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 realize 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 favorite 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 styling their loafers. Other Gallic women are serving up combinations involving skirts, leggings, and even joggers, confirming just how versatile loafers can be.
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 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 wear on repeat this season.
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 list 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 Sézane.
Such a cute style.
I love a sock-and-loafer combo.
The chunkier the better in my books.
3. CREWNECK 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.
ALO’s Muse Sweatpants get rave reviews.
Classics you’ll love forever.
4. BLAZER + TAILORED TROUSERS
Style Notes: You can never go wrong with a blazer and tailored trousers. Add loafers into the equation, and you’ve got the ideal look to take you from your desk to dinners out.
Shop the look:
You can’t go wrong with a relaxed black blazer.
Wear with shirts, knitwear, blazers, and more.
Cool, contrasting loafers will amp up your outfit in an instant.
5. LEATHER BIKER + STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS
Style Notes: Leather biker jackets never truly go out of style, but they came back in a big way in 2023. 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 person’s favorite 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 sneakers and a knit.
A pair you’ll cherish forever.
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 among the French fashion set.
Shop the look:
Oh, Mango, 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 post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.
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