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French Lessons

By Rajni Jacques
Photography by Cihan Oncu
1 comment / new

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

The whole 'everyone wants to look like a French girl' thing is tired, yes. But there is something to the country's stereotypical style — less about what they wear (forget Breton striped shirts and berets) and more about how they wear it — that's consistently appealing. Fashion propels this idea that its women are louche, laidback, impossibly sexy without trying too hard. They are, of course, trying hard to look just that away—and there's nothing wrong with that. The unapologetic aesthetic persists; so scroll through our editorial, shot in Paris, for a refreshing new take on that coveted Francophiile style.

The Suit Life: Not your traditional suits, more like an updated version of the classic Yves Saint Laurent Le Smoking pantsuit these looks are both comfortable and sophisticated. One funky and easy to break into separates, the other dramatically minimalist, they make day to night dressing easier than ever.


The Cap Sleeve Dress: Streamlined silhouettes like this sleek piece — unexpected fabric in a clean shape — make it very easy to get dressed in the morning.

The Dress Over Pants Thing: Be bold enough to try a quirky pairing like this A-line dress over this season's hit, the cropped pant. Plus, it's a great way to navigate the season of unpredictable weather.

The Big Short: Think you can't wear shorts to work? Think again. Paired with a fancy shirt and matching jacket you're wearing a fresh — and seasonally appropriate — take on a classic suit. (They key here is tailoring; you need the perfect fit.)

The Layering Game: Believe it: bustiers are in. Buttoned, laced, knit — throw them over button down tops, t-shirts, and even dresses for an unexpectedly sexy look that doesn't actually show any skin.

Lead Image: Stella McCartney jacket, $1975; Stella McCartney skirt, $675, available at Stella McCartney 112 Greene St. NY, NY or 212-255-1556; Aurelie Biderman ring, 230 euros; Aurelie Biderman ring, 230 euros; Charlet par ring, 780 euros.

Look 1: Kenzo dress, 590 euros. Look 2: Stella McCartney jacket, $1975; Stella McCartney skirt, $675, available at Stella McCartney 112 Greene St. NY, NY or 212-255-1556; Stella McCartney heel, $1000, available at Stella McCartney 112 Greene St. NY, NY or 212-255-1556. Look 3: Courreges mini dress, 1180 euros. Look 4: Kenzo dress, 590 euros; Kenzo belt, 360 euros; Each x Other pants, $410, available at each-other.com; Stella McCartney heel, $1000, available at Stella McCartney 112 Greene St. NY, NY or 212-255-1556. Look 5: Maison Lejaby blouse, 149 euros, available at maisonlejaby.com or 00 33 4 72 01 55 00; Versace cropped jacket, $1,495, available at select Versace boutiques or 888-721-7219, Versace shorts, $525, available at select Versace boutiques or 888-721-7219. Look 6: Nehera shirt, 660 euros; Each x Other corset, $370; Koche earring, $625, available at Ikram and Nordstrom; Koche ear cuff, $715, available at Ikram and Nordstrom. Look 7: afterhomework, 300 euros; afterhomework skirt, 145 euros; Aurelie Bidermann ring, 230 euros; Aurelie Bidermann ring, 230 euros; Charlet par ring, 780 euros.

Photographer: Cihan Oncu. Stylists: Carrie Weidner. Hair: Kazuhiro Naka. Makeup: Khela. Model: Ali Osk at Silent. Creative: Rajni Jacques.

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