Stylist Advice: You can do this! Audrey Tautou’s easy fitting pants and a girly blouse for French chic élan

I’ll Have What She’s Having: A lively masculine/feminine French chic mix that hits smart notes by way of a soft blouse and tailored, easy fitting pants

We should really call this post, “mix this DON’T match that” as  it’s the unexpected combination that works so well.

Love the mix of an otherwise girly ruffled blouse with man-tailored pants spotted on French actress Audrey Tautou. It’s the unexpected hit of French chic élan that you can add to your wardrobe. Pairing something frilly with something sweet can get a bit too saccharine, while mixing too many man tailored pieces together can get a bit butch.

French actress Audrey Tautou poses during the photocall of "Therese Desqueyroux" presented out of competition at the 65th Cannes film festival

This is the perfect French chic yin and yang of combining two otherwise distinct styles together that works SO well.

 Here’s how to style this look:

Start with a pair of easy fitting pants. Tapered ones with a nice crop hem that show a bit of ankle look the most modern and sexy. These Theory Yanette Habitat Trousers in Primary Blue are a pretty good dead ringer to what Audrey Tautou is wearing.

THEORY Yanette Habitat Trouser in Primary Blue at RevolveClothing

Now, don’t get mad, but she is also very thin, unlike most of us, and her lean frame keeps the looser fit looking more stylish. What you want is to find a fit that rests above your hipbone and then drapes to an easy leg. If you have fuller thighs, you might want to consider going up a size in pants and having the waist tailored to get the fuller, easy leg. Just saying as that’s what I do a lot.

>> MORE: Cannes Do Chic

Don’t forget that the pants need to be cropped from above your ankle right up to hitting the leanest part of your calf. Wearing cropped pants that hit mid-calf could make you look dumpy, and we don’t want that.

Can we talk shoes?

 Wear a simple, menswear inspired belt. And, a pair of low to mid heel pumps to keep a more refined look. You can go to a higher heel if you feel you need the height, but keep the shoe to a clean line.

One last look at Audrey Tautou's easy fitting pants and a girly blouse for French chic élan

Now for that fabulous blouse! We know that a crisp white shirt is oh so right, but add a feminine touch here via cascading ruffles and you have an instant classic that you’ll savor in your wardrobe for summers to come. Don’t worry about keeping it pristine, because we’ve got expert cleaning tips here.

I pulled some pretty white ruffled blouses and easy fitting pants for you to ponder….

More Lafayette 148 New York…

There you go, another French chic styling lesson to add to your gorgeous repertoire. Here’s more…

Superb Reading:

• Cannes Do Chic Series of daytime looks from the red carpet.
• The French Chic at a Certain Age Series
• French Chic Fashion Tips
• How to Dress French When You Are Not
• The French Chic Formula for Everyday Style a la Emmanuelle Alt
• French Chic Style
• French Chic Shoe Lesson 101: Red shoes pops a simple LBD, a la Berenice Bejo
• More French Chic posts

Photo:focusonstyle.onsugar