French Minimalist Style: How to Create a French Capsule Wardrobe

If you are a interested both in minimalism and in French girl style, you might want to consider creating a French minimalist wardrobe.

First, let’s define minimalist style.

The concept of minimalist style involves creating a smaller wardrobe as part of an effort toward living better with less. Aesthetically, minimalist style often means choosing neutral colors like black, white and grey.

But that typical color palette isn’t mandatory. Each person’s style is unique.

French minimalist style adds classic French girl inspiration and influence to the process of creating a smaller capsule wardrobe.
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This is the magic of French girl style — you know it’s classic and simple and chic, but there’s an element of je ne sais quoi that makes getting dressed more of an art form than a routine. However, there are key pieces that will help you achieve that undeniably chic French-girl style, no matter where you are in the world. These pieces must be comfortable enough for leisurely strolls, layered properly for whatever weather changes might happen in the afternoon..., stylish enough for the best possible occasion..., and classic enough to be in style…  - The Every Girl, theeverygirl.com   

French Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe: 7 Essential Basics

One style subset that has made an impression on me lately is the French woman with the minimalist wardrobe, built around clean lines and smart tailoring. It’s a way of dressing that hits on the trends in a subtle way, but the looks are refined and classic, with pieces that can be worn season after season. -Kristen Nichols, WhoWhatWear.com

What exactly is a ​basic?…

Basics are plain or simple, and usually are solid colors. They are practical, and must serve a purpose.

They are background pieces that go well with the items in your wardrobe that command more attention. And ideally, they don’t cost a lot of money and they are easy to find.

The way I know whether something is considered a ‘basic’ or not is by determining whether it serves a practical purpose first and foremost. For example, I’d categorize oversized sweaters as a statement piece as they aren’t intentionally practical. They are meant to achieve a certain “look” moreso than a fitted sweater, which does a better job of actually keeping you warm. - frenchgirldaily.com

Here are the 7 French girl basics...

(1) a tee shirt

(2) a pair of jeans

(3) a button-up shirt

(4) a pullover sweater

(5) a blazer

(6) a trench coat

(7) a little black dress

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French Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe:
​Choosing a Color Palette

Once you’ve got your list of basics to aim for, it’s time to choose a color palette for your French girl wardrobe. The typical French color palette includes black, white, grey, and blue.

If you were building a French capsule wardrobe with those 7 essential pieces as your guide and the typical French color palette, you could choose a little black dress, a black blazer, a black tee shirt, a grey tee shirt, a white tee shirt and a white button-down shirt. 

You might also buy a blue button-down shirt and a blue sweater. Your trench coat might be natural or tan.

If you needed a warmer color palette, you could choose an ivory tee shirt and an ivory button-up shirt, your LBD could be dark brown and so could your blazer. And olive and terracotta could be accent colors.

​Once you have planned a list of basics, and chosen a color palette, you will be ready to begin building your French minimalist capsule wardrobe. As always, when building a wardrobe, start with your own closet to see what you already have. 

Which French girl wardrobe basic are you most excited to add to your closet?

See you next time!

Love, Jeanine
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Get inspiration for the basics
when you download 
the free printable
capsule wardrobe planner
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