Effortless elegant, timeless and sophisticated is something that French fashion has been known for. French women just seem to do it differently: They don’t make everything loose, but combined with tailored elements they both look well dressed and comfortable. Dressing 'ruled' is not their approach to dressing: their philosophy of design is based on a perfect equilibrium of simplicity and at the same time, chic, truly personal, yet relaxed. And, do French women like tight clothes or flowing? It’s both; it’s versatile and easily put together, but in an effortless style.
The Power of Tailoring in French Fashion
French style has to do with tailored clothing. Classic French looks are when you think of impeccably fitted blazers, sharp trousers and pencil skirts. What does French women get right: tailoring, and structured pieces have always been a cornerstone of a French women’s wardrobe.
Blazers are a hot item right now and because they are so important, tailored blazers are essential. Tailored beautifully, a blazer works as well paired with jeans for a casual look as it does with a sleek pencil skirt for a note worthy office outfit. In fact, the French tend to invest in a few high quality made to measure pieces which make up the base of the French wardrobe. And these garments tend to be considered timeless investments because they can be worn from season to season, decade to decade.
It’s not about having a perfect fit but about creating a subtle, understated augmentation of the feminine form through tailoring. French tailoring is nothing like more overtly structured clothing and unlike more structured dresses, French tailoring makes the clothes both comfortable and flattering by focusing on simplicity and fluidity. French women like their clothes to follow the natural lines of their bodies — they don't like clothes 'too tight and restrictive' and will look for examples of fitted coats, classic fahts or well cut dress..
The Chanel suit is one of the most iconic examples of made-to-measure elegance in terms of French fashion. The modern woman who wanted to look chic and comfortable but not do so in suits made of stiff fabric and a constrained style was revolutionised by Coco Chanel when she invented the first tailored suit. This well tailored, minimalist legacy still leaves its mark in French wardrobes.
The Allure of Loose Clothing
French style is highly tailored, but loose clothes are an integral part of getting that effortless chic look. In reality, many French woman's choose what is comfortable and simple to wear and a lot of their clothes are designed to look like they do not care.
Freedom and ease—to loosen up—can be achieved with loose clothes like oversized shirts, wide leg trousers, flappy dresses, etc. The French style of effortless chic is about looking good but without working too hard (that’s the relaxed bit) which comes across in this relaxed style. The real trick of French loose clothes is to require none of them to be too mooched up or shapeless. Instead, French women like garments that will wrap like a dream and flatter their natural shape.
The oversized blazer is one of the most common examples of loose clothing in French style to fall in love with over recent years. The oversized blazer comes in a relaxed vein as inextricably paired with skinny jeans or tailored trousers. There is a very versatile piece that you can wear to casual outing or on similar formal events.
Related: How can a bride creatively blend her wedding theme into her vacation outfits?
Just like French women, wide leg trousers have taken on, easing one’s way with comfort without letting one go without a touch of sophistication. Wide leg pants are good with a tucked-in shirt that is also nice with or a fitted top. This style has its roots in French fashion icons Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin who regularly wore casual, but chic outfits that seemed to pretty much sum up the French woman.
The dress too was another key example of loose clothing. Lightweight fabrics like linen, silk, and cotton are very much loved by French women in a dress that is flowing. Midi or maxi length, and usually simple, feminine: pleats, soft ruffles, delicate straps. These dresses might be loose, but they retain a sense of query because of its high quality fabrics and fitted cuts. Neutral tones like navy, beige, black and white are dressing ideas that the French like to be seen in as they scream understated luxury.
The French Philosophy: Balance Between Tailored and Loose Clothing
What is unique about French fashion is the way in which clothing is tailored and loose clothing coalesce to form a single wardrobe. If you are French woman about how do I feel when I am in my best shape, you probably know that balance is a superpower. But of course it transcends body image, French women know how to dress for structured sophistication; or loose clothes for an easeful look. Assembling the pieces together is how you get this balance right.
French women like to mix tailored smalles with loose clothes in order to create contrast and harmony. For example, a loose blouse with custom made trousers makes for a great combination of comfort with style. Or a loose flowing dress combined with something structured such as a jacket or a fitted blazer, can make your look more polished.
