The #1 Trick to Make Your Outfit Look French
If you've been lucky enough to score yourself some perfectly fitted jeans this winter, well done. You're one step ahead of me. Since you'll probably be living in those jeans for the next few months, you're about to find out how to take them to the next level with this simple French girl styling trick. It's not new, it's not groundbreaking (sorry), and you probably own a few tools of the trade already. I'm talking about belts.
After a bit of French style stalking over the weekend (Anne-Laure Mais of Adénorah, Camille Charrière, and Jeanne Damas to name names), I found a common pattern in most of the images I was screenshotting, and that was the blue jean and belt combo. Belt trends can be fun to play with each new season—cue the Gucci logo belt every fashion girl owns or the corset waist belt seen everywhere—and the humble accessory has quickly become more of a stylish addition than a necessity for holding up your pants.
A belt is also a good way to get one piece from a designer collection without splurging on the entire outfit. Even better, if you can find yourself a quality vintage designer belt through the likes of The Real Real or Vestiaire Collective, that's a real catch (and very Parisian of you). But you can be rest assured that a plain leather belt will also make your denim jeans look effortlessly cool.
Keep scrolling to see how the French girls are styling their belts to find your next outfit inspiration, then shop our top picks.
Anne-Laure Mais of Adénorah
Camille Charrière
Jeanne Damas
Shop the Best Belts:
As its name suggests, the best everyday black belt to pair with everything.
The embroidered trend is here to stay. Wear with your favourite light denim vintage jeans.
Love French fashion? Follow us on Pinterest.
Who's your style icon?
Jenny Walton. She has a quirky, French, feminine style I adore. She mixes designer, vintage, high street really well and isn’t afraid of colour and print. My style board on Pinterest is full of street style images from her at fashion week events.
Who are your 5 favourite people to follow on Twitter/Instagram?
@unconditionalmagazine, @ilona_hamer, @thefatjewish, @glossier, @giorgiatordini
What's the fashion essential you can't live without?
My vintage red tartan jacket. It's timeless and bold. I love wearing it with a red matte lipstick.
What's your desert island album?
Any '70s playlist will do!
-
9 Trends Set to Define Spring 2025 Fashion
What to know from the spring/summer 2025 runways.
By Eliza Huber
-
Lily Collins's Emily in Paris Press Tour Looks Are 100% French-Girl Coded
She even wore a sequin beret.
By Eliza Huber
-
Pregnant Suki Waterhouse Just Wore a Backless, Drop-Waist Gown to the Emmys
She's here, and she's perfect!
By Ana Escalante
-
8 Trends I'm Stealing From the Fall 2024 Men's Shows
From Prada to Gucci.
By Eliza Huber
-
17 Straight-Off-the-Runway Dresses We're Dying to See at the Golden Globes
Our red carpet predictions.
By Erin Fitzpatrick
-
5 Things to Know About Valentino's Spellbinding New Show in Paris
Here's the full rundown.
By Erin Fitzpatrick
-
Kaia Gerber Has Conquered the Runways, so What's Next? Comedy Boot Camp
The model and actor is officially in her funny-girl era.
By Jessica Baker
-
9 Designer Bags Everyone Has Been Wearing Lately
How many times have you spotted them?
By Nicole Akhtarzad Eshaghpour