Is it still relevant to talk about the French girl look?

The French girl has been a cultural obsession for decades. She has been etched in our retina as  the epitome of naturalness, charisma and simplicity. Her magnetism has been canonized through  countless films, advertising campaigns and icons. But is it still relevant to talk about this  aesthetic? The French girl aesthetic is generally characterized by an elegant and sophisticated style, but also  with a touch of naturalness and simplicity. It tends to focus on classic and timeless garments.  Makeup is usually subtle, highlighting luminous skin and lips with soft tones. Hair is worn with a  casual look and styled in a seemingly "effortless" style. Overall, the French girl aesthetic seeks to  convey a relaxed, carefree elegance. 

Jane Birkin

If a year ago it was an aesthetic that was all but forgotten, now it makes more sense than ever  with the return of effortless elegance, a common factor that the French girl shares with the Old Money and Quiet Luxury aesthetics. Has the French Girl done well by the Quiet Luxury  phenomenon? I think so - why else would ostensible luxury and lovers of opulence abandon their  beloved logos and flashy aesthetics for sheer minimalism? 

Brigitte Bardot

Inès de La Fressange

Audrey Hepburn

Where once we saw leather, glitter and lots of exuberance we now see a polished and sophisticated look befitting icons of yesteryear such as Brigitte Bardot, Inès de La Fressange, Jane Birkin or Audrey Hepburn. These iconic figures throughout history have embodied the  effortlessly chic Parisian style. Today, it is reproduced by the girls making headlines around the  globe. Not even the most famous Americans are immune to the desire to make their European trips look like a movie, there's the example of Sofia Richie and Kylie Jenner. Their stylists have revamped their bad girl image and given them this sophisticated demeanor that leans toward less is more. 

The luxury image of these new followers of the French Girl look goes beyond the ostentatious,  seeking to highlight natural beauty and careful details rather than overloading the look. Their  loyalties lie with brands or designers that meet those needs, and in many cases they happen to  be European or European in spirit: Chanel, Bottega Venetta, Ferragamo, The Row...

The enduring allure of the archetype has also given rise to a lucrative niche of influencers, with  Instagram girls like Jeanne Damas and Edenorah talking about their platforms on successful  fashion brands that rely on the highly sought-after aesthetic. An aesthetic that on the other hand,  somewhat excludes all those racialized women. Instagram feeds and preserved history highlights  are predominantly filled with images of white women. If French Girl Style was once a  demonstration of feminism, thanks to figures like Coco Chanel who were its forerunners, and who  used their manner of dress to convey social interests or values, today's French Girl Look remains empty, without purpose.  

Taking advantage of the rise of the French Girl Look, the question is inevitable: Will we as a  society be able to reformulate the image of the French girl to include women from all backgrounds  and walks of life? Or is the French Girl Look only serving a few wealthy consumers with a discreet  taste that partly disguises their power? Perhaps it is time for the old trope to undergo a major, more humanizing update. An update more  appropriate for the times, certainly.