11 Sweater Outfits French Women Wear Nonstop

It’s said that two things can be true at once, and that’s especially true for the emotions surrounding the start of fall for fashion people. Of course, we’re excited to finally start wearing autumn staples: sweaters, coats, boots, and so on. However, fall’s beginning also comes with other complicated feelings, such as a heady dose of nostalgia for summer and an unfettered desire to be transported back to some destination in France—preferably Paris. Navigating the transition requires us to tend to these sentimental feelings, and frankly, there’s no better way to do just that than by indulging a little. No, we’re not talking about booking a flight. Rather, we’re talking about incorporating elements of French style into our own wardrobes. You might not be able to spend a day sauntering through the Tuileries, taking in the vivid ochre-and-crimson foliage, but you can wear one of the staples most Parisians wear around the city: sweaters.

Once temperatures drop, you’ll find that few other basics are as favored by the French as knitwear (for a good reason). Sweaters are one of the most reliable pieces to create transitional outfits that feel equal parts effortless and elegant. After all, what other basic can be easily paired with everything? Straight-leg jeans and sleek loafers? Satin slips and slouchy boots? Simple tees and sneakers? Ouais, ouais, ouais! Sweaters are the most versatile fall item, hands down. But we’d be lying if we said a closet filled with knitwear is the secret to attaining that air of je ne sais quoi. The real key to emulating Parisians’ fashion aesthetic is a thoughtful approach to styling. If you’re unsure of how to style a sweater, much less how to style it in a French way, this fall, keep reading.