Personal style is everything

Whilst Parisian style has become a coveted trend, defining your style is a huge marker of je ne sais quoi – an indistinguishable quality many women here possess. While my wardrobe is heavily inspired by French style, studying the nuances inspires me to incorporate elements of it, while maintaining my sense of individuality. Emulating French style isn’t so much about following a formula as it is about style elements. With the exception of some wardrobe staples, it refers to refinement, classic silhouettes and design.

It’s always a good time to dress up

While Gallic women are renowned for their pared-back approach to style, the notion of ‘dressing up’ echoes throughout the city (which is great news for a person with a penchant for overdressing). Women of all ages (but particularly older women) don their fanciest get-ups to the humblest venues – red lipstick to the bakery and silken dresses to walk their dogs.

It’s a demonstration of exuberance and a lesson to revoke the ‘save it for best’ rhetoric and instead celebrate your clothes, no matter the occasion. It’s a refined nod to dopamine dressing. The French approach is subdued, though not as devoid of colour as you’d expect. Contrary to popular belief, French women appreciate saturated hues. Chartreuse, pillar box red and ochre are integrated into neutral-toned wardrobes – particularly in the evening when everything is amplified.

Recurring themes that constitute a capsule wardrobe include mid-wash raw hem straight-leg jeans (namely vintage Levi 501s which you’ll find in most kilo shops), a relaxed trench coat with a rounded collar (more specifically with a khaki undertone as opposed to stone), navy and white Breton, a white shirt and slingback shoes or mules.

The fashion lessons I’ve learned while living in Paris in my 30s