From faux leather to that picture-perfect fit of jeans, here is a shoppable guide of fall Parisian wardrobe basics that modern French girls will be wearing as the weather gets colder.
There’s plenty of talk about the allure of Parisian style. Google the phrase, and there are 5 billion results—article after article about their style, described as, “devil-may-care,” “insouciant,” or “je ne sais quoi.” Their hair is perfectly tousled, they tote around begets like it’s a fashion accessory, & couldn’t give two shits about aging – in fact, they embrace it. Even though the french don’t take dressing up too seriously – there are some non-negotiables when it comes to dressing up like a french girl this fall/winter.
As you all already know by now, I am absolutely obsessed with the Parisian style. This morning on the Style Edit, I’m sharing all the Parisian style basics I didn’t hesitate clicking the “buy now” while shopping. For those new here, The Style Edit is where I talk about the next biggest fashion trends I’m seeing. Subscribe for more style tips! 🥂✨
You’ve landed here because you are in need of a wardrobe refresh so let’s dive right into my favorite Parisian looks!
1. Knee-High boots
We call this time of year spooky season, and the French call it la rentrée (or the back-to-school season when grown-ups return to work from the summer holiday). No matter what you call it, fall fashion is undoubtedly in full force. French girls greet the colder weather like they do everything else: with au natural hair and a killer wardrobe.
A must-have for french women is the perfect boot. A perfect boot meets the following requirements: a 2-3 inch heel, well-constructed with a pointed toe. The heel is not pointed – because Parisians love to walk around the city and a broader heel allows them to strut around for hours without feeling wobbly.
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2. Nautical Stripes
The Breton-striped sweater is a french girl closet staple, maybe even considered a french fashion cliché. Originally worn by seamen in the French Navy, this cotton long-sleeved shirt with horizontal blue and white stripes can be paired with a pair of jeans, a blazer, and a pair of white sneakers. Just avoid the French cliché by wearing it with a beret and a scarf.
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3. The Trench
Ah, the trench coat: as essential to French girl style as stripes and classic white tees. The lightweight (but warm) outerwear can be worn from the first day of fall until the last day of spring, making it the perfect investment piece and the simplest way to get your Parisian-girl style on. Pair with light-wash denim in a relaxed fit and leave your hair in an effortless, “I woke up like this” style.
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4. Cozy Slip-Dress
The stereotypical French girl outfit is never over-the-top, never try hard, and often a little risqué. Their outfits have personality & Parisian women don’t worry about dressing for their age, and rather just dress for themselves. Maybe that is something we should all take note of when getting dressed. Take a cozy wool slip-dress for example – this season it’s all about the side-slit. The goal is to show an ample amount of skin while at the same time keep you warm.
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5. Comfy Mom blue-jeans
How wonderful it is that my go-to thrifted fall pieces are considered runway trends this season. Cozy, worn-in white tank tops has single-handedly been the foundation of the majority of my outfits for a few seasons now, so if the fall 2024 Parisian runways suggest wearing one with relaxed blue jeans, I am all in on this look.
Straight jeans with a bit of a flared leg and relaxed fit are the Parisian go-to denim style. Baggier is better! And yes, they work with even your most oversized knit sweater or baggy button-up. Try tucking the front into the waist of the pants to balance the proportions.
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6. Oversized sweaters & Cardigans
Again, I hear you: ‘but all Parisiennes look the same!’. I can’t deny that Parisiennes love their basics and do not mind sharing them with half of the women in Paris. Yet they also want to be unique and put a lot of effort into that, seeking vintage pieces and unknown brands. For a Parisienne, individuality is all in the details.
This season it seems as if H&M is in the lead for offering a complete line of cozy & cute but expensive-looking knitwear. From oversize cardigans and turtlenecks to cashmere sets and rib-knit dresses, the Swedish retailer never misses when it comes to cozy, soft things that bring us comfort during the first chilly day of the season. I’ve linked some of the retailer’s best sweaters below plus other brands worth shopping from.
Shop Oversized Sweaters & Cardigans
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7. Plaid
To create a French wardrobe, you’ll definitely need to invest in a structured blazer. Or hit up one of your older relative’s closets – Ironically, I stole mine from my 78-year-old grandfather’s closet!
Plaid is not just for Gwen Stefani in her “No Doubt” days. It can also be incredibly timeless and effortless when done in structured, feminine pieces like a tailored blazer. Make the trend more Blair Waldorf than ’90s punk by pairing it with feminine accessories like a quilted purse and pointed-toe shoes.
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8. Off-white outfits paired with oversized sunglasses
A modern Parisian woman loves to wear all-white outfits. That’s because when it comes to putting together an outfit, Parisians subscribe to the mantra that ‘less is more’. They tend to be fairly minimal. The phrase ‘effortlessly chic‘ is almost synonymous with French girls, but what does that really mean? When it comes down to it, what really stands out about Parisians is the fact that they never look like they are trying too hard with their outfits or look like they spent hours getting ready. A closet full of creme-colored hues, blacks, and nudes mean less time figuring out what to wear in the morning – and more time crossing things off the to-do list.
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9. Knit sweaters and sheer black tights
While Miu Miu’s iconic rendition has most recently made the rounds on Instagram, the mini-skirt has been making a comeback for some time. The most popular way of styling this is with a creme sweater tucked into the skirt at the waist. Taking it back to the Y2K aesthetic, you can modernize the look by adding a tweed or wool blazer and a crop top in a matching hue. Play with your silhouette by adding in some thigh-high boots, or get leggy in a set of sneakers or classic pumps and stockings. Whether it’s a look for you or not, it’s certainly a bold yet very feminine outfit.
Shop Oversized Sweaters & Cardigans
Shop Skirts
10. Faux Fur-lined moto jacket
Come fall, everyone needs that perfectly effortless jacket to throw over their shoulders and head out the door. Something chic, something practical, something that can be dressed up and down. This super trendy faux fur and leather moto jacket is the perfect mix of comfort meets badass.
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