French women have a timeless quality that's hard to put into words. It's a combination of not looking like they tried and somehow appearing perfectly put-together. It's not something that can be readily taught, but these 11 women make it look easy. Every one of the French women featured here is as chic as can be and each is all over age 40. Not only that, but they seem to get cooler by the decade and make fashion over 40 look easy.
The women we're calling out include actresses, fashion editors, and former models, but there's nothing flashy about their style. They clearly have the fashion industry at their fingertips, but their classic aesthetics are indicative of French women in every field. Check out their cool confidence ahead and start looking forward to getting older.
Keep scrolling to see which over-40 French women inspire us and to shop pieces that they'd surely love at the end.
Caroline de Maigret
Age: 45
Caroline de Maigret is a model and the co-author of How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are.
Follow: @carolinedemaigret
Carla Bruni
Age: 52
Carla Bruni is a songwriter, former model, and former French first lady.
Follow: @carlabruniofficial
Marion Cotillard
Age: 45
Marion Cotillard is an Academy Award–winning actress, a musician, and the face of Lady Dior.
Follow: @marioncotillard
Emmanuelle Alt
Age: 53
Emmanuelle Alt is the current editor in chief of Vogue Paris.
Follow: @emmanuellealt
Isabelle Huppert
Age: 67
Isabelle Huppert is a veteran actress who was recently nominated for her first Academy Award for her work in Elle.
Follow: @isabelle.huppert
Vanessa Paradis
Age: 47
Vanessa Paradis is a model, singer-songwriter, and actress who is a front-row fixture at every Chanel runway show alongside daughter, Lily-Rose Depp.
Aïssa Maïga
Age: 45
Aïssa Maïga is a Senegalese-born French actress and producer. Her signature look on the red carpets she frequents is dresses that cinch at the waist.
Juliette Binoche
Age: 56
Juliette Binoche is an Academy Award–winning actress for The English Patient and perhaps best known for her starring role in Chocolat.
Follow: @juliettebinoche
Inès de la Fressange
Age: 63
Inès de la Fressange is a model, style icon, and author of Parisian Chic City Guide.
Follow: @inesdelafressangeofficial
Carine Roitfeld
Age: 66
Formerly the editor in chief of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld now runs CR Fashion Book and is the global fashion director of Harper's Bazaar.
Follow: @carineroitfeld
Catherine Deneuve
Age: 77
Catherine Deneuve is an actress (having appeared in over 100 films) and one of Saint Laurent's original muses.
Garance Doré
Age: 45
Garance Doré is a photographer, illustrator, blogger, and author of The New York Times best seller Love Style Life.
Follow: @garancedore
Shop French Wardrobe Essentials
The French are loyal to their skinny jeans.
Want the Parisian look in an instant? Get a pair of Mansur Gavriel oxfords or ballet flats.
A double-breasted blazer makes every outfit better.
This quintessential French print is trending again this season.
Behold the sophisticated French outerwear style of choice.
A T-shirt as versatile as this is more than a French-style cliché.
Do as the French do and casually knot this around your neck.
Throw this silk shirt on with a pair of jeans and pumps for an instantly polished outfit.
Ten out of 10 chic French women have high-waisted wide-leg trousers in their closet.
An eye-catching carryall is a must.
Something gold will do.
A cropped cardigan looks very French when paired with high-waisted denim, no?
Oversize sunglasses have a certain je ne sais quoi.
Of course, diamonds are a "oui" in any language.
An everyday bag that's simple, yet quite chic.
Much better than a basic black boot.
For mopeds, naturally.
And a magnificent red lip. Voila!
Up Next: French and California Women Agree—These 7 Fall Staples Are Elite
This post was originally published on an earlier date and has been updated.
-
If a Parisian Shopped Nordstrom's Black Friday Sale, She'd Go for These 32 Chic ItemsElevated selects.
-
Nicole Kidman Wore the Easy Heel Trend Every French Girl Wears With SkirtsGreat minds think alike.
-
Forget Bombers—Stylish Women in L.A. and Paris Much Prefer This Elegant Jacket TrendJennifer Lawrence included.
-
Effortless, Chic, and Classic—These 35 Zara Finds Have All the Makings of a Great French-Girl OutfitAdd these to your cart tout de suite.
-
I Just Got Back From My First Trip to Paris—6 Trends I Saw EverywhereFrench-girl trends for fall, anyone?
-
The French Knitwear Brand Every Parisian Has in Their ClosetThe greatest of all time.
-
Katie Holmes, Kendall Jenner, and Dua Lipa Just Wore the Rich-Looking Color Trend French Women LoveClassic and chic.
-
Law Roach's World: His New Book, Bag of Choice, and What He Grabs on a Target Run"[Styling] has made my world so much bigger."
