When it comes to style, I’ve always taken inspiration from the French, and, more specifically, the Parisians. They just have that elusive je ne sais quoi about them. But what is it exactly that makes French fashion feel so timeless, so chic? After spending three weeks in France—two in Paris, one in Burgundy—I noticed a pattern. Across regions and lifestyles, so many French people seem to follow a handful of unspoken fashion rules. Below are the three that seemed most prevalent. And spoiler: I tried them and am never going back.
I Just Spent 3 Weeks in Paris—Here Are the Top 3 Fashion Rules Everyone Abides By
t’es stylé, quoi!
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Published Jun 3, 2025
original photos by marissa wu
Original photo by Marissa Wu
1. Curated Color Palettes
The French have a knack for coordinating color. In Paris it was more polished, but I even saw people abiding by this principle in the countryside with simple T-shirts and jeans. I noticed three color coordinating methods in particular: monochrome, matching accessories (a variation on sandwich dressing) and building the outfit around one color.
I kid you not, I saw three men, in three different neighborhoods, sporting cherry-red ensembles, while many women would coordinate their bags and shoes to match, pulling an outfit together without trying too hard. The last tip I observed was the most unexpected. While monochrome dressing is typically building the outfit around one color, the French have a more nuanced approach. I noticed plenty of Parisians who dressed in all neutrals, save for one pop of color. Or, they would have one showy color, like green, as the main focus and use their accessories to choose coordinating colors that wouldn’t steal the show. The result was a fun, sophisticated outfit that didn’t feel like a walking rainbow.
Original photo by Marissa Wu
2. Tote Bag + Tiny Bag = Win
From students in the Latin Quarter to the ladies in Saint-Germain-des-Près, the canvas tote + tiny bag combo was a winner across age groups and neighborhoods. I notice that in the States, we love a good Mary Poppins bag, opting for one GARGANTUAN sack to hold everything. The Parisians opt for a stylish handbag, and then throw a canvas tote over their shoulder to deal with the overflow. I did this during my trip and found it’s a great system. Just make sure your tote is a neutral color so it blends in better.
Original photo by Marissa Wu
3. Good Tailoring (and When in Doubt, Dress Up)
If I had to assign an adjective to French fashion, it wouldn’t be chic. It would be tailored. Here, people just opt for slightly more formal clothes—no exercise garb unless you’re actually headed to a sporty activity. Button-downs and blouses are much more common, and if there is a T-shirt in sight, it’s a neutral, like the classic white tee. (No random band and university tops here.)
The one thing that takes it over the top is the fact that French people tend to tuck in their shirts. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a T-shirt or a blouse, it’s tucked in. And you probably have a leather belt. That small detail instantly elevates the entire look and makes a surprisingly big impact.
Original photo by Marissa Wu
4. And One More Thing…
Finally, I can’t wrap this up without mentioning footwear. While it’s not clothing per se, as the Wrong Shoe Theory illustrates, shoes can completely change the vibe of your outfit. The biggest way to scream I’M A FOREIGNER here is to wear comfortable sneakers. The Parisians are opting for ballet pumps (I spotted at least two pairs of Repetto’s Camille silhouette) and ballet flats, in addition to oxfords for men and Adidas’ Stan Smiths or Vejas to keep it elevated but casual.
