Here are the best French wardrobe basics to add to your closet to have a wardrobe full of classic, timeless looks. Existence French, I love to write near French fashion! And, if you're a true-blue reader of Leonce Chenal, you lot probably already know that the hush-hush to French style is a mastery of basics. That is why, today, I wanted to share with y'all the listing of the French basics and staples that are found in every French wardrobe —and on every Parisian street—.

A French wardrobe is a drove of versatile, high-quality basic items, that stand up the test of passing fads and seasons. It includes items like a push button-down shirt, straight-leg jeans, a Breton shirt or ballet flats, or other classic styles. All of these French wardrobe basics can be worn all year round, regardless of the season. And having a better understanding of what a French wardrobe is, will help you build a wardrobe upon some cadre basic items —no matter your personal style—.

Whether you're interested in building a wardrobe full of timeless and trend-proof staples or you lot want to get started in French fashion, this French fashion guide volition help you become the quality nuts across all categories of wearing apparel and eliminate clothing from your wardrobe that you don't wear. So, let'southward start with the 12 bones items of the French wardrobe. These wardrobe essentials listed below are the kind of timeless items that piece of work for all women —French or non— and when put together actually ladder up to a rather chic wardrobe.

12 Basics EveryFrench Woman Has In HerWardrobe

ane. Button-Down Shirt

One of the get-go basics of the French wardrobe is a button-down shirt. Whether oversized, well-fitted, in cotton fiber or silk, white, blue, or striped, a push-down shirt is definitely a French wardrobe staple. French women honey its versatility! For a polished office expect, pair information technology with straight-leg/flare jeans, a pair of white sneakers, and a designer tote pocketbook. For a swish night-out outfit, switch your white sneakers for a pair of strappy heels and wear a black satin blazer.

My favorite 1 is the Sézane Tomboy Shirt that I accept in my wardrobe for years. I'm a huge fan of Polo Ralf Lauren's shirts too, I have several Georgia Button-Down Shirts in different colors in my wardrobe. Likewise, I love this cute Ralf Lauren's Stripe Cotton Push button-Up Shirt. For any professional meeting where I need to look smart, I accept this Theory well-fitted cotton-alloy shirt. And when I want to feel more comfortable in my dress I love to wear this beautiful relaxed-fit Thomas Mason shirt.

2. White T-Shirt

A white t-shirt is another basic of the French wardrobe. It's the perfect detail to create a very Parisian effortless chichi outfit! Just vesture information technology with jeans and a pair of white sneakers. Add a slightly masculine blazer for a chicer look. Make sure to opt for a 100% cotton plain t-shirt to look polished.

Last year I've started to invest in good quality bones tee-shirts. I have several Sézane Conrad t-shirts and Ninety Percent Jenna organic cotton wool-jersey T-shirts, in different colors. If I need to look more polished I wear the Frankie Shop Eva cotton-jersey tank with padded shoulders. Also, I'm in dear with these cotton fiber-jersey T-shirts by the French brand Loulou Studio.

3. Breton Striped Shirt (a.1000.a. marinière)

The Breton striped shirt is i of the many true French fashion clichés and it's probably one the most classic pieces y'all can have in your wardrobe. This cotton fiber long-sleeved shirt with horizontal bluish and white stripes, originally worn past seamen in the French Navy, has go a staple in French fashion. If you lot want to wear it "à la Française", combine your favorite striped shirt with a pair of jeans, a blazer, and a pair of white sneakers. Just avert the French cliché past wearing information technology with a beret and a scarf. My favorite marinières are from Sézane: the Colette marinière and the Noan marinière.

4. Blazer

To create a French wardrobe, you'll definitely demand to invest in a blazer —if you oasis't already—. Indeed, a blazer is a super versatile bones! You can vesture information technology with everything: a bones tee, a silk camisole, jeans or tailored pants, etc. It instantly gives chic and elegance to any outfit and it tin exist worn for a day or night outfit, depending on the accessorization. Look for a slightly oversized blazer —you can infringe your husband'due south 1— and seek neutral colors and high-quality fabric —cotton, wool, linen—.

In my opinion, the best quality blazers are from the Parisian labels Maje and Sandro. I have this Sandro Tuxedo Jacket and this navy blue Double Breasted Blazer in my wardrobe for years! As well, I beloved Maje Valilou Blazer which is perfect for a smart office look.

5. Trench Coat

A trench coat is the 1 item you lot'll discover in every French woman's wardrobe. It'southward a simple investment every French woman makes early on in her life as information technology's one of the most iconic pieces of article of clothing of all fourth dimension. Non but a trench is the perfect outwear piece for transitioning between seasons but information technology also goes with merely about everything in your closet. Indeed, on one of those I-take-nothing-to-vesture days, the trench has the power to brand every outfit instantly more elegant and "polished".

