I am always open to discussing French style at length, but in the interest of keeping things on track, let’s cut to the chase: French women love wearing loafers. I see it on my feed every day. It’s also evident in real life, should you find yourself on the streets of Paris any time soon. However, I didn’t quite realise just how much they loved wearing them until recently. Having bought a fresh pair of loafers myself, I was looking for inspiration to style them—cue my favourite françaises, all of whom seem to know exactly how to wear their classic loafers chicly.
Like the rest of us, French women rely on basics to help elevate their looks and give them timeless appeal, so naturally, jeans are a recurring theme when it comes to styling their loafers. Other Gallic girls are serving up combinations involving skirts, leggings and even joggers, confirming just how versatile loafers can be.
So if you ever wondered how French women style loafers, well, wonder no more. I’ve whittled down seven key looks that demonstrate this perfectly—scroll on to see them and to shop any pieces you might need to re-create them should they not already feature in your wardrobe. Vive la loafer!
1. CARDIGAN + FLARES
Style Notes: French women love their knitwear, which is something I can appreciate given the fact I live in Scotland where the word "cold” takes on new meaning. Paired with flares and, yes, loafers, this is a look I can (and will) wear on repeat this autumn.
Shop the look:
Fashion editors love to wear American Vintage knitwear.
Flares are going nowhere. Plus, they're so easy to dress up or down.
These are right at the top of my wish right now.
2. MINISKIRT + CHUNKY SOCKS
Style Notes: Loafers are ideal for layering with miniskirts as they provide a less-flimsy footwear solution than, say, ballet flats. Just add chunky socks, and this is a look you can legitimately wear when it’s freezing.
Shop the look:
A cult knit by French retailer, Sezane.
Such a cute style.
I love a sock and loafer combo.
The chunkier the better in my books.
3. CREW-NECK JUMPER + JOGGERS
Style Notes: It should come as no surprise that French women can even make loungewear look smart, chic and polished. Wearing said comfies with loafers? Inspired!
Shop the look:
A navy sweater is a wardrobe hero. I love to wear mine with black but this will also look great with white denim.
Did you know Lululemon's infamous align pants are available in jogger form?
Classics you'll love forever.
4. BLAZER + TAILORED TROUSERS
Style Notes: You can never go wrong with a blazer-and-tailored-trouser look—add loafers into the equation, and you’ve got the ideal look to take you from your desk to dinners out.
Shop the look:
Regular readers will know how much we love Arket's blazers.
Wear with shirts, knitwear, blazers and more.
I love the contrast stitching on these.
5. LEATHER BIKER + STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS
Style Notes: Leather biker jackets never truly go out of style, but they've been back in a big way this year. French women have been wearing theirs with a throwback flair with straight-leg jeans and chunky loafers.
Shop the look:
Leather jackets are fast becoming the fashion girl's favourite jacket again.
The perfect light wash.
Did you know that COS has a great footwear offering?
6. CAMEL COAT + SLIP SKIRT
Style Notes: A cool take on a classic shoe style, Prada’s stacked loafers will give all your wardrobe staples a fresh overhaul—just look to Camille’s camel-coat-and-black-skirt pairing for inspiration.
Shop the look:
A camel coat adds polish to even the most casual of looks.
Dress it up with heels or down with a trainer and a knit.
No doubt you've seen these all over your Instagram...
7. BLACK COAT + SPLIT-HEM LEGGINGS
Style Notes: Give leggings an instant polish with a pair of loafers. Leia styles her split-hem pair with chunky white socks and chain-embellished loafers—a common theme amongst the French fashion set.
Shop the look:
Oh Arket, you never fail to impress us with your outerwear selection.
Leggings are the ultimate cool girl staple.
For added warmth on cold days.
Try a burgundy pair of loafers if you're looking to avoid black.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
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