We just can’t help ourselves. Obsessing over French style – and of course the best French fashion brands – is a national past-time, and as Paris Fashion Week commences for the first time this year, French style is about to be all over our social media feeds.
Whether it’s timeless classics worn by grown-up icons such as Françoise Hardy or Ines de La Fressange, or next-gen stars such as Lily Rose Depp or Jeanne Damas working le nouveau chic, there is something French women instinctively know about putting together a look. And we want in.
Of course, we know this is a huge generalisation. Not every French citizen knows how to pair a blazer and ballet pumps, or team a ditsy print tea dress with espadrilles and insouciant ease. Some of the oldest design maisons were founded in the City of Love, so it’s understandable that great style stems from Paris with all its history and heritage but, not every French woman has access to handbags that cost more than a car… yet they still look incredible.
How? By filling their wardrobes with excellently sourced basics. Fast fashion is so not chic and French style revolves around the classics. Slouchy white T-shirts, crisp shirts, high-waist trousers, trench coats and impeccably cut jeans. Instead of swaying to new trends every season, mid-range contemporary brands that offer a little *zhuzh* are the go-to for chic French women.
Look across the channel for your own style inspiration from GLAMOUR’s edit of the ultimate French fashion brands, because while you might not be able to pop over to France every time you want to shop, you can find all these amazing brands online. No passport required.
This label’s ‘Born in Paris’ provenance won’t get lost in translation – Sezane‘s commitment to sustainability is clear. All leather goods are vegetable-tanned, a more responsible process than traditional methods that use heavy metals, and they are FSC certified. But more than that, their designs have a vintage vibe that makes them timeless. The antithesis of throwaway fast fashion.
Cult doesn’t begin to cut it when describing Simon Porte Jacquemus’ designs. The 33 year old has perfectly distilled the minimal mood of the moment (seen through a millennial lens) with his cut-away dresses, going out-out tops and oversized blazers. And the mini-bags? Icons already.
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APC (AKA Atelier de Production et de Creation) was launched in 1987 and has been the go-to brand for elegant French style staples ever since. If you’re craving the simplicity of a uniform, call off the search. You’ll find the ultimate versions of the classics right here.
After spending her early career working in vintage shops, Evelyne Chetrite set up Sandro in 1984. Chetrite’s vintage experiences still influence her designs with considered fabrics, unusual prints and beautiful embellishments all hallmarks of Sandro’s individual style.
One of our favourites for neat bouclé tweed jackets, suits and tailoring that never feels stuffy (and all look far more expensive than they are!), Maje was founded in 1998 by Moroccan-born designer, Judith Milgrom.
What French brands do brilliantly is veer away from cheap, throwaway fashion and focus on well-made styles with longevity – but which are never boring. Claudie Pierlot fills this sweet spot.
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The fold-up Le Pliage bag was the original bag-for-life before the phrase was even invented. Now this French accessories label is introducing more sustainable processes, with recycled and upcycled materials, all in an array of joyful colours and silhouettes that make carrying your essentials a far chicer experience.
Everyone knows the impact of Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel’s game-changing approach to women’s fashion… From Breton tops, comfy jersey fabrics, trousers for women (shocker!), the LBD and the iconic double CC logo, Maison Chanel is responsible for some of the most important innovations in fashion’s history. It’s a mission continued by current creative director Virginie Viard.
From eponymous founder Yves through to current creative director Anthony Vaccarello, Saint Laurent has always looked to popular culture, political and societal change for inspiration. These classic pieces never look staid (Saint Laurent has a sexy, rock chick edge) but are still investments you’ll want to wear forever.
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Founder Pierre Balmain introduced full silhouettes and neat jackets after World War II and during the sixties, Balmain dressed socialites, royalty and celebrities – but it’s under the creative direction of Olivier Rousteing that Balmain has risen to the ranks of super brand. Those classic tropes are still there but reimagined with extra glamour, sexiness and power. It’s not a coincidence fans are nicknamed the ‘Balmain Army.’
The French mail-order brand is known for causing a stir over its Instagram-able interiors collections but they also do clever fashion collaborations. The own-label designs are next level chic and – bonus if you don’t like everyone knowing exactly where you bought your dress / top / jacket – they won’t be as instantly recognisable as some bigger high street brand’s viral hits.
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Since 1946 the heritage maison, founded by Christian Dior, has created truly iconic fashion classics. With Maria Grazia Chiuri at the helm, this continues, but there is a feminist slant to her creations. The house aims to bring the spotlight on artisans and craftspeople around the world.
French women never look out of style, and that’s because they concentrate on building a wardrobe that transcends the trends. BA&SH designers Barbara Boccara and Sharon Krief and united in their vision of creating a brand with “freedom and joyful elegance” (at not inaccessible price points.)
