An American Girl's New Year's Resolution: Be More French

Because it would be difficult to be less French at this point.

Brigitte Bardot
(Image credit: Marie Claire)

We're calling it: 2014 is the year we earn that Je ne sais quoi, that effortless cool-girl chic that is only possible with a French citizenship and an affinity for small fêtes and café au lait. We're taking notes from the French model and movie star who is an iconic example of the less-is-more attitude of French women: Brigitte Bardot. Behold—our plan to being more French in 2014:

1. Perfect sexy bedhead.

Brigitte Bardot Black & White photo

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

2. Learn to lunch alone.

Brigitte Bardot at lunch

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

3. Invest in a beret.

Brigitte Bardot wearing a beret

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

4. Find the most flattering shade of red lipstick.

Brigitte Bardot beautiful in red

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

5. Give menswear a go.

Brigitte Bardot relaxing wearing a man's cap

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

6. Prendre des vacances instead of going on vacation.

Brigitte Bardot on a boat

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

7. Wear stripe tops.

Brigitte Bardot wearing a stripe top

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

8. Drink red wine with lunch.

Brigitte Bardot enjoying a glass of wine with lunch

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

9. Look simultaneously aloof and perfect in a T-shirt dress.

Brigitte Bardot wearing a t-shirt dress

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

10. Take a lover.

Brigitte Bardot lying in bed

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

11. Take up photography/Learn to look good with a vintage camera.

Brigitte Bardot taking photos with a vintage camera

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

12. Contour some serious cheekbones.

Brigitte Bardot

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

13. Acquire a partner who looks just as chic.

Brigitte Bardot and a guy walking

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

14. Update an ensemble with something luxe.

Brigitte Bardot

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

15. Cat eyes and thick headbands all the way.

Brigitte Bardot

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

16. Wear classic, neutral staples.

Brigitte Bardot

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

17. Bring home fresh baguettes.

Brigitte Bardot

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

18. Nap in white without nary a wrinkle.

Brigitte Bardot

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

19. Take baths in the mid-afternoon.

Brigitte Bardot takes a bath

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

20. Somehow, someway learn to pose and look like this.

Brigitte Bardot sitting on the stairs

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

21. Last but not least: Learn French (it starts with the basics).

Learn to speak French

(Image credit: Marie Claire)

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Editor

Hallie has worked in beauty editorial for ten years and has been editorial director at Byrdie since 2021. Previously, she was a senior editor at Byrdie since 2016. During her time at Byrdie, she's written hundreds of high-performing stories on skincare, wellness (including fitness, diet, mental health, body image, et al) makeup, and hair. She's a regular on set, helping to source inspiration for makeup and hair looks, as well as interviewing celebrities, models, and other notable women and men in the beauty space.

Before that, Hallie ran Marie Claire's social media and wrote beauty and culture stories for the site, and helped launch Time Inc.'s digital-only beauty brand, MIMI. After college, she contributed to Time Out New York’s Shopping & Style section before landing her first beauty editor gig at Hearst's Real Beauty. Hallie's writing has also appeared in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle. Hallie graduated with a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.