As I’ve gotten older, I’ve very much enjoyed embracing more of a capsule wardrobe, and I’ve found that by purchasing high quality, elevated essentials, I’m able to get dressed easier, love what I wear, and rarely have a day when I feel like I have nothing in my closet thanks to what feels like endless amounts of different outfits.
French fashion has always fascinated me, and as someone who travels there often, I’ve found myself adopting many qualities of the French mentality when it comes to getting dressed. At its core, French style is polished but never overdone; it’s simple, easy, and elevated. It’s less about perfection, never over accessorized, and even though French women prioritize timeless pieces as the foundation of their wardrobes, they’re not afraid of embracing personal style and adding in modern silhouettes. It’s no wonder they’re famously known for their effortlessly chic clothing choices.
French girl style is all about embracing a capsule wardrobe, with fewer items chosen with great care, that can work across multiple seasons and years. It embraces neutral colors that work across your closet, mixing masculine and feminine pieces for an effortless, “I just threw this on but look great” outfit that never feels like it’s trying too hard.
If you’re looking to build a smart fall closet that’s inspired by a neutral color palette and contains classic pieces that provide endless outfit opportunities, read on for my favorite French-inspired capsule wardrobe items.
Key Pieces of a French Capsule Wardrobe
A Great Pair of Jeans
As someone who used to work in the denim industry, I love jeans. In my opinion, no closet is complete without a few different pairs that you love. I’m constantly on the hunt for perfect styles, but some of my recent favorite jeans are these; they come in several washes, are super comfy, and are a great price for their quality.
Straight leg jeans are a great option when building a capsule wardrobe. They’re a classic style and work with a variety of fall footwear opinions. I prefer jeans that hit right at the ankle, with little to no distressing, and in a classic blue wash.
Blazer
Blazers are a quintessential staple in a French fall capsule wardrobe. Whether you opt for a plaid, navy, or black blazer, all go great with jeans, trousers, and dresses.
My favorite blazer is this one. Although it’s a classic piece, it’s oversized, so the silhouette feels fresh and modern. However, even if you prefer a more classic silhouette, you can’t go wrong here. I love a black blazer because it instantly dresses up any outfit and is the perfect topper for date nights or special occasions.
For something edgier, you can’t go wrong with a black leather jacket instead.
French-Inspired Fall Capsule Wardrobe
Trench Coat
You can’t talk about a French-inspired fall capsule collection without mentioning the trench coat. This is a French wardrobe staple, and can be worn across all seasons. For maximum versatility, opt for a neutral tan color; it’ll match with everything.
I love the look of a long trench coat, but I also see lots of shorter and cropped styles on the streets of Paris when I visit.
Wool Coat
For cold fall days and chilly evenings, a long wool coat is my go-to. It’s substantially heavier than a trench coat or blazer, and a simple one feels tailored and chic to elevate any outfit. I’ve owned this wool coat for a few years and it’s superb (runs slightly big).
Shop the capsule wardrobe edit here
Trousers
Wide leg trousers instantly elevate any outfit. They’re a dressier alternative to jeans, but just as easy to style. Pair them with blouses, sweaters, tees and loafers, flats, and sneakers.
You can’t go wrong with black pants – they work for everything.
A High Quality Sweater
An excellent wool or cashmere sweater is a smart fall purchase for a variety of reasons. It’s a great layer over a white tee (I love this styling trick to add a little pop of contrast), feels luxurious, and also acts as a third piece to drape over your shoulders for those in-between fall days.
I recently purchased a few cashmere sweaters from Aritiza, and J.Crew has great crewneck styles that I like, too.
White Tee
A white basic tee seems like such a simple thing for a capsule wardrobe, but finding the perfect one can be difficult. It’s a simple, great layering piece with a sweater, but can also be worn on its own or under a blazer. I always prefer styles that are slightly cropped but still long enough to tuck into high-waisted pants or jeans, and that fit slightly boxy but not too loose. Over the years I’ve tried quite a few plain tees, and my favorites include this Everlane tee and this Madewell tee.
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White Button-Down Shirt
For something more polished than a plain white tee, opt for a button-down style. This white button-down shirt is one of my most worn items in my closet. It’s perfectly oversized and I love how it looks untucked with straight leg jeans, but it looks nice tucked in, too.
I also own this button-down shirt from AYR and the fit is excellent. Size up if you want it more oversized. I wear a medium.
Little Black Dress
A black slip dress is a timeless essential that works just as well in fall as it does in spring, summer, and winter. To me, it’s the perfect little black dress.
In the fall, I love pairing it with a black blazer for added warmth, but this also works well with a wool coat if you need something heavier. My black slip dress from Vince fits like a dream and was absolutely worth the investment, but here’s a more affordable version.
White Sneakers
On most days I’m pretty casual, and I swear by my go-with-everything Adidas Samba sneakers. It’s a timeless style that’s also very of the moment, and the slim silhouette works with jeans and trousers.
Other sneakers you’ll see all over Paris are Veja sneakers, and chunky New Balance dad sneakers. However, I prefer my white Sambas because they’re the most versatile for my personal style.
Ballet Flats
On days when I want my outfits to feel dressier, I switch to ballet flats. Other than these heeled ankle boots, I’m a flats girl through and through, so I always prioritize these into seasonal capsule collections.
You can’t go wrong with classic ballet flats, but a slingback style looks super chic, too. I also own these shoes; they’re an excellent balance between a flat and low, comfortable heel.
A Practical Bag
To finish off your fall outfit, don’t forget a practical bag. Parisians are very fond of going hands-free with a simple crossbody bag that has a clasp to keep their belongings safe. Sezane makes this structured crossbody bag in several colors, and this other French brand makes a similar style that I’ve seen all over the streets of Paris. I love this shape because it’s a classic one that you’ll carry for years, and the minimalist silhouette works for casual outfits as well as dressier ones.
If a crossbody bag isn’t your style, I did see a lot of French girlies carrying slouchy shoulder bags like this one around the city during my most recent trip.
Accessories
Although minimalist by nature, a French outfit isn’t complete without a thoughtful accessory. This can range from something as easy as a belt (this belt is a personal favorite), to jewelry or a silk scarf.
When it comes to jewelry, keep it clean with pieces you can wear everyday. Think simple small hoops, a thin gold chain, or a timeless tennis bracelet. The key here is that these pieces work alone or together, but never overpower an outfit due to their delicate nature.
During the cooler months of fall, you can also embrace the very French favorite: the silk scarf or bandana. Tie it around your neck to keep it warm, or give it a loose tie around your handbag.
French women are never over-accessorized, so when in doubt, follow Coco Chanel’s advice and take one item off before you leave the house.
How to Style Your French Capsule Wardrobe
Need more inspo? Here are a few more outfit ideas you can create with these key pieces for fall.
Shop all the pieces in this French fall capsule here.
