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.
endless rose
Oversized Jacket Brown
$85.00
Rue La La
Maeve
Faux Leather Retro Swing Jacket Blue
$168.00
Anthropologie
Iro
Mizio Leather Shirt Black
$175.00
Rue La La
-33%
Levi's
Faux Leather Bomber Jacket in Ash at Nordstrom, Size X-Small Gray
$79.99
$120.00
Nordstrom
Commando
Crop Biker Jacket Black
$85.00
Rue La La
Moon River
Jacket Brown
$62.99
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.
Donald J Pliner
Reanna Leather Ballerina Gray
$85.00
Rue La La
-38%
Cole Haan
Womens Go-To Malta Peep Toe Bow Wedges - Beige Size 10.5
$99.95
$160.00
Cole Haan
Sarto
Telica Slingback Flats Gold
$120.00
Anthropologie
-25%
Cole Haan
Womens Bridget Mary Jane Ballet Flats - Brown Size 8.5
$119.95
$160.00
Cole Haan
Aquazzura
Bow Tie suede ballet flats Black
$760.00
Mytheresa
-31%
Cole Haan
Womens Jaya Travel Ballet Flats - Beige Size 10.5
$109.95
$160.00
Cole Haan
Kelsi Dagger
Freya Square-Toe Ballet Flats Gold
$140.00
Anthropologie
-25%
Cole Haan
Womens Go-To Tova Bow Ballet Flats - White Size 10.5
$119.95
$160.00
Cole Haan
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.
-21%
Cole Haan
Womens Key West Tote Crossbody Bag - Brown Beige
$179.95
$228.00
Cole Haan
Sensi Studio
Mini Frayed Handbag Blue
$282.00
Anthropologie
-39%
Cole Haan
Womens Key West Tote Crossbody Bag - Blue Beige
$139.95
$228.00
Cole Haan
Hat Attack
Mini Lulu Tote - Black - 001 Talbots
$180.00
Talbots
-40%
Cole Haan
Womens Key West Tote Bag - Beige
$179.95
$298.00
Cole Haan
Sensi Studio
Straw Pig Bag Beige
$282.00
Anthropologie
-50%
Cole Haan
Womens Key West Tote Bag - Blue Beige
$149.95
$298.00
Cole Haan
Clare Vivier
Pot De Miel Bag Beige
$265.00
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.
English Factory
Striped Polo Shirt Blue
$39.99
Rue La La
Maison Héritage
Colette Cashmere Sweater Blue
$58.00
Rue La La
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!
Rag & Bone
The Slub Striped Tee White
$138.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Maeve
Fisherman Stripe Tee Blue
$78.00
Anthropologie
Majestic Filatures
Stretch Linen Crewneck Tee
$120.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Veronica Beard
Pruitt Striped Ribbed T-Shirt Red
$228.00
Neiman Marcus
Majestic Filatures
Stretch Linen Crewneck Tee
$120.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Rag & Bone
The Slub Striped Tee White
$138.00
Neiman Marcus
Rag & Bone
Luca Stripe Baby Tee Black
$158.00
Bergdorf Goodman
Majestic Filatures
Stretch Linen Crewneck Tee
$120.00
Neiman Marcus
Majestic Filatures
Machine Washable Cashmere Striped T-Shirt
$305.00
Bergdorf Goodman
-41%
Maeve
Striped Vest T-Shirt Twofer Top Black
$69.95
$118.00
Anthropologie
Rag & Bone
Luca Stripe Rib Baby T-Shirt White
$59.99
Rue La La
