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 editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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