French women have a timeless quality that’s hard to put into words. It’s a combination of not looking like they tried and somehow appearing perfectly put-together. It’s not something that can be readily taught, but these 11 women make it look easy. Every one of the French women featured here is as chic as can be and each is all over age 40. Not only that, but they seem to get cooler by the decade and make fashion over 40 look easy.
The women we’re calling out include actresses, fashion editors, and former models, but there’s nothing flashy about their style. They clearly have the fashion industry at their fingertips, but their classic aesthetics are indicative of French women in every field. Check out their cool confidence ahead and start looking forward to getting older.
Keep scrolling to see which over-40 French women inspire us and to shop pieces that they’d surely love at the end.
Caroline de Maigret is a model and the co-author of How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are. Follow: @carolinedemaigret
Carla Bruni is a songwriter, former model, and former French first lady. Follow: @carlabruniofficial
Marion Cotillard is an Academy Award–winning actress, a musician, and the face of Lady Dior. Follow: @marioncotillard
Emmanuelle Alt is the current editor in chief of Vogue Paris. Follow: @emmanuellealt
Isabelle Huppert is a veteran actress who was recently nominated for her first Academy Award for her work in Elle. Follow: @isabelle.huppert
Vanessa Paradis is a model, singer-songwriter, and actress who is a front-row fixture at every Chanel runway show alongside daughter, Lily-Rose Depp.
Aïssa Maïga is a Senegalese-born French actress and producer. Her signature look on the red carpets she frequents is dresses that cinch at the waist.
Juliette Binoche is an Academy Award–winning actress for The English Patient and perhaps best known for her starring role in Chocolat. Follow: @juliettebinoche
Inès de la Fressange is a model, style icon, and author of Parisian Chic City Guide. Follow: @inesdelafressangeofficial
Formerly the editor in chief of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld now runs CR Fashion Book and is the global fashion director of Harper’s Bazaar. Follow: @carineroitfeld
Catherine Deneuve is an actress (having appeared in over 100 films) and one of Saint Laurent’s original muses.
Garance Doré is a photographer, illustrator, blogger, and author of The New York Times best seller Love Style Life. Follow: @garancedore
The French are loyal to their skinny jeans.
Want the Parisian look in an instant? Get a pair of Mansur Gavriel oxfords or ballet flats.
A double-breasted blazer makes every outfit better.
This quintessential French print is trending again this season.
Behold the sophisticated French outerwear style of choice.
A T-shirt as versatile as this is more than a French-style cliché.
Do as the French do and casually knot this around your neck.
Throw this silk shirt on with a pair of jeans and pumps for an instantly polished outfit.
Ten out of 10 chic French women have high-waisted wide-leg trousers in their closet.
An eye-catching carryall is a must.
Something gold will do.
A cropped cardigan looks very French when paired with high-waisted denim, no?
Oversize sunglasses have a certain je ne sais quoi.
