French women don’t fall victim to the false belief that fashion is limited by age – in fact, some of the most stylish women in France are over 60. They’re living proof that age truly is just a number, and that age can give you lived experience and elegance like nothing else. If you’ve ever admired theclassic, effortless style of the French, then you’re in the right place. Below, I’ll go into more detail with 9 tips about how to dress like a French woman over 60 to get their elevated, polished look.
1. Layer with a timeless trench coat
Trench coats are a timeless staple in a French woman’s wardrobe! Not only are they extremely practical for cold or windy days in France, but they’re also light enough to layer under or over nearly year-round. Besides their practical side, they’re also the perfect piece of chic outerwear that can elevate any outfit.
Dress up a t-shirt and jeans to run errands on the weekend, or pair a trench coat with your favorite sweater and trousers for the office. You can even use a trench coat to upgrade your go-to travel outfit of leggings and a sweatshirt! This classic coat can pull any look together.
2. Go for classic prints
French women tend to stick to a neutral, simple color palette when it comes to their favorite pieces, but that doesn’t mean they don’t incorporate a classic pattern or pop of color now and again! In fact, classic patterns are a great addition to a French capsule wardrobe to add interest to your outfits. Classic patterns include animal print (especially leopard), stripes (of course), and floral print.
If you want to incorporate a pattern into your look like a French woman would, stick to one pattern per outfit. This will ensure that you wear the pattern, instead of the pattern wearing you! Prints that are too bold or bright can overwhelm you, so try to stick to ones with a limited color palette or neutral shades. Above, you can see examples of how French women love to wear patterns in their daily looks. From a leopard print coat to a striped Mariner tee to a floral scarf, there are plenty of interesting ways to incorporate a print into your outfit.
3. Wear a blazer
A French woman’s favorite layer to wear year-round for elegant style might just be a classic blazer. This stylish piece of outerwear is just as versatile as a trench coat in a French woman’s wardrobe. A blazer can instantly add polish to any outfit, no matter the occasion. A French woman might have two styles of blazer in her wardrobe arsenal – both a tailored version and an oversized fit. The oversized version might be worn on more casual occasions with sneakers, or used to balance out slimmer pieces (like a t-shirt and skinny jeans).
On the other hand, a tailored blazer might be worn to the office or worn with straight-leg jeans and a button-down shirt. It might be wise to have an option of each on hand, in neutral colors! The best part about a blazer is that it’s another style you can wear throughout the year, and paired with nearly any outfit. In the summer, try wearing a linen blazer with tailored shorts and a tank top for an elegant warm-weather look. In the winter, wear it over a maxi dress with tights and boots for a chic look that can take you from the office to date night with ease.
4. Build a collection of button-down shirts
French women love timeless, basic neutrals when it comes to their capsule wardrobe. Women in France (Parisians in particular) like classic options that they can mix and match with little effort, and that they don’t have to worry about ever going out of style. A white button-down shirt easily falls into that category! When it comes to a white button-down, there are a few different silhouettes to choose from, just like the blazer.
You might want to build a collection that contains both oversized and more tailored pieces, depending on the look you’re going for. It will also depend on what you’re styling it with! Beyond white, you might consider adding a few other colors or patterns into your collection as well. Other neutral shades like French blue, black, navy, and beige would be good options to consider. In terms of patterns, leopard print and stripes are also very versatile for year-round style!
5. Prioritize jeans that fit well
Ill-fitting clothes can give off that “frumpy” look, no matter how stylish the individual pieces may be! A good fit makes all the difference, and it doesn’t matter how expensive the pieces are. If they fit well, they can make you look as expensive as designer pieces do. Go for cuts of denim pants that naturally appear more tailored. Think crop styles, slim cuts, or straight-leg jeans. These are a few of a French woman’s favorites because they pair well with a variety of tops and highlight your natural features in a flattering way. If you do go for a wider leg or baggier style, make sure to balance those pairs out with more tailored pieces on top so you’re not swimming in extra fabric!
6. Accent your waist
All of our bodies tend to change a least a little when we get older, which can be challenging. It can be tricky not to want to immediately reject those changes, or try to hide them under more layers or oversized pieces.
However, if you want to go for a flattering look, try to shift your mindset. Instead of focusing on features that you want to hide or disguise, focus your attention on your features that you want to show off, and embrace! Not only is this a more positive mindset to have overall (and not just toward our physical features, but our mental and emotional ones, as well), but it will help you to accept your body as it is in this current moment. Everyone has a unique body shape and type, but if your waist is an area you want to highlight or slim, try adding a belt! This will instantly give you a more tailored look and create the appearance of an hourglass shape. French women over 60 love to use this trick, especially when they’re wearing pieces with more visual weight, like coats, thick jackets, or shapeless dresses.
7. Invest in quality fabrics
As we’ve covered already, French women have a quality over quantity mindset when it comes to their wardrobe pieces. This can be at odds with how many of us are marketed to here in the United States, where “more for less” is often the attitude. However, this is one of the big differences when it comes to how French style appears in contrast to American women’s style. Their classic pieces are often made with much higher-quality fabrics and details, meaning they often look more elevated and fit better.
Although French women often invest more in these pieces, it’s because they expect to wear and love them for many years to come. They treat their make-up in the same way, and opt for less is more when it comes to lipstick, mascara, and even skincare. We can learn a lot from this attitude towards French fashion. Not only is it a more sustainable mindset, but it can teach us to get out of the habit of impulse purchasing pieces. Focusing on quality over quantity means you take longer to consider a purchase, and really stop to take time to think about whether it complements your current style, or fills a hole in your capsule wardrobe.
8. Add tights for a sleek look
Instead of nude pantyhose, French women might opt for sheer black tights to pair with their pencil skirt. If they want to add a bit of edge to their black dress and stilettos, they might go for a patterned pair of tights – like the French women above. This is a great way to add personality to your favorite looks! You can get creative with patterns like stripes, polka dots, etc. Even if you don’t tend to reach for high heels, no worries. You can embrace chic style like French women over 60 by pairing your tights with ballet flats, ankle boots, or slingback flats, too. These are a few of the shoe styles that the French love to reach for.
9. Finish your outfit with elegant accessories
Although French wardrobe essentials tend to lean toward a clean, polished look, that doesn’t mean that they don’t get creative with their accessories. If you want to know how to dress like a French woman over 60, you have to understand that they love playing with fashion and experimenting with their look. Accessories like a silk scarf give French women the opportunity to play with styling techniques, and also can be the perfect pop of color against a traditionally neutral Parisian look. A silk scarf is a staple in a French woman’s wardrobe. They might loop it through their collar underneath a white blouse, tie it around the strap of their handbag, or use it as a belt to highlight their waist underneath an oversized sweater. There are so many ways to style this classic piece, which is why it’s a versatile staple of French style.
(If you need inspiration about how to wear it, we have a style guide for you.) Although elegant accessories like French scarves and brooches might be currently trending, French women over 60 have long been aware of how classic these pieces are, and that they never really go out of style.
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