And if I've had a few different styles over the years, but my 2 favorites are the Scott trench from Sézane and the Modern Trench Coat from Everlane. I take the Burberry Kensington Mid Heritage Trench Coat on my wishlist as well.

6. The Trivial Black Dress

The little black dress (also known as "la petite robe noire" in French) is the one basic that French women wear for whatsoever special occasion such as a chic dinner, a night out, a cocktail political party, or even a romantic date. The perfect trivial black dress is the one that is not as well brusque —knee-length is perfect—, not too tight and not too revealing or sexy. You should e'er cull between a short dress or a dress with a decolleté. The perfect blackness dress is basically the i that you tin can wear in any special circumstances and with which you are most comfy. Just pair it with a pair of ballet flats and a black leather crossbody handbag and you lot can't be chicer.

My timeless, chic, and versatile black dresses are from the Parisian brands The Kooples, Maje, and Sandro. Check out my favorite styles for inspiration.

7. Direct-Leg Jeans

French women prefer straight-leg jeans to skinny jeans. Indeed, not simply straight-leg denim is super comfortable to vesture just it's likewise the perfect shape of jeans that suit all body types. Seek high-rise directly jeans or "mom jeans" and opt for night blueish, lite, and even white denim for a chic bound/summer look. Just avoid wearing ribbed jeans.

8. Ballet Flats

Ballet flats are one of those archetype styles that hardly ever feel dated. It's the perfect French shoe way for transitioning between seasons —one of my favorite shoes to wear in Spring—. This French basic is a bit of a wardrobe icon and a staple that continues to be trendy. In that location are ii iconic pairs of ballet flats: the Chanel ballerinas and the Repetto Cendrillon ballerinas—the Cendrillon ballet flats is an iconic shoe fashion from the Maison Repetto, originally made for Brigitte Bardot—. No thing if you adopt foursquare, rounded, almond, or pointy styles, they're only the French basic your wardrobe needs.

9. White Sneakers

Since Paris is a metropolis where the locals walk everywhere, outfits always strike a balance of stylish and cool with comfortable and stylish. And it'southward far more than mutual to see Parisians wearing flat shoes similar sneakers and trainers than loftier heels.

It's incommunicable to non see several pairs of white sneakers like the Veja Esplar Sneakers, Addidas Stan Smith Lace-Upward Sneakers, or Sezane Jack Sneakers topping off chic outfits in the street of Paris. Sneakers no longer carry the casual, lazy day stigma they did in the past. For more, read my previous mail service on the ten sneakers French women swear by.

10. Silk Scarf

A silk scarf ("un foulard" in French) is the basic that you'll find in every French woman'southward wardrobe. This lightweight scarf typically made of silk (or similar materials) can exist square or rectangle and is normally worn in mid-season when the temperatures showtime to rise. A silk scarf is essentially worn for style and fashion as it does not protect much from the cold. It'due south a cracking way to add French chic to any of your outfits every bit information technology can exist both an accessory besides as a statement piece. In French republic, the almost popular silk scarf is the Hermès "carré de soie" which is a bright-colored patterned scarf fabricated of high-quality silk.

Knotting a "carré de soie" effectually your cervix becomes a statement in and of itself! For more, you tin read my guide on how to tie ("nouer") a scarf like a French.

11. Black Crossbody Bag

A black crossbody bag is a French wardrobe basic to have in your closet. It'due south one of the easiest means to accessories any outfit. I'll recommend opting for a black high-quality leather crossbody bag —blackness will go with every outfit—.

I like to invest in black leather bags that will last me a lifetime. If you take the budget, you tin can opt for the Chanel ii.55 purse, the Caviar Quilted Jumbo Double Flap Black, or the Saint Laurent Le Carré leather bag. I love the Sézane Quilted Victor Purse as well. For more, you can read my previous article on the best affordable French pocketbook brands to shop for.

12. Aureate Medallion Necklace

French women love their medallion pendant necklaces —too known as "coin" or cameo necklaces—. You can wear it solo for a subtle wink of gilded or layered with frail gilded necklaces to make more of a statement. This beautiful Sezane Sara chain 9 carat gold with this frail golden medal will add a cool vintage element to any look. For more, see the best French jewelry brands French women swear by and larn about the ten jewelry pieces French women own.

Do you lot have every French wardrobe basics in your closet? I would love to have your thoughts! Please add your comment below.

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