How to Dress More Like the French

One thing the French are known for is fashion. Although I am not personally French and I do not personally live in France, I conducted research for you readers to provide some tips and tricks to look more fashionable if you are French and/or live in France. 

1. Stop wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts. Instead, wear something more classy, yet still casual, like a large oxford shirt and loose trousers.

2. Try layers. Layers always look fashionable and they can keep you warm when it's cold out and comfortable even when it's not.

3. Wear black. It's almost always chic. You can also bring a pop of color to an all black ensemble with accessories or certain pieces of clothing.

4. Speaking of accessories and certain pieces of clothing, subtle embellishments go a long way.

5. Keep makeup light--the classic Parisian style includes playing up your natural beauty with nude lipsticks and light mascara. 

6. Invest in at least one classic piece. A long trenchcoat and heels always look good.

7. Leather is often a good go-to-fabric.

8. Bathe less often. Seriously. It makes your hair easier to style, and apparently it's Jane Birkin's secret.

9. Elegance is not only in your clothing--posture, etiquette, social habits, and overall demeanor can make you look much classier and classically Parisian.

10. Focus on fit. You don't necessarily need to exclusively buy perfectly-tailored clothing, but try to avoid extremely loose fitting and tight fitting clothes.

11. Less is more. Too many patterns can be thought of as tacky. Interesting shapes and textures are generally safe to experiment with.

12. Heels aren't the only shoes you should wear. Flats are Parisians' and your best friend!

13. Invest in some staple clothing. You can build a more flashy style after you nail the basics.

14. Jacket and scarves are essentials. It's hard to look bad in a simple jacket and scarf combo.

15. Have fun with it! Part of the reason we strive so much to be and look more like the French is because they make it look so effortless. Their secret? They're probably not putting massive amounts of effort into it. 

Remember clothing and fashion are not the most important things in the world. Whether you look like a Parisian or like an American doesn't matter so much in the long run. It's always fun to dress up and try to look classy, but don't forget to love yourself for who you are because you are beautiful in your own way!