Movies, magazine ads, and social media have convinced us that Parisians are some of the most stylish people on the planet. And while there’s definitely some truth to that, most Parisiennes aren’t wandering around in head-to-toe designer clothes. Instead, they’ve mastered the art of putting together simple, good-quality basics that somehow look effortlessly chic.
Of course, you’ll want to do some shopping while you’re in Paris (and you definitely should!), but if you want to build your Parisian wardrobe before your trip, or just bring a little French flair to your everyday outfits back home, you can find some amazing Paris-inspired pieces from Quince.
This fantastic US brand has a huge range of sustainably made, affordable clothing. To give you a bit of a head start on your shopping, I’ve picked out 10 pieces that will help blend in with Parisians, whether you’re packing for your flight to France or heading to your neighborhood café.
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The classy top that works with everything
This versatile navy sweater looks straight from a Parisian closet. The dolman sleeve gives it that “I just threw this on” look, while the cotton-cashmere-Ecovero blend keeps it soft without the full cashmere price tag.
Tuck it into trousers or a skirt when you’re heading out for un petit café, or layer it under a trench when the wind picks up along the Seine. It comes in plenty of colors, but I’d stick with navy, black, or grey to nail that Parisian look.
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The “office-to-wine-bar” blouse
Parisians tend to keep things pretty simple when it comes to fussy details, but this lovely blouse gets the balance just right. The refined ruffled collar, loose sleeves, and elasticized cuffs give it a little something extra without going overboard, making it the perfect option if you want to dress like a Parisian.
It’s just the kind of top you could wear during the day, then go straight out to a wine bar or dinner at a nice French restaurant. It could be easily paired with dressier slacks or straight-legged jeans when you want to keep things more relaxed.
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From sightseeing to dinner, all-day straight-legged pants
You can easily dress up or down these great stretchy, straight-legged pants. And they’re so comfy that you can happily spend the whole day walking around Paris in them.
Hop into them, throw on a simple T-shirt, and you’re all set to spend the morning at a Musée d’Orsay or browsing through the flea market. Come evening, put on a nicer top and you’re ready to go to that charming neighbourhood bistro you spotted earlier in the day.
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Elegant wide-legged pants for museums or bistro meals
Straight-legged trousers have been a Parisian wardrobe staple for years, but lately I’ve been spotting more and more looser, wider fits around the city, like these European linen wide-leg pants.
They have a lovely bit of swish and feel just a little more elegant than your standard straight-legged pants. You’ll have a lot of busy days while you’re in Paris, and these are absolutely the kind of pants you could wear during the day and dress up for nicer evenings out.
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Perfect jeans for popping out to le marché
You might not immediately think of jeans when you picture French fashion, but Parisians actually wear them all the time. The trick is choosing the right pair. Rather than big, baggy, or very light-wash jeans, you’ll often see Parisians opting for a more polished, straight-legged style, like this indigo blue pair.
Add a flowy blouse or a simple white T-shirt and a pair of ballet flats, and voilà, you’ve got an easy Paris daytime look. They’re perfect for wandering around le marché, grabbing lunch at a café, or doing some shopping.
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The gallery-hopping or date night dress
If you’re more of a dress person, or simply want something a little fancier for evenings out, you can’t go wrong with this silk jersey wrap dress. Parisians love a good wrap dress, and I can easily imagine this one being worn by Parisiennes, both during the day and at night.
Throw on your trench for an afternoon exploring the art galleries of the Upper Marais, or add a nice jacket for dinner in Saint-Germain when you want to look polished without spending ages figuring out what to wear. It’s also featherlight and made of wrinkle-resistant silk, which makes it a very clever travel companion.
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Ballet flats, a Parisian essential
Pretty much every Parisian has at least one pair of ballet flats, so if you want to dress like a Parisian, they’re almost non-negotiable. After all, you’re not going to get very far on those cobblestoned streets in stilettos. These Italian leather strappy ballet flats would be a perfect choice.
They have that classic Parisian-chic look, but they’re also fitted with cushioned insoles, so you can tackle a 20,000-step day (not at all unrealistic in Paris) without your feet staging a full-on protest.
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The Parisian coat you need for your Christmas trip
When temperatures drop (and it can get pretty chilly in Paris), you won’t find many people wearing giant puffer coats here. Instead, from December through February, the sidewalks turn into a sea of dark, mid-length wool coats.
This slim-fitting coat has the right Parisian vibe, and its wool-cashmere blend will keep you warm and stylish at the same time, so you won’t have to feel like you need to spend all those cooler days inside.
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Le Trench, a spring-to-autumn must
I hate to admit it, but it does rain a lot in Paris. That’s why you’ll spot un trench on most Parisians, and this comfort stretch trench coat would fit right into those drizzly Paris streets.
The classic choice is a loose beige trench with a belt, although oversized styles have become increasingly popular too. And if beige isn’t your thing, navy or black can work just as well.
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A scarf, a Parisian year-round go-to
If there’s one Parisian essential you really can’t skip, it’s a scarf. Parisians wear a lightweight foulard from late spring through early autumn, then switch to a thicker écharpe when temperatures start sinking.
For those colder months, this cashmere-silk blend scarf instantly adds some Parisian flair to your outfit. It comes in loads of colors, and while I’ve already said that Parisians tend to stick to darker tones, a scarf is one place where you can have a little more fun with color and still look right at home in Paris.
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