the attitude of self-confidence, that’s the one French style tip that’s priceless—plus, the top 3 in classic outerwear styles: the perfect leather jacket, the right structured blazer, and a classic trench.

Here’s how to dress French when you are not…

What do Parisians wear that makes them look so chic? A classic jacket or coat, mais oui! A classic jacket or trench coat will take you from this spring to next fall and many other very stylish seasons to come.

Anna Mouglalis in the perfect biker jacket

What she’s wearing: A soft and textured black leather biker jacket with clean, graphic hardware.

How she made it personal: The zippered motorcycle jackets unexpectedly tops a dressier double-breasted silk shirtdress.

Beauty: Bold red lips and fluffy, yet undone hair compliment the understated glam look.

Why it works: Wearing buttons and zippers can be a fashion causality but here the hardware is in the same steely tone and they are in similar crisp, graphic shapes.

The combination is unexpected yet pulled together– neither formal nor rock star, just right.

Virginie Ledoyen in the right structured blazer

What she’s wearing: A structured blazer with peaked shoulders that one would expect to be worn with a pencil skirt.

How she made it personal: Jacket cuffs turned up to show the sleeve of a classic and on-trend stripe T-shirt.

Dark skinny jeans, open-toe pumps, long chain necklace and chain strap bag all create a very dressed up and polished look so that you almost don’t realize the understated simplicity of jeans.

Beauty: Undone long hair, barely there makeup and soft dusty rose lips.

Why it works: Although there is pairing of more tailored elements there is an ease and unstuffiness when worn with a simple stripe T-shirt that keeps the look young regardless of your age.

Bambou wearing a classic trench

What she’s wearing: The most classic tan trench coat with a de rigueur scarf to compliment the plaid trench lining.

A simple loose yet flattering gray sweater- is it hers or her boyfriend’s one wonders.

How she made it personal: Jeans in the weight and wash of classic Levi’s get a city boost when worn with a very refined purse, like this patent Chanel bag.

Beauty: Natural to almost no makeup with a swipe of youthful creamy raison lipstick and undone long brown hair.

Why it works: There’s a natural ease that shows how comfortable she is in her own skin.

It’s fashion that shows the wearer has arrived and is not influenced by the opinions of others, simply her self-confidence in looking gorgeous and in control. That is sexy.

We’ve pulled together a few items that capture the essence of French Chic Style:

>> READ MORE ABOUT FRENCH CHIC AND PARIS

Photographer: Pixplanete / PR Photos

Published on March 24, 2010

Sharon Haver

Resident fashion expert- With just about 20 years experience in the glamour industry as a New York-based photography fashion stylist, syndicated columnist, contributing editor, lecturer, on-air television/radio fashion expert, and founder / editor in chief of FocusOnStyle.com. Sharon Haver knows the modern-thinking woman wants easygoing style that suits her individual needs, spiced with just the right amount of flip and wit to make it personal.

See Sharon Haver's Bio | View Press Clips | Watch Sharon Haver & Brad Boles

Tags: Anna Mouglalis , Bambou , blazer , Chic Parisian , Chic Parisianista , classic French , coat , Frecnh style , French Chic , French chic coat , French chic jacket , French chic outerwear , French Chic style , French Chic Style Tips , How to dress French , jacket , leather jacket , stripes , trench coat , Virginie Ledoyen