cWe can talk all day about how much we adore French fashion, from the french clothing brands loved by the country's chicest girls to the stars and street style gurus you should look to for excellent Parisian style. But what about the best French fashion brands that enable all the above? There are loads of them. Ranging from the super-luxe established designer fashion houses—Dior, Saint Laurent, Chanel—through to the newer, sparkier high-street startups like Sézane and tastemaker-launched labels like Rouje, there is a veritable gamut of Gallic labels to get to grips with. And that's before we even get started on the incredible midrange section the French clothing industry has licked. Think of some of the names you know, such as Maje, Sandro, and Claudie Pierlot. They're just the cherry on top of a particularly tasty contemporary fashion sundae.
Tamara wears the Gia dress from French brand Réalisation Par.
So to indulge our love for all things Français, we've brought together 41 of the most important French fashion brands, some you'll recognise and some you won't. What's key to note is that not only have we assembled the coolest of the cool, but we're also giving you pointers on exactly what you should look out for when shopping any of these labels. For example, Jacquemus is our trusted go-to for bags, tops and shoes, but today we've chosen one of the brand's dresses.
Keep scrolling to see and shop from the 41 best French fashion brands in existence.
Shop Our List of the Best French Fashion Brands:
1. Rouje
Style Notes: Created by French style icon Jeanne Damas, Rouje is a blogger favourite for its barely there blouses, flirty sundresses and high-waisted denim. Taking inspiration from vintage aesthetics, the brand aims to create simple but elevated styles that exude femininity.
What to Buy: Dresses, especially linen styles or slinky slips that you can dress up or down.
2. Musier Paris
Style Notes: Created by French influencer Anne-Laure Mais of Adenorah in 2018, this is everything your favourite Parisians on Instagram will be wearing this season. The brand aims to use mainly natural materials such as linen, silk and cotton to create unique pieces you'll keep for ever.
What to Buy: Perfect date-night tops.
3. Jacquemus
Style Notes: Simon Porte Jacquemus is one of the most trailblazing designers on the global fashion scene. His ever-so-slightly surreal clothes and concepts never fail to impress editors, but there's something so inherently wearable and wantable about it all.
What to Buy: Bags, dresses, shoes and knitwear are all very popular Jacquemus choices.
4. Celine
Style Notes: It's no secret that we're huge fans of Celine at Who What Wear. It may no longer have the accent above the e, but Celine is still one of the most influential designer labels in the world, creating some of the most popular cult items.
What to Buy: Who wouldn't love Celine sunnies? Their bags are worth collecting, too.
5. A.P.C.
Style Notes: Atelier de Production et Création is loved for its utilitarian basics and has been a minimalist's go-to since the '80s when the brand first launched during a time of great maximalism.
What to Buy: We have it on good authority that A.P.C. is currently serving up perfect everyday bags. We couldn't resist this classic beauty.
6. Eres
Style Notes: Lingerie connoisseurs will be more than aware that Eres makes some of the best-quality underpinnings around. They're subtle and understated but luxe at the same time.
What to Buy: We're looking to sleek one-pieces for swimwear that'll go the distance. Turns out, the perfect black swimsuit does exist. Don't sleep on their pyjamas or cover-ups, either.
7. Ba&Sh
Style Notes: Ba&Sh, designed by the very chic Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief, is for the true bohemian dresser. The brand aims to create clothing that boosts confidence and leaves you feeling ready for any occasion.
What to Buy: Both dresses and jumpsuits are big for the brand—and are particularly good for event dressing. The accessories are worth checking out, too.
8. Chloé
Style Notes: Not matter who's at the helm, Chloé manages to wow us with its collection every season. The brand is known for it's bohemian and feminine aesthetic, shown through their floaty dresses, suede belts and leather accessories.
What to Buy: Any of the brand's iconic bags or autumnal shoes.
9. Bobbies
Style Notes: Bobbies' timeless leather footwear is classically Parisian, though each pair is handmade in Portugal. From cherry reds to leopard print and metallics, the brand's footwear screams 'Parisian chic'.
What to Buy: The brand's kitten heels are party perfection.
10. Claudie Pierlot
Style Notes: Claudie Pierlot does a cute take on contemporary French style. Think sweet bows on blouses, patent miniskirts and slip dresses. It's more innocent than its peers.
What to Buy: Right now, it's a toss-up between the sophisticated jackets and the dresses that are perfect for autumn events.
11. Givenchy
Style Notes: While we wait to see who will take the reins from creative director Matthew M. Williams, this storied house is still on the top of wish lists for their sleek designs.
