7 Under-the-Radar French Brands That Only Parisians Know
You’ve loved Chanel and Dior for as long as you can remember, and you’ve been shopping at Isabel Marant and Zadig & Voltaire for years. Let’s just say you have a thing for French fashion. But if you’re interested in what cool French girls are actually wearing and need some fresh inspiration, we’re here to help.
Parisians like Jeanne Damas, Sabina Socol, and Anne-Laure Mais exude cool, and they epitomize French-girl style, so we wanted to find out exactly what they’re wearing. We did some research and combed through their Instagrams to find the pieces they’ve been wearing on repeat and where they’re from. What we uncovered are cool French brands you might not have even heard of before. There’s everything from Jane Birkin–inspired bags and vintage-inspired dresses to patent Mary Jane shoes and the affordable jeans that keep selling out.
Keep reading to see the seven French fashion brands you need to know about, and then shop our favorite picks from each.
1. MaisonCléo
The mother-daughter duo behind MaisonCléo hand-make each top in its streamlined collection. The stock is frequently sold out online, so we suggest acting quickly on one of its floaty puff-sleeve tops or satin skirts.
2. Marcia
Sustainable and made locally in France, Marcia makes the kind of dresses that will make you look insanely cool without really trying.
3. Nodaleto
Nodaleto's platform shoes have earned spots in many fashion girls' closets for its retro-inspired Mary Janes, boots, and heels.
4. Elleme
The name Elleme is derived from the French conjugation "elle aime," meaning "she loves," and the Parisian brand meticulously designs its bags with simplicity and timelessness in mind. Its pieces have been picked up by Shopbop and worn by droves of fashion girls, so we can only expect to see more from the brand.
5. Aéryne
"Inspired by the effortless simplicity of Scandinavian style and the confident individualism of Paris," Aéryne has swiftly become a fashion-editor favorite brand. Stock up on the label's bold pieces to help your wardrobe shine.
6. Miræ
It's been called the "French Ganni," and understandably so. The label is ideal for anyone who wants to add something fun and flattering to their wardrobe. Mirae releases new pieces about every two months, with about seven collections a year.
7. Imparfaite
Specializing in vintage clothes and accessories, Imparfaite sources one-of-a-kind pieces from sellers all over France. Its affordable selection hits on quintessentially French trends without harming the environment.
Next, the seven style mistakes French women never make.
Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.
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