11 French Fashion Essentials That Are Truly Timeless
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, and I have made it my mission to analyse what exactly are the French fashion essentials that I could add to my capsule wardrobe. 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 essential 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.
11 French Fashion Essentials That Always Look Chic
1. TRENCH COAT
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.
Shop the Look:
mango
Classic Trench Coat With Belt
This will truly never date.
H&M
Linen-Blend Trench Coat
A lightweight linen version for those cooler summer days.
This forever piece will go with everything.
& Other Stories
Single-Breasted Trench Coat
I love how pared-back this particular trench style is.
2. ROMANTIC BLOUSE
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 elegant white iterations.
Shop the Look:
DÔEN
+ Net Sustain Hickory Ruffled Pintucked Embroidered Organic Cotton-Poplin Blouse
Such a great way to elevate your usual jeans and shirt look.
ISABEL MARANT
Elodia Embroidered Ramie Blouse
Of course, Isabel Marant always serves up some of the best white blouses.
The vintage feel of this really piqued my interest.
3. FLARED TROUSERS
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.
Shop the Look:
JACQUEMUS
Apollo Stretch-Jersey Flared Pants
This COS pair looks so chic.
TOTEME
Flared Crepe Pants
So easy to dress up or down.
mango
Linen Flare Trousers
A great length for those warmer days.
4. BALLET PUMPS
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.
Shop the Look:
ARKET
Leather Ballet Flats
These classic ballet flats look so comfy.
Everlane
The The Day Ballet Flat
Bring along a pair of compact ballet flats to change into after a long day, or night, in heels.
Reformation
Barbara Ballet Flat
Jeffrey Campbell
Aurora Satin Ballet Flats
These come in so many different colours and finishes.
5. STRAPPY DRESS
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, layered under cardigans and jackets when the weather gets colder..
Shop the Look:
Reformation
Jeany Silk Dress
You can wear this dress year-round.
Ghost
The Alba – Rosalita
Ghost
Florrie Satin Maxi Slip Dress
Style with a cosy cardigan and ballet flats for cooler days.
Brown is not just for winter.
6. BLUE JEANS
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.
Shop the Look:
Abercrombie & Fitch
Curve Love Mid Rise 90s Straight Jean
This pair will fit in all the right places.
Arket
Jade Cropped Slim Stretch Jeans
These are the next jeans I’m going to try.
Toteme
Tapered Leg Denim Dark Blue
Toteme jeans are a hit with the influencer set.
H&M denim never disappoints.
7. BLACK BLAZER
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.
Shop the Look:
The Frankie Shop
Gelso Oversized Blazer
Arket
Oversized Wool Blend Twill Blazer
The best blazer on the high street.
COS
KNITTED WAISTED BLAZER
M&S Collection
Jersey Slim Single Breasted Blazer
This is perfect for those who prefer a slightly slimmer fit.
8. SOFT CARDIGAN
Style Notes: Cardigans are a year round staple in the wardrobes of French women. Not just for when the weather gets on the chiller side but they also carry them through warmer days as an effortless cover-up solution.
Shop the Look:
Sézane is your one-stop shop for all things Parisienne.
KHAITE
Scarlet Cashmere Cardigan
Wear this without a top underneath for even more French flair.
& Other Stories
Slim Cashmere Cardigan
An easy wardrobe staple you’ll wear for years.
M&S
Crew Neck Button Front Cardigan
Add a pop of colour to your spring/summer wardrobe.
9. SHOULDER BAG
Style Notes: More practical than top-handles and more elegant than crossbodies, shoulder bags are naturally the French arm candy of choice.
Shop the Look:
Gucci
Aphrodite Medium Shoulder Bag
Reformation
Medium Rosetta Shoulder Bag
If you thought this was designer, I wouldn’t blame you.
Loewe
Puffer Goya bag in shiny nappa lambskin
The chocolate colourway adds to the 90s feel.
Charles & Keith
Cesia Metallic Accent Shoulder Bag
Doesn’t this look so expensive?
10. MINISKIRT
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.
Shop the Look:
& Other Stories
A-Line Mini Skirt
An a-line style is incredibly classic.
Reformation
Flounce Skirt Es
This mini will work hard for you.
Pair with your favourite ballet flats for summer.
ZARA
Scuba-Effect Mini Skirt
Red is back as a trending colour again this season.
11: CLASSIC TIMEPIECE
Style Notes: No French wardrobe is complete without a classic timepiece. Whether it’s a sleek wristwatch or refined pocket watch, these accessories are indispensable for their blend of function and elegance.
Shop the Look:
Cartier
Panthère De Cartier Watch
I’m in love with the thin version of this iconic, timeless piece
HERMÈS TIMEPIECES
Heure H 25mm Small Stainless Steel and Leather Watch
There’s something so classy about a leather watch and the double strap on this piece means you really don’t need anything else on your wrist.
Daniel Wellington
Classic Sheffield
Who can say no to an all black piece of wrist candy? Imagine it as the finishing touch to a monochromatic outfit.
Gucci
G-Timeless 29mm Gold PVD-Plated Watch
For days when you want something a little more… golden.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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