Tremendous, bright and borderline extra: Paris Fashion Week street style in photos

Breton stripes. A jaunty beret. Delicate lace. These are the familiar and indisputable elements of French style. But, as Paris Fashion Week draws to a close, Niamh O’Donoghue questions if the French style book is changing…

For many women, French chic is the ultimate in sophisticated but understated style. It may be a type of uniform, but there’s nothing boring about it. Although pieces tend to be pared back, the finish and detailing is what elevates them above mere basics. Traditionally speaking, French chic is for women who are passionate about attention to detail, and who want to be noticed for who they are rather than what they wear. Truth be told though, this uniform that we’ve built a familiar association with is changing, and a new wave of deadly-cool women are interpreting trends and styles with refinement, excitement and poise.

The real beauty of French women’s style lies in their ability to accessorise (take one look at the #pfw hashtag on Instagram and see why). It never looks overdone or distasteful, but charming and alluring; like the last sprinkle of sugar over the sweetest cake. This season was no different, except we saw classic staples, like the beret, swapped for exaggerated gallon hats and non-conventional, reformed bumper hats, which make the perfect accompaniment to chandelier earrings and rounded frames (below). Paris is where non-conformists go to play.

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Vibrant bursts of unexpected neon, minimalist two-pieces, maximalist one-pieces, trends that are borderline superfluous, dainty polka dots, exotic check print, oversized belts, trousers tucked into boots, delicate bags swapped instead for oversized ones were the components that made up this season’s delectable selection of elegant ensembles on offer throughout the week.

There’s an inherent joy marked across the faces of these women (and men) and they carry themselves with a kind of self-assurance that’s palpable. It’s as though they dress like this every single day and not just for a fashion show: they know how to please photographers and the hundreds of bystanders who are eager to catch a glimpse of the commotion. There’s a lesson here too, and that’s to have fun with your wardrobe and wear things that make you feel like a radiant sun-beam as you walk down the street (even if it’s just Grafton Street and not Paris). With that, take five minutes this morning and catch some style notes from our handpicked selection of women who are changing the way we think about French style. Oh la la.