Anyone that follows me on social media can bear testament to the fact that I love this country.

I love the landscape, the culture, the people, the sense of humour and outlook on life.

I even have a fashion range, Éadach, inspired by our myth and legend. OK, I don't always love the weather but you can't have everything.

Sometimes though, I think that if I wasn't from here I could be French because I fall into a number of French stereotypes...

I can be culturally snooty, I have been accused of being aloof once or twice (quite a lot actually).

I could live on coffee and pain au chocolat, I prefer my hair unbrushed and am partial to a flick of eyeliner and a Breton stripe.

Most of the women I consider stylish are French.. Brigitte Bardot, Francois Hardy, Caroline Maigret, Lou Douillon, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vanessa Paradis.

A quick glance over the fashion section in Waterstones shows I'm not the only one to hanker after that chic Parisian je ne c'est quoi, the shelves are littered with titles such as 'How to be Parisian Wherever You Are', 'Parisian Chic: A Style Guide', 'Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic' and the recent 'Love x Style x Life' by Garance Dore.

So what is it the French get so right?

Between seasons, when the fashion world goes a little quiet, magazines and blogs will feature a little Parisian style piece, knowing it's a safe bet.

This isn't really what this is. I'm not going to suggest you to wear a trench coat, skinny jeans, ballet pumps and Breton stripes while reading Jean Paul Sartre and drinking black coffee on the pavement outside a cafe.

(Although if you want to do that I applaud you and I'll probably try to Instagram you as I pass by.)

Studying French style there's obviously gonna be the odd cliché but primarily because items like trench coats and Breton stripes are classic items that never go in or out of fashion, they just remain a constant.

And that in a nutshell is a big part of French style.

It concentrates more on cool, classic staples mixed with investment pieces and the odd quirky personal bit thrown in than constant changing trends.

Style is eternal

In the immortal words of YSL 'Fashions fade, style is eternal.'

For the last couple of decades our fashion industry has been the antithesis of this...the high street has boomed, new stock arrives every day, we can buy the latest trends alongside our groceries in the supermarket.

Fashion news used to be monthly with the big glossies, then weekly with Grazia, Look and the Sunday supplements.

Now it's constant with blogs, Instagram, and online mags telling us how to look, what to buy.

Our next purchase, the new 'must have' is only a mere click away. In many ways this is an amazing thing, it makes fashion more democratic.

But there are downsides that consumers are starting to see - like we're all waking up with a retail-induced hangover, we've been on a buying frenzy and we're now all drowning in stuff.

As consumers we are slowly moving towards a more French way of shopping - buying less but buying more carefully.

A more expensive piece probably, but something you'll wear often and for a long time.

Our very own French fashion icon

In Belfast, we're lucky enough to have our very own French style icon.

Kathleen Metrope used to be in charge of the womanswear in fab Belfast boutique, Yoke, and two weeks ago launched her new boutique 'Parici', on Upper Arthur Street.

The store is beautifully merchandised, with a luxe bohemian vibe, stocking an eclectic mix of pieces from labels including Mesdemoiselle Paris, Scotch and Soda and Mexicana.

I love Kathleen's style so I popped in as she was about to open the shop to get her to spill the beans on French style..

Tip: Develop your own personal style and dress according to your mood

Kathleen says: "You could say that French women put style and comfort before trends. They choose individual pieces of clothing and create their own look with them, a look that represents their mood, feelings, passion and emotion that day.

Tip: Style is an emotive issue - but DON'T impulse buy to cheer yourself up

Chances are you'll buy the wrong thing. Instead, attach your story to a carefully chosen perfect piece that you love..

Kathleen says: We get attached to each piece of clothing which means they can bring back happy memories.

So basically, we like collecting interesting pieces for our wardrobe, rather than impulse purchase buys, that are timeless. We really fall in love with each piece in order to create our very own outfit.

We buy less but we buy with passion.

Tip: Build your wardrobe and your look over time

Kathleen says: A bit like a painting you add bits to as you go. A style you won't see on anyone else a style that makes you happy.

Tip: Choose versatile pieces

Kathleen says: Choose pieces that can take you from morning to night cause it's pretty uncool to go home and get changed to go out.

And vitally, you have to be happy with what you wear so it reflects who you really are and how you feel.

Tip: Shop smart, dress easy

Kathleen says: Buying things in a rush because you have somewhere to go to that weekend is something you will NEVER hear a French woman say.

She always has in her wardrobe something that will save the day. You probably do too, if you look properly.

Tip: If in doubt, seek style advice

Kathleen says: The French are always referred to as having 'effortless chic' because we all subconsciously know how to put things together.

This is why Parici is so important for me, I want to be able to guide people who are really struggling every day about what to wear and who frankly don't have time to figure it out.

None of us are good at everything. A little help goes a long way and a nudge in the right direction could save you a lot of time.