One of my favourite items to thrift is vintage jewellery. To me, weaving the aisles of a vintage market for one or two perfectly imperfect pieces is a great way to spend an afternoon, especially as the days grow shorter and cooler.

What I also love about thrifting vintage jewellery is that it’s a sustainable and cost-effective way to add a unique piece to your collection. Whether it’s a gold locket, a vintage watch or an eye-catching cocktail ring, thrifting brings the past into the present and allows you to create more stories.

But what does this have to do with French style? Well, French women love to incorporate vintage pieces into their wardrobe. Finding something that was pre-loved adds an extra bit of uniqueness to their outfit.

French women also embrace imperfection and authenticity. Which speaks to why French women always look so effortlessly undone. There is a certain confidence in a slightly imperfect, lived-in piece that tells a story over a flawlessly curated one.

Thrifting also speaks to the French philosophy of buying quality over quantity. And by that, I don’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money buying something expensive. It’s buying something meaningful to you. Every trip I take to a vintage market is an experience; a mini-adventure. I never know what I’m going to find and when I do, it feels a lot more meaningful to me. It’s the thrill of finding something after patiently making my way through the clutter.

Here are some of my favourite thrifted pieces:

Ready to begin your own thrifting adventure the French way? Here are a few tips to get your started:

1. Do Your Research

Have an idea of what era each style of jewellery came from, which can help you identify whether a piece is actually vintage or just a reproduction.

2. Remember Quality over Quantity

Prioritize 1-2 pieces you love over 10 pieces you’ll only wear a few times. Think quality over quantity. There’s more meaning in leaving with a couple pieces you’ll wear everyday over a bunch of stuff you may only wear once or twice.

3. Don’t Limit Your Search to Vintage Shops

While antique markets and vintage shops are definitely great places to find vintage jewellery, they can become picked over pretty quickly. Don’t forget to check out local estate sales, flea markets or secondhand shops.

4. Mix Old and New

Pick a vintage piece that you can pair with something modern. For instance, pairing a beautiful vintage brooch with a scarf or pinned to the lapel of your blazer.

5. Choose Timeless Pieces

French style is timeless, not trendy. Choose pieces that will work with a variety of different outfits and seasons that you’ll want to wear for years to come.

Bonus Tip #1: If the seller is an independent vendor, ask them if the know the history of the piece. This can provide you with insight about the piece such as the era it was made, the name of the producer or the type of material. You may also be treated to an interesting story as well.

Bonus Tip #2: Negotiating for a bargain with an independent seller is something that is acceptable if done politely and respectfully.