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They want to know what suits them.’ ‘Trends,’ she bats away dismissively, ‘are just passing. What they want is to develop their own style – one that lasts.’ Anyone can master French style, says Alois. Image: Irma Notorahardjo And if anyone should know about French style, it’s Aloïs. Having graduated from the prestigious French Institute of Fashion in Paris, she worked as a fashion trend forecaster before becoming a leading style coach and personal stylist, with clients from around the globe who seek her out for her quintessentially Parisian take. She has shared her sartorial wisdom in the newspaper Le Figaro and her first book, Dress Like a Parisian, became the manual on acquiring that gallic je ne sais quoi. Vive le beret! Image: Blaublut-Edition.com / Amberly Valentine To be frank, we need a bit of that over on this side of the Channel. Aloïs knows everything about that insouciantly sexy, artfully dishevelled yet effortlessly pulled-together Parisian look that we see so frequently on fashion blogs and Instagram. And the good news? Aloïs says we Brits can inject some of that into our wardrobes, too. First – brace yourself – you must undertake a ruthless ‘massive decluttering’. Only then will you be ready to transform your closet à la Parisienne into a curated wardrobe of ‘basics and statements’. Second, never, ever shop on impulse or for the thrill of the buy. Third, buy less, buy better. Marion Cotillard perfects low-key chic. Image: REX/Shutter​stock Aloïs was grounded in this from an early age. ‘My mother took great care of the way she dressed – and it was the same with my grand-maman Brigitte. But neither were big shoppers. They would think carefully before buying anything and kept clothes until they died. Every purchase would be thought through. Did I need it? Did I love it? As a result, I never became an impulse shopper,’ she explains. Brigitte Bardot rocks the Breton stripe. Image: REX/Shutterstock Another key element of becoming a Parisian style maven is to start shopping sustainably. According to a 2018 study by the French Fashion Institute, the value of the French clothing market has fallen 15 per cent since 2007, while the proportion of French consumers buying second-hand rose from 15 to 30 per cent between 2009 and 2018. In Britain, we are more susceptible to the dopamine hit of a fast-fashion purchase, spurred on by social media which thrives upon the new. A 2018 Eurostat survey showed that, out of 28 European counties, Britain was the eighth biggest spender when it came to clothing/footwear. France ranked 23rd. Vanessa Paradis gives the tux a twist. Image: GC Images Aloïs delights in our ‘quirkiness’ and bold approach to colour and pattern, and likens the more conservative English style – ‘the Burberry and the Barbour’ – as closer to the French look. But she is baffled by the fondness for ‘short, tight clothes and a full face of make-up’ – in Paris, less is most definitely more. The Toujours fashionable tea dress. Image: Irma Notorahardjo ‘Parisians don’t all have innate style – half my clients are French,’ she notes. ‘But, as general rule, French women put more emphasis on style. And we don’t give that up as we age because all around us are older women who are very elegant. Of course, it is easier if you have a style that can navigate through the years.’ And with Aloïs’s tips and strict instructions (below), it’s not as difficult as it sounds… French style The 5 basics every woman needs Your wardrobe should contain only two categories of items: basics and statements. Your basics are the pillars, so make them your shopping priority. They should be neutral (black, navy, grey or beige) and have a simple cut. Each of your statement pieces should have at least one basic that can be worn alongside it, whereas your basics must be able to be combined or spiced up with statements (garments that make you look fabulous or have an outstanding thing about them, such as an unusual print). These are the basics… 1 T-shirts for layering Jason Jean / Blaublut-Edition.com 2 Shirts whether oversized tight-fitting or something in-between the versatility of the shirt is the greatest in the clothing kingdom DanielBrunoGrandl / Blaublut-Edition.com 3 Knits and pullovers the T-shirts of winter If they re oversized style them – tuck in the front roll up the sleeves add a belt or necklace… Skwad Photography / Blaublut-Edition.com 4 Tailored coats jean