These 5 French Trends Are Now All I Want to Wear

It's like the fashion designers of Paris came together (virtually via Zoom) to decree one giant anti-loungewear campaign for autumn/winter 2021—and I'm so glad they did. 

Providing the very opposite to the comfortable, easy, athleisure-led clothes we've all been leaning into over the past year, French brands are putting a firm stop on that for the end of this year, providing cooler-than-ever workwear options, outrageous party dresses and the kind of loud daytime looks that we would never have imagined on the streets of this fashion capital pre-COVID. But that's what being restricted and trapped in one's rotation of leggings can do; many of us are now dreaming of something more joyful, more elaborate and more agenda setting to wear when life stops being "unprecedented" and monotonous and just starts being more full again. Ball gowns down the pub? Yes, please! Shocking pink suit for the office? You betcha. 

Below, you'll find five trends coming directly from the Paris Fashion Week collections—from bouclé jackets reborn at Schiaparelli to the fanciest of frocks from Paco Rabanne, there's a lot here that I love and want to wear already. So for inspiration, I found a few available-now alternatives if you can't wait to strip off the trackies and put on the ol' razzamatazz for a trip to Tesco.

1. BOUCLÉ JACKETS

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Schiaparelli)

Bouclé the fabric originates from France, so it's no wonder that the curly-tweed jacket continues to be an item the Parisian brands do so well. Schiaparelli's artistic version is an heirloom piece in the making—truly magnifique.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Isabel Marant)

Isabel Marant pairs it with loose-fit jeans—a sure sign of what will be the street style adoption of this trend.

2. SUIT + ROLL-NECK

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Longchamp)

Suiting but make it casual—that seemed to be the aim for many fashion houses in Paris. The trick? Adding in a roll-neck instead of a fussy blouse. Longchamp also ticked the box for vibrant pinks, a trend that is continuing well into next year.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Nina Ricci)

Nina Ricci's '70s mood set a tone that reverberated around Paris—there's more than a nod to this decade going on at many of the brands, so look out for flared-trouser silhouettes in the future.

3. SPARKLY FROCKS

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Paco Rabanne)

I'm in love! I need to be invited to something fabulous at the end of the year so I can have an excuse to wear a glitzy dress covered in chain mail, pearls and crystals like these beauties from Paco Rabanne.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Isabel Marant)

Even Isabel Marant—a pro at casual—has added in some very shiny, festive options. Side note: I've also seen paisley bubbling up as the next big print trend.

4. PARISIAN PURPLES

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Loewe)

Purple is perhaps the most divisive of colours, but some of the world's leading designers—such as Jonathan Anderson for Loewe—are backing it for autumn. When mixed with black, yellow and blue, it looks offbeat and cool rather than frumpy.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Jil Sander)

Jil Sander's mauve coat is a really dreamy piece and would be very welcome in our current spring wardrobes.

5. MINI HEMLINES

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Coperni)

We've been talking about it a lot lately, but PFW has confirmed it: Miniskirts and dresses are back. Coperni's chic little black number will never look outdated.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Chanel)

Minis came through strong on the Chanel runway, and I particularly liked the idea of wearing them with an unbuttoned longline jacket like this.

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(Image credit: Courtesy of Lanvin)

Over at Lanvin, there were very fabulous lamé versions for those nights out we're all waiting for…

Hannah Almassi
Editor in Chief

Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits. Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.