Echoing the bohemian mood of their big sister brand, See by Chloé is easy to wear and sweetly chic. The dresses are our consistently on our wishlists…
Another label that follows the mood of their mainline sibling, Étoile is GLAMOUR’s go to for slouchy sweatshirts, oversized blazers, bohemian dresses and love-worn details on denim.
With a little more rock chick edge than other French brands, IRO is inspired by the edgy, artistic scene of the Left Bank – rather than the sunflower fields of Provence. If you’re into the glam grunge trend, look no further, the label’s pieces focus on classics reimagined with a twist.
Founded by three brothers in 2008, it makes sense that The Kooples major on menswear influences and androgynous tailoring, which French girls wear so well. A classic French styling trick is to take something boyish and team it with an ultra pretty piece for a quirky contrast. Try a waistcoat with a silky slip skirt and heels…
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Although this label was founded in 1937, the iconic shoes still look ultra-fresh and offer the perfect finishing touch to any simple look. Style icons including Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot and Queen Elizabeth II have all worn Vivier and their neat pumps, with signature oversized buckle, will be a forever purchase.
Blogger turned artistic director of Musier, Ann-Laure Mais founded her brand in 2018. With an aim for the collection to be 100% Made in France, a focus on local suppliers and manufacturers, the designs have timeless French appeal in spades.
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Blazers over slip dresses, camisoles with jeans… these outfits sound super simple but that pared back ease is what defines French style. At Zadig & Voltaire you’ll find all the most useful foundation pieces to build chic outfits from.
The late Paco Rabanne defined 1960s space age chic with super-sized sequin mini-dresses and innovative chainmail creations. Fast forward to 2023 and with Julien Dossena as creative director, Rabanne – as it’s now known – is back at the top of the fashion pack’s wishlist. By echoing the mod mood of the archive, Dossena has also made it completely right for right now and the collection is full of glamourous after-dark options. Emily Ratajkowski is a fan.
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Beyond being a French fashion brand, Carel (founded in 1952) is the dernier cri for chic Mary Janes. The Kina style has been much imitated but we think the originals are the best.
If you’re still to build a foundation wardrobe of go-to staples, Loulou Studio will fulfil your needs. Chloé Harrouche founded the brand when she couldn’t find the knitwear basics she needed and now the elevated classics from her label will become your closet favourites.
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Yes, this is swimwear that costs as much as a coat, but it’s worth it. (Just make sure you always rinse out your cossie after swimming, to help the fabric last…) Eres’ unique peau douce material, quick-drying properties and thoughtful construction mean that you’ll look your best, even when you’re wearing the least.
Founder Gaelle Drevet has an uncanny knack for knowing what we want to wear, before we’ve even thought about it… From studying journalism in Paris to moving to New York and founding her label, The Frankie Shop’s oversized blazers are a cult buy but basically we want it all.
You can recognise an AMI Paris item from their signature heart logo. Sweet. The unisex sizing means you can mix and match if there’s a willing man in your life (although we suggest you might want to keep these pieces all to yourself…)
Husband and wife duo Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran create super chic daywear in the most considered way. Christopher was formerly creative director of Hermes and Lemaire has an ultra luxe feel with a quirky twist (the croissant bag is an influencer favourite.) You can find their seasonal collaborations with Uniqlo online too – at far more accessible price points.
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In the early 1900s through to the roaring twenties, Patou – then helmed by namesake founder Jean Patou – was the go-to maison for Hollywood royalty and fashion icons of the day. After years in hibernation, Guillaume Henry was bought on board to rejuvenate the label into the chic brand beloved of Parisian It girls, today.
Creative director Gabriella Hearst’s exit has just been confirmed, but Chloé will always be the French house with relaxed feminine style at it’s heart. Under Hearst’s tenure it also become the biggest high end champion of sustainability and considered production, something we hope will remain in it’s style DNA…
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Once designed by Michael Kors, Celine had a bourgeois vibe before current creative director Hedi Slimane gave it a rock chick makeover. Now, the maison has returned to its classicism (with a twist, of course) and you’ll find elegant pieces such a swishy pleated skirts, houndstooth check blazers and pussy-bow blouses on the boutique rails. The Triomphe belt is all over our feeds RN – and promises to inject the perfect amount of Parisian style.
After a red-hot collaboration with H&M, Mugler has become a household name, although it was already a darling of the fashion pack. The signature twisted seams, nipped-in waists and sculptural shoulder-lines that founder Thierry Mugler designed still remain, under current creative director Casey Cadwallader’s eye.
For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.
