French women might just be the ultimate shopping gurus… and I’ll tell you why! You may know them for their chic style, but that doesn’t mean that they’re reinventing their wardrobes every season. Instead, they prioritize timeless, classic pieces and make thoughtful decisions when they do introduce something new to their closets. We could all learn a lesson from them about sustainable shopping that also helps to develop a unique sense of style! If you want to shop like a French woman this season, keep reading to find out what 9 pieces French women over 50 are adding to their wardrobes this fall.
1. A Leather Jacket
zara
Shiny Jacket
She’s a few years shy of 50, but I couldn’t exclude content creator and model Sophie Dorn from this list. Based in the French Riviera and Paris, the French mom of 3 has gone viral in recent years with her entire family as they post their daily outfits on social media. Sophie’s family is known for their effortlessly cool French style that also mixes affordable, trendy pieces into their classic outfits.
Sophie recently posted a Zara jacket that she’s already styling for early fall French fashion. This shiny take on a leather jacket is the perfect layer over an outerwear set for running (no pun intended) to the gym. You can also pair it with a white t-shirt and jeans for an effortlessly cool weekend look. Even better? It comes in the color of the season: chocolate brown, the ideal rich shade for moody autumn attire.
2. Straight-Leg jeans
madewell
The Longline Straight Jean
“Day to day, I will usually wear flat shoes or boots, with some nice jeans and a beautiful jacket,” Philippine Leroy Beaulieu once said in an interview with Elle magazine. The Emily in Paris actress has great style in her blood and is the daughter of actor Philippe Leroy and model Françoise Laurent. She may play the fashion-forward marketing mogul Sylvie Grateau in the popular Netflix show, but in real life, she has admitted to preferring a much more classic look.
A French woman often fills her wardrobe with reliable, timeless pieces that never go out of style, and Philippine has explained that hers follows a similar formula to many French wardrobes. She prefers to wear basics like a sharp blazer, a crisp white shirt, and classic jeans. This fall, these are the pieces she’s prioritizing for a chic, timeless look.
The key to getting Philippine’s effortless look, and that of other French women over 50, is to focus on high-quality pieces that fit you well – Madewell jeans are a perfect example of what to shop this season.
3. A Navy Sweater
everlane
The Cocoon Crew in Wool Cashmere
French supermodel, fashion designer, and perfumer Inès de La Fressange might just be one of the most recognizable faces when you think of French women over 50. She’s known around the world for her quintessential French style, and even launched her own fashion brand in 2013.
In an interview on her brand’s site, she was asked to describe her style in a few words, and this was her response: “A handbag that costs more than the whole outfit put together! (laughs) White jeans, a navy blue sweater, and some nice accessories.”
These are the perfect pieces to kickstart a French fall capsule wardrobe, if you haven’t already. If you love a chic, casual look, try out Inès’ go-to outfit formula for yourself. Find a pair of white jeans that you love, and pair them with a navy cashmere sweater. Accessorize with black loafers or sneakers, minimal jewelry, and your everyday bag for an outfit that’s as effortless as it is timeless.
4. A Gingham Shirt
sezane
Max Shirt
When Inès de La Fressange does add a new piece to her wardrobe, she does so thoughtfully and with intention, like many French women over 50 do. This fall, she’s incorporating both color and pattern into her street style. Pictured (above) with a friend, Inès is wearing a gingham button-up shirt layered under her trademark navy sweater with a jacket, black pants, and a neck scarf.
If you want to try out gingham for yourself, there are plenty of options in neutral colors to try! You can also go for a brighter shade like the one Inès is wearing in the photo. This is a great addition to a fall capsule wardrobe, but you can wear it all year long with different styling. It’s a playful alternative to a striped shirt if you find yourself reaching for that piece often and want to mix things up.
5. A Plaid Blazer
banana republic factory
Plaid Blazer
Next up on our list of fashionable French women: Caroline de Maigret. She’s a multi-hyphenate talent, as a model, music producer, and Chanel ambassador. When it comes to her own personal style, she was once quoted as saying, “My style is best described as a mix of chic, androgynous, and rock ‘n’ roll.”
