If you’re wondering What to wear in Paris in Winter 2024, look no further than our guide by Parisian, Hannah REES! With winter just around the corner (officially December 21st, although it feels like it’s already here some days), it’s important to start thinking about the perfect wardrobe for cooler days. And where better to find inspiration than on the streets of Paris?
Whether you’re actually planning a trip to the French capital in the next few months, or just want to transition into fall and winter “à la parisienne”, here’s an insider’s guide to what to wear in Paris in Winter 2024, and don’t forget to have a look at our guide to the brands that French Women Love.
What to wear in Paris in Winter 2024 : An Insider’s Guide
Autumn and winter are some of the most stylish seasons of the year! You have more layers to work with and fashion really becomes about being practical : you have to stay warm!
So as the weather cools down and sweater weather begins, the trick is to find pieces that are not only functional, but that also allow you to be more creative in your pairings, in order to fully express your personality through your style.
And if you’re unsure of what works or you’re still finding your style and experimenting with it, why not turn to one of the most stylish European capitals for inspiration? Indeed, French girls have that “je ne sais quoi” that makes any outfit seem perfectly chosen yet effortless, as if they didn’t even think about what to wear.
But it’s not rocket science, it’s all about following very simple rules that we’ll see in this article, as we highlight fifteen items that deserve their spot in your winter wardrobe.
A few things to bear in mind before thinking of what to wear in Paris in winter 2024.
Whether you’re strolling along the Seine, admiring the art at the Louvre, or simply people-watching in a cozy café, dressing for autumn and winter in Paris is all about balancing warmth and elegance. With the city’s chilly winds and occasional rain, layering and functionality are essential.
Parisiennes always take this into account and dress accordingly, wearing layers and practical clothes to avoid any surprises. It’s also always a good idea to pack a light rain jacket and/or a compact umbrella for peace of mind.
Secondly, to be a true parisienne, you need clothes that you can wear and cherish for the rest of your life, so it’s essential that your wardrobe include classic pieces made from high-quality natural fabrics in neutral colours like grey, navy, cream and black.
Finally, tailoring is important. Don’t hesitate to alter your clothes if necessary to make them as flattering as possible. Remember that it’s you who should wear your clothes, not the other way round, and although the French look is all about being effortless, it does require attention to detail.
15 Essential items to wear in Paris in Winter 2024
The Paris Winter 2024 staples include a well-fitted pair of tailored trousers, a stylish “Trench Coat”, a satin scarf or “foulard”, a classic cape, anything suede, a LBD, a wool coat, animal print, menswear, and pops of yellow and red, accessorised with a winter scarf, leather gloves, a crossbody bag and black ankle boots or sporty shoes. But the most essential item worn by any Parisienne is, of course, confidence!
1: Suede everything.
Suede is always on trend but this autumn, it’s everywhere – and it will still be everywhere come spring so you might as well get your hands on some suedes essentials now.
You can never go wrong with a suede jacket, in neutral tones such as brown, black or burgundy (for the perfect autumn vibe).
Another great way to add a touch of suede to your outfit is with footwear. Suede ankle boots are a great choice, or even over-the-knee boots (which are also a trend this autumn, and every other autumn for that matter). Just make sure that you waterproof them with a spray, especially if you live somewhere where it rains a lot, so that you’ll be able to take them out again next year and the ones after that!
The great thing about suede is that it’s not as ‘in your face’ as leather, and so it can subtly upgrade your outfit without overpowering everything else. And if you’re a friend to animals, why not opt for vegan suede that is much easier to find these days!
Now, suede is so hot right now, that one way to go about wearing this trend would be to opt for a full suede look, and that can be über stylish ! But if you want to wear this trend like a parisienne, remember the golden rule of French dressing : ‘less is more’. You don’t want to overwhelm passers-by with your outfit, it’s all about subtlety and discretion – so your best bet would be to find a statement piece in suede that you can invest in, and pair that with a classic outfit such a tailored jeans and an oversized sweater.
2: Tailored trousers.
Another golden rule of French dressing is: ‘tailor your clothes to fit your own unique body’.
There’s a mystery out there about how can French women look so fit. Well, it’s partly lifestyle but rest assured that French women know how to indulge – so the other half of that comes down to tailoring !
