5 Affordable Wardrobe Investments French Women Are Making in 2025
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
How to style: Jeans + striped sweater + leather shoes
Well-Made Sweaters
How to style: White T-shirt + cashmere sweater + satin skirt + pointed-toe boots
Elegant Leather Shoes
How to style: Leather shoes + jeans + an oversize blazer
Timeless Coats
How to style: A classic coat + white tee + jeans + wayfarer sunglasses
Minimalist Bags
How to style: Navy coat + coduroy pants + black belt + leather bag
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.)
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