I Live in Paris—These Spring Trends Are About to Take Off

Every month, Londoner turned Parisienne Marissa Cox of Rue Rodier will bring you her pearls of Parisian fashion wisdom and style tips straight from the French capital. A photographer, writer and influencer, we turn to the oh-so-chic Marissa on a regular basis for a truly unique take on her adopted country’s signature style. Whether we’re looking to her décor decisions, handbag purchases or chic hotel choices, we can all agree that looking un petit peu plus Français could never be a bad thing…

With fashion month almost out of the way (bar Paris) and temperatures finally on the rise, I thought it time to talk about the spring trends that the Parisian fashion pack will be sporting while they sip their cafés on sun-drenched terraces as the blossoms start to bloom. Not ones to follow fads (I can’t help but reference Yves Saint Laurent’s famous phrase, “Fashions fade, style is eternal,”), the Parisians will likely be opting for new-season clothing that’s relatively classic. However, there are a few new trends that I anticipate fashion’s chicest women will be wearing as soon as it’s mild enough to brave bare legs…

1. BEIGE 

On Marissa Cox: Next trench; Arket jumper and skirt; Simon Miller bag; Jacquemus shoes; Celine sunglasses

Starting with the safest first (so safe that it almost feels like a non-trend), you can’t go wrong with beige, and for the French, this will undoubtedly be a no-brainer. As the Parisians tend to wear more muted palettes, beige is the easiest new spring trend for them to carry off and for you to emulate without looking too done-up (the key to effortless French style). The key here is to blend different shades of the subdued hue and top with a trench for a twist.

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BOILERSUITS

On Marissa Cox: Citizens of Humanity boilersuit; Next trench; Mango sandals

Much cooler than the classic combinaison (that’s jumpsuit in French), a boilersuit is a highly wearable piece that is set to become a wardrobe staple. (It’s also the most comfortable thing you will ever wear besides your pyjamas.) If it’s not already cinched in at the waist, be sure to belt it to show off a more flattering silhouette that the French will approve of. Elevate the look with a pair of barely there sandals for a more fashion-forward look.

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CROCHET

On Marissa Cox: Skiim jacket; Mansur Gavriel dress and bag; Zara boots; Celine sunglasses

Made famous by one of Paris’s most influential style icons, the inimitable Jane Birkin (who incidentally is British), the crochet dress is making a big comeback this spring/summer. The likes of Philip Lim, Self-Portrait, Michael Kors and Chloé have reworked your gran’s favourite fabric into a plethora of dresses, shorts and beach cover-ups. If you don’t want to look like you’re off to Coachella for the weekend, toughen up with a leather jacket.

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Related: French Girls and A-Listers Are Already Wearing This Throwback Summer Trend

LEOPARD PRINT

On Marissa Cox: Stand jacket; Nanushka dress; Danse Lente bag; Jacquemus shoes

There seems to be no end to the dominance of this print. It’s become so ubiquitous on the catwalks and in high-street shops that it’s been dubbed a neutral. So if you aren’t ready to stash away your spots, wear them through to summer (the bonus being that you can recycle last season’s clothes).

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5. NEON GREEN

On Marissa Cox: Arket jumper; ASOS skirt; Simon Miller bag; Mango sandals

This trend has taken some time to warm up over here in France, but the shouty highlighter shade has slowly seeped into Parisian style (Adenorah, Marta from Life of Boheme and Sabina Socol have started wearing it). When worn in moderation, it works, but be sure to pair with neutrals for the full French effect.

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