It’s not unusual for parisien women to have their go-to tailor that they bring their clothes to, in order to ensure that they fit their silhouette perfectly. Remember, it’s all about making the clothes work for you, and not the other way around ! (Although we’ve all worked our butts off to get into our favourite pair of pants at one point in our life).
So, with this rule in mind and seeing as trousers are all the rage right now, make sure you either pick some that suit your body perfectly and enhance your silhouette, or bring them to a trusted friend or a tailor that can alter them for you!
This make them look so much more chic! Pair them with low heels and a basic shirt for a sophisticated look; or with boots and a sweater for a more laid-back outfit!
3: Cape details.
This autumn is all about capes as they are no doubt the chicest way to stay warm during the colder months! You can either invest in a stylist cape or poncho, but if you don’t want to fully commit to the look before you’ve tried it, you can achieve it by wrapping an oversized scarf or a schall over your shoulders.
This ties in with the French rule of practicality ! In other words, use whatever you have for whatever you need. If you are cold and you have a scarf that can cover your shoulders and torso, as well as your neck, make the most of it and wrap it around yourself à la Grace Kelly. You’ll look like royalty !
4. Hello yellow.
This one will set you ahead for spring as yellow is predicted to be one of the biggest trends of spring 25 – but as a trendsetter, you want to hop on that one early and start incorporating it into your autumn wardrobe.
Like the parisienne, lean into pastels and get your hands on some classic pieces in a soft yellow colour. This is a great colour to replace the classic beige that works so well in various outfits – but the pastel yellow makes it a bit more fun!
If you are going for a more vibrant shade of yellow, opt for small statement pieces and keep the rest of your outfit neutral.
5: Animal prints.
Animal prints are a tricky one because they are so easy to get wrong ! Unless you are a pairing expert and very comfortable with drawing attention to yourself – and possibly receiving critiques – then the best way to dip your toes into the animal print world is to pick a classic print, such as leopard or zebra, and opt for an accessory in that print.
To wear it like a parisienne, follow her rule of only “one statement piece per look” and keep the rest of your outfit understated.
A great look, for example, would be some fitted jeans and a white Oxford shirt, with a leopard print scarf (we’ll see later that they are very stylish right now) – or leopard print ballet flats for a Audrey Hepburn vibe.
6: A Stylish Trench coat
There’s something so timeless and classic about a trench coat that it finds itself on every list! They are named trenches, because they were originally developed for British Army officers and were used … you guessed it, in trenches.
Because of this, well-designed and well-made trench coats are incredibly practical and can protect you from bad weather, from rain to wind, to mud.
A trench coat is a classic piece of outerwear. Consider factors such as material, length, colour and cut to ensure that the trench coat you choose is both timeless and sophisticated. To dress like a parisienne, wear it with blue jeans and a plain shirt or t-shirt.
The French rule to follow here is to invest in basics ! A trench coat is – or at least should be – something you buy once and keep for life. You cherish it and even pass it on to your children. So make sure you do your research and invest in one that has everything that you want! Burberry is obviously a go-to brand when it comes to trench coats as they were the first ones to design them.
But they are quite pricey and so if you’re not ready to put that much money for a coat, there are plenty of brands that have developed a great alternative for a more affordable price.
7: Sport style.
Sporty seems to have been a trend since the early 2000s and it doesn’t look like it’s going to go anytime soon ! So channel your inner Sporty Spice and add a casual element to your outfit with a sportwear item! Now this is a difficult trend to tie back to parisian style because the French have not fully embraced the look – you wont see a parisienne walking around in yoga pants … unless she’s actually going to yoga.
But a great way to incorporate this trend is with footwear. This ties in with a very important rule among the French : comfort and practicality. And Paris is known, afterall, for its cobbledstone streets so appropriate footwear is essential !
8: “Foulard” or a satin scarf.
We’ve all heard (and dreamed) of the famous Hermès scarfes that are so chic and so versatile that they can bring any outfit from meh to wow.
Once again, you don’t have to opt for Hermès, but having a silk scarf is not only incredibly stylish, it’s also very useful !
