Marc Schenker
September 2, 2021 · 13 min read
The History of Parisian Style
If we want to get perfectly technical about it, Parisian style can literally go back in time all the way to the 15th century or thereabouts. This is when fashion and design in the city started to gain prominence. In the 17th century, fashion in Paris completely exploded into a juggernaut of an industry that produced a lot of wealth, thanks to local consumption and consequent exports. Now, if we want to credit one Frenchman in particular for making the association of style and fashion design with France—which is a reputation that the country and, especially, Paris still enjoy up to today—we have to acknowledge Louis XIV, the Sun King. Ruling from 1643 (from the age of 4 onwards!) to his death in 1715, this monarch from the House of Bourbon holds the record for the longest reign of any king representing a sovereign country in European history, at 72 years and 110 days. The reason that France and Paris became the dominant forces in fashion under Louis XIV’s reign has to do with his extreme centralization of power during his reign. In that time, the crown seized control of the luxury goods and fashion industries, essentially subjecting them to the royal court’s tastes and peculiarities.
- Lifestyle
- Interior design
- Workspaces
- Personal appearance
Parisian Style in Graphic Design
When we talk about Parisian style in graphic design, the first product that comes to mind is the aforementioned book, Parisian Chic, from which we can also glean a number of ideas about design in this aesthetic.
- Interesting textures
- Minimalism
- Thin strokes and delicate accents
- A sense of naïveté
- White or negative space
- Neatness



- Notable ligatures
- Eye-catching numerals
- Serious serifs
- Thick stems
- Curvy bowls


Parisian Style in Web Design
Even web design isn’t too far removed to escape Parisian chic’s notice. You’ll find many good transitions of this design on the web from brands that sell French products, especially those that specialize in fashion. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
- White space
- Cleanness (thanks to its user-friendly grid-based layout)
- Minimalism
- Vibrant colors
- Easy-to-read fonts
- Accessibility
- Sophistication

Parisian Style in Interior Design
We can’t neglect to mention this design trend’s influence on interior design—whether it’s your living room, bedroom or just the entire ambiance of your living space. As with French fashion, the certain mystique that you can’t quite put your finger on carries over into interiors and makes them classier. Here are some techniques to bring more Parisian style into your interiors: Asymmetry – Believe it or not, not having things line up perfectly (such as a pile of books that seem out of order or curtains that aren’t tied down and are billowing in the breeze) work well with this style. Asymmetry creates an almost perfect imperfection because it’s meant to be that way instead of it being the result of true sloppiness. A freestanding bathtub – A prominent feature of Parisian homes is their luxurious baths, so what better way to create this style in your home than to really spruce up your bathroom? A vintage or freestanding tub will do the trick nicely, along with some luxurious, thick towels and sumptuous drapes.

Class, Sophistication, and Accessibility
As you think about Parisian style, realize that it’s something of an oxymoron as far as design trends go. Sure, it’s haute couture, but unlike other high-end things, this design trend makes an effort to appeal to the masses and ordinary people. That’s been the key to its success, longevity, and now expansion. Instead of sitting on its high horse and looking down at us, this style’s proponents have wisely decided to make it available to many people—not just the rich. Whether it was Yves Saint Laurent’s decision to expand fashion to ready-to-wear sensibilities instead of just sticking with the bespoke traditions of Paris fashion or the Parisian Chic tome that specifically intends to make Paris design and fashion available to everyone, Parisian style has shown a willingness to embrace approachability. Call it design democratization.Products Seen In This Post:

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Marc Schenker
Marc is a copywriter and marketer who runs The Glorious Company, a marketing agency. An expert in business and marketing, he helps businesses and companies of all sizes get the most bang for their ad bucks.
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