The 9 Pieces Every French Woman Has In Her Closet And How To Actually Wear Them
Image from Sézane
by The Candidly Team
For most of our adult lives, we (like countless women around the world) have been swept up in the allure of the classic French woman’s wardrobe. But unlike their long list of magical beauty products, which we’ve eagerly sourced, we tend to treat that wardrobe like it’s oddly unattainable. Even after decades of this!
I suspect the reason might be that deep down, most of us don’t genuinely think of ourselves as chic. Even when we “dress up” and strap ourselves into actual “looks,” we still know ourselves as the top-knotted, sweatpant-sporting slobs we identify as 87% of the time.
And admittedly, there does seem to be some sort of effortless intelligence behind how many French women put their clothes together that can make it all feel a bit daunting to replicate. BUT here’s the exciting thing. We too have been around for decades, and we thiiiiink we may have finally cracked the code.
The famous French closet we lust after is built on rules that are not only pretty easy to follow but that very much gel with our 40+ attitudes about how we like to dress. These include:
Keep it simple. Classic, clean, carefree staples are your best friend.
Choose carefully. Everything you buy should excel in the fields of fit, feel, and quality.
Make it effortless. Prioritize pieces that transition easily.
Pick timeless classics over trends, always.
Compose your closet of mainly mixed neutrals (with occasional, carefully curated pops of color).
Now, to break these rules down into much more useful, actionable items, we sourced the 9 most essential style pieces. And, of course, we included how to wear each of them (often together!) That’s right. You’ll be seeing many of these things more than once, precisely because that’s the genius of the French wardrobe – one glorious piece can be mixed and matched a multitude of ways to create distinct looks without needing 800 versions of something as basic as a blazer.
And so, away we go.
1. THE MARINIÈRE
Legend has it, this classic striped tee was inspired by the ones worn by men in the French navy. Then Coco Chanel came along and helped transition it into the iconic staple it’s become to French women today. The point is, everyone from a bulky sailor to a pixie-like fashion designer is going to look good in a marinière. Which is probably why it’s remained an effortlessly chic staple since before it could be photographed in color
J. Crew Classic Mariner Cloth Boatneck T-Shirt
We love this one from J. Crew, because it’s the epitome of what a marinière should be. Light, lovely, and sizes up to 3X. It also comes in THIS shorter version that’s so flattering and works perfectly with a high-waist pant.
Price: $36.50 - $49.50
2. THE LOOSE JEANS
The basic rule behind French jeans is they must be high-waisted and they must have a straight or widish leg Conveniently, this is pretty much the only way we like to wear jeans.
Levi's® Premium Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
Legend has it that the favorite jeans of French women are still from the iconic Levis. And we get it. They simply defy the ability to go out of style.We love this pair because they smoothly glide over our backsides while nipping beautifully at the waist. Everything is in perfect proportion rather than sagging, or bagging, or gaping in unflattering places. A classic American brand, yes, but a completely French fit.
There are endless things you can wear with them. But for that foolproof Parisian street-style, we like THIS stunning button-down you can tuck into any denim and instantly be the best dressed person in a 100 mile radius and THESE classic loafers. Wearing low, lightweight shoes with jeans is a trademark of French style. And we love it, because A) Comfort! and B) Unlike with a bootie, we never have to worry about the weird space between our ankle and the bottom of our cropped jeans.
Price: $98
Rolla’s Sailor Jeans
Another denim style we love is the almost sailor-style wide leg jean we see all the time in photos from the streets of Paris. This pair is supremely soft and complementary. The smooth pocketed front of these jeans also make them possibly the most comfortable and flattering pair we own around our midsections.
Price: $129
3. THE SLIP SKIRT
The silhouette created by a slip skirt is sort of unrivaled. It’s smooth, light as a feather, and “forgiving” (though uck, we hate that word). A silky midi is possibly the easiest piece to singlehandedly elevate our whole look to a slightly more “dressed up” level of chic. But magically, it feels like a nightie.
J. Crew Gwyneth Slip Skirt
This version from J. Crew consistently tops our list for being well-priced, impeccable quality (so no flimsy, weak fabric), having excellent colors, and sizing up to 3X. Slip it on with THIS effortless. airy tee for the ultimate high/ low, casual/ sophisticated mix that French women have mastered. Add THIS, our favorite Mary Jane ballet flat or THIS low sneaker that somehow looks as graceful as a flat.
Price: $89.50
4. THE BLAZER
We may think of all things French as being perfectly tailored, but you’ll notice their blazers tend to be a wee bit more spacious. It’s a smart way to keep things comfortable and to be able to add layers under it, so you can wear it year-round.
Spanx The Perfect Oversized Blazer
We love this one, because it’s oversized but with just enough of a waist-nipping silhouette and plenty of glorious stretch, so we can actually move our arms in it. Even though it’s not too tight or restrictive, it still gives off that clean-lined, polished look. Wear it over THIS striped tee and THESE high-waist jeans for a classic French uniform. Then liven it all up with THESE blissfully comfy flats, which come in every color and pattern you could dream up.
Price: $168
5. THE ALLURING BUTTON-DOWN
What is it that makes a tucked button-down with juuuust the right number of unfastened buttons so impossibly understated and gorgeous? We don’t really know, but we will be wearing this precise look until we are 97-years-old. Fin!
