10 Key Style Differences Between American and French Women

10 Key Style Differences Between American and French Women

The French street style stars always look so effortlessly elegant, and the je ne sais quoi factor is real— they make skinny jeans and a T-shirt look like the world's most fashionable outfit! Let's shed some light on French style secrets to find out key differences between American style and that of France.

French women buy less but spend more.
Fast fashion is very big in the U.S., but in France investment shopping is a way of life. French women are masterful at mixing high and low, while many Americans shop with a quantity-over-quality mindset, mining bargain shops for frequent wardrobe injections.

American women are very trend-influenced.
French women believe in having a more consistent style, whereas American shoppers are more driven by the latest trends, changing their style frequently to keep up with trends. Consequently, at any given time, most American women dress alike one another and don't show much individuality. French women have an individual style that they adhere to every season and they tend to look different from their contemporaries.

American women favor large jewelry.
Most observers can decide who is French and who is American simply by doing a quick accessory check. French women live in the understated world and their accessories are very simple, elegant, and classic. Conversely, Americans are more likely to pick up chunky necklaces and stacks of bracelets.

French women spend more on their accessories.
The American woman's push to keep up with brand-new trends means that she is more likely to spend less on accessories, aware that she will likely want a replacement within 12 months. The French women invest in good quality accessories that last forever and never go out of style.

American women have more bags and purses.
Since French women tend to spend a bit more on their bags, they also tend to have fewer number. American women tend to buy bags in an array of sizes and have the ultimate bag wardrobe, with a different one for every occasion.

French women carry smaller bags.
The gigantic carry-all is a pretty American thing, with the French tending to use smaller pieces. American women favor larger, oversize bags. The French are very minimalist.

American women wear a lot of heels.
Ladies from both countries are comfortable wearing heels and flats, but you'll probably find more high heels in U.S. closets. This is because American women drive a bit more than the French or use taxies in larger cities like NYC, so heels are an easier option for them.

French women dress more casually in the office.
American women are super pulled-together for work, while in France they are chic, but comfortable. French women blend tailored separates with more casual pieces. For instance, a Parisian woman would pair her pencil skirt with a flimsy tee, while an American woman would style it with a structured blouse or tailored top.

American women have brighter lingerie.
It's true that French women have well-stocked lingerie drawers with classic colors and shapes. In the U.S.,women are drawn to something a bit louder, choosing a lot of bright colors and attention-grabbing details.

French women outfits have small details worth noticing.
The same outfit worn on an American and a French woman would look just a touch different on the European due to small touches. Whether it's an interesting piece of jewelry or a expertly tied silk scarf, there's always something special.

IN A NUTSHELL: FRENCH WOMEN HAVE GREAT TASTE: LESS IS MORE!!!