Classic, refined and elegant, the French girl fashion aesthetic celebrates the City of Light and its eternally chic and captivating metropolis. Renowned for its cafes, monuments, shopping and cuisine, being Parisian means being en vogue.
French girl fashion is not about fussiness or flashiness — it’s about cool girl classics like jeans, boatneck Breton tops, trench jackets and cap toe ballet flats. Moreover, its about sophisticated streetwear that works during a business meeting off Rue Saint-Rustique, cocktail hour on Avenue des Champs-Élysées or lunch overlooking the Seine.
Being the next ‘Emily in Paris’ is something of an ambition for many influencers who regularly pin Eiffel Tower stickers and Audrey Hepburn magazine clippings to their vision boards while nibbling on croissants and drinking cups of Café Noisette (hazelnut coffee). Many fashion-forward women aspire to pull of the right balance between tasteful and trendy Paris It Girl.
Fascinated by French fashion and its girly but not gauche sartorial signature — the Princess of Wales has recently become enamored with the beauty of Bastille basics — demi-boot cut jeans, quilted bags with chain straps, white t-shirts and crisp blazers. Embracing a ‘Louvre’ lookbook — she is more and more inclined to wear the stylish staples of her French neighbors.
Here are 8 of Kate Middleton’s Favorite French Fashion Brands:
1. Sézane
Deemed dreamy and romantic — this ultra-chic and playfully feminine brand is exceptional for its decidedly decadent offerings. With plush and polished wool knits, chunky cardigans, embroidered blouses and smooth leather bucket bags, this brand offers everything for a ‘Posh Girl in Paris’ capsule collection. A mid-range brand with prices that aren’t too steep for city chic and casual clothing — Kate is drawn to this brand for their co-ord daywear, belts and boho earrings — she’s also unlikely to resist the delicate dresses, beautiful blouses and suede messenger bags.
2. Sandro Paris
A French ready-to-wear brand founded in 1984 by Évelyne Chetrite in Paris — this fashion house is located in the heart of the fashion capital of the world. Catering to women who desire elegant and alluring designs with a chic Parisian attitude, this brand is all about mixing modern club clothing (sequin crop tops, rhinestone halter necks and cut-out rhinestone shirts) with business basics and corporate chic pieces including stripey suit blazers and rib knit maxi dresses. The princess has donned a frilly striped knit peplum top and scalloped crop ‘Cecil’ sweater from the brand as well as a tea dress in a teal tile print.
3. Hermes Paris
A French luxury design house established in 1837 — this brand specializes in ready-to-wear apparel, lifestyle accessories and even perfume. The famous and immediately identifiable emblem of the brand is a Victorian four-wheeled horse carriage (the brand’s first “customer” was the mare as the retailer sold equestrian equipment and was a saddlery manufacturer). In addition, the logo is believed to have been inspired by a French painting called Le Duc Attele, Groom a L’Attente (where a groom is pictured waiting for the carriage ride to his wedding). The princess recently stepped out with a vintage piece from the label — a red Hermes ‘Rio’ Pochette envelope clutch.
4. Maje Paris
Founded in Paris in 1998, the contemporary label produces glamorous, modern and urban fashion. With a catalog featuring satin short dresses and lurex minis, fringe bags and cutaway sweaters, plus tulle and monogrammed mini skirts, the edgy and unique offerings from this brand make it a standout. The princess has yet to wear any of the brand’s funkier fashions and thus far has only donned the ‘Vincio’ double-breasted grey check blazer. However, her princess pals — Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie have been spotted in plaid dresses, boucle jackets and embellished midis from the retailer.
5. ba&sh
A Parisian clothing design label specializing in occasion dresses, knit sweaters and western boots, this label is synonymous with modern and minimalist clothing. Ideal for investment accessories and foundation fashion pieces — the princess has worn a ba&sh ‘Betty’ square buckle belt and treaded sole Chelsea ‘Coda’ ankle boots from the brand founded in 2003 by two French fashion friends — Barbara (ba) and Sharon (sh).
6. Balmain Paris
A French luxury fashion house founded in 1945, Balmain produces sophisticated and elegant evening wear as well as monogrammed trench coats, baroque lace dresses, silk jacquard skirts and textured skater dresses. Recently seen on pop icons like Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, the dazzling creations from this fashion house have become part of a revolutionary shift in French style — from demure to daring. The princess owns a two-toned double-breasted mint blazer from the label.
7. Saint Laurent Paris
The first haute couture designer to launch a ready-to-wear collection, Yves Saint Laurent became a protege for Dior before creating his popular eponymous fashion brand. Considered one of the most influential and iconic fashion designers of the twentieth century, YSL is known for its peacoats, colorblock cocktail shift dresses, thigh-high boots and tuxedo suits for women. Kate recently stepped out in a vintage safari jacket from the YSL Rive Gauche ready-to-wear collection in Belize in March 2022.
8. Chanel
With humble beginnings, this luxury design house started as a small shop on Rue Cambon street in Paris in 1910 and grew to be globally revered and admired. Creating classic and streamlined styles, Coco (Gabrielle) Chanel’s designs have been a favorite of fashionable women for decades. The brand is heavily associated with Chanel No.5 perfume, the little black dress and the quilted shoulder bag. Worn by Princess Diana, Jackie Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe — the label is eternally synonymous with the tweed suit, costume jewelry (like pearl chokers and chains) and ‘flapper fashion.’ Kate recently stunned fashion insiders and royalists with her vintage 90s Chanel jacket in cobalt seen at Olympic Park as well as owning a Chanel Ready-to-Wear coat dress and three bags from the luxe label including: the mini flap bag, classic wallet on a chain and burgundy flap bag with enamel handle.
