20 Simple Spring Outfit Formulas Parisians Rely On to Look Chic
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@juliesfi; @vikilefevre; @sylviemus_; @lenafarl; @thevisuelofgraceHear that noise? It's the clock counting down the days until the official start of spring. With a new season on the horizon, there's so much to be excited about—warmer temperatures, fresh trends, the prospect of spring travel… The list goes on and on, but there is one specific thing I'm looking forward to most: a chance to update my wardrobe. I've been feeling fatigued when choosing what to wear for this last stretch of winter, and if you're reading this, I'm guessing you are tired too. We all want to ditch a few layers, but it's not always straightforward.
A shift into a new season, especially spring, requires some work. You're weighing which pieces are worth investing in and dealing with transitional weather. It's a delicate balancing act that can be, at times, overwhelming. So where does one turn for a blueprint to make sound sartorial decisions? The French, obviously. While I believe that great outfit ideas can come from anywhere, I know that no one does it like the French. Blame their innate je ne sais quoi. It's only natural, then, that I'd turn to the Parisian fashion set as a guidepost for changing my closet for the new season.
Ahead, you'll find 20 simple spring outfits that can be copied and pasted into any wardrobe, no matter where you live—plus the key pieces you'll need to re-create the looks yourself. Consider this your one-stop shop for being à la mode this spring.
Mixing and matching pieces from different seasons is the key to dressing for transitional weather. Wear linen shorts, a crew-neck sweater, and a trench coat for those days with fickle weather forecasts.
French women don't always pick the flashiest spring trends. Instead, they incorporate modern accessories into their spring rotation. For example, the above look features a classic skirt suit styled with two of the biggest accessory trends of the moment—Mary Jane shoes and layered belts.
When in doubt, simplicity is the key to looking stylish this spring. Take a cue from the ensemble above and pair jeans with a tailored button-down and sandals. You'll look like you came fresh off the plane from France.
For those spring days that are still brisk, layering is key. You don't have to wear your puffer coat, though. Simply replicate the look above. You'll beat the cold by layering a V-neck sweater over a turtleneck and underneath a trench coat and wearing tights underneath a miniskirt.
Another way to make layers feel fresh, even if you're over having to wear them, is by opting for a monochrome look. Style a tweed set with a matching coat and boots to put a little spring in your step.
Let me tell you a little secret: Investing in great separates is the key to crafting a chic outfit. You don't have to try to do the most—you just need a great pleated skirt, sweater, and pair of boots (they don't even have to match), and you'll look put-together.
Not ready to fully depart from your winter wardrobe yet? Totally understandable. Ease yourself into the new season by pairing your favorite black sweater and boots with metallic pants.
Call it cliché, but no other staple is more quintessentially French than the Breton-stripe sweater. All you have to do is style this piece with trousers and ballet flats, and you'll basically look like a Chanel model.
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@thevisuelofgraceAnother way to ease yourself into spring is by using color-blocking to your advantage. Your go-to black turtleneck and jeans can feel "spring ready" with a white jacket on top.
The best thing about spring is that you can finally start showing a bit more skin. But if it's not warm enough to bare it all yet, try pairing a sweaterdress with tights and a wool blazer.
Do you know those spring days when it starts out freezing in the morning and is hot by noon? Consider the outfit above your perfect solution. Simply pair a T-shirt with a knit skirt and sandals (and bring a top coat) for an outfit that can work in fluctuating weather.
When in doubt, you can't go wrong with styling a pretty white blouse with jeans and loafers. It's the ultimate spring uniform among the French fashion set.
French women know how to serve a look that's both sultry and classic. Case in point: the outfit above. Wearing an off-the-shoulder top with a pencil skirt and mules is the ideal outfit for a balmy night out in Paris (or any other city, for that matter).
You're not paying homage to French fashion if you don't own at least one white dress in linen, cotton, or poplin that you can wear on a warm day. It's the ideal look for strolling through the Jardin du Luxembourg or the Musée d'Orsay.
You may just be running errands, but that doesn't mean you can't look good while doing it. For a low-key look, pair a menswear-inspired waistcoat vest with baggy jeans, sneakers, and a colorful shoulder bag.
Another staple French women can't get enough of? The slip dress. Once it's warm enough, this is a style you see Parisians wearing in every form until the late fall. And while there are so many ways to style this, I love the idea of tying an oversize button-down on top and finishing off the look with sandals and a raffia bag.
Oversize button-downs are a beloved staple among women everywhere, including the French fashion set. Besides styling this piece over a dress, we'll often see them wearing it with linen shorts and statement sandals (like above).
For those mornings when you really don't want to put too much thought into what you're wearing, the solution is as simple as throwing on a knit sweaterdress, a snakeskin bag, and slingback heels.
Two spring staples essential to any French woman's wardrobe are the plissé top and linen trousers. So it's even better if you can style them together for a day out on the town.
Last but certainly not least, one piece the Parisian fashion set relies on in the spring is the printed slip skirt. While this staple may be seen by some as "passé," a simple pairing with a tank top and sandals proves otherwise. Like all the other outfits in this roundup, the power of this piece lies in its simplicity. It's not about the fuss—it's about function. And that practicality is what makes Parisian fashion so aspirational. It's a reminder to us all that getting that fresh start for the new season doesn't have to be stressful. It can be easy and exciting if you have the formulas and staples to start off with.
