What I’d Buy If I Had to Rebuild My French Wardrobe From Scratch
Here are the budget-friendly pieces I’ve prioritized since moving to France.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting my blog.If you’re anything like I was when I moved to France in 2023, you might find French style kind of intimidating.
Maybe you have tons of questions, like:
What are you actually supposed to wear to nail Parisian chic?
What should I invest in?
What’s not worth spending money on?
What about fabrics?
After living here a few years and seeing how real French women dress every day, I thought it would be fun to unpack (no pun intended) what I’d buy to rebuild my French wardrobe if I woke up tomorrow and had to rebuy everything.
So here you go: My top picks under $100 so you can find what you’re looking for no matter your budget.
1. A beautiful everyday coat
If there’s one category where I think quality matters, it's outerwear.
In France, where walking is part of everyday life, your coat is often the piece people see most. It needs to work over sweaters, dresses, jeans, and everything in between. And, of course, it needs to keep you warm!
I wouldn't buy five different trendy jackets.
I'd invest in one coat I genuinely love wearing, which is exactly what I did in 2025 with my current wool peacoat, which still looks amazing (despite me wearing it incessantly from late fall to early spring).
Great options under $100:
2. Well-fitting jeans
French women wear jeans a lot, so this is a closet essential that’s really worth investing in.
I’d recommend simple, flattering jeans that can be mixed and matched with everything from button-up shirts to t-shirts and sweaters.
If I were rebuilding my wardrobe, I’d prioritize finding one pair that truly makes me feel great (rather than owning ten different styles that aren’t that flattering or comfortable).
My favorite jeans of all time are from the Parisian brand Sézane, but I’ve handpicked other options below too.
My ideal pair:
straight or slightly flared cut
dark or medium wash
100% cotton
Great options under $100:
3. A cashmere or wool knit
This is the kind of piece French women wear repeatedly because it works everywhere.
Over a dress.
With jeans.
Thrown over your shoulders.
Paired with a skirt.
A good knit is one of those quiet wardrobe heroes that becomes something you reach for constantly for many months out of the year, and that’s why I definitely recommend investing here.
But honestly? You don’t really need to. I recently discovered this amazing brand called Quince, which is probably the best-kept secret for finding affordable, 100% cashmere sweaters. They have some for just $50 (versus $140+).
Plus, they come in plenty of colors so you can really find what you want!
Great options for $50:
4. A simple leather handbag
If I was starting over, I’d start with one beautiful everyday bag that works with almost everything. Something neutral, practical, and small enough to carry my phone, wallet, keys, and tinted lipbalm.
That’s all you really need. I only have one leather handbag, and it’s been the only handbag I’ve used for the past several years.
The goal is to own the bag you’ll actually use, not the one that’s currently trendy.
Great options under $100:
5. Comfortable shoes
Shoes are another category where French practicality really shows.
A beautiful shoe is useless if you can't walk around in it.
I would prioritize:
ballet flats
loafers
sneakers
low heels
These are the shoes that can take you through a normal day without killing your feet, and I see them everywhere in French cities like Paris.
Great options under $100:
6. A simple linen dress
One thing I love about French style is that dresses aren't always saved for special events.
A simple dress can be worn in every situation, dressed up or down, and that makes them really practical, not just pretty.
When you’re dress shopping, I’d recommend going with a timeless style that you can wear again and again without wondering if it’s “in” or not. And in terms of material, my favorite is linen, which is so breathable when it’s hot!
Great options under $100:
7. A basic t-shirt
T-shirts sound boring, I know. And in a sense, they are.
They’re not going to suddenly go out-of-style anytime soon and you can wear them with vertually anything.
That’s exactly why they work.
The foundation of French style is often having simple pieces that fit well, not dramatic pieces you never dare wear.
Great options under $50:
Where I would actually spend money
If I were rebuilding my wardrobe, I’d invest in:
a coat
shoes
a handbag
knitwear
I would save on:
basic t-shirts
seasonal pieces
things I’m unsure about
French style is about knowing what deserves to last, not about buying expensive versions of everything. That’s why you don’t have to spend a fortune to dress like a French girl.
The reality is, a lot of chic French women buy budget pieces from H&M and invest more in pieces they want to keep a long time, like shoes or coats.
The biggest lesson French style has taught me
The biggest difference I've noticed living in France is that style isn't treated like a constant project.
There isn't always a need to reinvent your wardrobe.
A woman finds the coat she loves.
The shoes she can walk in.
The jeans that fit perfectly.
Then she wears them.
Again and again.
And honestly, that's probably the most French style lesson of all.
What’s missing from your wardrobe to add a French touch? Let me know!
Xoxo,
Luba