By using a combination of tailored and loose clothing, this versatility is certainly part of French style. French women know how to cultivate a wardrobe filled with their tailored staples and loose essentials, made from the best of high quality fabrics and timeless designs. It also means that they can easily put pieces together to create pieces that work for whatever occasion is called for, whether it’s casual day wear or more formal evening wear.
Comfort and Practicality: The French Focus on Versatility
The reason French women will don both tailored and loose clothing is for comfort and practicality. French fashion has nothing to do with uncomfortable, straitlaced clothing. What it’s really about is detailing pieces that allow freedom of movement while being fashionable.
As an example, loose clothing, oversized sweaters or bohemian blouses, casual dresses are all about flexibility and comfort and it's very convenient for the busy French woman who could have to leave a morning meeting and be in the afternoon café. The clothes also look great when dressed up or down with a bit of right accessories which might be more versatile for the many outfits.
On the flipside, tailored clothing gives structure and polish, which is why it’s most appropriate for more formal situations like business meetings, dinners, and events. Simple, sophisticated and yet somehow more relaxed than the Italian approach to dressing, tailored pieces can be paired with casual elements to forge a completely distinctive French look.
Conclusion: A Harmonious Blend of Tailored and Loose Clothing
Briefly stated, French women are not rigidly partial to either tight or loose clothing. Instead, they are open to both styles, and embrace harmony in the mix. Structure comes in the form of tailored pieces, elegance is presented through loose clothing, and comfort is machine stitched in with loose clothing. French style is beautiful because it can be so versatile, so you can make polished and relaxed, sophisticated and casual.
French women have perfected the art of stylistically pairing tailored pieces with loose ones, while remaining chic, comfortable and timeless. French women understand that whether you’re dressing for a professional event or a night out, or on a casual outing, the secret to effortlessly stylish is not about choosing between one type of style and another; it’s about finding balance, wearing clothing that makes you feel comfortable and elegant, and you should feel confident and cozy.
Anonymous 
Effortless elegant, timeless and sophisticated is something that French fashion has been known for. French women just seem to do it differently: They don’t make everything loose, but combined with tailored elements they both look well dressed and comfortable. Dressing 'ruled' is not their approach to dressing: their philosophy of design is based on a perfect equilibrium of simplicity and at the same time, chic, truly personal, yet relaxed. And, do French women like tight clothes or flowing? It’s both; it’s versatile and easily put together, but in an effortless style.
The Power of Tailoring in French Fashion
French style has to do with tailored clothing. Classic French looks are when you think of impeccably fitted blazers, sharp trousers and pencil skirts. What does French women get right: tailoring, and structured pieces have always been a cornerstone of a French women’s wardrobe.
Blazers are a hot item right now and because they are so important, tailored blazers are essential. Tailored beautifully, a blazer works as well paired with jeans for a casual look as it does with a sleek pencil skirt for a note worthy office outfit. In fact, the French tend to invest in a few high quality made to measure pieces which make up the base of the French wardrobe. And these garments tend to be considered timeless investments because they can be worn from season to season, decade to decade.
It’s not about having a perfect fit but about creating a subtle, understated augmentation of the feminine form through tailoring. French tailoring is nothing like more overtly structured clothing and unlike more structured dresses, French tailoring makes the clothes both comfortable and flattering by focusing on simplicity and fluidity. French women like their clothes to follow the natural lines of their bodies — they don't like clothes 'too tight and restrictive' and will look for examples of fitted coats, classic fahts or well cut dress..
The Chanel suit is one of the most iconic examples of made-to-measure elegance in terms of French fashion. The modern woman who wanted to look chic and comfortable but not do so in suits made of stiff fabric and a constrained style was revolutionised by Coco Chanel when she invented the first tailored suit. This well tailored, minimalist legacy still leaves its mark in French wardrobes.
The Allure of Loose Clothing
French style is highly tailored, but loose clothes are an integral part of getting that effortless chic look. In reality, many French woman's choose what is comfortable and simple to wear and a lot of their clothes are designed to look like they do not care.
