I Went to France and Saw Everyone Wearing These 5 Basics on the Streets of Paris
I recently took a lovely holiday to Paris. When I got back, my friends and family asked me about my favourite part of the trip. I naturally rattled off all of the delicious food I ate and the museums I visited. But I also noted my adoration for simply sitting at a cafe and watching the street style. As a lover of French style (that effortless je ne sais quoi is just so covetable), I adored seeing how Parisians dress in their day-to-day.
While the types of looks I saw ran the gamut, many of the ensembles featured effortless basics that Parisians are known for wearing to look chic. There were actually five specific styles I spotted the most on the streets of Paris. Below you’ll uncover the list, along with visual inspiration. I also shopped out each of the basics in question if you’re interested in adding a fresh style to your wardrobe.
The Best Basics That French People Rely On
1. Double-Breasted Blazers
Style Notes: The temperature were up and down for most of my time in Paris, so layering pieces were key. I saw double-breasted blazers everywhere—especially with simple tops and jeans. A blazer brings instant polish to any look, and during the warm months is the ideal evening outerwear.
Shop the Look:
2. Simple Skirts
Style Notes: Skirts were incredibly popular teamed with sneakers, flats and boots. The style sort of ranged—either simple knit styles or in satin.
Shop the Look:
The lace hem gives this skirt a vintage feel that Parisians would definitely approve of.
Brown is the perfect alternative to black during the warm months.
3. Relaxed Button-Up Shirts
Style Notes: The button-up shirt (particularly in relaxed cuts) reigned supreme in every neighborhood I visited. I noticed a plethora of classic white styles and also blue-striped silhouettes.
Shop the Look:
4. Denim Jackets
Style Notes: Given the slightly cooler temperatures when I visited Paris (especially in the morning and at night), denim jackets seemed to be a go-to choice (in addition to blazers). As we move into warmer days, this will be my outerwear of choice for throwing over daytime summer looks.
Shop the Look:
5. Baggy Jeans/Trousers
Style Notes: I saw baggy trousers and denim everywhere—styled most often with flats or sneakers. And I'm fully on board with them worn with vest tops for summer.
Shop the Look:
It's all about the silhouette of this pair.
I love these light knit trousers for holiday or weekend wear.
Bobby Schuessler is a fashion editor with over a decade of editorial experience covering shopping, style, and beauty. He's spent over seven years at Who What Wear, currently leading the market team to deliver highly covetable and convertible content. He creates data-driven shopping guides featuring top retailers like Nordstrom, Shopbop, and Net-a-Porter and is at the forefront of Who What Wear's shopping tentpole strategies, including Amazon Prime Day. He also works on branded content initiatives and appears on camera in video and shopping livestream franchises. He has also worked across a variety of other media brands and fashion retailers like Refinery29, PureWow, Men's Health, and Gilt covering commerce, trend reporting, women's and men's fashion, home, and lifestyle.
-
4 French Vs 4 Scandi Dress Trends That Are About to Be Everywhere This Summer
Choose your team.
By Remy Farrell
-
10 Cute and Easy Outfits to Wear With Sandals
Save for a sunny day.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
Behold, 23 Basket Bags That Are Anti-Trend, Polished and Perfect for Summer
From designer styles to high-street hits.
By Yusra Siddiqui
-
Celebrities and Fashion People Always Turn to this French Brand for Chic, Anti-Trend Handbags
Modern classics.
By Florrie Alexander
-
I'm a Modest Dresser, and I'll Certainly Be Copying These 10 Summer Outfits
I'm taking notes.
By Yusra Siddiqui
-
Kaia Gerber Wore the Nonchalant Yet Chic Jeans Outfit French Women Have Perfected
I'm going to copy and paste.
By Natalie Munro
-
I Just Moved to Paris—4 Simple Summer Skirt Outfits French Women Are Wearing Now
Fresh from the streets of Paris.
By Avalon Afriyie
-
6 Graceful Ways French Women Are Wearing This Anti-Trend Summer Staple In 2024
Consider us influenced.
By Bébhinn Campbell