No, You Can't Be French, But You Can Buy the 17 Items All Parisians Love
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@vikilefevre; @sylviemus_;@melodiebanceBe real: how many times have you been scrolling through social media and thought, "Is everyone in Paris except for me?" The FOMO is real, especially when we're bombarded with TikToks of all the girlies frolicking through Europe for their holidays. And it's not just tourists that can trigger a twinge of wanderlust (and occasional jealousy if we're honest).
But before you give up all hope, there's a more affordable solution to getting your French fix without booking a flight—ahem, it's lying in your closet. You don't have to be living or traveling in France to channel the vibes; you merely need a solid arsenal of year-round staples. Some items are so synonymous with French style that they can make anyone feel like they're a native Parisian (even if they're not).
So which items can do just that? In search of that answer, I combed through hundreds of outfit ideas from our favourite fashion influencers to identify the essential pillars of French style. Ahead, you'll find a list of 17 basics that Parisians rely on throughout the summer and beyond with shopping recommendations. While you don't need every item, incorporating any number of these staples into your wardrobe can make you feel like you're on "la fête" without even boarding a plane.
As "cliché" as it might seem, sunglasses are seemingly one essential the French set seemingly can't live without. But unlike other urbanites in Copenhagen or New York City that might reach for the trendiest pair of lenses as they head out, more ensembles from the French fashion set feature minimal shades in classic shapes and colours.
Dreaming of wearing Celine sunglasses by the Seine river.
All year round we find ourselves talking about the eternal quality of dresses. In researching I found so many 'fit pictures featuring every type of dress. Don't be fooled, though; like so many other aspects of Parisian style, it wasn't just about wearing an any-old frock. Instead the most popular style seemed to be classic dresses with feminine twists (think: ruching, bows, drop-waists, etc.).
I would defiantly recommend packing this for a trip to the French countryside.
When you live in a city with some streets covered in cobblestones that date back to the 12th century, it's safe to say stilettos aren't always the most practical option—hence the appeal of espadrilles. For Parisians, this heeled sandal has become an essential part of summer fashion season after season because of how easy they are to wear.
Castañer's espadrilles make for the ideal long-term investment.
Another popular accessory among the Parisian set? The woven tote bag. While this style may conjure fantasies of the style being packed to the brim with champagne, brie, and a baguette for a picnic under the Eiffel Tower, it's so much more than its idyllic notions. For those who aren't fleeting off to France, the woven bag makes for a great everyday summer tote, as it can be used for a day by the beach or a work commute.
Though the button-down is heralded as a universal staple, no other style community gives it that "je ne sais quoi" quite like the Parisian set. It's an item that you'll find women (and men) wearing throughout the year over their swimwear, t-shirts, slip dresses, and so much more.
I'm personally obsessed with this light pink hue, but this luxe-looking button-down also comes in thirteen (!) other colours.
A popular misconception about the Parisian set is that they're "snobbish" about clothing—but based on my research, I'd beg to differ. A simple scroll through Instagram shows that Parisians aren't immune to wearing the more seemingly "unsophisticated" items—for example, the t-shirt. It may not be as fancy as the collective fantasy surrounding French fashion, but with a bit of styling, it can be just as chic as any other item.
Made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and jersey, this is a t-shirt you can feel good wearing all-around.
One thing the French fashion set has down to a science is the art of looking chic, even when it's scorching hot outside. And one of the staples they regularly wear to achieve this aim is pleated shorts. More formal than denim shorts, this style can be paired with suiting separates or a simple t-shirt and look polished enough to wear to a gallery or café.
Pro tip: check the fabric contents before committing to a pair of pleated shorts as you want them to come in a more lightweight material (e.g., cotton or linen) to make them heat-proof.
Let me tell you a little secret: the key to recreating the ambiance of French style has little to do with being from France and everything to do with how you shop. You'll want to invest in staples with elevated twists, as the Parisians do. A great place to start? Slides. Don't opt for a pair of rubber ones that look pool-bound; instead, look for a pair made from leather with interesting straps.
