Over the years, the French girl has become synonymous with a frankly quite offensive (and irritating) cliché: tall, slim, and always put together with a touch of red lipstick and perfectly done-but-undone hair. Sure, some women do fall into this specific category, but as POPSUGAR's resident French girl, I can tell you that my home country is, thankfully, way more diverse than what you see on the glossy pages of fancy magazines — and I wouldn't want it any other way.
Truth is, the French girl that brands are trying to sell doesn't exist. We're not all coffee-drinking, cigarette-smoking, sexually liberated women who eat salads at every lunch and shop at Maje. What is regarded as chic in Paris probably won't be in Nice, and what is regarded as stylish in Nice might not be regarded as very classy in Lyon. Oh, and that "je ne sais quoi" everyone's talking about? It's a myth.
So, now that we've established that the French girl portrayed in the media is a mythical creature, it's time you forgot about her. To me, French style is eclectic and diverse, colourful and monochrome, funky and girly, minimalist and bold. Above all, however, French style is all about feeling good in your own clothes, having fun, and forgetting about the rules. Ahead, take a look at 18 real French fashionistas who'll inspire you to dress on your own terms, whether you like all-black outfits or cute little dresses.