The '90s Trouser Trend French Women Are Wearing Instead of Jeans This Winter

The transition from a bright, sunny autumn to a chilly, frosty winter has begun, and we're already noticing a tonal shift. Where lime greens, Barbie pinks and cerulean blues have dominated our warm weather wardrobes, new-in pages are seeing those classic September hues take their place: think warm terracottas, earthy reds and deep browns.

Brown has long been a quiet staple of the autumn/winter palette, but since early last year, it's become something of a talking point. We associate this rich neutral with '90s minimalism, a revived aesthetic that has had a huge impact on the past two years of fashion. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Tyra Banks and Mariah Carey made chocolate brown a defining shade of the '90s, and with a love of all things nostalgic characterising recent catwalks, this particular colour has been wholly embraced by today's trendsetters, too.

With this in mind, we eagle-eyed fashion editors have spied a micro-trend emerging among the Parisian style set. Brown trousers. Having recognised the versatility of this classic hue, French influencers are pairing it with everything from tailoring to cosy knitwear. There's something about it that makes an outfit feel instantly more expensive, not to mention winter-appropriate. 

See for yourself—we've rounded up five chic brown trouser outfits, sourced from Gallic girls who know a thing or two about style. And if you (like us) can't wait to try out these looks, you'll find the pieces you need to recreate them below. Ready, steady, scroll...

Next Up: These COS Trousers Are So Popular, I Don't Understand How They're Still in Stock