french-style

French women are known for the classics. A good pair of jeans plus a cable-knit jumper plus timeless accessories make up one of the many outfits that I think of when imagining what one would wear to galavant around Paris. One thing the items listed above have in common is that we call them basics. Since French women are very well known for artfully styling wardrobe essentials, that tends to be what we associate them with. If you take a closer look, however, you’ll notice that they also champion a lot of non-boring items. Taking a break from exploring French basics led me to notice themes like funky stripes, menswear staples, unique tailoring, and more. There are a lot of micro-trends to be found in Paris, but some of them pop up more often than othe...

We talk a lot about French style. But it’s understandable when French women appear to dress so well. With Instagram, we’ve been able to see easily the kinds of outfits that these women go back to over and over. So why wouldn’t we take a moment to do a deep dive into the timeless French outfits we always spot? Think of this as your ultimate guide to French dressing and the outfits French women love. Below, I’ve found eight classic ensembles that I always spot. Whether it’s a trench coat styled with knee-high boots or a pair of jeans, a white tee and a blazer, there are just some outfits that French women will never stop wearing. Keep scrolling for the looks that will take you through autumn/winter, into 2023 and beyond. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are lo...

If it’s an effortless and chic outfit idea we’re looking for, the fashion crowd in Paris is one group we routinely turn to. Because yes, many in this set have perfectly mastered that je ne sais quoi. Given their no-fuss approach to fashion, it’s those versatile items that consistently make up some of their chicest looks. Well, there’s actually one specific staple Parisians have been wearing for years (you may remember this popular style) that is basically a classic at this point. Yes, we’re referring to u. The pretty skirt silhouette can be styled with so many different pieces. After scrolling through the Instagram feeds of some of our favourite French influencers, it became evident that elevated basics are the go-to picks to style with slip skirts. Keep scrolling to see how fashion p...

By now we now the drill, if you’re looking for elegant, understated and easy-to-wear outfit inspiration, French style is hard to beat. Somehow the average Parisian manages to take the items we’ve long had in our wardrobes (the Breton top, the straight-legged jean and the blazer for example), and make it feel entirely new by adding a little je ne sais quoi.  Knitwear is no exception, and while it isn’t quite cold enough for a chunky turtleneck, one item we’re wearing on repeat is the cardigan. Thanks to the likes of Katie Holmes and Zoë Kravitz, the cardigan is cool again, and French women are ahead of the curve when it comes to making wool knits feel couture, so where better to start looking for autumn outfit inspiration than the French.  You Des...

From what I can see via social media, French girls are not wearing puffer coats, or even leather jackets. Apparently. when the temperatures drop they all reach for one thing–a tweed jacket. Cropped or longline, boxy or fitted blazer, the tweed jacket has been a staple in French wardrobes since it’s introduction by Coco Chanel, and some 100 years later, it’s still considered a must-have.  Although the original look might have included a demure co-ordinating midi skirt and a string of pearls, today’s influencers are bringing the look up-to-date with straight-legged jeans and great accessories, trés chic, non? And it might be the easiest way to update the blazer + tee + loafer uniform we lived in all summer.  So, to help you plan your next autumnal o...

I spent a significant amount of my time studying the wardrobes of French women: what they wear to weddings, which jeans they prefer, the brands they regularly shop and so on. However, I’ve decided to approach this article with a different tack.  With a discernible chill in the air, right now, my mind is hardwired to think only of autumn and what I’m going to wear (and temporarily discard) for the season ahead. And that got me to thinking—instead of focussing on the trends French women will wear, I wanted to find out which autumn trends they’ll be passing on. Because that will tell me a lot about the current French aesthetic.  We’ve already outlined the trends for autumn 2022 in our trend report, which covered all the note...

You see the French have a similar knack with footwear as they do with with fromage. But while everyone knows the wonders of gruyère, few have spent time seeking out chaussures. Well, I’ve done the research and am here to tell you that it’s definitely worth scouring French fashion houses for chic footwear. French favourites like Sézane are great for comfortable daytime heels, Bobbies is a classic for colour-block trainers and Ba&sh is loved for its stylish ankle boots, but don’t forget the lesser-known labels that specialise in footwear, too. Keep scrolling to discover the sixteen best French shoe brands that will take your wardrobe from meh to magnifique in no time. You Deserve to Make Money Even When you are looking for Dates Online. So we reimagine...

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 ...

As Who What Wear’s resident French style expert, I take the responsibility of showing you what Gallic girls are wearing very seriously. There are a lot of stereotypes surrounding French style, most of which are completely outdated, but there are some that actually hold true. I’m here to help you decipher all-things French style. Today’s curriculum? Blazers.  Of course, the French aren’t the only people who wear blazers—they’re pretty integral to the British aesthetic, too, for example—but, in the 10+ years I’ve been analysing outfits from across the channel, it’s clear French women have a genuine appreciation for blazers.  So, how to French women style blazers? I’ve found seven chic outfit examples which I think showcase t...

Okay, okay, in reality, French girls are certainly not “over” jeans. Seriously, take one quick glimpse at some of the chicest Parisians on Instagram, and you’ll quickly realise that denim is a staple of the French. That said, we’ve noticed that this set is, like many other fashion people, embracing the anti-jean look with a variety of stylish alternatives. Yep, that’s right—French girls are going all-in on the various trouser trends that are infiltrating the street style and celeb world. Think everything from leggings and wide-leg trousers to leathers and stripes. To showcase the comfortable yet chic outfits Parisian women are wearing right now, we curated a range of ensembles below with non-denim pieces as the foundation of each look. Keep scrolling for more ...

As I was somewhat mindlessly scrolling through Zara’s new arrivals, one pair of shoes stood out to me. I recently shelled out £385 for a pair of shoes from the beloved French brand Carel and there was Zara offering a similar pair for just £50. (Even still, I don’t regret my original purchase, as I’m obsessed with the shoes and wore them to Copenhagen Fashion Week.) My favourite French style icons, including Anne-Laure Mais, are fans of Carel and wear the Paris-based brand all the time. Mais recently ‘grammed the Carel Peche Black Patent Leather Mary Janes (£351), while the Kina Black Patent Mary Janes (£371) are another popular choice. Zara’s new shoes are a worthy alternative to get the same look on a sma...

With autumn just around the corner, emotions fluctuate between sadness over summer’s imminent departure and mounting excitement for cold-weather dressing. Sunny days might soon be behind us, but the cloud of knitwear on the horizon certainly softens the blow (literally and figuratively). Shoes sit right up there with woolly jumpers and oversized outerwear on the list of exciting early autumn purchases. From ankle boots to lug-soled loafers, there are plenty of cool and classic footwear options for the transitional months—ensuring you don’t have to go straight from sandal to ski boot. Step into September in a dainty ballet flat or subtle western silhouette; whether you’ve started reaching for your blazers or are having a hard time letting go of pretty floral dresses, the...