I've Just Assembled the Perfect French Capsule Wardrobe With 9 Simple Pieces
I've spent much of my career trying to pinpoint what makes French style so alluring and covetable. Of course, a lot of what we consider to be French fashion is generalised. Ballet flats, Breton-stripe tops and berets are all instantly associated with that Gallic-girl charm. But I've come to find that the clothes and accessories many French women gravitate towards are more subtle in their connotations.
While it can't be said of all French dressers, there are many who subscribe to a classic aesthetic, wearing never-date items on rotation. I've been analysing these wares for some time and can now confidently proclaim that, to assemble your own stylish French capsule wardrobe, you'll only need nine pieces.
As I said, these pieces aren't necessarily what springs to mind when you think about French fashion. Still, I think that's the secret to achieving that je ne sais quoi of dressing like a true Parisienne—not playing up to sartorial cliches and, instead, relying on everlasting staples that make it easy to look chic at all times. So without further ado, scroll on to see the nine pieces that make for a very refined French capsule wardrobe.
French Capsule Wardrobe: 9 Items Parisians Always Own:
1. CARDIGANS
Style Notes: If there's one item that categorises French style without being glaringly obvious, it's the cardigan—the more textured the better. They're often worn belted over dresses or loose with a vest and jeans, and you're likely to see French women wearing more cardigans than any other knitwear.
Shop Cardigans:
2. DENIM JUMPSUITS
Style Notes: French women love their denim. Stylish women like Camille Charriere and Anne Laure Mais are opting for elegant-looking jumpsuits as a fresh way to channel the heavy-duty fabric.
Shop Denim Jumpsuits:
3. SILK SKIRTS
Style Notes: It might have international appeal, but the silk slip skirt feels truly at home in France, where its often worn with jumpers, ballet pumps or an oversized blazer.
Shop Silk Skirts:
4. BLAZERS
Style Notes: French women who reside in the north of the country enjoy a climate very similar to our own, which means they rely on blazers just as much as we Brits do in the autumn months. Most choose versatile silhouettes, such as the boxy blazer, which gives the outfit a chic silhouette as well as being roomy enough for layering when needed.
Shop Blazers:
5. BALLET PUMPS
Style Notes: With a range of different materials, colours and styles available, ballet flats have become a staple in any footwear collection. Though, no one seems to give them quite as much airtime as the French, who regularly pair them with jeans, skirts and dresses alike. J'adore.
Shop Ballet Pumps:
A classic version of the ballet flat for every day.
6. BUTTON-DOWN SHIRTS
Style Notes: French style might be synonymous with milkmaid tops—white blouses with gathered necklines—but the top I always see French women wearing is simple button-down shirting in either cotton or silky fabrications.
Shop Shirts:
7. FLORAL DRESSES
Style Notes: Part of the French fashion aesthetic is never looking like you've tried too hard with your outfit. Instead, the women I follow opt for throw-on floral dresses (no matter the season!) that they can dress up or down with jewellery, shoes and outerwear.
Shop Floral Dresses:
8. DAINTY SHOULDER BAGS
Style Notes: Is it just me, or do you find it hard to leave the house with just one bag? I've been to Paris four times, and I always notice how French women seem to carry all their essentials in small shoulder bags. How they manage this is another question entirely.
Shop Shoulder Bags:
9. LEATHER TROUSERS
Style Notes: Although French women love their classic blue jeans, I've noticed that so many I follow wear leather trousers just as regularly. Keep your silhouette on the looser side to make them more relaxed and comfortable to wear—two factors French fashion types always prioritise.
Shop Leather Trousers:
Wondering what to wear for your next dinner party? This.
This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
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