5 Items Parisians Rely On to Look Chic in Winter

It’s suddenly very cold outside, and for a fresh dose of fashion styling inspo this winter, I’m turning to the women who walk the streets of my favourite European city: Paris (of course).

While my own approach to dressing at this time of year tends to lean heavily on practicality (and admittedly, a lot of black), Parisians have a way of keeping warm without losing that effortless, quietly elegant look they’re known for. Even in the chilliest months, their outfits strike the perfect balance between function and refinement — never overdone, always considered. And having just come back from a weekend in the French capital, I think I am well-versed in the winter staples Parisian women are creating their winter outfits around right now.

What stands out to me most about French winter fashion trends is the way they layer winter items to create effortlessly chic looks. And I don’t think we need a complete wardrobe overhaul to recreate these looks ourselves—in fact, I’ve narrowed it down to five key items that have shown up time and again on the social feeds of my favourite Parisian creators.

Coupled with smart styling choices and a less-is-more mindset, these five pieces have the power to transform our winter outfits this year. They’re simple, timeless and remarkably easy to weave into your winter wardrobe, whether you live in Paris or not.