I recently spent a month in Paris—here are five items I'm planning to buy to blend in like a local.
Paris is my favorite city in the world, aside from New York City. It exudes an effortless chic vibe, and beauty surrounds me at every corner, from the architecture to the art and the stylish locals. I visited Paris for the first time last year and decided to plan a longer stay to experience life as a local. I rented an apartment in the 18th arrondissement and felt like the lead character in a coming-of-age film. Each day, as I took the train into the city towards Le Marais, I observed the outfits of those around me. I explored galleries and vintage shops, and it became clear that there were five key trends that Parisians consistently wore, regardless of their destination. These five styles have remained with me since returning to NYC. They were all suitable for winter and easy to incorporate into an existing wardrobe. If you want to achieve that chic Parisian look this season, keep reading to discover the trends I encountered and how to shop for them.
Fur Coats
Fur coats may not be a brand-new trend, but they are a staple among Parisians. The fashion-forward individuals I saw on the streets looked exceptionally stylish. They typically paired these fur coats with simple jeans or wool trousers.
Shop Fur Coats
- Reformation Chloe Faux Fur Oversized Coat
- A.L.C. Bria Faux Fur Coat
- ZARA Patchwork Faux Fur Coat ZW Collection Limited Edition
- AZALEA WANG Bcardi Faux Fur Coat
Collarless Jackets
I've never been one to wear collarless jackets, but the Parisians have inspired me to give them a chance. After spotting a woman wearing one in a café and then seeing more on the street during my time in Paris, I knew I needed to find the right one for my wardrobe.
Shop Collarless Jackets
- ALIGNE Moto Collarless Leather Jacket
- J.Crew Cora Lady Jacket in Four-Season Stretch
- ASTR the Label Bellmere Jacket
- Nordstrom Textured Collarless Jacket
Tailored Wool Coats
Everyone should have a quality tailored wool coat for winter. Perhaps it's my romantic view of the city, but Parisians made the basic tailored wool coat look incredibly fashionable. A classic staple is always a good choice, especially in winter.
Shop Tailored Wool Coats
- H&M Oversized Wool-Blend Coat
- EAVES X Coco Yaron Manteco Wool Coat
- LAMARQUE Callie Double Face Wool Coat
- Dunst 2-Way 3 Button Boucle Wool Coat
Classic Cashmere Sweaters
Who doesn’t appreciate a soft, stylish sweater? Parisians certainly do. I'm already a fan of cold-weather trends, but in Paris, cashmere sweaters were a prominent choice among the fashionable crowd. They paired them with pants, skirts, and jeans frequently.
Shop Classic Cashmere Sweaters
- Reformation Meritt Cashmere Turtleneck
- J.Crew Cashmere High V-Neck Sweater
- EVEREVE Kate V-neck Cashmere Pullover
- Enza Costa Knit Cashmere Polo Sweater
- Madewell SoftWool Boxy Crewneck Sweater
- Nordstrom Wool & Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
Leather Midi Skirts
Lastly, we can't forget about the leather midi skirt. Fortunately, I found a vintage Gap 100% leather midi skirt at a flea market two years ago to wear during my trip, so I blended in perfectly. This trend was my favorite to observe throughout my visit because people styled them in varied ways—whether with a simple sweater or a T-shirt paired with boots or flats, the combinations were so chic that I mentally noted these looks to try with my own skirt.
Shop Leather Midi Skirts
- Le Bop Betty Faux Leather Maxi Skirt
- ZARA Faux Leather Midi Skirt
- Enza Costa Leather High Waisted Curve Skirt
- Modern Citizen Rama Front-Vent Vegan Leather Skirt
- St. Agni Leather Column Skirt
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I recently spent a month in Paris—here are five items I'm planning to buy to blend in like a local.
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