I don’t know about you, but it’s about this point every summer when I start daydreaming about fall. From the cool, brisk air to autumn farmer’s markets to nights with friends catching up around a bonfire, fall is without a doubt my favorite time of year. Another reason I fall in love with this season each year? The fashion. And no one has mastered classic fall style better than a French woman. Come September and October, Paris is full of chic trench coats, cozy sweaters, and timeless denim. The great news is that you don’t need an international plane ticket to get all of the intel on fall French style – all you have to do is keep reading for the 10 basics you need for classic Parisian style this autumn and winter.
1. Cap-Toed Ballet Flats
A pair of cap-toed ballet flats might be the ultimate French girl accessory. Karl Lagerfeld designed the original cap-toed ballet flat during his time as the head of the Chanel design house in 1984. Now, this is a French style staple worn year-round for a chic look. It’s especially fitting for fall when you’re transitioning out of open-toed sandals and moving toward closed-toed options for the cooler weather. The cap-toed shoe is also perfect for the office because it abides by most workwear dress codes.
Style your cap-toed ballet flats for fall the Parisian way with a pair of straight-leg jeans, a cozy sweater, a classic trench coat, and a neck scarf.
amazon
Women’s Cap Toe Ballet Flats
2. Silk Maxi Skirt
silk skirt | flats | bag | t-shirt | sweater | earrings
If you have an office job, a silk maxi skirt will be your best friend for fall and winter looks. It’s easy to layer over tights, or can be worn by itself. The longer length makes it appropriate for work and cold weather. This classy essential is beloved by French women for its ability to be styled for both the office and the weekend. Choose a classic shade like navy, camel, or black so that it’s easy to mix and match with your other fall capsule wardrobe staples.
Parisians love natural fibers like silk, cashmere, linen, wool, and cotton for their quality and breathability. These natural, high-quality fabrics will hold up better over time than inorganic ones, and are worth spending a little more on upfront for their eventual low cost-per-wear ratio. French women know that quality is much more important than quantity.
Style your silk maxi skirt for work by pairing it with a white t-shirt (or button-up), a knit cardigan, pearl stud earrings, and slingback heels. Add a leather work tote and you have a Parisian-approved office style to wear all fall and winter long.
quince
100% Washable Silk Maxi Skirt
3. A Red Sweater
Although French girl style is full of neutral colors, especially when it comes to staple fall pieces, they also love incorporating a pop of color now and again. Shades of red are the perfect choice for fall and winter. Whether you go for a bright cherry or something more subdued, like burgundy, a pop of red will breathe new life into your fall style. The key is to use it sparingly and pair it with neutral shades throughout the rest of your look.
If you’re styling a casual look for the weekend, pair a red V-neck cardigan with other French wardrobe basics like straight-leg jeans, a pair of ankle boots, and minimalist gold jewelry. If you want to add a bit of pattern and personality, try a leopard print bag for the finishing touch!
sezane
Barry Cardigan
4. A Leather Handbag
jeans | bag | shoes | watch | t-shirt | sweater | earrings | trench coat
Speaking of handbags, a structured shoulder bag is the perfect addition to your Parisian capsule wardrobe. This is one of those timeless pieces that won’t ever go out of style. It’s the perfect bag to complement your classy, elegant looks or elevate your more casual ones.
French wardrobe essentials are quality pieces that are versatile enough to be styled in a great number of ways. That’s why this design of bag is so perfect – you can style it with a white t-shirt and pair of jeans, or wear it out on a date night with a little black dress and leather jacket.
quince
Italian Leather Box Shoulder Bag
5. A Trench Coat
A classic trench coat is one of the main ingredients of a classic French fall outfit. This timeless outerwear staple is as chic as it is practical. It’s light, easy to layer under and over, and can add a touch of sophistication to even the most casual outfit. If you’re in the market for a new trench coat for the upcoming season, consider neutral shades like beige, navy, black, or olive green to match your other autumn essentials.
banana republic factory
Timeless Trench Coat
6. Straight-Leg Jeans
turtleneck | blazer | jeans | loafers | earrings | bag
French women are loyal to their denim. They have a few go-to styles that they love and wear year after year! One of the most common pairs of jeans to spot in France is straight-leg denim. This style of denim flatters almost every body type, never goes out of style, and works particularly well in the fall when French women are reaching for their loafers, ballet flats, and ankle boots.
Style your straight-leg jeans like a French woman by pairing them with a striped sweater and oversized blazer. Accessorize with gold and pearl hoops, a leather bag, and loafers for the perfect casual Friday look this fall.
madewell
The 90s Straight Jean
7. A Wool Coat
We’ve already covered the trench coat, but there’s another fall basic that the French love when it comes to their outerwear – the wool coat. The wool coat can easily transition from fall to winter wear, and is the perfect cozy, yet elegant piece to keep you warm through even the most frigid temperatures (I’m looking at you, Midwest winters).
Fashion trends come and go, but Parisian chic style is here to stay. Wear an Italian wool coat with wide-leg jeans, a turtleneck, ankle boots, and a structured leather bag to style it like the French women above.
quince
Italian Wool Tailored Coat
8. Ankle Boots
boots | trousers | bag | lady jacket | earrings
Ready for more French footwear? Parisians love the ankle boot for its sleek look, especially a pointed-toe version. Whether you choose a pair with a block heel or a flat version, this boot is as comfortable as it is easy to style. Wear it with jeans, a maxi skirt, a little black dress, or trousers in the fall. Its sleek profile makes it a great choice to pair with your straight-leg jeans, but they also look great under wider-cut versions as well.
nordstrom
Mavey Pointed Toe Bootie
9. A White Button-Down
Although we’re specifically covering fall basics in this post, this next piece is one that you can wear for year-round style. A white button-up (or button-down) shirt might just be one of the most versatile pieces in your closet! French women love to balance their looks with both masculine and feminine pieces, and this classic workwear staple adds just the right amount of masculine energy to your feminine pieces.
Style a white button-up like a French girl by pairing it with straight-leg jeans and cap-toed ballet flats for an easy weekend look. This is an outfit formula you can wear again and again by swapping out your outerwear and switching up your accessories!
everlane
The Must-Have Shirt in Silky Cotton
10. A Silk Scarf
silk scarf | straight-leg jeans | boots | t-shirt | jacket | earrings | bag
If you want to add a touch of elegance to your fall outfits, look no further than a silk scarf, or foulard. French women love to add a pop of color and pattern to their neutral pieces by tying a scarf around their neck, through their jeans in place of a belt, or wrapped around the handle of their bag. There are so many ways to style a silk scarf!
A silk scarf is also a great way to add interest to your fall looks with texture. Pair it with a suede jacket, leather bag, classic denim, a cotton tee, and leather ankle boots for the quintessential fall outfit. Perfect for a wine tasting, a shopping day, or lunch with friends.
nordstrom
Hand-Rolled Silk Foulard
Fall French Fashion
French fall fashion is the perfect place to start if you’re looking for autumn basics that won’t ever go out of style. Parisian women are loyal to their classic styles, which make them great inspiration for a timeless fall wardrobe. This list of 10 pieces can serve as your jumping-off point for mastering classic Parisian style!
Ready for more tips about how to master French fall style? Up Next: How to Dress Like a French Girl This Fall With These 7 Must-See Tips
