What to Wear in Paris, According to a Local
Parisienne style is easy if you follow this simple rule: banish “occasion dressing.” The quintessential French outfit can take you from brunch to work, school drop-off to birthday drinks, all in one effortless look. It’s a capsule wardrobe suitable for any time, place, or occasion, made up of timeless classics—a good-quality blazer, navy cashmere, smart shoes, and minimal jewelry. Never seasonal or logo-ed, just smart, polished, and, of course, oh-so chic. We spoke to Parisian it-girl Jeanne Demas, founder and creative director of Rouje, to get to the crux of French style.
“Paris is a rich and vibrant city, a melting pot of many different influences and backgrounds, so I think it’s more of a mixture of these styles than one unique style. It’s also the beauty of the city and its culture which adds to the myth of Parisian style,” says Demas. “For me, must-have wardrobe essentials are just timeless pieces you can wear all day long. Over the years, I’ve found the shapes and pieces that I feel most comfortable wearing and are also flattering for my silhouette.”
“I can’t speak for other women, but personally, the key to dressing like a Parisian is simplicity,” she says. “I wear, more or less, the same things as a kind of uniform every day. A wrap dress, like our iconic Gabin dress, is something you can wear on any occasion—it’s always good to have a multifunctional dress like this. Jeans are an important staple in my wardrobe, so high-waisted jeans are essential. A men’s style jacket (like the Jacques by Rouje), slip dresses (particularly for summer), a trench coat (I have a beautiful Burberry vintage one), and ankle boots are all essential. When I buy sweaters, I get a size bigger as I prefer how the fabric falls when you tuck it inside your trousers.”
Come evening, the key is to shift your daytime look into a chicer form effortlessly. “I don’t like to be too dressy in the evening, so I often wear a pair of high-waisted jeans with a nice top and some mules—I like how mules can upscale even a very simple outfit,” Jeanne explains. “And I love a zero make-up look, with just a big red lip, applied with the fingers for a softly blurry effect.”
Below, we list some of the most important items every traveler should have in their suitcase for a trip to Paris.
A black blazer
The power of a perfectly tailored black blazer to elevate not only your outfit but your confidence can’t be understated. Look for shapes that accentuate your best features—a nipped waist or double-breasted, cropped sleeves, or padded shoulders. Stand out with velvet accents or oversized buttons, and if you’re really daring, wear it over a ruffled shirt like Dior’s elegant dandies.
Barrel leg jeans
Named after their voluminous and tapered shape, this style has wiped skinny jeans off the face of fashion. The silhouette balances proportions on all figures, but size up for comfort and that oh-so chic care-free vibe. Length should be ankle grazing to style them with a mule or ballet flat, and a simple tee.
Mules
Elegant and versatile, the fuss-free mule is a perfect fit for fashion week. I find myself constantly clopping around in my Manolo Blahnik backless Maysales. After all, Paris is a walking city and they tick all my boxes: high fashion chic, and at the same time, laissez-faire cool. In the evening, I slip them on with a wrap-around mini. In Paris this season, everyone’s mule of choice has to be Manolo Blahnik's Marie Antoinette collection in partnership with the exhibition at the V&A, or Jimmy Choo's vampy lace-up take.
A classic trench
The trench is constantly being reinvented—see Burberry’s new Mini Capettes or the wonderfully androgynous Margaret Howell x Barbour waxed version. These new additions to the trench family only emphasize the timelessness of the old school original. London and Milan are full of fashionistas wearing their trenches the traditional way, not just as a cute cover for all weather, but great over a good pair of jeans. I favor a floor-length style for wafting in the gardens.
The carry-all bag
Whipping around Paris for fashion week is as hectic as it is glamorous. You need supplies: show tickets, portable chargers, touch-ups, spare shoes, snacks, sunglasses, and so on—your bag must be big enough, but not ludicrously capacious. Stick to a shoulder bag that can be easily tucked under your arm, under your seat, or in the basket of your bike (the most efficient way to make the next catwalk on time). Keep it luxe with materials like suede or quilting.
Sunglasses
Fashion week for the spring/summer season always falls at the beginning of autumn. Days are sunny and crisp, leaves are falling, fashion editors from around the world are in town, and cocktails are drunk en masse. Sunglasses are your new best friend to shield tired eyes from the commotion around you. Opt for oversized frames that wrap around your face for maximum coverage, and black lenses—essential for people watching.
A reliable knit
A trusty knit sweater will serve you for life if you look after it well (get yourself a travel steamer, stat). Neutral tones like navy, chocolate, or dark gray will stand the test of time. For Paris, a boxy shape is best so you can French tuck it into barrel jeans or wear loose around your shoulders or even crossbody. Don’t forget to check the cuffs for a smart ribbed finish. Voila—you are a Paris it-girl.
A mini dress
A mini dress is a must-have in Paris for swishing about the Champs Elyse’s in between shows. This season, tights of all hues and patterns are a key accessory, and a multi-purpose mini is the perfect pairing. Think black lace hosiery with an LBD, or a burgundy dernier from Calzedonia with a floral slip. Pick a style that can work for a coffee at Brasserie Dubillot and Champagne at the Cheval Blanc. Here's some style inspiration—otherwise, in Paris, it has to be Chanel, as seen on Margaret Qualley at the Grand Palais this year.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK. It has been updated with new information since its original publish date. Additional reporting by Jessica Chapel.
