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.
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Black, Size: Medium
$198.00
Alo Yoga
Twik
Womens Loose zipped faux-leather jacket Black
$150.00
Simons
Alo
| Socialite Shacket Jacket in Bone Beige, Size: Medium White
$198.00
Alo Yoga
Contemporaine
Womens Shirt-collar faux-leather jacket Brown
$175.00
Simons
-64%
Arma
Jackets Black
$234.00
$645.00
Yoox
-44%
Twik
Womens Basketweave-effect faux-leather jacket Brown
$99.95
$180.00
Simons
-30%
Semper
Jackets & Coats Brown
$334.00
$475.00
Balardi
Twik
Womens Loose zipped faux-leather jacket Red
$150.00
Simons
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.
-40%
MARIA LUCA
Black Net Ballerina Augusta
$409.00
$681.00
Balardi
-72%
Roger Vivier
Ballet flats Rose
$179.00
$650.00
Yoox
-33%
Tory Burch
Tory Burch Crystal Ballet Flats Black
$474.00
$705.00
Balardi
-30%
Geox
Giselda15 Woman Black, Size: 35
$126.00
$180.00
Geox
-25%
Tory Burch
Tory Burch Ballerinas Beige
$381.00
$510.00
Balardi
-58%
Bibi Lou
Ballet flats Black
$78.00
$186.00
Yoox
Alohas
Alohas Ravena Rift Ballets Flat Red
$314.00
Balardi
-81%
Tod's
Ballet flats Blue
$155.00
$795.00
Yoox
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.
-60%
Marni
Womens Red logo raffia tote bag Beige
$299.95
$750.00
Simons
-24%
Filippo Catarzi
Straw Bag With Logo Beige
$299.00
$394.00
Balardi
-29%
Themoirè
Handbags Black
$330.00
$467.00
Yoox
-24%
Filippo Catarzi
Straw Bag With Logo Beige
$299.00
$394.00
Balardi
-31%
Maje
Handbags Green
$267.00
$385.00
Yoox
-17%
Filippo Catarzi
Straw Bag With Logo Beige
$315.00
$378.00
Balardi
-27%
Patrizia Pepe
Handbags Black
$234.00
$320.00
Yoox
-17%
Filippo Catarzi
Straw Bag With Logo Beige
$315.00
$378.00
Balardi
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.
-18%
Weekend by Max Mara
Pinide Navy Blue Cropped Pullover
$327.00
$399.00
Balardi
-20%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Navy blue sweatshirt with white stripes
$88.99
$111.24
TheDoubleF
-17%
Sporty & Rich
Maglioni Blu-Donna
$206.00
$247.00
Wanan Luxury
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!
-49%
Lauren Ralph Lauren
Mini-ribbing crew-neck T-shirt White
$29.95
$59.00
Simons
Diesel
T Shirts And Polos Black
$222.00
Balardi
Weekend by Max Mara
T Shirts And Polos Brown
$222.00
Balardi
-5%
Polo Ralph Lauren
Crewneck Cotton T Shirt Pink
$151.00
$159.00
Balardi
Weekend by Max Mara
Shirts White+Light Blue
$208.00
Balardi
-29%
Icone
Womens Mini-circle stripes T-shirt Red
$24.95
$35.00
Simons
Majestic
Crew Neck Short Sleeved Cotton T Shirt Blue
$166.00
Balardi
-29%
Icone
Womens Mini-circle stripes T-shirt Green
$24.95
$35.00
Simons
