Shop Ines de la Fressange and Uniqlo's French-Inspired Spring Collection

French girls learn how to dress just like the rest of us: by watching the women around them. For Parisian style icon Ines de la Fressange (who was a muse to Karl Lagerfeld, helmed her own fashion brand and wrote the book, Parisian Chic), that meant gazing at the sophisticated beach-goers in Deauville, France, who inspired her new spring clothing collection with Uniqlo. Parisians decamped to this little seaside resort each summer in the 20th century, making it the unofficial mecca for stylish French women. Coco Chanel set up her first boutique there in 1913 and Fressange vacationed there as a child. Her collaboration with Uniqlo channels the spirit of Deauville with light linens and knits from her memories of these elegant Parisians on the beach.

Fressange's favorite pieces for spring are her lightweight suits with Uniqlo, that are reminiscent of classic movie icons like Greta Garbo or Katherine Hepburn and meant to be worn breezily, a way to be effortlessly pulled together while out and about. But even Fressange cops to throwing on t-shirts and jogger pants as well. "A t-shirt can be stylish!" she says. At the same time, she notes that she puts on makeup every day. "It is essential to take care of ourselves, to keep a good image and self-esteem. Personally, I do my makeup, even if it’s a very light one, so that each time I am in front of a mirror I don’t scream!"

The Uniqlo spring collection embraces these balance of ease with some (light) effort with updates French classics like the striped marinière and lightweight trench along with cozy sweaters and sweeping pleated skirts. Uniqlo's Japanese sensibility means that each piece is crafted to be easy and durable, a sentiment that Fressange embraces. The collection is nicely affordable too, with pieces all under $150. "Great style comes from comfortable clothing," Fressange says. "A good item can be worn during the week, during weekends and are easily mixed."Below, shop our favorite pieces from Ines de la Fressange and Uniqlo's collection.