Style Rules: Frannfyne

Don’t be a slave to trends. There’s not much point lusting after the latest ‘it’ bag or pair of shoes because modern day trends are often reinventions of older ones. Before making any purchase, look through your wardrobe to find something similar – when I do this, I often find pieces I’ve forgotten about. It’ll also remind you of what you already own and love – be it a silk scarf, a good quality cotton t-shirt, a beautiful skirt or a timeless dress. 

Try to experiment outside of your comfort zone. This is the best piece of advice I could give anyone – it can be daunting, so start with a foundation of basics you feel comfortable in, then add something more ‘out there’. I always stick to a maximum of three colours at any one time – that way, your look will still feel coherent. 

Your style doesn’t have to fit in a specific ‘box’. For example, I live in Paris, but I wouldn’t say I dress in a typically French way. I’m inspired by lots of different things – from fashion magazines to the people around me and of course, Instagram – so I wear what I want.  On the other hand, French style often revolves around comfortable, versatile staples, so in that sense I suppose I am influenced by the Gallic way of dressing. Above all, though, what defines French style is the people – who are really diverse – so don’t let yourself be defined by how you think you should dress.

Before buying anything, imagine yourself wearing it for years. If I like something, it’s important to make sure I can integrate it into my wardrobe and mix it with my vintage pieces. Next on my wish list is a Chanel bag – it’s a classic and a real investment... one that I know I could give to my daughter in the future. I’d also like to get my hands on a matching set by Rejina Pyo – she’s one of my favourite designers.

Every woman should have these four pieces in her summer wardrobe: a floaty midi dress; a linen trouser and top set; white Levi's jeans; and a boyfriend shirt. I’d also recommend a light leather or woven bag (Dragon Diffusion has some lovely designs), a pair of low-heeled mules and some chunky jewellery. They're the kind of classic and elegant pieces that will work well together all season.

A pleated midi skirt is a year-round must-have. You can dress it up for the office with a blouse and heels, or keep it casual for the weekends with a sweater and trainers. It even works for the evening with a delicate top and blazer – it's the one piece in my wardrobe I couldn’t live without. 

There's no ‘secret’ to great style. The most important thing is to be yourself and wear what makes you feel good. If you’re not sure what that is, that’s okay, too – finding your personal style takes time and feeling confident is the most important thing.  

Follow @FrannFyne on Instagram