7 Style Rules French Women Always Follow

What are the mysterious qualities that make French women so stylish? Words like “effortless” and “undone” come to mind, but we suspect it’s partly the things French women don’t do that make them so fashionable. And because French women are truly in a sartorial league of their own, the rest of the world is on a constant quest to emulate them. Knowing the set of guidelines they follow is the first step in achieving that effortless quality that they’re known for. 

To find out what these no-nos are, we went straight to the source and asked our favorite French style bloggers for the fashion rules they follow. From the footwear styles they avoid (and what they wear instead) to their philosophy when it comes to accessorizing, these tips are timeless, simple, and relevant to every age group. Read on for your master class in je ne sais quoi.

“A French woman would never wear too-high heels. You will never see a French woman with shoes like Lady Gaga!” — Labériane Ponton of The Blab

“I would never wear a push-up bra. We think that small breasts are sexy too, thanks to Charlotte Gainsbourg.” — Aurelia of Absolutely Glamorous

“I would avoid wearing clothes or accessories with the name of the brand shown very distinctly. I think luxury is the way you wear your clothes, not by showing the name of the brand.” — Tokyobanhbao of The World of Tokyobanhbao

“I would never wear more than three pieces of jewelry at once. I think any more than that clutters and confuses a look. Understated jewelry is usually my go-to, but if I do wear a statement piece it will always be on its own.” — Audrey Rodgers of Be Frassy

“When wearing something really chic, you go easy on the makeup, and if you’re wearing only a shirt and a pair of jeans, a red lipstick could do the trick. We don’t really show off; we like simplicity.” — Typhaine Augusto of Cuillère à Absinthe

“I sometimes see girls wearing skirts in elastic material over their jeans. I do not understand the look. I would never do that.” — Kenza Sadoun-el Glaoui of La Revue de Kenza

“I would never wear skin-colored tights. They are the worst thing in fashion.” — Valentine Vanesse of Hello It’s Valentine

This post was published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Up next, 10 "boring" basics French girls always have handy.