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Do you want to know one thing in style French women over 40 have in common? Seriously fine-tuned wardrobes that can teach us all a few lessons about how to curate closets full of chic pieces. In fact, many of them have the same items that are the building blocks of a cool Parisian wardrobe or a non-Parisian wardrobe.
I noticed these similarities when looking through some photos. It occurred to me that the endlessly stylish Charlotte Gainsbourg and Catherine Deneuve both have shiny black jackets. My observations continued when I discovered Carla Bruni as well Vanessa Paradis in perfectly cut tweed jackets. And it doesn't end there. Check out the six pieces that every stylish French woman over 40 owns, and then buy them yourself if you find her outfits as inspiring as I do.
Smooth and sophisticated black jackets with a shiny finish are picked straight from the French film from 1967 Belle de Jour. So it's no surprise that the famous actress Catherine Deneuve is still wearing the piece, as are her contemporaries.
Another staple for outerwear that is a must for French women? Oversized, boxy blazers that look like they could have been borrowed from the men's department.
There is perhaps no more timeless or elegant shoe than the strappy heel – a style secret that French women over 40 are made aware of.
Perhaps one of the most famous pieces of French fashion is the tweed jacket. It immediately highlights a simple top and jeans, as is the case with outfits we saw with Carla Bruni and Vanessa Paradis.
French women over 40 clearly know how to dress chic for the elements. The piece they all own? A tailor-made wool coat for pulling on trousers or dresses.
The French are known for their penchant for ankle boots, and the way these women style shoes makes us believe that this is a practical necessity for city life.
Next you see the 13 fashion brands that I wear on repetitions.
This post was previously published and has been updated.