Freedom and ease—to loosen up—can be achieved with loose clothes like oversized shirts, wide leg trousers, flappy dresses, etc. The French style of effortless chic is about looking good but without working too hard (that’s the relaxed bit) which comes across in this relaxed style. The real trick of French loose clothes is to require none of them to be too mooched up or shapeless. Instead, French women like garments that will wrap like a dream and flatter their natural shape.
The oversized blazer is one of the most common examples of loose clothing in French style to fall in love with over recent years. The oversized blazer comes in a relaxed vein as inextricably paired with skinny jeans or tailored trousers. There is a very versatile piece that you can wear to casual outing or on similar formal events.
Related: How can a bride creatively blend her wedding theme into her vacation outfits?
Just like French women, wide leg trousers have taken on, easing one’s way with comfort without letting one go without a touch of sophistication. Wide leg pants are good with a tucked-in shirt that is also nice with or a fitted top. This style has its roots in French fashion icons Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin who regularly wore casual, but chic outfits that seemed to pretty much sum up the French woman.
The dress too was another key example of loose clothing. Lightweight fabrics like linen, silk, and cotton are very much loved by French women in a dress that is flowing. Midi or maxi length, and usually simple, feminine: pleats, soft ruffles, delicate straps. These dresses might be loose, but they retain a sense of query because of its high quality fabrics and fitted cuts. Neutral tones like navy, beige, black and white are dressing ideas that the French like to be seen in as they scream understated luxury.
The French Philosophy: Balance Between Tailored and Loose Clothing
What is unique about French fashion is the way in which clothing is tailored and loose clothing coalesce to form a single wardrobe. If you are French woman about how do I feel when I am in my best shape, you probably know that balance is a superpower. But of course it transcends body image, French women know how to dress for structured sophistication; or loose clothes for an easeful look. Assembling the pieces together is how you get this balance right.
French women like to mix tailored smalles with loose clothes in order to create contrast and harmony. For example, a loose blouse with custom made trousers makes for a great combination of comfort with style. Or a loose flowing dress combined with something structured such as a jacket or a fitted blazer, can make your look more polished.
By using a combination of tailored and loose clothing, this versatility is certainly part of French style. French women know how to cultivate a wardrobe filled with their tailored staples and loose essentials, made from the best of high quality fabrics and timeless designs. It also means that they can easily put pieces together to create pieces that work for whatever occasion is called for, whether it’s casual day wear or more formal evening wear.
Comfort and Practicality: The French Focus on Versatility
The reason French women will don both tailored and loose clothing is for comfort and practicality. French fashion has nothing to do with uncomfortable, straitlaced clothing. What it’s really about is detailing pieces that allow freedom of movement while being fashionable.
As an example, loose clothing, oversized sweaters or bohemian blouses, casual dresses are all about flexibility and comfort and it's very convenient for the busy French woman who could have to leave a morning meeting and be in the afternoon café. The clothes also look great when dressed up or down with a bit of right accessories which might be more versatile for the many outfits.
On the flipside, tailored clothing gives structure and polish, which is why it’s most appropriate for more formal situations like business meetings, dinners, and events. Simple, sophisticated and yet somehow more relaxed than the Italian approach to dressing, tailored pieces can be paired with casual elements to forge a completely distinctive French look.
Conclusion: A Harmonious Blend of Tailored and Loose Clothing
Briefly stated, French women are not rigidly partial to either tight or loose clothing. Instead, they are open to both styles, and embrace harmony in the mix. Structure comes in the form of tailored pieces, elegance is presented through loose clothing, and comfort is machine stitched in with loose clothing. French style is beautiful because it can be so versatile, so you can make polished and relaxed, sophisticated and casual.
French women have perfected the art of stylistically pairing tailored pieces with loose ones, while remaining chic, comfortable and timeless. French women understand that whether you’re dressing for a professional event or a night out, or on a casual outing, the secret to effortlessly stylish is not about choosing between one type of style and another; it’s about finding balance, wearing clothing that makes you feel comfortable and elegant, and you should feel confident and cozy.