What to Buy: The bags are the best investment.
12. Chanel
Style Notes: What more can we say? Chanel is the Paris megalith that has, over the years via both Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld, cemented some of the most important parts of many people's wardrobes. To this day, the brand's staples remain high in-demand with fashion people.
What to Buy: A pair of Chanel shoes will last you a lifetime.
13. Iro
Style Notes: As Iro was founded by one-time music producers, it's understandable that there's such a strong rock-chic vibe running through each collection. From elevated bikers to classic LBDs, there's something for everyone looking to add interest to their wardrobes.
What to Buy: The perfect black dress, or a really chic jacket.
14. Balmain
Style Notes: Balmain fans like their clothes tight, their hemlines short and their heels high. The crew that has assembled around the super-popular director Olivier Rousteing includes the likes of Gigi Hadid, Joan Smalls and Kim Kardashian West.
What to Buy: Balmain always has a strong selection of party dresses and elevated tailoring.
15. Dior
Style Notes: Dior is a cult favourite in the fashion world, and since former Valentino designer Maria Grazia Chiuri took over the reins, many people (celebs included) have enjoyed seeing her classic and delicate style echoing through the brand.
What to Buy: Anything with the Dior logo on it is golden right now, but these slingbacks are at the top of our list.
16. Isabel Marant
Style Notes: The modern high priestess of boho lovers and rock chicks alike, Marant spans every possible department with her must-haves, from party dresses to boots.
What to Buy: I always head to Marant for hero footwear.
17. The Kooples
Style Notes: When The Kooples first landed in the UK a few years back, it was all about "his 'n' hers" dressing. While tailoring is still key, you'll find more feminine pieces in the mix these days.
What to Buy: I really rate The Kooples’ slip dresses, but this denim jacket is so chic, too.
18. La Redoute
Style Notes: If you feel like all of the clothing brands in this gallery are too expensive, French catalogue La Redoute will be your saviour. Full of classic pieces at a much lower price point (its in-house labels are really quite good), this website also stocks other designer brands.
What to Buy: It's where I'll be stocking up layering and tailored pieces that won’t break the bank.
19. Lanvin
Style Notes: Founded in 1889 by Jeanne Lanvin, it has always been a source of fantastic evening wear. When Alber Elbaz stepped down in 2015, Bouchra Jarrar replaced him, followed later by Olivier Lapidus, a Balmain Homme alumnus. As we await the next creative director, Lanvin still remains a go-to for elevated evening wear.
What to Buy: It's a brand known for its glam, so this dress still lives up to the spirit of the name.
20. Lemaire
Style Notes: Christophe Lemaire has been around for some time, but it's only in the past few years that his name has shot into our collective style psyche.
What to Buy: The Croissant bag is undeniably French, but their modern take on tailoring is not to be missed, either.
21. Louis Vuitton
Style Notes: With Nicolas Ghesquière leading the charge, LV has become a trusted source of burgeoning trends and directional fashion, from the incredible leather jackets down to the equally intricate footwear.
What to Buy: From origins creating trunks, Louis Vuitton knows how to make a great bag.
22. Maje
Style Notes: Judith Milgrom founded Maje in 1998, inspired by the women of Paris. Maje has plenty to offer across the board, but we often gravitate toward the more rock-chic pieces the brand specialises in.
What to Buy: This amazing crochet maxi dress, their tailored sets or any of their holiday-ready styles.
23. Sandro
Style Notes: Mid-priced Sandro should be on your list for when you're looking for staples with a twist. The brand knows what people like wearing on a day-to-day basis and gives each of those items a little extra oomph every time.
What to Buy: Sandro does a great spin on a classic, but it's evening wear collection is not to be missed.
24. Saint Laurent
Style Notes: Saint Laurent is designed by Anthony Vaccarello, and boy, is he bringing the sensual Parisian out of us all or what? Thigh-high slits, plenty of leather and all of the vital accessories to be our most glam selves 24/7.
What to Buy: Saint Laurent may specialise in super sexy accessories, but their sleek staples are worth investing in, too.
25. See by Chloé
Style Notes: Naturellement, we love Chloé's mainline collection, but there's something particularly exciting again about the diffusion collection. It has the floaty attitude of Chloé with a more accessible price point.
What to Buy: A timeless bag with all the traits of classic Chloé collection.
26. Sézane
Style Notes: Set up initially as an online-only fashion store in 2013 by Morgane Sezalory, Sézane has been breaking boundaries and supplying great casual clothes for the past few years.
