If you want to tap into just what makes French girls, well, French, you could start with their lingerie drawers. Inside, you’ll find evidence of their easy attitude and effortlessness—that undeniable je ne sais quoi that makes them so cool. Interested to find out more about their unique take on lingerie, we chatted with four French girls about the pieces they buy and how they wear them.
For Parisians, lingerie isn’t an afterthought. It lays the foundation of a look and is as essential to their outfits as the right pair of shoes. Pieces aren’t overtly “sexy.” Instead, they have a subtle hint of sensuality. Subtlety is really the key here. You won’t find push-up bras or padded pieces. Instead, Parisians focus on finding bras and underwear in flattering silhouettes that look good underneath their clothes or even as part of the outfit. A blazer or button-down shirt might be intentionally unbuttoned to show a small glimpse of a lace bra underneath.
What it really comes down to, though, is banking on the attitude of being ready for wherever the day might take you and feeling your best. As French model Clémentine Desseaux puts it, “We love to be comfortable but always cute, in case someone ends up seeing our undies, and also, really, just to feel sexy and confident.”
Go on to see the three pieces every Parisian has in her lingerie drawer, and then shop the items real French girls wear.
One rule for mastering French-girl lingerie style is to buy everything in matching sets and wear them together. The trick is to get a few pairs of underwear for every bra you buy.
A European silhouette, tanga bottoms are halfway between bikini briefs and a thong style. You’ll find them in every French girl’s lingerie drawer.
French girls love designs with a nod to sensuality but that aren’t overtly “sexy.” Pretty lace pieces strike the perfect balance of romantic and subtle.
Go on to find out the lingerie real French girls wear.