French women love cashmere. Plain and simple. It is soft. It feels luxurious, and it is still understated. It is one of those fabrics that looks great on all body types; there’s a cut and fit for everyone. French women possess an innate understanding of style, a certain je ne sais quoi that allows them to embody a chic and classic style that looks effortless. French women typically avoid fast fashion trends, opting instead for quality, timelessness, and comfort. Cashmere perfectly embodies this principle with its luxurious softness, warmth, and enduring elegance. It is at the forefront of creating an essential wardrobe of sophisticated pieces that whisper rather than shout. Whether draped casually over the shoulders or paired with tailored trousers or denim, this fabric speaks to a refined sensibility, a quiet confidence that resonates with the French aesthetic. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling good, wrapped in a blanket of understated luxury that allows a woman’s true personality to shine through while being understated.
The Allure of Understated Luxury
French women understand the power of understated luxury. She doesn’t need flashy logos or ostentatious displays to signal good taste. Cashmere, with its quiet elegance, perfectly aligns with this philosophy and is at the forefront of a Parisian woman’s wardrobe. It’s a material that speaks of quality and discernment, a subtle indulgence that elevates even the simplest of outfits. A sweater draped over the shoulders adds an air of effortless chic, while a scarf provides a touch of warmth and sophistication. This understated approach to luxury makes cashmere such a wardrobe staple in the French wardrobe, another reason why French women love it.
Investment Pieces: Quality over Quantity
The French philosophy of bien fait, bien fait (well made, well done) extends to their approach to fashion. They prioritize quality over quantity, investing in pieces that will last for years rather than chasing fleeting trends; this is paramount to French style. Cashmere embodies this principle perfectly. A well-made sweater, even shawls and wraps, is a true investment, a timeless addition to any wardrobe that will only grow softer and more beautiful with age. This focus on enduring quality makes cashmere a valuable part of the French woman’s style arsenal and why it embodies French fashion.
Effortless Chic: The Art of Effortless Style
French women are masters of effortless chic. They have a knack for looking perfectly put together without appearing as though they’ve tried too hard. Cashmere plays a key role in achieving this effortless style. A sweater can be dressed up with tailored trousers and heels or dressed down with jeans and flats, always looking chic and comfortable. It’s this versatility that makes cashmere such a valuable asset in the French woman’s wardrobe. It allows them to transition seamlessly from day to night, always looking polished and put-together. Also, consider investing in a luxurious coat. I own two and have had them both for over a decade and because I purchased them to match my love for French style, they are timeless.
A Touch of Je Ne Sais Quoi
French women possess a certain je ne sais quoi , an innate sense of style that’s hard to define but instantly recognizable. With its luxurious feel and effortless elegance, cashmere contributes to this elusive quality. It’s a material that exudes confidence and sophistication, allowing the French woman to move through the world with grace and ease. It’s not just about the clothes; it’s about the way they make you feel. With its soft embrace and timeless appeal, it has the power to make any woman feel truly chic. It also makes great statement pieces that are understated but luxurious.
Why Cashmere?
Cashmere’s unique qualities stem from a combination of factors related to the cashmere goat and its environment. Here’s a breakdown of what makes cashmere so special:
- Unparalleled Softness: Cashmere fibre is incredibly fine, much finer than sheep’s wool. This fineness, measured in microns, is what gives cashmere its exceptionally soft, almost buttery feel against the skin.
- Exceptional Warmth: Despite being lightweight, cashmere provides remarkable warmth. The fibers have a natural crimp, creating tiny air pockets that trap heat, making it incredibly insulating.
- Lightweight: Cashmere garments are surprisingly lightweight, adding to their comfort and wearability. This is due to the fine nature of the fibers and the way they are processed.
- Beautiful Drape: Cashmere has an elegant drape, flowing gracefully and naturally. This is due to the cashmere fibre flexibility and its ability to conform to the body’s shape.
- Durability: While delicate to the touch, high-quality cashmere is surprisingly durable. With proper care, a cashmere garment can last for many years, becoming even softer with time, making these fabulous wardrobe staples for women.
This unique combination of softness, warmth, lightness, drape, and durability makes cashmere such a coveted and luxurious fiber. Cashmere’s luxurious softness and warmth originate from the undercoat of cashmere goats, primarily raised in the harsh climates of Mongolia, China, and the Himalayan regions of India and Nepal. These extreme conditions force the goats to develop exceptionally fine and dense fibers, resulting in the coveted softness and warmth we associate with cashmere. While China is the largest overall producer, Mongolia is often recognized for yielding some of the highest quality cashmere due to the specific breeds and climate. The expertise of artisans in these regions, particularly in processing delicate fibers, further contributes to the exceptional quality of cashmere garments, making them a treasured investment for the discerning French woman, especially during the winter season, as they will have these pieces for a long time.
