Looking Parisian in Paris Is Only Doable If You Own These 12 Fall Wardrobe Essentials

When you travel somewhere, it's normal to want to fit in with the locals, and that includes dressing like them. I don't mean to imply that you should drastically adjust your style, but packing for your destination is a thing for a reason. It's nice not to stick out like a sore thumb. In Paris, blending in with the locals isn't easy. The city is known for its elite fashion sense, so unless you have a pretty good handle on what its residents wear day in and day out, it'll be tricky to blend seamlessly. That's where I come in. Over the last few hours, I've been diligently researching French-girl wardrobe essentials for fall 2025, all to find the 13 basics you'll need to dress like Parisians, whether you're jetting off to Paris this season or just wanting to look chic and effortless at home.

According to my sartorial analysis, you really only need about 13 items to build a French woman's capsule wardrobe for fall, starting with ballet flats, vintage jeans, and a white button-down shirt. Then, you can build out from there, adding a few other shoe options, some outerwear, and other layering pieces. Sure, you'll still need to find ways to style them, but owning these 13 core pieces is the first step to looking Parisian in and out of Paris. They're versatile, elevated, and timeless—three words that coincidentally describe every French girl with good taste's sense of style.

Scroll down to shop each one.

Button-Down Shirt

A great button-down shirt that's easy to tuck in but also looks chic untucked might take you some time to source, but once you find the right one, it will become a staple in your wardrobe all year long. French girls swear by them, whether they style them with vintage jeans and kitten heels or a fitted pencil skirt and sheer tights.

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Levi's Jeans

Ask any French girl what her favorite jeans are, and I bet you'll get the same answer: vintage Levi's. Secondhand shops around Paris are full of them, as are the streets outside of them. You'll spot them at cafés, bistros, and even Paris Fashion Week shows, styled with Chanel tweed jackets and Dior Bar jackets alike. The best part? You can buy the classic 501s new for under $100 and save yourself the stress of digging through old pairs for your size. Wear them enough, and they'll start to look vintage.

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Ballet Flats

Shocker! French girls love ballet flats—we knew that. But in case you didn't, ballet flats are the unofficial shoe of the style set in Paris. They're seen on every block, styled with trousers, jeans, skirts, and dresses, with favorite styles being from Chanel, Margaux, and Repetto. If you're headed to the City of Lights, skip sneakers and pack some day-to-night ballet flats instead.

Suede Jacket

Adding a suede jacket to any look will instantly up its value. Whether you splurge on a $1000+ option or save by picking something around the $200 to $400 amount, it doesn't matter. The material is rich by nature, giving every outfit an expensive air to it in seconds.

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Cashmere Sweater

Walk around Paris in the fall, and I bet you'll spot at least a dozen stylish women wearing cashmere sweaters in their own unique way, be it tied around their waist or shoulders or tucked into a pair of tailored pants. There's no end to the possibilities when it comes to this staple.

Suede Bag

From tiny shoulder bags to large totes, if you want to look French in 2025, you need a suede bag. Fortunately, there are tons of options to choose from. Seriously, the limit does not exist. Popular picks, though, include Toteme's belted bucket bag, Bottega Veneta's suede Hop bag, Saint Laurent's Icarino, and more.

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Black Trousers

When French girls aren't wearing jeans, nine times out of 10, they have on a pair of tailored black trousers. It's a step up in terms of formality, but these bottoms offer an equally comfortable and versatile alternative. Style them with a sleeveless turtleneck and ankle boots or go more casual with a white baby tee and ballet flats.

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Trench Coat

Trench coats are another frequently spotted outerwear option on the style set in Paris. From unique color options like gray (inspired by The Row) to more classic versions in khaki and black, this wardrobe staple is everywhere, often acting as an outfit in and of itself. Just add boots and no one will have to know that underneath, you're just wearing boring leggings and a sweater.

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Leather Skirt

A leather skirt is shockingly versatile and easy to style. Wear it with a crisp tee or button-down shirt, sure. But you can also dress it up with a matching jacket, snug-fitting cashmere sweater, and boots. The material does all the work, becoming the centerpiece of every outfit it's worn with.

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Knee-High Boots

Each and every time I leave Paris, I have a pair of boots I want to buy. It's seriously dangerous. The women walking the streets there are always booted out in the fall, wearing sleek, sky-high pairs in the most effortless fashion. Right now, Saint Laurent's Francoise pair has my heart, but there are too many styles for fall 2025 to just choose one.

Khaki Jeans

Though blue jeans are timeless, this fall, French girls have been slowly starting to incorporate another denim wash into their regular rotations: khaki jeans. The style offers something different and fresh to autumn wardrobes, while simultaneously giving off a rich and expensive-looking energy (especially when paired with burgundy accessories).

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Classic Pumps

For a night out, count on French girls to bring out their classic pumps, from slingbacks to kitten heels to mules. No matter what style, these anti-flats will always be chic and elegant, especially when styled with a pencil skirt or LBD and sheer tights.

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