Just like many French women, Caroline likes to mix and match feminine and masculine pieces for a classic look. She’s recently been spotted wearing a sharp plaid blazer, which has that androdynous quality that can help to balance out other more traditionally feminine pieces. In the photo above, she’s styled it for fall with an all-denim look – perfect for the trending Western aesthetic.
Layered looks are ideal for fall dressing, and jackets constructed with quality fabrics take high priority in a French woman’s wardrobe. Plus, a plaid blazer can complement a wide variety of personal styles, whether you’re inspired by preppy looks, posh British style, or vintage pieces.
You can shop Caroline’s exact blazer here, although it does have a designer price tag compared to the version shown above.
6. Ecru Jacket
j.crew
Short Barn Jacket in Cotton Twill
Speaking of jackets, Philippine Leroy Beaulieu has mastered the art of casual chic layering in a recent Instagram post. In the photo, she’s swapped out a traditional blue jean jacket for an ecru version, paired with a denim skirt in a similar color, a white t-shirt, and a zip-up hoodie.
If you want to switch up your go-to fall cardigan for something new, follow Philippine’s lead and try a denim or barn jacket in white, ecru, or beige. This color of jacket can provide great contrast to your other fall pieces in darker shades. Plus, it still fits right in with the neutral color palette of your go-to capsule wardrobe.
Pay attention to the fit of the jacket to complement your individual body shape. You can use your favorite fashion essentials to flatter your figure! If you want to create the appearance of a shorter torso, for instance, this short barn jacket from J.Crew will do the trick when paired with high-waisted jeans. This pairing is a great way to make your outfit look proportional.
7. Adidas Sneakers
adidas
VL Court 3.0 Sneaker
This fall, Inès de La Fressange is rocking a pair of brown Adidas sneakers. Whether she’s out and about or at a work event with SMEG appliances, she’s styling a neutral pair of sneakers in an effortlessly cool way.
White sneakers might be a common addition to your fall capsule wardrobe, but don’t neglect different styles! If you find yourself reaching for sneakers often, a pair in a darker shade like brown can be a practical choice for fall and winter weather. Plus, the minimalist design on this Adidas pair makes it easy to style them with a wide selection of pieces. French women might be well-known for wearing ballet flats, but they’re just as likely to reach for cute, comfortable shoes like these!
8. Patterned Trench Coat
zara
Reversible Trench Coat
A friend of Inès de La Fressange, journalist and author Sophie Fontanel, was asked this year to help curate the fall selection in Paris’ famous Galeries Lafayette department store. Through this collaboration, she put together a small collection of her own favorites as well, which includes a fir-green Loewe jacket, a rust-colored pea coat by Dries Van Noten, and a checkered trench coat by AMI Paris.
Beyond her “wishlist items” at Galeries Lafayette, she has also been spotted wearing a gingham trench coat, which goes to show just how much French women over 50 love the classic wardrobe staple. A trench coat is a non-negotiable piece in a French capsule wardrobe, but the classic beige trench has taken on new life in fun patterns like plaid, gingham, polka dots, and leopard print. If you’ve ever wanted to add a statement-making jacket to your own fall wardrobe, this piece is the perfect inspiration!
9. Stella McCartney Bag
stella McCartney
Falabella Bag
Also included on Sophie’s wishlist for this fall is the Falabella Bag by Stella McCartney. This sleek leather bag has the perfect amount of slouch, with a silver chain to wear on the hand or shoulder. It’s cool, versatile, and timeless – making it another great addition to a fall capsule wardrobe. French women love to spend a little bit more on their bags, and so it makes sense why this could be an investment piece they consider adding to their wardrobes this year.
If you’re not looking to spend the designer price tag this season but love the look of this bag, Banana Republic Factory has a similar model at a fraction of the cost. You can check out that bag below to compare!
banana republic factory
Vegan Leather Gathered Chain Bucket Bag
How to Get a French Woman’s Wardrobe
The easiest way to get a French woman’s wardrobe? Shop like a French woman! If you love chic, classic style, French women over 50 serve as the perfect models of how to shop for the new season. Remember, focus on quality over quantity, first consider what you already have, and think about what pieces you’ll wear for years to come – whether they’re trendy or not.
Want to look chic without trying? We’ve got a few French secrets for you, up next: How to Look Chic Without Trying: The French Way
