Parisian women could teach a master class when it comes to fall dressing. I might be biased, but fall is my favorite time to visit the city, even if it’s just for the street style. Our last trip to the City of Light coincided with the perfect early fall weather, café season was in full swing, and the city was full of effortlessly stylish street fashion that perfectly mastered the transitional weather. It’s a fact – French women know how to dress in the fall, and always look chic! If you want to learn from the street style of some of the most fashionable women in the world, keep reading for 7 tips to master French fall outfits.
1. Add a blazer for a touch of sophistication
sweater | jeans | shoes | blazer | earrings | bag | lipstick
Although I might be daydreaming about fall because of the heat wave currently raging across the Midwest (I’m more of a fair-weather kind of girl), it’s never too early to start planning out your looks for the next season. Pinpointing a few outfit formulas you want to try in the new season can get you all that much more excited for the temperature shift when it does start to cool down. And if you’re more of a summer fan than I am, the excitement of new outfits can help ease the pain of saying “so long” to summer days.
One of my favorite lessons to learn from French fall outfits? Layering. And one of a French girl’s favorite layers? The classic blazer. French women know the power of this staple piece in their classic wardrobe. It’s the perfect way to add sophistication to a casual outfit or that extra bit of polish to a professional ensemble.
Style a smart weekend look or a casual Friday outfit with the help of an oversized black blazer. (One of my favorite blazers is from Everlane.) Underneath, stick with a classic striped sweater and jeans combo. These three pieces will never go out of style! Because the blazer is oversized, go with a slim cut or straight-leg pair of jeans to balance out the larger proportions on top.
When it comes to accessories, a French girl wears a basket tote nearly year-round. Transition it to fall with this look, along with Mary Janes with a small heel, a pair of gold hoop earrings, and a bold red lip for a pop of color.
2. Layer with tights for warmth (and style)
cardigan | skirt | tights | shoes | bag | earrings
Another French girl secret to flawless fall outfits? Adding a pair of tights. Not only do tights give you a little bit of warmth (which can make all the difference on a cool autumn day, especially when the sun sets), but tights also give you a flawless, flattering look. I fall into the petite category, and one of my favorite secrets to making my legs look a whole lot longer is a black skirt paired with sheer black tights and a pair of slingback heels.
If you really want to go for a slimming fall look, try a monochromatic outfit like the one above. A tonal look creates a clean, uninterrupted visual line that makes you appear both taller and leaner. Plus, it always makes it appear like you put way more effort into your look than you actually did!
Style this look for a nice dinner or date night this fall. On top of your skirt, tights, and heels, go for a structured top, like a lady jacket cardigan. Then, keep your accessories classic with a pair of gold and pearl hoops, and a top-handle bag. If you’d prefer a longer skirt, switch out the midi for a midi or maxi slip skirt instead.
3. Play with pops of color
white tee | sweater | jeans | bag | earrings | shoes
Although a Parisian wardrobe tends to be full of primarily neutral shades, Parisians also aren’t afraid to play with pops of color. The trick is to use them sparingly. Parisian capsule wardrobes rely on classic capsule items that can be easily mixed and matched, so too much color can make that strategy difficult.
Instead, choose a couple of colors that make you feel great or that complement your features. This will help you to put your own spin on classic French fashion. Don’t play too heavily into trending shades, unless you absolutely love them. And when it comes to color, try to stick to one pop of color per look. Keep the rest of your outfit neutral to keep that classic, polished look.
Try this outfit for a casual yet chic look: pair a white t-shirt with straight-leg jeans, leopard print flats, a red cardigan, a black leather shoulder bag, and pearl stud earrings. The pop of red instantly adds personality to your simple look, along with the patterned shoe!
4. Mix and match neutral shades
jacket | sweater | jeans | loafers | socks | watch | sunglasses | scarf
As I mentioned above, neutral shades play a big part in French fall outfits. French women prioritize quality over quantity, so when they invest in a new piece, they want to make sure they get as much wear as possible out of it. Typically, this means that they tend to lean toward neutral colors!
Try mixing and matching neutral colors for an interesting, layered look full of grounded, earthy tones for fall. Beige, cream, olive green, chocolate brown, and black all work well together. You can also make your look even more interesting with the help of textures. Pair a soft cashmere sweater with a utility jacket, denim, leather loafers, and gold jewelry for a look that’s as effortlessly chic as it is comfortable and practical for a chilly fall day.
5. Embrace a denim-on-denim look
denim shirt | jeans | leather sandals | suede bag | gold hoops | belt
It’s a well-known fact that French girls love their classic denim, but you should also know that they love to experiment with denim-on-denim looks! Whether it’s a tonal look or mismatched washes, French women love to style all-denim outfits. They’re interesting, unexpected, and a fun way to play with a new aesthetic – Western wear.
The go-to shoe for an all-denim look might be ankle boots, or even knee-high boots, depending on the style of jeans you’re wearing, but you can try out the “wrong shoe theory” and go for a pair of sandals if you want to try something new. This is a great strategy to transition to cooler fall weather by mixing your autumn pieces with summer ones.
As for the rest of your accessories, add a belt to break up the denim-on-denim look and highlight your waist. This will draw attention to the narrowest part of your figure. As for a bag, play into the Western aesthetic with a suede bucket bag. Add a pair of gold hoop earrings and you have the perfect casual look that also feels effortless, and really cool – just like French girls.
6. Bring your spring florals into fall
trench coat | ballet flats | jeans | lipstick | basket | necklace | sweater tee
Although a French girl’s go-to pattern might be a striped tee, florals come in a close second place! French women know that although florals might be the pattern of spring, they can be worn all year long with the right styling. For instance, the color and pattern of florals you choose make a big difference. Go for deeper shades if you want to transition your florals to cooler temperatures. Fabric can also be a key player – instead of a light cotton t-shirt, go for a thicker sweater tee to layer in the autumn.
For the rest of your look, choose your regular fall all-star players. A trench coat, jeans, ballet flats, and gold jewelry are all great choices that you can pull from your capsule wardrobe. Accessorize with a straw bag and a bold red lip, and you have the perfect weekend look for brunch and shopping this September, October, or November!
7. Don’t be afraid to pair blue and black together
midi skirt | button-down shirt | loafers | tote bag | earrings
When it comes to fall looks, effortless elegance isn’t complicated for French women. They know that relying on their go-to basics is the best way to create timeless, classic looks. They also love to create a balanced outfit by pairing masculine and feminine pieces together. This is a great tip, especially when it comes to workwear. A more masculine button-down shirt pairs well with a silk slip skirt because the skirt is typically considered to be a feminine piece. This look still gives you great coverage for work, and offers a relaxed yet polished vibe with lots of comfort for fall’s rainy days.
As for your accessories, take a balanced approach here, too. Loafers, a sleek work tote, and pearl hoop earrings pair well together. And if your personal style doesn’t include many skirts (or you prefer trousers for work), swap the midi skirt out for black pants instead. Both Everlane and Madewell offer a great selection of elevated trousers for the office.
French Girl Fall
Even if you’re just dreaming about Paris in the fall (I’m with you there!), you can still bring classic French fashion to you this autumn. Follow these 7 tips and you’ll be on your way to chic, effortless style in no time. You’ll want to make sure to save these French fall outfits for later!
Ready for more French girl necessities while we wait for cooler weather? Up Next: The 7 Must-Have French Style Shoes for Your Wardrobe
