Fierce+Foreign: The jumper dress is feeling French

Fierce+Foreign draws on the fashion experiences of SU students studying abroad.

Mademoiselles, here's a fashion staple worth investing in this winter - the jumper dress. 

I've seen French girls wear it with tall leather boots and a chic knitted beret. My personal favorite is a comfy cowl neck dress that encapsulates the effortless French style that fashionistas in the world yearns for.

Yellow cowl neck dress from Benetton's Winter 2009 collection.

Why is the cowl neck dress so... français? 

Well first, let me give you a quick DL on how our peers dress across the pond. French style doesn't scream for attention; the color scheme usually spans the many shades of black, in other words, just black. 

Even in warmer temperatures, the French don't reveal too much skin, and American girls here are often told that wearing short shorts will immediately expose you as a foreigner. There's no oh-la-la factor, no head-turning pink hair, gaudy jewelry and other eccentricities. French style is like a soft-spoken lady.

Almost every guy wears a pea coat and scarf, which unfortunately is something of an anomaly in the US. The cut is always of prime importance, as it must hug the body where it should. One does not necessarily have to look neat. In fact, one of the most attractive aspects of French style is its effortless, disheveled comfort. I still can't figure out how French mademoiselles make a messy ponytail look so good! 

Banana Republic cowl neck dress for $98.

Yours truly prefers a cowl neck over turtle neck because it's more fluid and doesn't give you that rigid neck brace feeling. It's a sleek look that transitions effortlessly from an outfit for the daily grind to a night out on the town. Cinch your waist with a thin belt in a contrasting color. If you choose a neutral colored dress then pair it with bright colored pantyhose. 

Get inspiration from the chic but pricey dresses from Anthropologie and Banana Republic. I've scowled the web and found the best price to be Uniqlo, a line of sweater dresses of their trademark ROYGBIV colors for $49. 

The key is to choose one that's short and sweet, 'less you want to look like a school teacher.

- by Jenny Cheng