The French girl fashion item that will always be in style
There’s no denying we have a thing for French girl-inspired style – and now we’re not talking about Emily in Paris. From their minimalistic make-up to their effortlessly cool haircuts, there’s no denying that the French-girl style has that je ne sais quoi that can’t be put into words.
And one of the pieces that every French girl has in her closet? The marinière, the Breton stripe shirt, the navy stripe shirt – call it what you want, it’s undoubtedly a staple and icon of French fashion. Even though it has been around since 1838, it is still just as relevant and fashionable in 2023.
Here are some of our favorite marinière looks and how you can copy the effortlessly chic French girl style.
There’s a reason that the striped shirt is a timeless piece. It literally goes with everything. It’s the perfect layering piece and can be worn underneath a leather jacket or a cool maxi skirt – immediately adding a little extra something to every outfit.
-54%
Cole Haan
Womens Wing Collar Leather Jacket - Beige Size Medium Brown
$229.97
$498.00
Cole Haan
Avec Les Filles
Faux Fur Trucker Jacket Brown
$129.99
Rue La La
Maeve
Faux Leather Retro Swing Jacket Blue
$168.00
Anthropologie
Walter Baker
Bowie Suede Jacket
$278.99
Rue La La
Via Spiga
Scuba Jacket Black
$84.99
Rue La La
-33%
Levi's
Faux Leather Bomber Jacket in Ash at Nordstrom, Size X-Small Gray
$79.99
$120.00
Nordstrom
Walter Baker
Leela Leather Jacket Black
$135.00
Rue La La
Anne Laurie Mais is a French fashion influencer who is based between Paris and the south of France – she also has her own lable, Musier Paris. So it’s easy to say she knows a thing or two about French girl fashion. Exhibit A: this beautiful outfit complete with neckerchief, mini cargo skirt, and of course Miu Miu ballet flats.
-49%
Cole Haan
Womens Grand Ambition Angelina Ballets - Black Size 8.5
$79.95
$158.00
Cole Haan
-40%
AllSaints
Sutton Metallic Leather Point Toe Shoes Gray
$252.00
$419.00
AllSaints
Cole Haan
Womens Jaya Travel Ballet Flats - Brown Size 10.5
$160.00
Cole Haan
Sarto
Telica Slingback Flats Gold
$120.00
Anthropologie
AllSaints
Holly Leather Stud Ballet Flats Black
$299.00
AllSaints
Off-white
Off-White Frame Leather Slingback Flat Black
$399.99
Rue La La
-31%
Maeve
Pointed-Toe Moto Mary Jane Flats Black
$109.95
$160.00
Anthropologie
Chloé
Misty Leather Ballerina Flat Black
$649.99
Rue La La
French influencer Emmanuelle Koffi shows us how it’s done with this Breton inspired cardigan from Celine, paired with dark wash jeans and a sunny, straw tote bag. It’s the perfect transitional piece for those summer nights when it’s still a bit chilly.
Tommy Bahama
Soft Straw Raffia Crossbody Brown
$99.99
Rue La La
AllSaints
Asha Woven Straw Hobo Shoulder Bag Beige
$249.00
AllSaints
Tiffany & Fred
Smooth Leather & Straw Top Handle Satchel Black
$189.99
Rue La La
Sensi Studio
Mini Frayed Crossbody Bucket Strap Pink
$252.00
Anthropologie
Tommy Bahama
Soft Straw Raffia Crossbody Brown
$99.99
Rue La La
Hat Attack
Mini Lulu Tote - Black - 001 Talbots
$180.00
Talbots
Persaman New York
Isla Leather Straw Satchel Brown
$119.99
Rue La La
Sensi Studio
Mini Frayed Handbag Green
$282.00
Anthropologie
If you’re ever looking for French girl fashion – just head over to the Parisians in Paris Instagram account. You can get your daily dose of fashion inspo straight from the streets of Paris. The feed is filled with baguettes, berets, and of course Breton stripe shirts just like this one.
Splendid
Lucy Stripe Wool & Cashmere-Blend Sweater Brown
$59.00
Rue La La
-20%
Velvet
Edora striped cotton jersey sweatshirt Blue
$196.00
$245.00
Mytheresa
If you think that the marinière is an exclusively holiday or weekend garment, you are very wrong. Here, Marlies Pia Pfeifhofer styled her striped sweater with a pair of beige slacks, Adidas Sambas, and a black Prada hobo bag – it can become the key piece to make even the most basic outfit look cool. Why not try it with Bermuda shorts, a midi skirt , mules or flats ?
AlexaChung
Striped crochet-knit cotton cardigan - White - L
$345.00
The Outnet
Majestic Filatures
T-shirts Blue
$254.00
Yoox.com
Ralph Lauren
T-shirts White
$90.00
Yoox.com
Frame Denim
Striped ribbed-knit cardigan - White - XS
$444.00
The Outnet
Vince
Striped jersey top - Green - XL
$145.00
The Outnet
Sporty & Rich
Womens Vendome Breton Striped Cotton Top - Stripe - XL - Moda Operandi
$110.00
Moda Operandi
The marinière also comes in so many variations – not just the classic white and blue model. It has been revisited in many different ways over the years. Starting with the colors, which feature super hot variants: ranging from red stripes on a white background to white ones on a blue background, up to multicolor and black & white striped T-shirt models.
The fit has also been renewed , with short-sleeved, cropped and off-shoulder tops, as well as the classic long-sleeved marinière. Excuse us now while we make French girl fashion our new personality. Au revoir, ma chérie!
Majestic Filatures
Stretch Linen Crewneck Tee
$120.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Rag & Bone
The Slub Striped Tee White
$138.00
Neiman Marcus
Rag & Bone
The Slub Striped Tee White
$138.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Majestic Filatures
Stretch Linen Crewneck Tee
$120.00
Neiman Marcus
Majestic Filatures
Machine Washable Cashmere Striped T-Shirt
$305.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Maeve
Striped Vest T-Shirt Twofer Top Black
$118.00
Anthropologie
Majestic Filatures
Stretch Linen Crewneck Tee
$120.00
Bergdorf Goodman
-63%
Sportmax
Tops White
$107.00
$288.00
Yoox.com
Nic+Zoe
Petite Striped T-Shirt Green
$29.99
Rue La La
Veronica Beard
Pruitt Striped Ribbed T-Shirt Red
$228.00
Neiman Marcus
