The French fashion scene has long been dominated by a monarchy of heritage brands constantly seducing us with French insouciance. Tweed jackets, silk stockings and cigarettes have been the reigning symbols of French mode for the past century, but a new stylistic movement has taken over the fashion capital led by a generation of young designers. Simon Jacquemus is one of the frontiers of la révolution. His spring/summer 2017 collection proposed a grounded take on Parisian classics that are both modest and powerful. Here are the five new references you should look at to embrace the new French wave.

Laura and Mary Ingalls from Little House on The Prairie

Like Chanel, Jacquemus comes from the French countryside — an inspiration for both the young designer and his predecessor. For spring/summer 2017 he revisited his provincial roots and presented an array of carefree village girls. In case you didn’t receive a similar upbringing, we suggest you live vicariously through Laura and Mary from Little House on Prairie and don a peasant blouse.

David Byrne from Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense

In 1966 Yves Saint Laurent introduced Le Smoking which came to signify the French attitude as we know it. That is, until now, Jacquemus’s interpretation of the classic two-piece ensemble involves a completely different aesthetic; think masculine rather than androgynous, surrealist as opposed to sexy and squared instead of slim. Want us to be more specific? Let David Byrne’s oversized suit in Talking Head’s Stop Making Sense video from 1984 lead the way.

Michelle Stratton from American Gigolo

The British may have created the trench, but the French made it their own by turning it into a rendez-vous participant. However, Jacquemus offers a different take on the French classic. Strip back to the basic silhouette, lose the belt and consider a relaxed yet elegant fit as shown by Lauren Hutton in American Gigolo. The final touch? A rolled-up sleeve that exposes your delicate wrist which will also come in handy when you go apple-picking.

Mulan in Mulan

It’s safe to say that Jacquemus is a 1990s kid, not only because of his incredibly young age but for the fact that he referenced one of our favourite Disney heroes. When Mulan taped over her breast she did so in order to disguise her femininity. But the Jacquemus woman embraces her femininity by leading the focus elsewhere. Haven’t you heard? Collarbones and shoulders are the new erogenous zones.

Brigitte Bardot

If French fashion had a flag, then we would wave Bardot in the air like a tricolore. But even the ultimate muse has been revised. Her tan á la Tropezienne is long gone but her larger-than-life accessories with provincial descendent have remained. After all, we need to be protect ourselves from the radiating sun.

Text by Ann-Marie Voina