We talk a lot about British style, and we talk a lot about French style, but it recently occurred to me that we very rarely compare the two side by side. Being something of a Francophile, but also someone who is very proud to be British, I decided I'd rectify this by creating the exact sort of content that would interest me. If you've found yourself here, that likely means it's of interest to you, too; something for which I'm very grateful.
Recently, I embarked on a bit of a fashion history lesson, chronicling the typically British items French women have adopted as their own. Today, however, I wanted to look at our respective aesthetics from another angle. Surely there must be some British trends that French women just don't get? So I set out to discover what these are.
Perfectly positioned to help me on my quest is Marissa Cox, otherwise known as Rue Rodier. Cox, a born-and-bred Brit girl who has resided in Paris for years, began showcasing her flourishing style in the French capital by way of Instagram. Fast-forward to today, and she's still documenting French style on the daily and even has a book under her belt (Practising Parisienne, should you want to brush up on your Gallic charm). Lately, she's become my girl on the inside for all things French, and today, she shares her insight on what she believes the biggest disparities are between British and French style. Scroll on to read her thoughts on the matter.
1. Wax Jackets
"I'm quite partial to a Barbour jacket and have my eye on recent editions in collaboration with Ganni and Alexa Chung, but I've never seen my French counterparts sporting one on the Parisian streets. Opt instead for a trench and go for leather, an updated take on the classic outerwear trend," suggests Cox.
Shop:
This Aligne style has been on my wish list for weeks.
Give your winter ensembles a lift with a cream coat.
Mock-croc finishes are trending hard this winter.
This leather trench also comes in a deep navy hue.
2. Wellies
"While it rains just as often in Paris as it does in London (it wasn't me who told you), wellies are another clothing item that doesn't seem to have made it across the Channel, despite recent releases from the likes of Superga. Most French women tend to wear leather riding or chunky knee-high boots instead," says Cox.
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The boots every editor and influencer wants to own.
Tan styles look great with jeans and lighter hues.
Oxblood is another versatile option if you're bored of black.
The perfect casual winter boots do exist.
3. Cargo Trousers
"Brought to the furore by Brit '90s fashion and Scary Spice, there's a lot to be said for an item of clothing with ample storage, and a few of my fashion-forward Parisian friends are already donning them, but I don't see the comeback of cargo trousers sparking a legion of Parisians to pound the pavements in them. Right now, the aesthetic is still very much geared towards pleated tailored trousers; the sort you find at The Frankie Shop, House of Dagmar or Totême," says Cox.
Shop:
These Frankie Shop trousers are best sellers on Matches and Net-a-Porter.
COS is my go-to for premium high-street tailoring.
This pair also comes in a rich brown colourway.
Pair with chunky boots for day and strappy sandals for night.
4. Grunge Clothing
"Parisians tend to opt for daintier, sleeker and more elegant shoe styles than the heavy clomping Dr. Martens boots, a standout grunge item, and I can't see many donning ripped hems or tartan any time soon. Still, they are not afraid to flaunt some flesh, so expect to see some barely there, sheer and cut-out pieces to be higher up on their agendas," says Cox.
Shop:
Try layering this over leggings or tailored trousers if you want more coverage.
I'm a sucker for lace tops.
So cool; wear with pointed-toe heels for the ultimate '90s party get-up.
So beautiful no one will think this skirt came from the high street.
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