I can trace my obsession with French style all the way back to the first time I watched Beauty and the Beast. Belle might have been bored with her provincial life, but I certainly wasn’t. I begged my aunt to let me cut the hem of an old blue bridesmaid dress that resembled Belle’s dress, asked my mum to style my hair in a bow every morning and insisted upon carrying a basket with me wherever I went.
Today, I still find myself trying to emulate the look of French women, albeit with less taffeta. I trawl through vintage photographs of Paris, looking at the outfits French women have worn in the past, and I have an entire archive dedicated to saved images of the ensembles my favourite French influencers wear.
Deciphering French style has been made easy thanks to these essentials.
Upon looking at these snaps, I saw a pattern begin to emerge. I realised that almost all of the French women I follow own the same core capsule wardrobe of fashion essentials. Of course, I am all too aware that this uniform may not apply to everyone in a country, but the women I’m particularly interested in all subscribe to a look I love.
“French women invest in timeless pieces over trends,” confirms Marissa Cox, a French style expert and friend of Who What Wear who now resides in Paris. “Wearability is integral to a French woman’s closet, as she doesn’t tend to overdress. She looks for pieces that can be dressed up or down.”
So which French fashion essentials do the country’s best dressers rely upon to ensure they look chic at all times? I decided to do the honourable thing and share them with you. Scroll below to find out.
Style Notes: Coats don’t come more classic than the trench coat, so it’s little wonder that they appear so heavily in French culture and in the real-life wardrobes of France’s chicest residents.
I love how pared-back this particular trench style is.
This will truly never date.
This forever piece will go with everything.
Style Notes: French women are masters at looking effortlessly polished, and the piece that helps them achieve this potent combination is the blouse. While they’ll wear just about every blouse look out there, we find that the French women we follow tend to opt for white embroidered iterations.
Of course, Free People is serving up some of the best white blouses this season.
The vintage feel of this really piqued my interest.
So pretty.
Style Notes: French style tends to take subtle cues from the ’70s, which is likely why so many of the country’s sleekest dressers still consider flares to be their trouser shape of choice.
What a set.
This COS pair look so comfy.
So easy to dress up or down.
Style Notes: We know what you’re thinking: Ballet pumps for French women? Groundbreaking. But out of all the French-style clichés, this is the one item that French women actually wear.
These classic ballet flats also come in a gorgeous brown hue.
If The Row makes a pair of ballet flats, you know they’re destined for cult status.
Bring along a pair of compact ballet flats to change into after a long day, or night, in heels.
Style Notes: When it comes to dresses, the French typically prefer fuss-free silhouettes (unless they’re couture). For day-to-day wear, you’ll see countless Gallic women wearing simple strappy numbers.
A linen number is perfect for summer.
A stunning colour.
Style with a cosy cardigan and ballet flats for cooler days.
Style Notes: It’s hard to think of a time when straight-leg jeans didn’t dominate our wardrobes. French women have been championing this denim trend in vintage blue for years.
This pair will fit in all the right places.
These are the next jeans I’m going to try.
Totême jeans are a hit with the influencer set.
Style Notes: Finding a jacket to match your daily outfits can be tricky, but not if you have a black blazer at your disposal. French women use them to dress up their denim and to bestow their dresses with some je ne sais quoi.
The best blazer on the high street.
My absolute favourite.
So chic.
Style Notes: While cardigans are a staple in our winter wardrobes, French women will carry them through to spring and summer as an effortless cover-up solution. They’ll often wear them without a top underneath, too.
Sézane is your one-stop shop for all things Parisienne.
Wear this without a top underneath for even more French flair.
An easy wardrobe staple you’ll wear for years.
Style Notes: More practical than top-handles and more elegant than crossbodies, shoulder bags are naturally the French arm candy of choice.
A modern classic.
If you thought this was designer, I wouldn’t blame you.
The chocoloate colourway adds to the 90s feel.
Style Notes: No one embraces the miniskirt quite like French women do. While they wear them with heels when the occasion calls for it, you’re much more likely to spot them wearing miniskirts with chunky boots and jumpers or T-shirts.