jackets trench coats Frenchy Style / Blaublut-Edition.com 5 Simple light items of jewellery These could be in gold or silver and include white diamonds real or fake Skwad Photography / Blaublut-Edition.com How to dress more French Stay understated. French style is so popular because it’s not polarising, eccentric or over the top. Maintain a constant level of style. At the Sunday markets in France, the women will be subtly stylish rather than dressed incredibly. It takes no more effort to put on a dress with trainers and lipstick than it does a pair of leggings. Vogue Paris editor Emmanuelle Alt shows how it’s done. Image: Sandra Semburg / Blaublut-Edition.com Eschew trends. Like good wine, French women wait until something matures before buying it. But if a piece that looks like a future basic comes into fashion, they’ll take the plunge. Have fun with your existing wardrobe. This means buying just a few but well-chosen, long-lasting clothes – very eco-friendly. Style icon Ines de la Fressange shows how it’s done. Image: Michel Dufour Now throw some vintage into the mix… et voila Jeans One hundred per cent cotton jeans age the best and the toughest. Go for blue, black or white. You’ll have to try on a lot: designs and sizing have been modified over the years, so a number means nothing. Denim jackets Oversized, snug, sleeveless, studded or 80s shapes. I love denim-on-denim outfits, either using the same or a variety of shades. Jean jackets can make pretty dresses or skirts look more relaxed. Biker jackets In winter, I wear a sweater underneath and top it with an oversized scarf. They make smart trousers and frilly dresses look cool while emphasising the rock attitude of denim-based outfits. Leather skirts The pencil skirt is an eternally sexy classic. Try on a few (make sure you can walk). Tone things down with an oversized top: a fluffy sweater, a men’s shirt or a square T-shirt. Tuck or half-tuck to show your waist. Team with trainers, flats, low boots or heels. In affordable second-hand shops, you may notice some scratching and fading to the leather. As long as it’s not too obvious, this can add soul to the piece. Leather trousers These will mostly be high-waisted and pleated: super cool. Wear with a tight or loose sweater – maybe in the same colour – tucked in. Add a belt to define your waist. High boots Choose 70s-style straight boots (these work wonders under short and knee-length skirts and dresses) or the more relaxed shapes with the triangular heel from the 80s. Bags Make sure the lining and straps are in good condition. If not, have the price reduced and do some DIY upcycling. Trench coats Older ones are less cinched than those from recent decades. Check for stains and tears in the lining. They look better worn open (as long as it’s not raining). Utility jumpsuits You want a fabric that has ‘been through the mill’, so look and feel are key. Open the buttons to reveal a low-cut T-shirt, roll up the sleeves and trouser-leg hems, and add heels, jewellery and a bit of make-up. If it’s baggy at the waist, belt it. Blouses Silk pussy-bows, Victorian collars, dainty lace… more refined than anything made today. To undercut their ‘femininity’, go for trousers, jeans or shorts – and tuck in the blouse. Pleated skirts I recommend midi length. Wear with 70s-style high boots in autumn, platform sandals in summer and ballet flats if you’re in a Bardot mood. Silk scarves Feel the softness to be sure it’s the real thing. Wear under a sweater or shirt like a turtleneck, in your hair, around your bag handle… the options are endless. Embellished jumpers The ones with pearls or cute embroidery that your gran used to wear are cool again. Wear with something sexy or masculine – a leather skirt, jeans, cigarette trousers. Roll up the sleeves and half-tuck the front. Can t find that perfect preloved piece Try these hush Skirt, £59, hush-uk.com Next Trench coat, £65, next.co.uk Reiss Boots, £350, reiss.com Gap Jeans, £89.95, gap.co.uk M&S Jacket, £249, marksandspencer.com Jane Carr Scarf, £195, jane-carr.com Why French Women Wear Vintage – And Other Secrets of Sustainable Style by Aloïs Guinut (Mitchell Beazley, £16.99*) is out now. See also dresslikeaparisian.com and @aloisparisian. Order a copy for £11.49 until 30 August at whsmith.co.uk by entering the code YOUFRENCH at the checkout. Book number: 9781784726690. For terms & conditions go to whsmith.co.uk/terms. 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