We all have one highly personal if not somewhat selfish goal that makes sense to no one but us. Mine? I want Jeanne Damas (model, actress, and founder of the clothing brand Rouje) to think that I’m cool. And, of course, by the very nature of French style, me wanting to be cool means I’ve already failed. This isn’t going to be some sort of “lesson learned: I’m happier being myself” kind of article, but rather a quick list of style tips I’ve learned from Jeanne and how I’ve tried to make them my own.

A French “it girl” I may never be, but I will try my damndest. (Despite my lack of constant sun-kissed glow, average height, large breasts, and inability to properly pronounce “coton de tulear,” no matter how hard I try.) Elegantly grasp your Oui French Style Yogurt and put on some Françoise Hardy (or this playlist) and let’s talk about French wintertime fashion.

Less is always, always more.

One thing that the French do well is curate. Whether it’s galleries, cheese plates, or wardrobes, they’re masters of developing a personal style and being authentic to it at all times, whereas American style seems to follow trends a bit more. (Coincidentally, one of those current trends is “French Cool Girl.”)

One way I practice this is by making a list of which pieces I need at the beginning of a season and only shop for those, and only then. I recently went through a pretty serious transition so, in a sense, I was starting from scratch, but I decided to invest in timeless pieces that will last me 5-10 years instead of buying something trendy. I’m privileged to be in a position where I could buy a lot of high-quality pieces at once, but if you’re not, don’t worry: you can still score that perfect coat, scarf, or pair of shoes that will last for years to come—even a high end or luxury item—without spending thousands of dollars.

Nordstrom Rack always has some of my favorite brands like Rag & Bone, MOTHER, Ganni, and even Burberry for 30% off or more. I’m also a huge fan of TheRealReal—while this may not be the go-to place to shop when you’re looking for something trendy, it’s a good place to go for staples. This is actually where I got my Chanel cap toe flats for my wedding a few years ago. They were in good condition and under $300. At the time, it seemed like a lot, but five years later, they’re still going strong. (Though my COVID weight made them slightly too small for me.)

If building a winter “everyday dressing” capsule wardrobe that’s going to last, here are my suggestions:

• One wool coat

• One casual jacket

• One pair of blue jeans

• One pair of black jeans

• Two sweaters

• Two t-shirts

• One cardigan

• One Turtleneck

• One casual sweatshirt

• One dress

• One skirt

• One pair of ankle boots

• One pair of loafers

• One scarf

• One small bag, and a canvas tote to carry larger items

Et Voila! Of course you’re free to add special items here and there but there are going to be your bread and better. The combinations add up quickly, and having fewer items to select from makes the selection process so much easier—plus, it’s easier to develop your signature style and look effortlessly chic. Now, about these pieces themselves: how to look a little more French?

Outerwear

For advice on which outerwear I should invest in for the long term, I looked no further than to Jeanne herself. In Harpers Bazaar, she recommended “a manly coat,” which is advice that I took and ran with.

I found this beautiful little (unfortunately out of stock everywhere) Scotch & Soda striped coat. I love how it’s masculine and structured but also more delicate in the fabric itself.

Mixing a little masculine with a little feminine is a simple way to look like you know what you’re doing sartorially. It’s a look that’s as polished as it is playful, as stoic as it is easy-going, and does not require a whole lot of effort. (Bonus points if the coat is tailored—I’m waiting until after the pandemic to take mine to the tailor.)

As with anything else, now is the time to buy one great coat you really, really love—even if it’s a splurge, than to purchase several that you won’t like in a few years. Because I like a little variety, I also bought one black and one cream belted wool coat this season. The black because, well, we all need a black coat that we can wear anywhere, and the cream is because I wanted something for dressier occasions. (I have yet to see the cream in person yet but I got it from Few Moda—an online shop that works on a membership model to sell clothes to shoppers at cost. My particular coat was made-to-order, from the same manufacturer that makes COS coats but for under $150!)

Because we’re all shopping online these days, not sure which size to purchase? My little lecture as someone who works in the eComm industry is to not simply buy multiples of one item and return the size that you don’t like, because it’s costly to the brands (especially if you’re shopping small) and quite wasteful. Rather, buy a larger size and, if needed, get it tailored. (Because remember—it’s going to last more than one or two seasons.)

Even Jeanne herself has this advice:

“I absolutely always buy in a bigger size. This is true for coats and also sweaters – I always take a bigger size because I think it looks far more chic if it’s loose fitted, rather than tight.”

There you have it.

Special Occasions

When in doubt, wear black. I don’t have the body type (read: cute, tiny, perky French breasts) to pull off a silk wrap top or plunging velvet neckline, but that doesn’t mean that I can’t still look chic. I recently purchased this little number from L’école Des Femmes to wear for all of my winter occasion needs. I figured it’d look cute with sheer black tights and loafers, or my Chanel cap toe heels.

The French do “sexy” very well—they leave enough to the imagination in a way Americans can’t quite get a grasp on. (Then again, we’re not a very nuanced people, historically.) They don’t typically wear sky high heels but keep it simple in a block or kitten heel. They’re also great at not being overdone with makeup and jewelry. Some dainty gold pieces along with a red lip, mascara, and a little blush is all you need.

Clearly, I could talk about French fashion all day. For now though, this is a good place to stop. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m off to see where I can find the best (and potentially the only) baguette in Appalachia.

xo, e.m.