One look at Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu striding across Paris in a jupe fourreau, and the message is crystal clear : sleek, sharp, in control. The actress behind Sylvie Grateau in “Emily in Paris” has turned the pencil skirt into a modern armor, pairing it with razor blazers, fine-knit tops and that unbothered French confidence.
The timing fuels the obsession. “Emily in Paris” renewed the spotlight in 2024 with a two-part release – Part 1 on 15 August and Part 2 on 12 September, according to Netflix – and audiences keep zooming in on Sylvie’s silhouette. The core of it : a jupe fourreau that sculpts the body without shouting, the kind of piece that raises posture and lowers effort.
Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu and the jupe fourreau : decoding the power silhouette
At first glance, the formula seems simple : a high-waist pencil skirt that hugs the hips, a clean blouse or second-skin knit, heels that lengthen the line. On Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, the proportion play is the real trick. The skirt sits firm at the waist, the hem hits mid-calf, and the jacket nips just enough to create movement.
Why it works for busy days and late dinners : one base, multiple moods. Swap stilettos for sleek boots, add a silk shirt or a minimal tee, and the same skirt turns from boardroom to night walk along the Seine. The elegance feels effortless, not forced.
From Dior’s 1954 line to Sylvie Grateau : why the pencil skirt endures
History backs the comeback. Christian Dior’s mid-century lines defined the hourglass, and the narrow, tapering skirt took off in the 1950s. The Victoria and Albert Museum notes Dior’s 1954 silhouettes streamlined skirts to emphasize a vertical, poised shape – a direct ancestor of today’s pencil cut (V&A, 1950s fashion archives).
Fast-forward to modern wardrobes, the jupe fourreau adapts to updated fabrics and commute-friendly stretch. On screen, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu shows the grown-up version : less wiggle-dress fantasy, more precision and purpose. That subtle slit at the back or side is not a detail – it decides stride and comfort. Yes, the slit matters.
Style playbook : wear a jupe fourreau like Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu
Plenty of pencil skirts look good on a hanger. The goal is finding the one that moves with you and reads expensive, even when it is not. A few field-tested habits separate a sharp look from an almost-there outfit.
- Choose structure : a midweight fabric with a hint of stretch holds shape and smooths lines without gripping.
- Mind the hem : mid-calf length signals polish, knee-length leans classic – pick what suits your stride and shoe height.
- Prioritize the waist : a true high waist lengthens legs and pairs cleanly with cropped or tucked tops.
- Keep hardware minimal : invisible zips and flat waistbands make jackets sit right and blouses lay flat.
- Add one accent only : a fine belt, a cuff, or a lipstick red. One. Two starts to fight the silhouette.
Common pitfall to avoid : over-tight fits that ride up. If the skirt creeps when walking, size up or look for a deeper vent. Another easy win is lining – it helps tops glide and cuts down on static. Small choices, big payoff.
Numbers and context : the data behind the screen-inspired pencil skirt
Screen impact remains real. Netflix said “Emily in Paris” Season 1 was watched by 58 million households in its first 28 days after the October 2020 launch – a powerful driver for fashion curiosity and shopping searches tied to the show (Netflix via Deadline, Oct. 2020).
The franchise sustained momentum with a split Season 4 schedule in 2024 – 15 August and 12 September – keeping characters like Sylvie and her signature jupe fourreau in steady rotation across feeds and press (Netflix press materials, 2024). The effect is familiar : a recognisable uniform that viewers can actually wear to work.
The heritage side anchors the trend. The pencil silhouette’s mid-century roots, archived and exhibited by institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, connect the look to decades of refined tailoring and couture technique. That lineage explains why a good jupe fourreau never feels gimmicky. It reads as style, not a short-lived micro trend.
So the practical answer arrives : a pencil skirt that mirrors Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu’s approach blends structure, comfort and polish. Choose a mid-calf cut with a back vent, pair it with a fitted knit and a cropped jacket or a neatly tailored blazer, then keep accessories quiet. The rest – posture, pace, purpose – follows. If a detail still feels off, it is often the hem or the vent depth accidentaly set a touch wrong. Adjust those two, and the silhouette clicks into place.