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.
Fat Face
FatFace Erin Olive Green Suede Jacket
£225.00
FatFace
-50%
Diesel
Vegan Leather Jacket L-SUZA-R with Zip on Sleeve size Xxs
£151.08
£302.15
GLAMOOD
-30%
Fat Face
FatFace Bethany Burgundy Red Quilted Biker Jacket
£139.00
£199.00
FatFace
-50%
Diesel
Leather Jacket L-SUZA-R size Xxs
£280.57
£561.14
GLAMOOD
-30%
Fat Face
FatFace Leanna Black Leather Jacket
£139.00
£199.00
FatFace
-50%
Diesel
Vegan Leather Biker Jacket R-SINYA-A-NEW size Xxs
£170.50
£341.00
GLAMOOD
-29%
Infinity Leather
Womens Chestnut Biker Jacket-Reynosa - Brown Nappa Leather - Size 16 UK
£119.99
£169.99
Secret Sales
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.
Clarks
Ubree15 Poppy Leather Womens Slip On Shoes - Sand Combi - Size:UK 6.5
£34.57
Legend Footwear
-20%
Charles & Keith
Patent Bow Square-Toe Ballet Flats
£44.00
£55.00
Charles & Keith
Steve Madden
Ellison Flat Shoe NATURAL
£99.99
Steve Madden
-20%
Charles & Keith
Barbara Pearl-Bow Ballet Flats
£44.00
£55.00
Charles & Keith
Steve Madden
Synthia Flat Shoe IVORYSATIN White
£119.99
Steve Madden
-30%
Charles & Keith
Glennis Bow Ballet Flats
£34.30
£49.00
Charles & Keith
Steve Madden
Gayla Flat Shoe LIME
£119.99
Steve Madden
Charles & Keith
Gertrude Mary Janes
£59.00
Charles & Keith
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.
-40%
Fat Face
FatFace Natural Straw Shopper Bag
£24.00
£40.00
FatFace
-40%
Robert Clergerie
Idana leather-trimmed straw brogues Beige
£152.00
£254.00
Mytheresa
Ruslan Baginskiy
Monogram newsboy cap Beige
£295.00
Mytheresa
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.
Tommy Hilfiger
Stripe Slim Fit Metallic Logo T-Shirt White
£55.00
Tommy Hilfiger
Desigual
Striped T-shirt White
£74.00
Desigual
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 ?
-50%
Ganni
White Blue Striped Cotton V-neck Jumper - Size XXS/XS Organic
£142.50
£285.00
GANNI
Serena Bute
Merino Wool Striped Fitted Jumper - Cream / Navy Blue White
£125.00
Serena Bute
-50%
Ganni
Mixed Multicolour Hand-Knit Jumper - Size S Wool
£212.50
£425.00
GANNI
-45%
Woolrich
Lightweight Cotton Crewneck Top With Stripe Details size L
£85.47
£155.39
GLAMOOD
Possé
Haisley striped cotton polo shirt Blue
£175.00
Mytheresa
-25%
Kujten
Cashmere Knitwear, female, White, L, Blue Striped Cashmere Jumper
£237.52
£316.68
Miinto
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!
Jil Sander
Striped cotton jersey top Red
£350.00
Mytheresa
PDR Phisique Du Role
TOPWEAR - T-shirts on YOOX.COM White
£109.00
Yoox.com
A.P.C.
T-Shirts,Blue male, Sizes: XL, M
£119.90
Miinto
Dedicated
TOPWEAR - T-shirts on YOOX.COM Blue
£31.00
Yoox.com
Ami
Sweater With Logo Womens Red
£269.00
Vitkac
Tommy Hilfiger
TOPWEAR - T-shirts on YOOX.COM White
£54.00
Yoox.com
Roy Rogers
TOPWEAR - T-shirts on YOOX.COM Red
£73.00
Yoox.com
