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.
Cole Haan
Womens Cross-Hatch Quilt Cropped Jacket - Green Size Medium
$198.00
Cole Haan
Pilcro
Faux Leather Crop Moto Jacket Black
$158.00
Anthropologie
Blank NYC
Real Suede Crop Jacket Beige
$198.00
Anthropologie
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Bone, Size: Medium White
$198.00
Alo Yoga
Pilcro
Rumi Shrunken Faux Leather Moto Jacket Brown
$158.00
Anthropologie
Pilcro
Aviator Faux Suede Jacket Beige
$178.00
Anthropologie
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.
Tory Burch
Ballet Flat - Black
$334.18
Italist
-38%
Cole Haan
Womens GrandPrø Travina Mary Jane Ballet Flats - Orange Size 10.5 Red
$89.95
$145.00
Cole Haan
Tory Burch
Reva Ballet Flat - Black
$400.20
Italist
-40%
Tory Burch
Reva patent leather ballet flats Black
$273.00
$455.00
Mytheresa
Tory Burch
Metallic Leather Ballet Flat - Silver
$432.26
Italist
Bibi Lou
Canna 35 Leather Ankle-Strap Kitten Heels Black
$190.00
Anthropologie
Tory Burch
Charlie Ballerina Flat - Black
$387.74
Italist
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.
Emporio Armani
Woven Straw Tote Bag - Tan Brown
$226.47
Italist
-60%
Cole Haan
Womens Key West Tote Bag - Blue Beige
$119.97
$298.00
Cole Haan
Vivienne Westwood
Troy Crossbody Bag - Beige
$344.08
Italist
Poolside
Sail Crossbody Clutch Beige
$325.00
Anthropologie
Pinko
Raffia and Leather Tote Bag - Yellow
$299.52
Italist
Sunshine Tienda
The Beach Crossbody Bag Beige
$58.00
Anthropologie
Guess
Kirsten Mini Top Handle Bag - Beige
$174.35
Italist
-38%
Coach
Beige Straw Leather Tote Bag (Pre-Owned)
$274.00
$445.00
LUX LAIR
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.
-40%
Vince
Variegated Stripe Wool Blend Sweater in Oat Shell/navy at Nordstrom, Size Medium Blue
$220.80
$368.00
Nordstrom
Samsøe & Samsøe
Striped Cotton Polo Shirt - Navy Blue
$187.90
Italist
Marni
Cotton-Wool Ribbed Sweater - Navy Blue
$242.88
Italist
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!
Isabel Marant
Zewel T-Shirt - Black
$193.29
Italist
-30%
Rag & Bone
Luca Stripe Rib-Knit Top
$124.60
$178.00
Neiman Marcus
The Attico
Curved Bustier-Stitched Crop T-Shirt - Black
$302.62
Italist
-29%
Maeve
Striped Sweater Tee White
$69.95
$98.00
Anthropologie
Samsøe & Samsøe
SamsøE SamsøE Striped Cotton T-Shirt - Gray
$81.34
Italist
Sanctuary
Striped Sweater Tee
$89.00
Anthropologie
Golden Goose
Crystal-Embroidered Cotton T-Shirt - White
$286.48
Italist
Rag & Bone
100% Pima Cotton The Slub Striped Tee Blue
$138.00
Anthropologie
The Attico
Curved Bustier-Stitched Crop T-Shirt - Black
$302.62
Italist
Sessun
Striped Cotton-Linen T-Shirt - Pink
$118.87
Italist
Maison Margiela
Soft Cotton T-Shirt - Beige
$337.47
Italist
