10 French Aphorisms Every American Girl Must Know

Hairstyle, Monochrome, White, Style, Sleeveless shirt, Monochrome photography, Black-and-white, Vehicle door, Auto part, Chest,

(Image credit: Getty Images)

published 3 September 2014

As American women, we unabashedly make googly eyes at French women all day, every day. From where we sit, they're thinner, live more colorful lives, and boast style that's equal parts flawless and effortless. But let's be honest with ourselves, channeling their blithe chicness without being a stone's throw from the Louvre can be daunting.

Fortunately, four of the industry's most quintessential French women, model and Chanel ambassador Caroline de Maigret, editor-at-large of Stylist magazine Audrey Diwan, author Anne Berest, and film producer Sophie Mas are spilling their no-holds-barred secrets to living and dressing la French in our new bible How to Be Parisian: Wherever You Are ($25). One of our favorite, and admittedly reassuring, takeaways from the whimsy tome is that some of the most famous Parisians are foreigners. "Yes, the Parisienne often comes from somewhere else," they explain, citing Jane Birkin as a prime example. "She wasn't born in Paris, but she's reborn there." Ah, yes, our eureka moment!

With that sentiment in mind, we crafted a list of 10 of the book's stylized aphorisms that us American gals can study (along with some deliciously pertinent inspo images) that'll help us Francophiles fake it till we make it.

1. Drink At Least One Glass of Red Wine a Night

Monochrome, Shoe, Photograph, White, Sitting, Street, Furniture, Style, Monochrome photography, Table,

"Between 7:30 p..m. and 10:30 p.m."

2. Don't Be Afraid of Aging

Arm, Hand, Wrist, Mammal, Style, Youth, Gesture, Picture frame, Back, Vintage clothing,

"As the saying goes, don't be afraid of anything but fear itself."

3. Find Your Signature Scent

Cooking, Black-and-white, Service, Apron, Selling, Small appliance, Advertising, Cook, Kitchen appliance, Vintage clothing,

"Find 'your' perfume before you turn thirty. Wear it for the next thirty years."

4. Wear Jeans Anytime, Anywhere

Motor vehicle, Photograph, Fender, Vehicle door, Sitting, Classic, Classic car, Monochrome, Auto part, Windshield,

"[But not] blingy jeans with embroidery and holes in them. They belong in Bollywood."

5. Don't Wear Logos

Lip, Hairstyle, Shoulder, Photograph, Bangs, Style, Jaw, Eyelash, Beauty, Street fashion,

"You are not a billboard."

6. Find the Perfect White Shirt

Sleeve, Shoulder, Collar, Standing, Joint, Style, Monochrome, Vintage clothing, Knee, Monochrome photography,

"It's iconic and timeless."

7. Always Wear Nice Lingerie

Shoulder, Joint, Waist, Trunk, Fashion, Abdomen, Thigh, One-piece garment, Undergarment, Chest,

"You never know what might happen."

8. Don't Feel Guilty About An Affair

Dress shirt, Street fashion, Bangs, Brown hair, Tie, Long hair, Step cutting, Love, Layered hair, Leather,

"This is about you, not against him."

9. Let Your Extracurriculars Enrich You

Human, Style, Monochrome, Monochrome photography, Art, Temple, Picture frame, Black-and-white, Trunk, Chest,

"Go to the theater, to museums, and to concerts as often as possible: it gives you a healthy glow."

10. Always Be Desirable

"Always be f**kable: when standing in line at the bakery on a Sunday morning, buying champagne in the middle of th night, or even picking the kids up from school. You never know."

Photos via Getty Images

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Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.

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