11 French Fashion Influencers To Follow To Inspire Your Wardrobe

When it comes to style and fashion, the French just do it differently. In France, fashion is, quite literally, an institution. French fashion dates back to the 17th century when Paris became the fashion capital of the world. Since then, the French have always been known for their impeccable style. It's not unusual for the French to use fashion as a way for the individual to respond to history or politics and also to reference art and culture. American fashion, on the other hand, is more likely to be influenced by popular culture and trends.

The fashion industry in France is highly centralized in Paris, although many are beginning to travel and gain inspiration outside the city. French fashion tends to be urban, elegant, and sophisticated, with a focus on quality materials and timeless designs, in short: chic. American fashion, on the other hand, is often more casual, eclectic, and trend-driven, with a greater emphasis on bold colors, patterns, and individualism. That isn't to say that the French style is boring; it's often sexy yet also whimsical, playful, and self-aware. We don't have a word for it in American English, but it's highly likely that Brits and Australians would describe the French look as "cheeky."

So, whether you're drawn to posh, glamorous luxury designers, the freshest streetwear, or the vintage aesthetic, exposing yourself to international influences, such as the Scandinavian summer aesthetic, will broaden your perspective. Start with these French influencers who can certainly inspire you to try something new. 

Although Shayna Klee is an American ex-pat who is originally from Florida, any look into her Instagram or Youtube channel, the Purple Palace, will instantly show that this 'aint "Emily in Paris." Far, far from basic, Klee's fashion sensibilities are extremely whimsical, irreverent, self-aware, and experimental. Klee prioritizes expression over traditional beauty and isn't afraid to fully commit to a bold look by making sure that even the details — her hairstyle, makeup, and accessories — work with her outfit to strengthen the message or vibe she's trying to convey on any given day. Klee's style is extremely eclectic, postmodern, and diverse. She regularly plays off of historical French style while adding her own twist. 

To share her experience interviewing for her French nationality citizenship, Klee wore her hair in 1940s victory rolls and donned a classic white Dior-style dress embellished with large red roses. This must have been a nod to Édith Piaf's 1947 iconic French banger, "la Vie en Rose" and to Piaf's look as well. Klee modernizes the retro look and makes it distinctly hers by her use of sparkly, glittery eyeshadow and glitter gel in her hair. These thoughtful touches are the elements that differentiate Klee's look from cosplay. It's intentional and it's smart.

Let Klee inspire you to be more playful yet intentional with your style. Clothing doesn't always have to be about looking good, it can also be a vehicle for self-expression.

Maroua is French of Algerian descent and is a practicing Muslim woman, as well. She has a YouTube channel where she shares information about her faith and talks about her take on being a modern practitioner in a very inviting and light-hearted way. She also has videos on beauty topics and shares recipes, in short: the usual influencer video offerings. Her videos are in French, and there are no English captions so if you speak French, check it out. 

For those of us that are just here for the fashion inspo, check out her Instagram page, where you'll be able to see her sick fashion sense. Maroua has a preference for the "clean girl" aesthetic though reinterprets it in the French style with tops and dresses that are more structured with gold hoops and necklaces that are a touch bolder than what you might find from an American. What makes her unique is that she also has a modern take on Algerian garments, and this clothing pairs with her vibe perfectly. 

Although it's not appropriate to appropriate ethnic clothing with no regard for the culture of that garment, it's important for Westerners to see that ethnic or traditional clothing is refined and wearable in a contemporary context.  

Smashing stereotypes and defying convention, Assia is a Parisienne YouTube content creator with 82,000 followers on Instagram currently living in Seoul, South Korea. She is a hijab-wearing practicing Muslim, which means that for religious reasons she chooses to keep her hair covered in public. Assia shows us that hijab-wearing women can definitely have thoroughly modern and urban sartorial sensibilities. This makes her one of the most inspiring and unique fashion influencers out there, bar none. 

Like many popular French fashion influencers, Assia's style is a blend of urban streetwear and hip-hop influences, juxtaposed with well-tailored suit pieces. Using a sophisticated color palette, she's able to create an aura of refinement and sophistication while being playful. Although Assia's looser silhouettes and strong preference for long-sleeved tops paired with long skirts or pants may or may not be due to religious modesty, her looks do not read this way to the secular viewer at all. Her fits feel thoroughly contemporary, and one could imagine very stylish secular women wearing these looks, as well. Assia also isn't shy of trying bold looks either, wearing her headscarf over baseball caps and tied under the chin à la A$AP Rocky's "babushka boi" look. 

Camille Charriere is a highly respected figure in the fashion industry, known for her impeccable sense of style, thoughtful approach to fashion, and extensive knowledge of the industry. Her Instagram gives us a view into chic Parisienne life with envious eveningwear, red-carpet events, and views into the finest hotels and restaurants. Homegirl is definitely giving "bon vivant."

Camille is known for her attention to detail, elevating her impeccable sense of style. Her look is very sexy and she flourishes in evening wear: sexy cut-out dresses, backless gowns, and bikini-top two-sets. Like many French women, Camille is able to pull off risqué looks in a way that is 100% classy and never trashy. One of the ways she does this is to pair her sexy looks with simple hair, and she has a more minimal approach to makeup than the average American influencer. These elements balance her skimpy outfits and create an aura of refined cool.

It's obvious that Camille knows what she's doing. She's a veteran in the fashion industry, starting her career in the fashion industry as a publicist for Acne Studios and Net-a-Porter. She then transitioned into working in the fashion publication industry for Vogue, ELLE, and The Business of Fashion. She's also been featured in Harper's Bazaar and The New York Times and has collaborated with far too many high fashion brands to list.

French wit is a cultural phenomenon that has become synonymous with French culture, referring to the cleverness, humor, and wordplay often associated with the French language and people since the times of Voltaire and Molière. It reflects a tradition of intellectualism and is celebrated for its cleverness, humor, and ability to provoke thought and discussion. Lemia Laghad is an influencer who keeps this playful tradition alive by infusing a sense of self-aware humor into her wardrobe.

With a large Instagram following, Lemia is someone who experiments with high-brow and low-brown fashion and elements from history. Her refined eye means she's able to express her humor in a refined, sleek, and sexy way. Her sense of humor is also what connects her to her audience and makes her relatable. Her vibe isn't intimidating or out-of-reach like other influencers who tend to make it seem as if they inhabit an extremely chic world that is parallel to our own yet far, far away.

Like many of the fashion influencers highlighted in this article, Lemia follows the French school of low-key styling — natural hair and make-up paired with well-tailored garments such as structured jackets and dress pants. What sets her apart are her subtle subversive personal flourishes: bold hair ribbons or stockings with bows that run up the seam. One gets a sense that she understands that these accessories are traditional symbols of romantic femininity that can be reclaimed and reinterpreted by the modern woman.