Say Je T'aime to the 20 Best French Clothing Brands, According to 2 French Stylists

We often find ourselves in search of that je ne sais quoi French women seem to have about them. “[While] there are many different French styles, French style is all about dressing casually and yet, at the same time, very elegantly,” says Paris-based American expat and creator Victoria Petersen. Elevated comfort can be interpreted generously, whether it’s in the form of a French-girl capsule collection or must-have French fall trends, so shopping for French-approved staples shouldn’t be as hard as our search for that nonchalant attitude. (Right?) With the help of two French style experts, we vetted a list of the 20 best French clothing brands, from PureWow editor-tested and -approved brands like Sézane and The Kooples to hidden street style gems like The Frankie Shop to renowned designer fashion houses like Dior and Chloé.

• Melodie Bance is a Parisian creative influencer, highlighting classic style, art and French lifestyle. In addition to occasionally modeling, Bance has a rich background in art galleries and art history, plus she’s successfully executed curated brand shoots.
• Victoria Petersen is an American expat living in Paris, France and founder of The French, and a content creator specializing in French style.

“French style is a mix between femininity, boldness and conservatism.” says Bance. “Hear me out. We love a sensual flowery dress, but we would (almost) always buy it mid-length and with enough coverage that we'll feel comfortable living our daily lives wearing it.” It’s no wonder the City of Love makes it a point to tastefully incorporate bits of sex appeal where appropriate. This could take the form of a bright scarf, a unique handbag or a flirty print. And Petersen stresses that you won’t find sweatpants, leggings or sportswear of any kind anywhere—probably one of the biggest differentiators between French and American style. (The latter largely embracing the athleisure trend.)

Rather, the French are proprietors of the idea behind capsule wardrobes. Bance goes on, “We stick to our staples and rarely branch out. This is both our strength and our weakness, because, on one hand, we will always look put-together and elegant, but on the other hand, we find it very difficult to be daring. We love our comfort zone and rarely [divert from] it, which is why—I believe—we are mostly known for our timeless sense of style. Is this a good or a bad thing?” Let us be so bold to assume the former. French style has remained a constant source of elegance and inspiration for many.

In our pursuit to find the best French clothing brands, we tapped experts Bance and Petersen for firsthand recommendations of stores and fashion houses that they know, love and shop. We then looked to stores that PureWow editors frequently shop, whether it be directly, online or through department stores. Speaking of which, we attempted to narrow down French stores that can ship to the United States, and included other retailers to shop though, too, when applicable, such as Nordstrom, Revolve, Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue and more. We also considered budget friendly as well as luxury designer clothing brands.

The results? A vetted list of 20 of the best French clothing brands for every type of buyer, from the one who wants a must-have sailor jean to the woman investing in a luxe French forever piece. Enjoy.

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Good news: All the French clothing brands listed above can be purchased directly online, either on the company’s websites or through a retailer, and shipped to the U.S. (Though you may find that some stores with warehouses solely in France like Figaret might incur import duties and extra shipping fees.) Many brands, like The Frankie Shop, A.P.C and Sézane have stores located in cities like New York and Los Angeles, and others may be found in your local department stores like Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s. Plus, other luxury fashion retailers, such as Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, Moda Operandi and The Outnet often carry many of the high-end French clothing brands in brand-new or used conditions and at either pull price or a discounted rate.

As you may have presumed from the endless French closet staples that never seem to fade, the French tend to stick to tried-and-true trusted basics. “However, trends come and go, and some make a bigger impression on French fashionistas than others,” reports Bance. Here, the latest French fashion trends to hit the fashion capital of the world.

• Oversize Shirts: A refreshing break from their usual form-fitting silhouettes, Parisians are embracing a more relaxed fit this season. “This season, I have seen (and worn) a lot of oversize shirts, particularly white, light blue or striped.” says Bance.
• Quilted Jackets: Bance has also spotted quilted jackets making a splash in numerous French collections this past summer, and she doesn’t think it’ll stop anytime soon.
• Ballet Flats: Good news: Our obsession with French flats won’t stop in the foreseeable future. As Bance assures, “Ballet flats never really left the French scene but have been particularly on trend in the past few seasons, whether in their most basic form (inspired by ballet), or with one or several straps (Mary-Jane style).”
• Wide-Leg Flares: Pants are taking a relaxed approach similar to the aforementioned oversize shirt trend. “Trousers and jeans are getting wider for a more relaxed style,” notes Bance. “I think this has been inspired by Scandinavian fashion.”