What to Buy: The versatile shirts and effortless dresses.
27. The Frankie Shop
Style Notes: Frankie Shop is the boutique to visit in Paris these days. It stocks other brands, but its in-house label has all of the trend-setting tailoring, separates and dresses that you'll find dotted around the hippest Instagram feeds.
What to Buy: It started the whole shoulder-pad T-shirt thing, but now, its blazers are the hot-ticket item.
28. Veja
Style Notes: This conscious sneaker brand has really boomed in the past few years, with celebrities and influencers flocking to Veja's pared-back (and super-comfy) styles. Sustainability and ethical practise are at the fore-front of the brand, making it one of the first sustainable trainer brands in the world.
What to Buy: Literally any pair.
29. Réalisation Par
Style Notes: Parisian influencers love showcasing their dresses from Réalisation Par, though the brand also does dreamy midi skirts and romantic camisoles.
What to Buy: One of the brand's slinky dresses, without question.
30. Elleme
Style Notes: One of the cooler under-the-radar French bag brands around right now, Elleme has a new take on bag silhouettes that is a welcome change. The brand name is a merge of the French conjugation “Elle aime”, meaning “She Loves”, perfectly summing up the brand's ability to create beautiful handbags you'll wear on repeat.
What to Buy: Any of the top-handle bags.
31. Alexandre Vauthier
Style Notes: There's a common misconception that French clothing isn't particularly sassy, but Alexandre Vauthier proves otherwise. From dresses to boots, this sharp take on French dressing really gives the wow factor.
What to Buy: A fabulous statement bag.
32. Courrèges
Style Notes: A more laid-back brand, the Sixties brand Corrèges has been revived with cool separates that are ideal for everyday wear. The brand now seamlessly merges, '60s classics with a modern-day edge to create timeless pieces you'll keep around forever.
What to Buy: Their leather and vinyl pieces get out vote.
33. AMI Paris
Style Notes: If you're more into elevated French streetwear than haute couture, you don't want to dismiss AMI Paris. The brand was founded in 2011 by Alexandre Mattiussi, and aims to bring Parisian street fashion to the masses.
What to Buy: Sensationally good knitwear or t-shirts.
34. Coperni
Style Notes: Founded by former designers Sébastien Meyer and Arnaud Vaillant, who met during their studies, Coperni’s designs are minimal but playful, exploring silhouette and texture in new and unexpected ways.
What to Buy: The handbags that are trendy yet timeless.
35. Roger Vivier
Style Notes: Known for creating the first modern stiletto heel in the 1950s, Roger Vivier has long been the reigning sophisticated French shoe brand. However, this season their sleek styles with a high fashion twist feel particularly en vogue.
What to Buy: Ballet flats or Mary Janes will serve you well this season and for years to come.
36. LOULOU STUDIO
Style Notes: Parisian influencer Chloé Harrouche launched her label after she couldn't find the perfect knitwear. Today, it remains true to her principles of refined classics that are irresistibly comfortable.
What to Buy: Any wardrobe staples you may be missing.
37. Mugler
Style Notes: The ultimate sexy label enjoyed a recent renaissance, with super svelte bodysuits spotted on A-listers from Kardashians to Dua Lipa, and a recent H&M collab brought the brand mainstream. Sensual cut-outs and super tight silhouettes are the signature.
What to Buy: Anything corseted.
38. Patou
Style Notes: The Parisian couturier Jean Patou revolutionised the fashion world in 1914 when he abandoned the strictly corseted looks of the era. Today, Patou continues to embrace that rebellious spirit with airy, voluminous styles that can be dressed up or down.
What to Buy: A breezy skirt.
39. Hermès
Style Notes: You can't talk about classic French clothing brands without mentioning Hermès. Founded in 1837, the brand focuses on minimalist yet distinct designs and to this day, is responsible for many cult styles of bags, shoes and belts.
What to Buy: The iconic Oran sandals.
40. Polène
Style Notes: Created in 2016, Polène focuses on timeless yet stylish handbags that can be worn for any occasion. From tiny top-handles to spacious totes, the brand has something to suit every taste and preference.
What to Buy: A roomy bag for work.
41. Chaumet
Style Notes: Known as the first-ever jeweller to set up shop on Place Vendôme, Chaumet has been praised for it's elegantly crafted French jewellery since in launched in 1780. Today, it's the place to go for timeless investment items that you'll keep forever.
What to Buy: An investment watch.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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