French Women Have Worn Their Shirts Like This for Years

What’s been said about French style that hasn’t been said before? Well, not much, really. Our Gallic neighbours, especially in the capital city, are exceptional dressers. They just know style. It’s as if they are born with it. Their innate understanding of what looks chic is unmatched, and while I know it can seem a little tiresome that we bang on about French fashion, we have a good reason: it never goes out of style.
Today’s history lesson on la mode a la Francaise is the loose-fitting shirt. Thanks to French fashion designerJacquemus’s Bahia tie-front shirts, I’ve been re-thinking the huge-collar trend and thinking about opting for this classic look as worn by French women for years.
Jeanne Damas wearing a white shirt during Paris fashion week
From women such as Jeanne Damas, as well as Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin, including influencers Ellie Delphine and Franny Fyne, there’s only ever one way to wear the loose shirt: buttons undone to an exact point with the neck on display. It might sound simple but it is important to note that each of these women knows how to stop short of going too low. It is the element of suggestion that these women perfect. As always, something that looks so effortless rarely is.
But thanks to the aforementioned Simon Porte of Jacquemus, his shirts have made this look so easy. Keep scrolling to see how French women have worn shirts like this for years, then go on for the Jacquemus shirt in action.
Style Notes: Franny Fyne wears a chic white shirt with gold jewellery and a denim skirt.
Style Notes: The ultimate loose white shirt as seen on Brigitte Bardot.
Style Notes: Jane Birkin wears a loosely buttoned white shirt paired with white shorts.
Style Notes: Ellie Delphine wears a white shirt with a pair of brown trousers, boots and a long shearling coat.
Style Notes: She's not French, but Brit-girl Monikh styles off the Jacquemus shirt with a pair of blue jeans in a very convincingly Gallic way.
Shop the Jacquemus Shirt:
Shop Similar Shirts:
Next up, the 7 items chic women in Paris will wear
-
This Is the NYC Way to Wear the Anti-Trend Jeans Color French Women Are Obsessed With
As seen on NYC It girl Irina Shayk.
-
Yes, Ballet Flats Look Good With Skirts, But They Look Even Better as Part of This Parisian-Approved Combo
Very '90s.
-
Not V-Neck, Not Crewneck: This T-Shirt Style Is More Elegant and Sabrina Carpenter Approved
It's so French.
-
If You Want More Elegant T-Shirt Outfits, Wear This Jacket Trend Millennials Love But Gen Z Hates
You can agree to disagree.
-
No One Wears Jeans Like Chic Parisians Do—7 Effortless Outfits I'm Copying From the French This Fall
Get inspired.
-
Whoa, Everything Is on Sale at Madewell Right Now—Some of These Chic Items Rarely Get Discounted
At 30% off, these are bound to sell out.
-
I've Worked in Fashion for 15 Years—Here's What I Actually Wear Every Day
Trends come and go, but my everyday wardrobe is made of pieces that feel like me.
-
This Classic Shoe Is Every Parisian's Secret to Making Jeans Look Elevated in Fall
And you probably already own it.