We often talk about how the French aesthetic is heavily built on wardrobe classics, never-date pieces that make getting dressed a simplified process. While this applies to many a French dresser, I have noticed that, for 2023, a series of bolder French fashion trends are coming through.
Witnessed on the streets of Paris this month, French women seem to be tapping into a slew of runway trends this season. From the It jacket that cropped up at Dion Lee and Chloé to the skirt style with deep '90s minimalist roots, Gallic girls are interpreting the latest trends in their own unique ways, styling them with more pared-back piecing and giving the rest of us major outfit inspiration in the process.
So which 2023 trends are French women prioritising right now? Scroll on; I'll show you.
1. Moto Jackets
Style Notes: If you're in the market for a new jacket, moto jackets are where it's at. The style appeared on too many runways to keep track of for 2023, and French super-influencer Camille Charrière has already been wearing hers on repeat. The beauty of this trend is that it's quite easily thriftable—I was in my local vintage fashion shop at the weekend, and there were tonnes—but for convenience's sake, you can always rely on Zara.
Key Buy
The red, white and black colourway is just as impactful as Charrière's blue.
How to Style It
2. Cargo Trousers
Style Notes: Many of you may have already invested in a pair of cargo trousers, and you can rest assured that they're still very much a thing this year. French women have been gravitating towards more tailored and refined styles of late, so if you're looking to buy into the trend now, that's the approach I'd take.
Key Buy
A great alternative to your failsafe jeans.
How to Style It
3. Denim Midi Skirts
Style Notes: Let it be known that 2023 is going to be the year of the skirt, specifically the denim skirt. Maxi and mini styles took over the runways, but midis provide—excuse the pun—a happy middle ground. I find them most appealing, as in my mind, they work best with all of the core shoe styles: trainers, knee-high boots, heels or slingbacks.
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How to Style It
4. Cream Jumper Dresses
Style Notes: While it might not be the "trendiest" item on our list, it would have been remiss of me not to mention the cream knitted dress, which appears in the recent Instagram outfits of just about every French fashion influencer I follow. Coincidence? When it looks this chic, I think not.
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How to Style It
5. Velvet Mary Janes
Style Notes: French women might love their ballet flats and loafers, but I'd argue the flat-shoe style they're most enamoured with is the Mary Jane. Although we're still far off from the warmer days of spring, I'm seeing more and more people forgo leather iterations in favour of velvet. Sure, it might not be the most practical footwear choice you could make right now, but I'd argue it's the prettiest.
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How to Style It
6. Neutral Baseball Caps
Style Notes: It's a common stereotype that French women teeter around in heels and Chanel tweed suits all the time, but let me tell you they do casualwear just as well! Case in point: Aïda, who tops off her low-key jeans-and-cardigan outfit with a neutral baseball cap, an item that's circulating more and more in Paris.
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How to Style It
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