Ah, the Parisienne—the most revered and idolized woman in the world. Her elegance, her nonchalance, and her famed je ne sais quoi attitude has hypnotized men and women alike forever. But those perfectly masculine-inspired outfits and chic frocks don't just fall out of the sky. Women in Paris shop for their clothes, too. They just do it differently.

As an American living in France, I’ve noticed a distinction between the way a French woman shops versus the way Americans do. And I'm not alone. Iconic fashion legend Christian Dior noticed it. According to his personal memoir, the designer, upon his first visit to the United States, noted significant differences. Among them was the observation that the American woman was often more likely to choose quantity in her shopping, while the Frenchwoman would naturally value quality.

To explore her allure just a bit further, let's look at how the Parisiennes make even the practice of acquiring goods stylish, smarter, and more sustainable.

Read the rest of my new article on Verily Magazine, a magazine encouraging women to be 'less of who they should be, and more of who they truly are'.