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Just one way to wear the little black dress.

There are some ways in which you shouldn’t follow the French, such as eating 40 pounds of cheese per year or chain-smoking your way through the day. But when it comes to fashion, they’ve got it down. Keep these little style tricks under your (black) sleeve and everyone around you will be saying “Ooh la la” in no time.

French style trick #1: They have a few, nice pieces in their wardrobe
We Americans are notorious for consuming. Whether it’s fast food, big cars or just stuff in general, the American way is the capitalist way – and this applies to clothing as well. There’s a tendency for Americans to want to own as many clothes as possible, which leads to buying cheaply made goods instead of quality pieces. The French, however, like to own fewer, nicer pieces. Instead of cluttering their closets with five inexpensive dresses, they’ll save their money for one quality item that they can use in different ways. Which leads me to my next point…

French style trick #2: They know how to work the basics
Ever hear of the “little black dress”? Well those three words are magic when it comes to French fashion. Whether it’s over leggings with flats, jeans with sandals, or tights with boots, that famous classic is all over the Champs Elysees and the Cours Mirabeau. Because they don’t buy as much, they know how to wear an item of clothing in many different ways. It doesn’t just apply to ladies, though: the men know how to use and re-use the simple, yet classic pieces in their wardrobe. Try a blazer to vamp up your style – they’re incredibly versatile and can dress up an ordinary outfit quite well. Just make sure you have the right shoes!

French style trick #3: They own day-to-night style
There are no sweatpants in France. Well, if there are, you wouldn’t know it – walking down the street on any given day, everyone looks as if they could do anything in what they’re wearing. Their outfits are so versatile, they can be worn to work, classes, or to go out. It’s a common practice to go out for a drink at 5 o’clock in France, so their outfits have to translate well to many different settings. Instead of going super casual to class, then getting dressed to the nines to go out, try a happy medium. Take a little extra time and effort in the morning and you won’t worry when your friends spontaneously want to go to dinner after class or work one day.

French style trick #4: They know that black really does look good on everyone
Maybe it’s a cliché, but there’s a lot of black in France. Everyone wears it – men, women, children, the elderly; everyone. The thing is, though, that they all look good in it, and they know it. Black is flattering on everyone, no matter what kind of body shape, skin tone, hair color, or general attitude on life you have, so when in doubt, rock it. It’s a surefire way to turn heads without having to try too hard. And since you’re not actually in France, you’ll stand out even more.