16 ways to live the French girl aesthetic.

Romanticize life and be in your feminine era!

If you desire to posses a bit of je ne sais quoi and experience a life that oozes elegance, here are 16 everyday things that will transform your life!

Inspired by 35mm black and white film photos of model Taylor LaShae.

As someone who deeply values being present, being intentional and savoring the moment, my husband and I’d time in France was particularly special for me - I THRIVED. A lot of European culture in general is a lot slower and more intentional than how we operate in America, and it’s something I consistently aspire to be more like amidst the hustle and non-stop grinds I’m often surrounded by.

Here are the 16 everyday things I’ve learned to transform your life…

Taylor LaShae photographed in Nashville, TN on black and white 35mm film.

Let’s start with MINDSET:
Where every important decision of how we choose to live begins. If you had to summarize this, it would be: live a little slower.

• Start the day at a relaxed pace.
  Give yourself time to wake up (and I don’t mean staying in bed hitting snooze 5 times) by investing in yourself before productivity sets in! Stretch, make yourself a beverage and meal, spend some time reading for writing, go for a walk, and at all costs: avoid scrolling on your phone immediately.

• Be present and intentional.
  Set the phone down and observe what’s around you. Spend less time scrolling social media and bingeing shows - instead indulge in art, beauty, books, film and food. Be fully present with the people you’re in the company of!

• Not rushing through the day.
  Hustle culture is so very American and I’m so tired of it. Rather, give yourself extra time between engagements and avoid stacking your schedule, and when you’re able, consider walking or taking public transportation instead of driving.

• Enjoying long, leisurely lunch breaks.
  The French take this seriously! They love food, and they love their lunch breaks. Don’t sit at your desk and work while eating - intentionally step away. Even better if you can manage to get some fresh air or a walk in!

Model Taylor LaShae

A picture perfect example of French girl aesthetic.
Photographed on 35mm film in Nashville, TN
Kodak TMAX 400

Next, consider your ENVIRONMENT.
The things and places you surround yourself with and will be drawing inspiration from every day.

• Admiring old architecture.
  Whether around your neighborhood, your home, or the buildings downtown in your city, take time to admire the architecture of where you live! One of the best things about Paris is the stunning, historic buildings. This is simply a good practice of paying attention to the things around you that you normally walk and drive past.

• Fill your home with timeless, elegant pieces.
  Consider visiting antique stores or flea markets to pick up classy and timeless bits and pieces. Examples: things made of real gold or silver, brass, handcrafted wood items, crystal and glass. Hang paintings or photographs, or display sculptures. Coffee table books on topics you love to occasionally pick up and page through. Fresh flowers.

• Host dinner parties and indulge in good wine.
  Meals are an important part of life in France, and food and wine is always best enjoyed with those you love! Get in the habit of inviting people over for dinner. Some of my favorite memories aren’t when we’re out a a fancy restaurant or far away on a trip - but sharing a meal and wine in our home with loved ones!

French girl aesthetic by Taylor LaShae.

Let’s now get into BEAUTY.
The French girl aesthetic is all about elegance and effortlessness. Here are the best ways to attain that.

• Take care of your skin.
  Invest into non-toxic products, moisturize your skin, and don’t you dare sleep in your makeup! I love Kosas, Ilia and Osea personally! Don’t overexpose yourself to the sun (especially without protection), but you also don’t want to entirely avoid it or use toxic chemicals to block it. Non-nano mineral sunscreens are a much better choice. Remember that what you eat and drink makes a huge impact on your skin - eat the rainbow in fruits and veggies, eat unprocessed healthy fats and proteins, and avoid inflammatory foods!

• Minimal makeup.
  The everyday look is fresh, awake and healthy! There’s no need to spend 15-30 minutes countering and highlighting and drawing on a dramatic eye each morning. Full glam is fun for special occasions, but there’s something about a natural, lived-in look that is so very attractive.

• Highlight your best natural features.
  We spend so much time copying people, or completely changing our features. Rather than striving to turn your looks into something so far from what you truly possess, lean into what you have and love most about your features! Maybe that’s your eyebrows, or your cheekbones, or your lips.

• Any haircut will do, but you can’t go wrong with a classic French bob.
  It’s fairly easy to style, and it frames the face nicely. Outside of that, while I love the way my hair looks when I take the time to do it, I intentionally tell my hair stylist about having a cut that will work with my natural hair so I don’t have to feel like I need to spend a ton of time on it daily.

A classic French bob on model Taylor LaShae.

Finally, let’s talk about STYLE & WARDROBE

• Don’t be afraid to thrift and go to vintage stores.
  Despite so many of our favorite chic brands being from France, Vintage and kilo stores (where you by used clothing by the kilo) is very popular, and many people walk the streets flaunting their thrift finds! Check out some of your local thrift stores - you never know what you might find!

• Blazers and simple, tailored pieces.
  It’s easy to incorporate them for a semi-casual look while still looking put together. A pair or two of trousers that fit you absolutely perfectly is also a key thing to have in your wardrobe. While I do love a full suit look, I adore when women take a blazer and pair it with a paid or jeans and flats! There’s a lot of that look in Paris!

• Focus on effortless and comfortable.
  Outfits that you can comfortably spend most of the day in make sense. Many people in Paris walk and commute on the Metra to work, so while they do put effort into what they’re wearing, they also don’t over-do it because they know they’re going to have to walk a decent amount.

• Black and neutral colors are your easiest go-to.
  When in doubt, neutrals are easy and suit just about any situation. But if you feel confident, add some vibrant colors or prints into your outfit!

• Avoid athletic wear at all costs.
  In France the only people wearing athletic wear are… athletes, or people working out. Wearing athleisure when you’re grocering shopping or going out for lunch is not appropriate.

And one final thing…

Stop overthinking — Start simple.
Effortlessness is key. Choose what resonates with you and embrace it! It’s a process for you to learn as you go.

If you’re looking to add more French girl aesthetic inspiration to your daily life, browse my print shop! 35mm film photographs from around the world, including France!