The Bennet Buttondown Shirt by Maeve
This one is perhaps our favorite of all time. It dips down longer over the butt, so it’s gorgeous tucked or untucked. And it’s roomy in the boob and arm, so you never feel constricted. And the colors! Tuck it into THESE gloriously drapey high-waist trousers and slip on THESE lug-sole loafers (because sometimes even French women need a bit of height and arch support).
Price: $98
6. THE EFFORTLESS FLORAL MIDI DRESS
We tend to think of French fashion as clean neutrals and smart basics, but the romantic, flowy, often floral midi dress is a staple as much as anything else. It’s a throw-on-and-go piece that’s always a bit breezy and never too tight. It cinches in just the right places and complements curves To. No. End.
Bardot Malea Midi Dress
French women know one thing: when the dress is pretty and the fit is impossibly flattering and easy to wear, pounce!
Price: $189
Faithfull Las Mayas Midi Dress
This not too loose and not too tight, puff-sleeve dress captures all the aforementioned characteristics of the essential French midi. The feminine neckline coupled with the skimming waistline make it both flattering and incredibly comfortable. We plan on wearing it to every spring and summer “thing” we’re invited to, most likely with THIS raffia bag, one of our most favorite things from one of our most favorite French brands.
Price: $219
7. THE PERFECT WHITE TUCKABLE TEE
Is there much to say about a perfect white tee? Actually, we have lots to say about most tees, because despite being touted a necessity, they usually tend to be highly unflattering, especially in the way they cut into our arms. So finding one that feels amazing but also fits us exactly right is a true feat. And well, here she is.
Splendid Sloane Scoop Tee
This tee is light and airy, and that deeeeep scoopneck looks perfect on chests of every size and shape.
Price: $48
8. THE TROUSERS
The key to the ideal French trouser is that they’re high-waisted and drapey to the point that we look like we had them expensively tailored just for us. The exciting thing is we found two pairs that achieve this without any fussy trips to the tailor required.
Aritzia The Effortless Pant™ Wider
These pants are nothing short of perfection. The fit is just beyond any other pair we’ve tried recently. Flattering, tailored, breezy, oh, and perpetually UN-wrinkled. Also, the colors are a dreamscape.
Price: $148
The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Pants by Maeve
For a lighter, slightly more cropped wide-leg pant, we adore these, which come in a sea of colors, have an extended size range, and are made from an almost magically smoothing material that makes us feel held in yet entirely comfy. They can be worn with anything but look especially chic with the above marinière. And they’re even aptly named Collette. Wear it with THIS elegant knit jumper - just not in white. Here’s why.
Price: $120
9. THE FLATS
You’ve probably heard the word flats more than you’ve cared to, but that’s simply because, in spite of being worn on our feet, the flat might be the crown jewel of the French closet.
Vivaia Aria 5° Pointed-Toe Ballet Flats
These are the flats we own (or at least, want to own) in every color (and print!) they come in. They’re the most perfect pointed shape. They feel like heaven to walk in (especially on wide feet). They’re washable, so they always look brand new. And, as a bonus, they have THESE clip-on bows that feel more French than maybe anything else we’ve discovered.
Price: $97
Madewell The Greta Ballet Flat
The most perfectly shaped ballet flat but in Mary Jane form for an added “je ne sais quoi.” These also come in red for a pop of (very Parisian) color.
Price: $98
BONUS: THE ACCESSORIES
Accessories can feel very make or break. But the brilliance of the accessories French women opt for is that they’re carefully chosen initially, but once you own them, you’ll find they go with absolutely everything. Each of these pieces is something you will wear over and over for all of time. And they will both match and elevate any outfit you put on.
The Timeless Leather Handbag
Clare V. (who happens to be French herself) is making some of the most stunning bags that feel almost like emblems of the women who wear them, practical yet striking, timeless yet distinct, responsible yet always somehow dragging behind.
THIS messenger bag is everything we could want in a handbag. Call it our “investment piece", although compared to the $1000 handbags out there, it’s much more manageable and entirely worth it. It’s the slouchiest, softest, most luxe leather, the perfect size and shape, and has the crossbody option that we need because we’re alway carrying 45 things.
The Raffia Bag
THIS petite bucket bag feels like it’s practically begging to be toted round the coast of Cannes … or you know, maybe to the local market in May. But we’ll feel like we’re in Cannes, and that’s really the whole point. It matches everything, and also makes every spring/ summer thing we wear 22x more styled.
The Silk Scarf
The idea of wearing a silk scarf may seem like one of those things that’s lovely in theory but absurd in real life. In truth, tying on a pretty printed square of fabric to your hair or your handbag can be the subtle thing that tips your whole outfit into another dimension of refinement.
We love ANY OF THESE stunning silk scarves from Lost Pattern. Each print is more mesmerizing than the last.
Wear it:
--Tied onto a loose low pony
--Around your neck over something simple like a white tee
--On the handle of your bag for a pop of color
--Yes, it can be worn to frame your face but that’s probably more of a costume or driving in a convertible look than what a modern French woman would wear.
The Minimalist Jewelry
French women keep it subtle and simple when it comes to jewelry.
We’re reaally into THIS shape earring, which is somewhere between a huggie and a hoop.
For a complete list of our favorite delicate gold pieces all for under $100, go HERE.
At The Candidly, we try a lot of stuff so you don’t have to. We only recommend things we truly love, and that we think you’ll love, too. All products are chosen independently by our creative team, and all details reflect the price and availability of products at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to, The Candidly may earn a commission.
We have to eat.
