Is New York Minimalism the New French Girl Style?

French girl style has become an institution of online fashion culture since the first influencers – then called bloggers – appeared on the Internet some 20+ years ago. Of course back then, what we thought of as ‘French girl style’ was actually quite a silly stereotype. Depicted in a uniform of a Breton top, some blue tapered jeans and a basket bag (it probably had a baguette hanging in it for the photo), anyone who has been to France or watched the highly accurate episode Emily in Paris Gotta tell you, French women don’t really dress like this. Instead, the French sense of dress – especially in Paris – is much more laissez-faire. Most wardrobes feature vintage; From archive Chanel accessories to Isabel Marant wedge sneakers and other relics of Y2K. Furthermore, quality staples are chosen over poorly made ‘dupes’, and maintaining a sense of individual taste or personal style is the real goal.

But what Francophiles are really obsessed with is the ability to dress well without putting in any effort. Casual, but elegant. Cool yet attractive. Outrageous but not too rebellious. This is what Jane Birkin, Catherine Deneuve and Brigitte Bardot were known for, and Carine Roitfeld, camille charrière, Anne-Laure Mace Known for now. Her style is as minimalist as it is casual: classic basics like neutral tailoring, nice denim, white shirts, quality shoes and designer accessories, with a few trends in her style that keep her outfits feeling current.

Although the French aesthetic will always have an enduring allure, lately I’ve noticed that New York has almost become the go-to when it comes to this smooth effortless style. Sure, there’s a group of NYC It Girls that have always caught our attention. Mary-Kate Olsen, Laura Harrier, Jennifer Lawrence, and Zoe Kravitz (who was born and raised in L.A. but has lived in Brooklyn for years), just to name a few. Then there are the city’s ‘cool girls’, Chloë Sevigny, Jemima Kirke and Natasha Lyonne, whose eclectic wardrobe and carefree attitude have won the hearts of many millennial women.

But it’s not actually the work of celebrities and their stylists that I’m referring to, it’s the influential people of the city. women like christy tyler, coco schiffer, Madeline Hudson And Christina Grasso– with their gorgeous pony skin accessories and commitment to a monochrome color palette – are redefining the code of post-cool minimalism, one pillbox hat at a time.

It may be understated, but these new microtrends, styling hacks and impeccable accessorizing pioneered by these NYC influencers make this new wave of minimalism anything but boring. Where this movement was once considered quite contemporary, this new iteration is actually quite nostalgic. Think vintage Birkins, ornate frog clasp closures, gorgeous tassel trims and gilded brooches that add texture and visual interest.

But why are we paying attention now? Perhaps this is largely due to the hit TV show love story, which came out earlier this year and appears to be Cultivate a fixation on Caroline Bessette Kennedy and her infamous ‘CBK ’90s minimalist style,’ exclusively through the lens of New York City. Along with this, fashion month is also going on. While historically Paris has long enjoyed the most prestige, Milan as well as London and New York were always seen as cities for the more emerging talent. But any fashion expert will tell you that autumn/winter 2026 New York Fashion Week in February really made a splash. Although many illustrious American designer brands like The Row, Proenza Schouler, Vaquera and Thom Browne showcase in Paris, there are plenty of brands like Khaite, Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch and Coach that stand their ground on American soil.

While considering American celebrities and influencers as style icons may be nothing new, over the past decade our attention has shifted toward those in LA, especially for Gen Z. We’ve had Sarah Jessica Parker for Hailey Bieber and Emma Chamberlain for Ereworn, who replaced the pizza. sex and the City For i love la And a 24-hour party town for a clean-girl approach that focuses on a good night’s sleep, Pilates and Rhode skin care. Thus, the French girl’s approach to minimalism and capsule wardrobe has reigned supreme. But with this new New York era (they even have a new mayor, let’s not forget that!) I find myself and my colleagues referencing the impeccable style of the women of the West Village and the boroughs more than any other city in the world. So, I couldn’t help but wonder, are New Yorkers the new French girls?