The 6 Golden Rules of French-Girl Style That You Don't Know Yet

Pre-Instagram, we might've had to rely on fashion week for our street style roundups, but when it comes to experiencing global style in 2018, we're spoiled for choice. Not only does social media allow us to see the #OOTDs of women on every continent at the click of a button, but it also gives us a chance to reassess the sartorial tropes that have developed around certain countries.

One of the most well-worn fashion stereotypes has to be that of the "French girl." Cue the expensive basics, Breton tops, silk shirts, and tasteful yet subdued occasion wear, all of which are embodied by the likes of Carine Roitfeld and Emanuelle Alt. While there are many who still love the traditional, pared-back aesthetic, Instagram proves that it is no longer representative of the average fashion-loving Parisienne, with influencers such as Ellie Delphine from Slip Into Style and Syana Laniyan bringing a more avant-garde and experimental approach to the table.

"Parisian women don't shy away from a funky touch," says Delphine. "We love a statement shoe, an extravagant piece of costume jewelry, a flashy print or one piece that will make heads turn."

To get a better sense of what "classic French style" looks like in 2018, we scoured the feeds of our favorite Gallic girls and created six golden rules for re-creating their looks. From funky knits to souped-up miniskirts, scroll down to see what it takes to nail classic French style now. (Hint: It's not what you think.)

1. ALWAYS FIND A WAY TO ELEVATE YOUR STAPLES

Style Notes: Camille Charrière knows the power of good basics but also knows that they'll look so much better when elevated. Kick your blazer into 2018 with a wide, waist-cinching belt. 

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2. DON'T BE AFRAID OF BREAKING THE RULES

Style Notes: Forget minimalist basics, because Ellie Delphine from Slip Into Style is here to throw out the French fashion rule book with this double-denim, double-jacket ensemble.

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3. MINIS ARE CHIC WHEN BELTED & WORN WITH SHEER TIGHTS

Style Notes: While the rest of the fashion crowd is trading in their minis for midis, French girls are still championing the '60s skirt. Sabina Socol shows us how it's done: Make it belted and printed, and pair it with sheer tights and a crewneck knit.

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4. A QUIRKY JUMPER IS NEVER A BAD IDEA

Style Notes: Clearly it's not just our WWW UK team that loves a nerdy jumper. Jeanne Damas is proof that even the most traditionally Parisian dresser can enjoy the ugly-chic aesthetic. The secret is to pair it with high-waisted jeans and ankle boots.

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5. TAILORING ALWAYS LOOKS COOLER WITH SNEAKERS 

Style Notes: High-low styling is a key characteristic of modern French-girl style. Case in point: A tailored suit is one of our most loved forever pieces, but Syana Laniyan knows that adding sneakers will make a two-piece feel more modern.

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6. LEOPARD PRINT IS THE NEW NEUTRAL 

Style Notes: After Marissa Cox told us to treat leopard print like a neutral, we realized she was onto something. We've seen so many French girls embracing animal print recently, from coats and trousers to shoes and shirts. So long, neutral color-blocking! Hello, maximalist heaven.

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This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK. Next: the classic boots French girls wear year after year.