5 Affordable Wardrobe Investments French Women Are Making in 2025

Woman wears white shirt, navy coat, tan couduroy pants, black belt, and leather bag while sitting down on Parisian street steps.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

For another year in a row, French women are proving once again that looking effortlessly chic doesn’t require a trust fund—just a few smart choices and a well-curated wardrobe. Forget about splurging on the latest trends; it’s all about investing in those timeless staples that make you look like you’ve just stepped off a Parisian boulevard (with minimal effort, of course). The best part? None of these wardrobe wonders will cost you a fortune—every item is under $200, coming from brands like Zara, Mango, and H&M.

Oui, you read that right. Whether you're channeling your inner French muse or simply aiming for that "I just threw this on" vibe, these five investment pieces French women swear by will keep you looking polished without shelling out thousands of dollars on a single outfit. If you're looking to upgrade your style in 2025, scroll below to discover the best affordable pieces French women are buying.

Tried-and-True Jeans

Woman wearing white shirt, blue jeans, brown trench coat and brown leather bag, walking on the streets of Paris.

(Image credit: @lenafarl)

How to style: Jeans + striped sweater + leather shoes

Well-Made Sweaters

Woman standing in front of white wall, wearing black satin skirt, black boots, white t-shirt and grey sweater.

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

How to style: White T-shirt + cashmere sweater + satin skirt + pointed-toe boots

Elegant Leather Shoes

Woman wearing black jeans and burgundy leather slingback heels.

(Image credit: @symphonyofsilk)

How to style: Leather shoes + jeans + an oversize blazer

Timeless Coats

Woman wearing white shirt, blue jeans, brown trench coat and brown leather bag, walking on the streets of Paris.

(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

How to style: A classic coat + white tee + jeans + wayfarer sunglasses

Minimalist Bags

Woman wearing corduroy pants, white shirt, navy coat and brown leather bag.

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

How to style: Navy coat + coduroy pants + black belt + leather bag

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Assistant Shopping Editor

Ana Escalante is an award-winning journalist and Gen Z editor whose work ranges from dissecting size inclusivity at fashion week to discussing how American Girl Doll meme accounts are the the answer to society's collective spiral. She's covered it all: Queen Elizabeth II's corgis, Roe v. Wade frontline protests, and the emergence of jorts (or jean shorts for the uninitiated). At Who What Wear, Ana is responsible for delivering smart, insightful, personality-driven shopping guides and trend features for a digital-first generation.Before joining Who What Wear, Ana was Glamour magazine's editorial assistant, where she focused on daily news and special packages, including leading the brand's 2022 Met Gala coverage. For more than half a decade, she has covered style, beauty, and digital culture for publications such as Paper magazine, Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Japan, and Allure, among others. Ana has been called a rising star in media by publications such as Nylon and Teen Vogue. (Her mother, meanwhile, calls her "the coolest person" she knows.)