So You Want French-Girl Style? Don't Forget This

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

We've spent years observing, studying, analyzing, and demystifying French Girl style, and at this point, the collective public seems to have a fairly good sense of what comprises their wardrobes and outfits. Think slinky slip tops, peeks of lace here and there, silk blouses, lots of Levi's denim, frilly-hem sundresses, ballet flats, espadrilles, T-shirts, blazers, stripes, a great pair of metallic heels, and so on. But we've noticed something recently that nobody seems to have shone the spotlight on: All of Paris's coolest It girls wear one distinct and recognizable piece of jewelry—a gold pendant necklace.

They all have one, and they all wear it every single day. It's specifically gold, not silver, and it's a circular shape on a thin chain. The gold medallion is sleek, simple, and classic, but it pops and draws your eye straight to it. Whether against bare skin with a floral blouse, bikini, or dress or over the top of a T-shirt, turtleneck, or sweater, it provides a little bit of flash while not overpowering. The best part is that it's not a rare piece of jewelry we could only dream of obtaining—whether you scour flea markets, eBay, or Etsy for cool vintage options or snag one at a more mainstream retailer, it's easy to replicate the look.

Just take a look through this slideshow to see how wildly versatile, chic, and cool the piece of jewelry looks on France's most in-demand It girls, and then shop a gold pendant chain for yourself.

ON JEANNE DAMAS

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

With a high-waisted skirt and red strapless suit, the necklace becomes a focal point of the look.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

It stands out against the skin with a blue bikini and layered with another, higher and smaller gold pendant.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

Here, Damas shows off the necklace with one of her Rouje bikinis.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

Nothing but a sundress, bare feet, and a gold pendant.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

The pop of gold looks chic with a simple blouse, an A-line skirt, and espadrille wedges.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

We especially love the way a gold pendant pops against black.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

Damas employs the barefoot, low-cut sundress + gold pendant combo on repeat.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

Here, the gold pendant + floaty white blouse look is immortalized in a painting of Damas.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

Here you can see not only Damas but also her road-trip car-mate wearing a similar gold pendant necklace.

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(Image credit: @jeannedamas)

Damas epitomizes French-girl chic in this photo, with a drapey dress, ballet flats, and, of course, her gold pendant necklace.

ON ANNE-LAURE MAIS

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Mais shows how chic the pendant looks as the only piece of jewelry with a black one-piece swimsuit.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Or a two-piece!

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Here she styles it on top of a quintessentially French-looking red-and-white polka-dot silk blouse.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

If you needed any further proof that this piece of jewelry looks great with a bathing suit.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

It was made to be the accessory partner to a flirty low-cut dress.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

If any necklace can rival and complement the iconic Gucci belt, this is it.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Here she shows that it works just as well in winter, standing out against a turtleneck, as it does on bare skin and silk blouses in summer.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

We love seeing the flat, circular disk peek through a sheer black polka-dot blouse—this is a look to copy on your next night out.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Here Mais layers with another thin necklace and a whisper-thin blouse.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Another pretty dress combination.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

It also works with a workman's jumpsuit.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

And a classic white button-down.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Or over a cheeky tee

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Just as easily as it pairs with a casual T-shirt and bikini, it works with elevated eveningwear like this silk slip dress Mais wore.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Note: It looks fantastic with a vintage-looking polka-dot blouse and retro white sunnies.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

It truly takes a simple top and jeans to another level.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

No matter how far away you take the photo, the metallic disc pops and enhances.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Another example popping perfectly against a black top.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

It works with literally every ensemble.

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(Image credit: @adenorah)

Blouse, straw bag, denim shorts, and gold pendant: The French-girl summer vacation checklist.

ON SABINA SOCOL

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

French fashion journalist Sabina Socol looks impossibly elegant in a black lace slip dress, blazer, and her omnipresent gold circle pendant.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

With a floaty blouse and denim.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

As we've seen with Damas and Mais, it pairs beautifully over a plain black top for contrast.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

And slinky black tops.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

And sheer glitter tops.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

This may be our favorite look of the bunch—the accessory perfectly complements a black lace body suit with a blazer, denim, and classic cap-toe pumps.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

We love how it looks with a fuzzy-strap top for black tie events.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

The way the sleek metal look stands out on top of casual cotton pieces doesn't get old.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol )

Likewise for frilly silk blouses.

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

Paired with a red tee, vintage denim, and a '90s flip side part, the look is Parisian casual-cool gold.

SHOP GOLD PENDANT NECKLACES

Alina Gonzalez
Editor