10 Definitive French Style Heroes

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Parisian style has arguably been pored over more than any other. The artful insouciance of French women has served as inspiration for many of us who have woken up not knowing what to wear. Of course, the truth is it all comes down to attitude - it might have taken an age to create your perfectly messy hair or to find a navy jumper that is oversized without being too big - but it should look effortless, even if it wasn't. French style is about having a uniform, and sticking to it, where understatedness and restraint are the stars of the show. It isn't the most creative of looks, but it's enviable in its timelessness and apparent ease. Here, we look at the women who have made French chic one of the most famous terms in fashion history.

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Charlotte Gainsbourg

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There was little chance that Charlotte Gainsbourg wouldn’t inherit style smarts given that her parents are the perennially chic Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. The actress and singer adopts a low-key rock ‘n’ roll-inspired approach to fashion – skinny jeans, T-shirts, leather jackets, tennis shoes and skinny scarves form her daytime wardrobe, while she amps it up by night with leather mini skirts, ankle boots and simple T-shirts, occasionally choosing an sequinned mini dress again paired with boots. It’s little wonder that she plays muse to Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière and Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello.
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