What if you could look simple, elegant, classy, and put together at any age or stage of life? If you’re into fashion or style then you know that dressing like a French girl is literally everywhere right now. You may feel confused or put off by this trend. But the benefits of dressing like a French girl are for every woman.
Maybe you’ve even asked yourself, “Why French girls? What’s so good about them?! What could dressing like a French girl do for me?“.
Dressing like a French girl is not about attaining a certain “look” although you definitely can. However, adopting French style rules is more about adopting a mentality and a way of life that makes you feel more sexy and confident while also rejecting unnecessary complications in life.
French girls know how to keep it simple and elegant.
I believe this is something that all women, not just French women, desire. They just seem to do it particularly well which why they are called upon again and again to guide us.
What is the French philosophy?
It’s a commitment to letting go of the mental chatter that says “I’m not good enough and never will be”.
Because at the end of the day, clothing isn’t really just about clothing. Is it? It’s about something very personal, namely, how we show the world who we are and what we believe. When you learn to dress like a French girl you’ll notice your life change in five very practical and very awesome ways.
Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have, they say more important offices than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world’s view of us.
-Virginia Woolf
1.) Releases you from the pressure to be perfect
The French actually have a saying, Jolie laide, that they use to describe an unconventionally beautiful woman.
This literally translates to beautiful ugly.
Strange I know, but French model, fashion icon, and French national treasure, Caroline De Maigret, talks about how for any French woman there is the belief that it’s important to highlight or even accentuate a particular flaw like a gap in the teeth, a big nose, or whatever.
Some people seem to put their fantasy of ‘the ideal woman’ onto the Parisian woman, while the Parisian woman doesn’t have an ideal. Maybe the key is to let go and be ok with who you are…
I don’t know about you but the pressure to be “perfect” in our culture as a woman is sometimes unbearable.
French women reject the concept of perfection and instead embrace their flaws. They’re that little bit wild, a little awkward, a little unpolished…just enough to be charming.
Clothing never has and never will make you or I feel good enough. That comes from the mind and the heart.
2.) Opens up more mental bandwidth
Like you, I have too much on my mind already. The very last thing I need to worry about is what I’m wearing. So I stick with what works and I aim for what’s better, trying all the time to accept myself as is.
If I know that everything I have in my wardrobe is cherished, well suited to my body, and to my lifestyle then I have no need to overthink what to put on.
Being able to put my routine on autopilot is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.
I don’t mind wearing similar things on a regular basis because my mental energy is better used towards other things like my relationship with my husband, family, and friends, and creating an awesome experience for my Closet Clean Out clients.
3.) Frees up time in your schedule for more important things in life
I’m always crunched for time in the morning. If you have kids you know that the rush to get out the door looking good is one of the biggest challenges.
Because of paring down my wardrobe, cleaning out my closet, organizing it, and creating my style manifesto I am able to spend as little as 5 minutes getting ready. What I do with the remaining time, is take my dog to the park, do my devotions in the morning, sometimes make breakfast, and have a relaxing commute.
I also spend less time shopping. No more insane pressure to find new items. And because I own fewer items that are higher quality, I am able to spend less of my time doing laundry.
4.) Creates more physical space in your closet and life
I’ve seen this work for so many women I’ve styled in the past.
I help them to see that what they already own is beautiful. Every single styling and closet clean out client I’ve worked with discovers endless possibilities for outfits with just a handful of items…usually no more than thirty.
Though most of my clients end up keeping way more than thirty items, they all see that with a smaller selection they’re able to play with their style more.
They end up purging things that don’t serve them well and create more space in their closet.
5.) Allows you to take control of what you want and reach your goals
When you’re confident there’s nothing you can’t achieve.
Do not underestimate the power of being sure of yourself. Clothing is one of the most simple ways you can quickly, affordably, and easily change the way you feel about yourself and the way others perceive you.
Executive Editor for Better Homes & Gardens, Oma Ford, has said, “Style means being curious and having the confidence to choose what you love.” I believe she is right.
When you feel it’s OK for you to choose what you love in one small way, you’re more able to choose what you love in more important matters as well. I personally believe the way you do one thing is the way you do everything. You can dress in a way that is true to who you are, that creates confidence within you, not in a vain way, but in an authentic way. You will start to take steps towards creating that sense of confidence in other areas of life as well.
Your confidence will inspire others to do the same when it is born out of a genuine and authentic expression. I’ve definitely felt the difference between feeling shame or jealousy when I see another girl versus feeling inspired by another person’s whole getup.
When you’re confident, it helps other women feel the same. And we will never stop needing women who inspire confidence.
In conclusion
Dressing like a French girl has more benefits than merely having better style. It’s more about creating a sense of peace about our flaws, opening mental and physical space, and creating more time in our lives so we can focus on more important things.
Learning to adopt a philosophy of simplicity is at the heart of learning to dress like a French girl.
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