At Who What Wear, we love it when a woman in the spotlight clearly adores fashion. Of late, French first lady Brigitte Macron and her eye for style has really caught our attention. A former literature teacher, Brigitte, 65, now has scores of women the world over wanting to emulate her latest look.
You won’t see this political figure in anything loose, floaty or floral—she’s a minimalist through and through (like so many French women), and her staples revolve around modern, clean lines with body-skimming silhouettes. She’s rarely seen without towering high heels, and she loves a navy suit—almost as much as her husband, French President Emmanuel Macron. As a matter of fact, some our favourite looks on her have been navy—you know what they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It’s no surprise Brigitte is a champion of French brands, given the plethora of Parisian design houses at her disposal—we can only imagine. Favourites include Christian Dior, Alexandre Vauthier and Alaïa. That said, her #1 go-to label is definitely Louis Vuitton. She counts Vuitton designer Nicolas Ghesquière as a personal friend, along with Chanel’s Karl Lagerfeld. Balmain Creative Director Olivier Rousteing often praises her style, and she’s worn the brand’s sharp-shouldered jackets so often we’re going to rename the jacket style The Brigitte.
Sharp tailoring aside, there’s one particular item of Brigette’s wardrobe we want to steal every time—skinny jeans. Saint Laurent skinnies, to be precise. She has a catalogue of styles, from stone-washed, blue, black and red. “I have always put a lot of effort into the way I present myself,” she told Elle. “I would never leave the house before choosing an outfit and doing my hair.” So that’s why even the most casual ensemble of jeans and a sweater still looks entirely polished.
Wearing skinny jeans, a navy peacoat and Nikes on a bike ride in Le Touquet, France in June 2017. We wish we looked this good mid-cycle.
A fine example of the Brigitte blazer. This is by her favourite label Louis Vuitton, worn here alongside husband Emmanuel Macron during Trump’s visit to Brussels for the NATO summit on July 11, 2018. Of course, she kept it simple with tailored trousers and stilettos.
A great drop-waist dress needs minimal accessories, which is why Brigitte wore this with simplistic nude courts on a visit to Brussels in 2017.
The first lady knows how to work stylish eveningwear, layering a sequin cape over her nude Louis Vuitton dress. Even for occasion wear, Brigitte keeps it simple and sleek for a state dinner at the Élysée Palace in March, 2018.
From eveningwear to the chicest of casuals, this blue sweater and jeans has got us thinking about colourblocking for summer. Brigitte wore this for a meeting between Arnold Schwarzenegger and President Macron at the Élysée Palace in June 2017.
A great tailored shift dress like this will save you many a “what to wear” outfit dilemma. Brigitte wore hers on state visit to Luxembourg in August 2017. You could wear yours to after work drinks (not quite the same, we know.)
We’re sharp realising this first lady is fan of all shades of blue. It may be blazer and relaxed denim here in Le Touquet, France, but you can always count on Brigitte to elevate the look with some sky-high heels.
When you’re sitting front row at the Louis Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week, what else are you going to wear but the designer brand? Brigitte pairs her leather trousers with the Vuitton Capucine bag. Jealous, us?
Seen here at the Élysée Palace, Paris in July last year, Brigitte opted for a red Alexandre Vauthier blazer. Red with black is always a good idea.
We told you Brigitte and navy is a winning combination. Seen here with President Macron in Varna last year, wearing (you guessed it)—a Louis Vuitton shift dress. Great ruffle detailing, Brigitte.
Those jeans again! Love that Bridgitte has taken the grey tone head to toe. She wore this double-breasted blazer with a crisp white shirt in Paris in 2017.
A rare sighting of Brigitte in a colourful ensemble, still as chic and tailored as ever. Of course it’s Louis Vuitton—go figure. She wore this with President Macron on a visit to the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in April 2018. Oh, to raid her wardrobe.
Another stellar evening look from Brigitte. We love the illusion lace, with a slight sparkle. We wouldn’t mind borrowing this dress, worn for the Fete de la Musique in June 2017 for our Friday night plans.
Related: French Fashion: 10 Secrets to Dressing Like the World's Chicest Women
This tan look wouldn’t go amiss in our summer wardrobe. We can’t promise our version will be Louis Vuitton, though. Brigette wore this look when she visited the Taj Mahal in March 2018.
A white shirt with belted red jeans and trainers? Sold. Coloured jeans are having a moment, as demonstrated by Brigitte in June 2017 in France.
We love this all-white look of Brigitte’s in June 2017 on the steps of the Élysée Palace. This white number is by classic French brand Courrèges.
In November 2017, Brigitte wore this long-sleeved burgundy dress at Élysée Palace in Paris. The high neck is offset by the above knee length—something that the French press often debate as appropriate or not (we say whatever, this is the 21st century).
Peak sophistication was the order of the day for the 2018 Bastille Day military parade. Leaving the bottom two buttons of her skirt-suit top open? Nice styling touch, Brigitte.
Related: The Over-50 Fashion Icons With the Freshest Style
At a concert in Hamburg, Germany Brigitte styled out her black cigarette pants with a monochrome Louis Vuitton tunic. Trés chic.
Brigitte and Rihanna were in Paris as the singer discussed education in developing countries with the French president. We’ll take Rihanna’s bag and Brigitte’s Louis Vuitton jacket, please.
The Macrons received a group of children to mark the United Nations Universal Children's Day at the Élysée Palace in Paris. We rarely see Brigitte without her trusty stilettos, but here she’s opted for over-the-knee boots. ■
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