My Top Picks for Sweaters
I am sharing my top picks for cashmere at all price points. Whether you opt for a more luxurious cashmere or prefer not to splurge but still admire the look and feel, there is something for everyone. A few years back, a dear friend turned me on to Jenni Kane. And I cannot stress this enough: if these sweaters are in your price range, they are worth every single penny.
Ultimately, the French woman’s love affair with cashmere is more than just a passing trend; it’s a reflection of her appreciation for quality, timelessness, and effortless chic. Cashmere embodies the principles of bien fait and je ne sais quoi, offering a touch of understated luxury that elevates any wardrobe. It’s an investment in style, a commitment to quality, and a celebration of enduring elegance – all qualities that define the French woman’s inimitable sense of style.
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Mid-range Cashmere
For more mid-range cashmere, these are fabulous choices. All offer multiple colors and styles (Cardigans, v-necks, crewnecks, turtlenecks and quarter zips). I always opt for neutral colors because this way I know my sweaters can transition from look to look. If I am investing money in something, I want to be able to maximize its use.
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By investing in good quality pieces, exploring textures, and paying attention to care, you will have these sweaters for years to come, making them fabulous investment pieces making them fabulous investment pieces that effortlessly elevate any outfit, providing a touch of luxury and sophistication season after season.
Budget Friendly Cashmere
And, of course, I always like to share more budget-friendly options. But before you jump on the budget bandwagon, I will share a pro tip with you: you can afford the higher-priced cashmere if you shop sales. I typically add or replace cashmere every year at the end of the season, when prices can often be over 50% off as designers look to clear our inventory for Spring. The end of January through late February is the time to shop.
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How to Style Cashmere Sweaters Like the French Girls
Pair a cashmere sweater with a trench coat, black pants, and ankle boots for an elevated vibe. Or add a cashmere cardigan over a little black dress with a slingback heel. Parisian women also nail the over-the-shoulder sweater look, where layers reign supreme. Personally, I am a huge fan of layers and rarely leave the house without a soft cashmere sweater in my bag or draped over my shoulders- think trench coats with a sweater tied loosely over your shoulders to incorporate the French girl style into your everyday outfits. Women like Brigitte Bardot, Coco Chanel, and Jane Birkin all loved wearing this luxurious fabric and wore it well. Cashmere is one of the essential French looks, even all these years later. It has been and will remain a long-time favorite of Parisian women.
Another good way to style: grab a white blouse, add a cardigan, some straight-leg jeans, and a loafer for a sophisticated look that is also ultra comfortable. American women who embody a classic and timeless style are often seen sporting this look. It is near and dear to my heart. I don’t like that feeling of “closet overwhelm” and stick to outfits that are easy to recreate and comfortable but also look chic and sophisticated. And when you have a closet of quality basics, timeless pieces like these, you are never going to feel overwhelmed.
One of my favorite sweaters is this short-sleeved one that I own in several colors. For long sleeves, I love this one and this one. I will wear these with my favorite pair of jeans, ballet flats, long coats, or tweed jackets in winter or early Spring. For colder weather, I will often drape a cashmere wrap over my long coat or tweed jacket for an extra layer and warmth. It’s easy to understand the allure that women in the United States have for how French women dress; it looks luxurious but equally effortless. Younger women and older women can easily adopt this statement piece in their wardrobes as cashmere transcends time.
My Favorite Cashmere Coats
As mentioned earlier, investing in a good coat is another way to add this luxurious fabric to your wardrobe. Whether you prefer a long, tailored coat, a driving coat, or a shorter style, the options are endless. I suggest purchasing a coat in a color that would easily integrate into your palette. If you typically wear black and gray, a black or charcoal gray like this one would be a great choice. A cream, tan, or camel coat would also be great if you prefer a more muted, neutral palette. There are several price points for cashmere coats, and you can always find great deals if you shop for end-of-season sales.
Take Caroline de Maigret, a French woman whose style is effortless and chic. She is often seen rocking some form of cashmere with blue jeans during winter. American women in New York City also love this luxurious fabric in winter, where style is all about layering to keep warm while out and about while sporting a French chic look.
Of course, this beautiful material is not just reserved for French women. You will see women from the United Kingdom, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and the United States wearing these timeless statement pieces. These women all prefer a classic style.
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Whether you opt for sweaters, wraps, capes, coats, a little black dress, or even a cozy pair of gloves, there is something for everyone at different price points; another reason why I love that this luxe fabric is accessible to everyone. I have owned many of my pieces for over a decade, proving that purchasing quality pieces will reduce your overall spend over time. To me, this is the embodiment of Parisian women’s style – quality wardrobe staples that will last.
An easy but French chic look you can never go wrong with is a pair of straight-leg black pants, a cashmere sweater, ballet flats, and a trench coat or a cashmere coat. This look will instantly elevate even the most basic style, achieving that perfect blend of effortlessness and quiet luxury. So the next time you are getting ready, reach for that sweater or cardigan and a favorite pair of blue jeans for a beautiful, French chic look that looks effortlessly je ne sais quoi!
À bientôt,
Kelly
