This post shows you how to create a French Capsule Wardrobe.
Wondering how to build a French style wardrobe that you will obsess over? It first starts with choosing a few good quality pieces that you can use to make many different French outfit idea combinations.
These are the 10 must-have wardrobe pieces I recommend to everyone who is wanting to dress like a French girl.
5 French Capsule Wardrobe Principals
- Quality Over Quantity: Capsule wardrobes are a staple in French fashion. It emphasizes choosing high-quality clothes that you will wear over and over again.
- Neutral Colors With Pop of Color: French style is mostly neutral colors like white, beige, and gray. But sometimes, it’s part of the style to add a pop of color. For example, you can add a deep red handbag or shoe to a neutral outfit.
- Timeless Basics: French fashion rarely chooses trendy pieces. It’s all about choosing pieces that will last the test of time
- Tailored Fit: French style rarely has very oversized clothing. Most pieces are more tailored and drape nicely on the body.
- Simple Elegance: The overall style of the French wardrobe is classy and elegant, but not over the top.
French Capsule Wardrobe Essentials
1. Trench Coat
A high-quality trench coat is a must-have in a French wardrobe! It elevates any outfit you wear and makes you look more chic and stylish.
It looks best when paired with something simple on the inside like a white tee and jeans.
I personally love wearing trench coats in the fall-to-winter transition period when it’s starting to get chilly but not cold enough that I need to pull out a thick coat.
2. Classic White Tee
A classic white T-shirt is probably the most important piece of clothing in a Parisian closet. It’s the perfect layering piece whether it’s for wearing with sweaters or coats.
It can also be worn on its own with a pair of straight-leg jeans or a pair of tailored trousers.
3. Classic Button-Up Shirt
You’ll also need a classic white button-up shirt that is slightly oversized. It’s like a more elevated version of a plain white tee. It pairs nicely with a long denim skirt, jeans, or shorts.
The best way to wear it is to tuck it into your bottoms to create an elegant look.
4. Tailored Blazer
Tailored blazers are a staple in a French capsule wardrobe but they can be out of many people’s comfort zones. It’s a more formal piece of clothing but if you’re brave enough to wear it, it will look so nice with a pair of trousers or jeans.
It needs to be a slightly oversized blazer but not too much.
5. Breton Shirt
When putting together a French wardrobe, you cannot forget a Breton shirt! Essentially, it’s a long-sleeve shirt with white and black or white and dark navy blue stripes.
I see many people pair this striped tee with a pair of jeans or even a long skirt.
6. Tailored Trousers
Another piece you absolutely need is tailored trousers. It needs to be not too baggy, but not too tight.
It’ll go so well with your blazer, trench coat, white tee, and Breton shirt.
What color trousers are best for a French capsule wardrobe? I’d say a pair of black ones is a must. Dark brown or gray is my second choice.
7. Little Black Dress
For formal events or parties, you definitely need a little black dress as part of your French-style wardrobe. It’s so elegant and can be styled with different accessories to change the look.
For example, you can wear it with black tights in one outfit. You can also wear it with tall boots in another outfit.
8. Ballet Flats
For the shoes, ballet flats are a must to have! It makes the entire outfit look more feminine and dainty.
I would only wear it if my outfit is not too bulky. I wouldn’t wear it with my trench coat because the outfit won’t look balanced. But it’ll look really nice with a pair of jeans and a cardigan.
9. Loafers
Loafers are the white sneakers equivalent in American fashion. They’re comfortable and practical but the only difference is they look 10x more stylish than sneakers.
There has been a huge trend of wearing long white socks with loafers and I’m kind of into it. I think it looks chic and brings back schoolgirl vibes.
10. Classic Jeans
You absolutely cannot forget a pair of blue jeans! I honestly should have put this at the top of the list. It’s such a versatile piece and goes with so many other French capsule pieces like your blazer and trench coat.
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That’s all the most essential pieces to dress like French women! If you’re building your wardrobe from scratch, these are the 10 things that are a must-have.
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