Ask Laurie: How to Wear Denim
Like a French Girl?

Dear Laurie, How can I take a basic denim piece and spin it into something that feels elevated and chic, like French women do?—Sandy D.

Dear Sandy, It seems inexplicable how French women manage to take the most pedestrian of fabrics—denim—and spin it into something so sophisticated, right? While there’s definitely an element of je ne sais quoi to it all, the key is to keep it classic, with minimal accessories. To illustrate, I’ve put together four styling templates that look so French, tourists will ask you for directions when you’re on the streets of Paris.

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• CROPPED FLARES

  When it comes to working with both a cropped fit and flared silhouette, opt for black instead of blue and work it like a dress pant. That said, there’s no need to get too fancy with stilettos: a mid-heel is just right for making legs look longer and slimmer at the same time.

• R13 Striped Boy Tee goop, $195
• JUICE BEAUTY
  Phyto-Pigments
  Ultra-Natural Mascara goop, $22
• Alex Mill
  HERRINGBONE WORK
  WEAR JACKET goop, $275
• FRAME High Flare
  Cropped Frayed Jeans Net-a-porter, $240
• LITTLE LIFFNER
  D Saddle Medium
  Crossbody goop, $424
• SHINOLA
  The Gail 36mm Shinola, $800
• ANN TAYLOR Gigi Suede
  Block Heel Sandals Ann Taylor, $138

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• BLACK SKINNIES

  Treat a cropped skinny jean like you would a cigarette pant. An ankle crop looks particularly elegant with dress flats—bonus points if they have ankle straps and a pointed toe—and a top that has some nuance to it (this applies to anything from sweaters to silky blouses).

• RAY BAN Original
  Wayfarer Sunglasses goop, $150
• MONSE Lace-Up Ribbed
  Wool-Blend Sweater Net-a-porter, $1,390
• KHAITE Kassandra
  Mid-Rise Ankle Skinny Jeans goop, $290
• DELVAUX Allure
  Trio MM Barneys, $2,550
• TATA HARPER
  Lip and Cheek Tint goop, $36
• SARAH CHLOE
  Petite Signet Ring
  Diamond Letter goop, $698
• TABITHA SIMMONS Hermione Daisy Tabitha Simmons, $895

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• HIGH-WAISTED FLARES

  To work the high-waisted cut to your advantage, go for a white button-down shirt tucked in (this move helps define the waist and makes legs look miles long), with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow. Go for a platform shoe to balance the volume of a wide-leg silhouette.

• MADEWELL
  White Tie-Front Shirt Madewell, $75
• LA PERLA
  Freesia Triangle Bra goop, $298
• ADINA REYTER
  V-Super-Tiny Solid
  Pavé Triangle Lariat goop, $575
• REDVALENTINO High-Rise
  Wide-Leg Jeans Matches Fashion, $343
• FRENCH GIRL
  Lumiere Body Oil goop, $58
• THE ROW
  Market Bag The Row, $5,450
• ROBERT CLERGERIE
  Feitv Platform
  Sandals goop, $625

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• DISTRESSED BLUE JEANS

  Treated denim can easily veer into grungy territory if you’re not careful—to avoid looking sloppy, keep the rest of the pieces polished and tailored. A clingy t-shirt, sharply tailored jacket, and simple court shoes—ideally, all in black—get the job done.

• ADINA REYTER
  Classic Diamond Studs goop, $948
• goop label
  MEGAN TWEED JACKET goop, $425
• R13 Kate Skinny Jean goop, $345
• Kosas
  WEIGHTLESS LIP COLOR goop, $24
• A.P.C. Poppy Belt A.P.C., $165
• Bally
  ELLUN WOMEN’S LEATHER
  SLING-BACK PUMP IN BLACK Bally, $525
• ATM ANTHONY THOMAS
  MELILLO Modal Rib
  Short-Sleeve Tee goop, $130
• CHANELCHANEL VINTAGE
  Classic Flap Shoulder Bag Farfetch, $3,704