Hear that noise? It’s the clock counting down the days until the official start of spring. With a new season on the horizon, there’s so much to be excited about—warmer temperatures, fresh trends, the prospect of spring travel; the list goes on and on. I’d be lying if I didn’t say there was one specific thing I’m looking forward to most; a chance to update my wardrobe. I’ve been feeling fatigued when choosing what to wear for this last stretch of winter, and I’m guessing that if you’re reading this, you are tired too. We all want to ditch a few layers, but it’s not always straightforward. A shift into a new season, especially spring, requires some work—you’re weighing which pieces are worth investing in and dealing with transitional weather. It’s a delicate balancing act that can be, at times, overwhelming. So, where does one turn to for a blueprint to make sound sartorial decisions? The French, obviously. While I’m a proponent believer that great outfit ideas can come from anywhere, I know that no one does it like the French (blame their innate je ne sais quoi). It’s only natural then that I’d turn to the Parisian fashion set as a guidepost for changing my closet for the new season. Ahead, you’ll find 20 simple spring outfits that are simple enough to copy and paste into any wardrobe, no matter where you live. Plus, the key pieces you’ll need to recreate the looks yourself. Consider this your one-stop shop for being à la mode this spring.
Mixing and matching pieces from different seasons is the key to nailing dressing for transitional weather. Wear linen shorts, a crewneck sweater, and a trench coat for those days with fickle weather forecasts.
French women don’t always pick the flashiest spring trends; instead, they incorporate more modern accessories into their spring rotation. For example, the above look features a classic skirt-suit set styled with two of the biggest accessory trends of the moment; Mary Jane shoes and layered belts.
When in doubt, simplicity is the key to looking stylish this spring. Take a cue from the ensemble above and pair jeans with a tailored button-down and sandals and you’ll look like you came fresh off the plane from France.
For those spring days that are still brisk, layering is key. You don’t have to wear your puffer coat, though; simply replicate the look above. You’ll beat the cold by layering a v-neck sweater over a turtleneck and underneath a trench coat and tights underneath a mini skirt.
Another way to make layering feel fresh, even if you’re over having to wear them, is by opting for a monochrome look. Style a tweed set with a matching coat and boots, and you’ll have a little spring in your step.
Let me tell you a little secret: investing in great separates is the key to crafting a chic outfit. You don’t have to try to do the most, you just need a great pleated skirt, sweater, and pair of boots (they don’t even have to match), and you’ll look put-together.
Not ready to fully depart from your winter wardrobe yet? Totally understandable. Ease yourself into the new season by pairing your favorite black sweater and boots with a metallic pant.
Call it cliché, but no other staple is more quintessentially French than the benton stripe sweater. All you have to do is style this piece with trousers and ballet flats, and you’ll basically look like a Chanel model.
Another way to ease yourself into spring is by using color-blocking to your advantage. Your go-to black turtleneck and jeans can feel “spring-ready” by simply layering a white jacket on top.
The best thing about spring is that you can finally start showing a bit more skin. But if it’s not warm enough to bare it all yet, try pairing a sweater dress with tights and a wool blazer.
Do you know those spring days when it starts out freezing in the morning and is hot by noon? Consider the outfit above your perfect solution. Simply pair a t-shirt with a knit skirt and sandals (and bring a top coat) for an outfit that can work in fluctuating weather.
When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with styling a pretty white blouse with jeans and loafers. It’s the ultimate spring uniform among the French fashion set.
French women know how to serve a look that’s both sultry and classic—case in point: the outfit above. Wearing an off-the-shoulder top with a pencil skirt and mules is the ideal outfit for a balmy night out in Paris (or any other city, for that matter)
You’re not paying homage to French fashion if you don’t at least own one white dress (in linen, cotton, or poplin) that you can wear on a warm day. It’s the ideal look for strolling through the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Musée d’Orsay.
You may not be running errands around Paris, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look good while doing it. For a low-key look, pair a men’s waistcoat vest with baggy jeans, sneakers, and a colorful shoulder bag.
Another staple French women can’t get enough of? The slip dress. Once it’s warm enough, this is a style you see Parisians wearing in every form until the late fall. And while there are so many ways to style this, I love the idea of tying an oversized button-down ontop and finishing off the look with sandals and a raffia bag.
Oversize button-downs are a beloved staple among women everywhere, including the French fashion set. Besides styling this piece over a dress, we’ll often see them wearing it with linen shorts and statement sandals (like above).
For those mornings when you really don’t want to put too much thought into what you’re wearing, the solution is as simple as throwing on a knit sweater dress, snakeskin bag, and slingback heels.
Two spring staples essential to any French woman’s wardrobe are the plissé top and linen trousers. So, it’s even better if you can style them together for a day out on the town.
Last but certainly not least, one piece the Parisian fashion set relies on in the spring is the printed slip skirt. While this staple may be seen by some as “passé,” a simple pairing with a tank top and sandals proves otherwise. Like all the other outfits in this roundup, the power of this piece lies in its simplicity—it’s not about the fuss, it’s about function. And that practicality is what makes Parisian fashion so aspirational. It’s a reminder to us all that getting that fresh start for the new season doesn’t have to be stressful, it can be easy and exciting if you have the formulas and staples to start off with.
