French style is not about having more; it’s about choosing pieces that work hard.

When you’re navigating a city, whether at home or while travelling, your wardrobe needs to be able to move with you. Walking days, changing weather, packed itineraries and the desire to feel polished demand the same thing: reliable wardrobe staples without overthinking.

These twelve French staples create a foundation that work just as well for everyday city life as they do for travel. Each piece is versatile, comfortable and easy to repeat. They are the pieces you reach for when you want to pack light and still feel like yourself.

1. Blazer

No French wardrobe would be complete without a blazer. It is one of the most essential and versatile pieces that form a foundational French wardrobe. For city travel, it’s a useful item to pack because it easily creates polish without requiring a lot of extra effort. A good blazer can take you from day to night and can be dressed up or down, depending on what you prefer. It elevates relaxed outfits and simple pieces.

Start with a blazer in a neutral colour, so that it can be paired with pieces you already own. I love a slightly oversized blazer. One that is not too forming-fitting, but also not so oversized that it looks like you intentionally bought it two sizes too big. A slightly oversized fit can be styled more casually than something that is fitted and may look too formal. The slightly oversized silhouette can be worn with both straight or slim jeans just as easily as it can be worn with a wide-leg jean or more tailored black trouser. Once you begin to grow your blazer collection, you can mix in other classic styles like a houndstooth or tweed pattern. You can find a blazer for just about every season, because they come in a variety of different materials and patterns.

2. Button-Down Shirt

A button-down shirt is a classic French staple that adds polish instantly, even when worn casually. For city travel, a neutral button-down is especially useful because it layers easily and can be worn on repeat with multiple outfits. It can be used as a basic piece or worn with a blazer and black trousers for a more formal look. You don’t have to stick to a cotton or poplin button-down either. Some of my favourite button-downs are in lighter, flowy fabrics. Find a style that works for you.

3. Jeans

A pair of well-tailored jeans is also an important foundational French wardrobe piece. Classic, simple and something you feel comfortable wearing. A straight-leg jean is a classic silhouette, feels relaxed without looking too casual and pairs well with flats, loafers or sneakers. This style of denim is also especially useful when walking through cities, as they allow for movement, don’t cling in warm weather and hold their shape.

However, you can just as easily substitute straight-leg jeans with whatever style works best for you: slim, flared, wide-leg, cropped or even a barrel jean. What’s more important than the style of the jean is the wash of the jean. Classic colours like black, charcoal, indigo or medium blue are neutral and can be mixed and matched easily with other pieces on the list.

4. Silk Camisole

A silk camisole is an understated layering piece that brings elegance to city outfits. For city travel, a silk camisole works especially well because it’s lightweight, easy to pack and transitions from day to evening plans with minimal adjustment.

A silk camisole can be worn casually under a cardigan or paired under a blazer to create a more sophisticated look. The fabric adds the perfect amount of texture to an outfit and contrasts nicely when paired under a knit or blazer. A camisole in a solid, neutral colour makes it a versatile piece that can be easily worn with different outfits. Choosing one that is fitted, but not tight allows it to drape nicely so you can wear it tucked into a pair or jeans or worn loosely under a blazer.   

5. White Sneakers

For city travel, white sneakers are a polished option for long-walking or heavy sightseeing days. A pair of white sneakers is a French staple that is functional and can pull together an outfit without taking attention away from the rest of the pieces.

6. Knit Cardigan

A knit cardigan is a classic wardrobe staple that can be mixed and matched with other foundational pieces to transform an ordinary outfit into something simple, yet sophisticated. A knit cardigan is ideal for city travel because it adds warmth without bulk. It’s a great layering piece that’s comfortable, versatile and can be worn repeatedly in a variety of different ways.

Try wearing one over a silk camisole and couple it with a pair of black trousers and white sneakers for an effortlessly easy city travel look. You can also layer a chunky knit cardigan over a t-shirt and jeans with a pair of loafers for a more classic feel. For a more refined outfit, choose a finer-knit cardigan, as it delivers a more delicate look.

7. Structured Jacket

A structured knit jacket offers the warmth of a cardigan with the added refinement of tailoring. For city travel, it’s ideal for days with movement; providing comfort while still feeling appropriate for cafes, shops and casual evenings.

A structured jacket is a great piece for Spring, when the weather starts to get warmer, but it’s still not warm enough to leave the house without an extra layer. This piece will often be the focal point of the outfit, as many are decorated with gold buttons, making it the centre of attention.  Wear it with classic dark denim or a pair of black trousers and ballet flats for a timeless French feel.

8. Classic T-Shirt

A t-shirt is a foundational piece in any wardrobe. They are incredibly versatile and can be worn as a layering piece or on their own. T-shirts are a practical travel item because they layer effortlessly and can be dressed up or down depending on your day. Pair one with a blazer, jeans and flats or with a trench, black trousers and white sneakers.

One of the most iconic French t-shirts is a Breton striped shirt; a long-sleeve white cotton t-shirt with blue horizontal strips that is reminiscent of the French navy. When considering how to wear a t-shirt, if it’s a loose t-shirt, you can pair it with a slimmer pair of jeans and vice-versa. This creates a more balanced silhouette that is not too tight and not too loose. If you wear a crew or round-neck style, you can layer on some jewelry for a polished, but casual look.

9. Trench Coat

A trench coat is a staple in any French woman’s closet. For city travel, a trench coat is ideal because it’s lightweight, weather-appropriate and polished. A trench coat is ideal for days filled with movement without needing an outfit change. There are several different styles and lengths, so pick the one that works best for you. A classic trench coat is a relaxed fit and hits at or just above the knee.

10. Black Trousers

Black trousers offer versatility, which makes them great for repeat wear. They are comfortable and very practical for city travel because they can be easily dressed up or down depending on the day.

In the last few years, black trousers have transitioned from a traditional workwear item to an essential wardrobe staple and it all comes down to great tailoring. If you have a pair of tailored black pants, dress them down with a cardigan and sneakers or pair them with a silk camisole and blazer for a more formal look. A classic straight-leg or slightly cropped slim pant is always timeless, but a wide-legged trouser can be worn casually and still deliver a refined and polished look.

11. Ballet Flats

A ballet flat works for light city walking days, whether you’re walking between cafes, going for dinner or just enjoying everyday life.

Ballet flats easily elevate an otherwise causal outfit. They are polished, yet comfortable and while there are many different styles to choose from, one of the most iconic French ballet flats is the cap-toe flat. This timeless two-tone style made famous by Chanel, adds an extra bit of contrast and interest to an outfit, while still keeping it classic. A traditional cap-toe flat combines taupe and black, which means that this shoe can be paired with most outfits as a neutral. Pair ballet flats with straight-leg or slim jeans or black trousers that hit at the ankle. This length shows both the shoe and the pant in equal contrast and proportion to one another.

12. Leather Jacket

A leather jacket is a great piece for city travel because it’s an outer layer that can carry you throughout the day, whether your city days involve walking, sitting or transitioning between plans. It’s a another piece that can take you through the seasons and is versatile enough to wear casually over jeans and a t-shirt or dressed up with black trousers and a camisole.

The leather also adds an extra bit of interest to an outfit, as it contrasts well against almost any other fabric you pair it with. A close-fitting motorcycle jacket that hits just below the waistline is a great style that can be worn with pants or a midi skirt.