These elegant staples form the basis of every Parisienne’s wardrobe …
“The Frenchwoman may dabble in trends but her superpower is knowing how to choose the right classics to invest in,” says fashion insider and Paris-based expat Monica Ainley. Ainley, who moved to France from her native Canada, has long observed how her Parisian counterparts get dressed. The common denominator amongst stylish French women? A love of classic staples that are versatile and effortlessly stylish. While some are just as predictable as you’d expect – a tailored Chanel-style jacket, say, will always be in style – others, are a little more nuanced. For instance, did you know the French woman’s go-to jean has a vintage leaning? Read on for the five staples French women always invest in …
Main image: Instagram @monicaainleydlv.
High-Waisted Jeans
A good pair of jeans is a staple in every wardrobe, no matter your nationality. But what style do French women favour above all? “The tried and tested pair of flattering jeans is all-important to the Paris woman,” Ainley says. “These are often vintage Levi’s with a higher waist.”
Le High high rise skinny jean, Frame, €267.79; www.net-a-porter.com.
High rise loose fit jean, ReDone x Levi’s, €375; www.redone.eu.
Tailored jackets
While a tweed cropped jacket (hello, Chanel) will never go out of style, this season sees a return to smartly polished military jackets in crisp colourways. See the slim-fit Italian wool jacket from British label Me + Em, below, which boasts vintage-look brass buttons.
Military button cropped jacket, €445; www.meandem.com.
Jada jacket, €400; eu.aninebing.com.
The white t-shirt
Pulling off a relaxed white T-shirt, while maintaining an air of polish, seems to be the Holy Grail of French dressing. A word of advice: the ‘perfect’ T-shirt varies to each individual. For some, it’s a V-neck that will flatter, others will ditch white (too draining) in favour of ecru, or buttermilk yellow. Find a style that works for you.
Boxy T-shirt, €19; www.arket.com.
Organic undyed T-shirt, Armed Angels, €34.90, at Slow Street.
the do-it-all handbag
The passe partout, or universal, handbag is key to the Parisienne’s look, according to Ainley. In other words, you need a reliable bag that will take you from daytime to evening wear with aplomb. The French aren’t big on outfit changes, rather they choose staples that look quite dressy for daytime (without being OTT) and, equally, appear low-key cool for post-work cocktails. When it comes to bags, choose vintage-style embossed leather and go with chocolate browns, tans or fail-safe black. In need of guidance? See here for our guide to the best under-the-radar French bag brands.
Embossed vintage-look leather bag, €260; www.balzac-paris.fr.
Quilted lambskin tote, Chanel, €2,200, at Siopa Ella.
low-heeled boots
Most French women oscillate between two types of footwear. “It’s a toss up between a sandal in summer and a low, block-heeled bootie in winter. Footwear has to be comfortable enough to walk around Paris all day long,” Ainley says. Thankfully, autumn is serving up plenty of low-riding styles that prioritise comfort, from cowboy boots to polished ankle boots like Gucci’s horsebit ankle style, below.
Cowboy style ankle boots, €59.99, at Zara.
Horsebit leather chain ankle boots, Gucci, €1,100; www.matchesfashion.com.
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