01
of 08
Look More Elegant in Jeans With These Fashion Tricks
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/frenchwomanjeans-edwardberthelot-gettyimages-5aeeff31ba617700361eb969.jpg "7 Parisian Chic Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman (1)")
According to a popular self-help book, French women don't get fat. Well, they don't wear shlumpy jeans, either. Think about Parisian fashion style and you probably picture slim silhouettes, perfectly paired separates, and effortlessly chic outfits. If you crave the comfort of denim, but care about looking slender and sophisticated in your outfits, we've got your go-to fashion guide —inspired by real Parisian women and their street style — to how to wear jeans like an elegant French woman.
02
of 08
Fashion Girl Uniform - Jeans and a Blazer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-1043008314-5c5990b8c9e77c000132ac77.jpeg "7 Parisian Chic Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman (2)")
French women and fashion editors— not to mention stylish home-grown celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston — have made jeans and a blazer their uniform of choice for a reason. This is an easy to wear fashion combination that makes you look instantly pulled together, whether you're heading to work or going out with friends. A well-fitted, tailored blazer helps to give structure to your shape in jeans, making you look instantly more dressed up.
- Try wearing jeans and a blazer to the office with high quality accessories, such as a quilted bag, and leather or suede high heel pumps.
- You can also wear this outfit to parent-teacher meetings, or shopping with friends, paired with a crisp button-down, a chambray shirt, or a pretty printed blouse as pictured her.
- Or create a chic, edgy vibe for weekends and casual days, by wearing a structured blazerlayered over your favorite graphic t-shirt and jeans.
03
of 08
Simplicity is Chic (But Always Add a Special Detail)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-jeansandheels-571139375f9b588cc2dbd933.jpg "7 Parisian Chic Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman (3)")
French women are magical at looking sexy for work, rest and play. But rather than always showing obvious skin, sometimes chic Parisians will create a magical effectby tweaking a classic or basicoutfit, such as the white button-down shirt and fitted jeans pictured here.
By adding one special accessory to a simple ensemble, you can draw attention to your unique personal style, and add a sexy surprise. Here, it's banana yellow pumps that do the trick — but you could choose any beloved accessory that grabs people's attention — such as a colorful statement bag, fashionable sunglasses, or a metallic cuff bracelet.
04
of 08
Wear Basic Jeans With (Real or Faux) Fur
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-kirstinsinclair-571133c15f9b588cc2d3c68f.jpg "7 Parisian Chic Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman (4)")
Fashionable French women are expert at mixing bargain basics and thrift shop finds with high-end fashion pieces, to create an alluringly thrown-together look. Dress up a simple outfit of relaxed jeans(those pictured here are by Levi's) and sneakers by layering it with a luxurious and attention-grabbing top layer, such as an over-sized (real or faux) fur jacket.
05
of 08
A Black Leather Jacket is a Must
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-633844776-5c5994d546e0fb000182150d.jpeg "7 Parisian Chic Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman (5)")
Want an effortless top layer that not only keeps you warm when the temperature dips, but adds a fashionable edge to all your outfits in jeans? French women know that nothing is cooler — or easier— than pulling on a biker-style (or "moto") leather jacket over dark wash skinny jeans and flats. You could wear this outfit in Paris or New York City and fool them into thinking you were born there.
06
of 08
Wear a Striped Top With Straight Leg Jeans
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-660740390-ChristianVierig-59b2f3ce054ad90011f6bc9b.jpg "7 Parisian Chic Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman (6)")
What's the secret to looking effortlessly chic for casual weekends? It's all about knowing how to mix and match a few, well-chosen separates. You'll look like an everyday Parisian in a purposefully unpolished outfit of a must-have striped, cotton t-shirt and well-fitting, cropped straight leg jeans.
Wear this easy outfit with classic ballet flats, or trendy loafer slides as pictured here, for running errands or taking the kids to the park. Or dress it up with high heels, a dark fitted blazer and an updo hairstyle for going to brunch with girlfriends.
07
of 08
Insist on a Perfect Fit
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/skinnyjeans-EdwardBerthelot-paris-59b2f66d03f4020010021337.jpg "7 Parisian Chic Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman (7)")
Besides knowing the art of how to style their wardrobe separates together, another major secret to French women's enviable style is their obsession with perfectfit. French women typically only buy clothing that flatters their shape perfectly, regardless of trends. Follow this example at all times when shopping for jeans.
Also know what can be altered on a pair of jeans —sometimes the attention of a good tailor is all you need to make an almost-perfect pair work for you.
08
of 08
Wear Cute Flat Shoes With Casual Pants
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/frenchwomen-flatshoesandjeans-edwardberthelot-5aef0045119fa800378d1a35.jpg "7 Parisian Chic Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman (8)")
When it comes to casual weekends, flat shoes — from the floral slingbacks pictured here, to Audrey Hepburn-style ballet flats —are a French woman's footwear of choice for wearing with jeans. Flats are not only practical for city walking, they lend a chic simplicity to your daytime style that's very Parisian.
French women tend to choose flats with special or dressy details, to show off their personal style. Wear fur-trimmed loafer slides, blingy sneakers and other flat shoes with decorative details for chill days in denim, whether you're wearing jeans,denim skirts ordresses.