From the streets of Paris to the A/W 23 collections of high-street brands like YSL, there's one staple that's an underrated part of French style: the tank top. The proliferation of this base is no surprise, considering that the French have been about that low-key luxury life before it was a global phenomenon. But make no mistake, the versions of this staple worn by the Parisian set still have a bit of flair—e.g., tanks will have built-in layering, dramatic necklines, or luxurious fabrications.
It might seem that giving off an air of elegance in everyday life is inherently French, but that's not true. Don't get me wrong; the Parisians know how to dress, without a doubt. But the "I woke up like this" vibe they're known for is achieved not by birth, but by wearing fail-proof staples like the slip skirt. This skirt is so popular with the French set because it's chic no matter how you style it—dress it up with boots and a turtleneck in the autumn or down in the summer with a tank and flip-flops. It gives meaning to the term "effortless elegance" full-stop.
Already own too much black? You can shop this classic slip skirt in eight other colourways.
After hours of research, I feel I can say that this cohort is always trying to have their staples strike a balance between being timeless and trendy. So, it's no surprise that open-toe mules continue to be a perennial favourite. Part of the appeal of this type of sandal is that this silhouette stays relevant almost year-round—you can wear them with just about anything in the spring, summer, fall, and even winter (climate permitting). But what makes them most appealing is that you can opt for an iteration with more trendy seasonal elements to make them feel fresh—e.g., 2023 collections feature mules with sculptural heels, buckles, and rosettes.
In case you're wondering, these mules also come in tan and black.
Quick history lesson for you; before suiting was considered "suitable" for women, designers had to slowly unravel some of the gender binaries and cultural norms surrounding womenswear. One of the designers that did just that was Gabrielle Coco of Chanel. Without the release of the two-piece tweed suit from the French fashion house, it would be uncertain if other suiting separates would be such a pivotal part of women's fashion today. So, it's really par for the course we'd see a menswear staple, like the waistcoat, be so beloved by the French fashion set. When it comes to summer staples, none do French style more justice than a tailored gilet.
Speaking of suiting separates, there's another staple you won't catch any French woman without—ahem, relaxed trousers. The beauty of a pair of looser trousers is that they add a touch of luxury to even the most casual ensembles—they can dress up a tube top and bikini or make a blazer feel more casual. Basically, they're the one item you want to buy if you want to look like you spent the summer yachting in St. Tropez (even if you didn't).
No one wants to be labeled "the tourist in trainers," but there's no denying how essential this style is (even more so if you're traveling). So what's one to do? Take inspiration from the French, obliviously. The key to making trainers feel less touristy is opting for trendier pairs, like retro-inspired versions with more formal pieces to balance them out.
Pro tip: opt for a pair of sneakers in a neutral hue to make them even more elevated.
What has made French girl style both enigmatic and enduring within the cultural zeitgeist isn't just the fantasy or even the fashion icons associated with it, but its overall minimalist approach to style. Parisians have a dramatic flair, but that doesn't come from opting for maximalist items. Instead, the basis of their everyday wardrobes is filled with staples from different fashion eras, including '90s-inspired things like the tube top. It's the type of top that obviously would be beloved by the Parisian style set as it's simple yet versatile in the variations you can buy and the styling possibilities. Plus, the tube top is a tiny bit risqué—which is basically a requirement for anyone recreating a French-inspired wardrobe.
In addition to the slip, another "boring" skirt style remains beloved among the French fashion set—ahem, the maxi. But, make no mistake, these aren't the types of maxi skirts that feel like they could be worn in a cottage anywhere in the world. In true French fashion, the iterations of this skirt we see worn most have either sultry or more style-forward elements—think of bubble hems, drop-waists, or hip cutouts.
Now here's a skirt worthy of wearing in the Jardin du Luxembourg (or a local garden nearby).
And lastly, it would not be a roundup of staples that are the essence of French style I didn't mention make an honourable mention to Mary Jane shoes. While this shoe style has been trending lately, it's always been essential to Parisian women's wardrobes year-round, for a good reason! Similar to other basics, these shoes can add that final touch of polish to even the most casual outfits. But more importantly, they can be worn with just anything, to any destination, by anyone—they're the stapes of all staples, making them one of the most solid investments for summer. You may not be able to be French or afford a trip to France at this moment, but you can easily learn from their reverence for staples; it's a small start.
