I studied French for eight years in high school. I devoured old classic French movies on the weekends. In my late teens and early 20s, I jumped on the Eurostar to visit Paris as often as I could afford—soaking in the culture, style, and way of life—and always leaving with a stack of Madame Figaro and L'Officiel magazines in hand. To this day, I still dream of owning an apartment in Le Marais. (Hey, anything's possible). In short, I am a French girl at heart! That goes for my style too. I'll always favor the nonchalant, effortlessly chic outfit formulas that embody the French-girl aesthetic we talk about so often here at Who What Wear.
With spring finally here, I'm refreshing my closet with a handful of chic new-season French-girl staples that I've found from trusty retailer Nordstrom. So if you're a Francophile like me, you can get that easy, effortless, and classic French style you're looking for from the comfort of your own home. Although, booking a flight to Paris to wear said items is also highly recommended.
Striped Sweater
Yes, it's true French women love stripes. This season, French women are wearing them in relaxed, slightly oversize silhouettes with cool details such as half-zip collars and elongated sleeves.
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Straight-Leg Jeans
A cool pair of vintage-inspired straight-leg jeans is a forever favorite among the French fashion set.
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Button-Down Shirt
One item you'll always find in a French woman's spring wardrobe is a relaxed-fit crisp button-down shirt. Whether you go for white or stripes, the staple looks effortlessly chic when paired with denim.
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Cute Cardigan
Charming spring knits are a French-girl essential. Opt for a cropped and cute cardigan with subtle embroidery, prints, or cable-knit details.
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Classic Loafers
When the temps start to slowly rise and it's time to put away the knee-high boots, classic loafers are the dominant shoes of choice for spring.
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Classic Trench
If you're a French girl at heart, then a classic, relaxed trench coat is an absolute must to complete your spring wardrobe.
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Knit Dress
French women embrace easy and comfortable knit dresses in neutral hues that look effortless paired with Mary Janes, ballet flats, boots, or slides.
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Classic Belt
The magical accessory that completes any chic French outfit is unquestionably a classic belt. Go for a chic black one that you can cinch with jeans, tailored trousers, or a dress.
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Denim Skirt
Denim skirts are trending this season, but they have always been an integral part of a French woman's spring wardrobe. Whether you go for a cool mini, vintage-inspired midi, or trend-forward maxi length, you'll unquestionably perfect the French-girl look by wearing one with a chic long-sleeve blouse or button-down shirt.
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Up next, 6 Shoe Trends I'm Buying at Nordstrom (and 6 I'm Retiring)
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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I'm a Stylist in NYC Who Was Just in Paris for 3 Days—These Are the Chic and Easy Outfits I WoreElegant looks ahead.