Indeed, a foulard is so versatile ! You can put it in your hair to keep it out of your face, around your neck to keep it warm, on your bag for a statement piece or around your wrist as a bracelet ! And if you lack inspiration for how to use your scarf, head over to the Hermès website for some inspiration.
9: A Wool Overcoat
For the colder days, a wool overcoat provides warmth while keeping your look polished. Choose one in classic colors—black, gray, or camel—for a timeless aesthetic.
A wool overcoat exudes a sense of sophistication and timelessness that aligns perfectly with the Parisian ethos of classic fashion. Parisians often prioritize elegance, and a well-tailored overcoat is a staple that never goes out of style, so make sure to invest in a good quality piece.
They are also incredibly versatile. They can be dressed up for formal occasions or dressed down for casual outings, making them suitable for the diverse lifestyle of Parisians who navigate between art galleries, cafés, and bustling streets.
10: Menswear.
Similarly to sportswear, menswear is a trend that is here to stay. It’s all about comfort and comfort also means, feeling safe in what you wear.
With that in mind, oversized shirts (a favourite among French women who simply ‘borrow’ these from their boyfriend), large coats and jackets, and baggy, low-waist pants are a new form of basics that have found themselves in the parisienne’s wardrobe.
11: Black Ankle Boots
A comfortable pair of black ankle boots is essential for walking Parisian streets.
It’s best to choose a pair made from good quality leather, as they will last longer, and to opt for a small or medium height heel, so that they are comfortable enough to walk around Paris in.
12: Red, red red.
Red’s always been a bit of a showstopper but this autumn, it seems to be all over the French capital, in small bursts of bright colour here and there. Whether you choose to accessorize with a red bag or a red scarf, or you decide to show up as the lady in red with a full monochrome outfit, you’ll be sure to turn heads.
Why not pair this trend with another one and opt for shiny red Mary Janes! Sure, you might get called Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz but no doubt that she was as stylish as they come!
And don’t limit yourself to cherry red; burgundy, coral, marroon, terracotta… all of these shades will brigthen up any winter outfit and make you feel perfectly autumn(y).
13: A LBD
A LBD is always a good idea, as it can easily be dressed up or down and can be made to look fabulous for just about any occasion at any time of year. So, you will find it in every one of our Parisian Style posts!
It has become a timeless fashion favourite, thanks to Coco Chanel, who made it a must-have for many women. See our top picks above and just click on the relevant image to find out more.
14: Accessorize with Style
Small details like scarves, hats, and gloves can pull your outfit together, giving it that effortless Parisian feel.
- Hats: A beanie is essential for keeping warm, especially in winter. Opt for wool or cashmere for a luxe, cozy feel that’s also functional.
- Scarves : For winter, a thick wool scarf is essential. Choose one in plaid or neutral shades, for added style and warmth.
- Sunglasses: Even in Winter there may be some sunny days so a stylish pair of sunglasses is a must.
- Gloves: Keep your hands warm with a pair of classic leather gloves. They add sophistication and protect against the cold without compromising style.
- Bags: Your bag should be practical enough to carry your essentials but stylish enough to complement your outfit. Crossbody Bags are perfect for keeping your hands free while exploring the city. Choose one in a neutral color that goes with everything. For those who need a bit more space, a fashionable tote bag can hold everything you might need for a day in the City of Light
15: Confidence is the key to What to wear in Paris in Winter 2024
The most important thing to wear if you want to dress like a Parisienne is self-confidence! As you walk around Paris, you won’t see a single French woman who doesn’t strut around as if she weren’t herself, one of Paris’s most emblematic and unmissable attractions.
Final Thoughts on What to wear in Paris in Winter 2024 : An Insider’s Guide
Here you have it, some French rules of dressing that parisiennes tend to stick to, as well as fifteen pieces that are all the rage this winter in the City of Lights.
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Look good, feel good, live your best life 🙂
With love,
Article By Hannah Rees
Hannah Rees is a writer based in Paris. She currently divides her time between completing her second novel, writing songs on her guitar and working as a fashion designer for private clients. She has a strong fashion background, having studied fashion design in Paris, and counts Prada, Lemaire, House of Marlow, Saint Laurent and Stella McCartney among her influences. She loves discovering the world and dreams of going to Iceland.
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