The 10 Items French Women Never Travel Without
French women are famous for their impeccable style, and if you find yourself strolling down the streets of Paris, it’s easy to see why. They have a command of easily mixing tailored basics with classic wardrobe staples that always read as endlessly chic. But what do these stylish women wear when they’re traveling away from the French cities they inhabit?
I studied the travel photos many of them have posted on Instagram to find out which items they always pack in their suitcases. To no surprise, many of these pieces—like cashmere sweaters and straight-leg jeans—are ones they regularly wear in their hometowns. Others are functional travel items or destination-specific essentials that you wouldn’t spot them wearing at home. Ahead, see the 10 items French women never travel without.
CREWNECK SWEATERS
French women all own timeless cashmere sweaters, a staple they wear and own for years. The basic is the perfect item to throw in a suitcase for the fall and winter.
WHITE SNEAKERS
Another essential? Classic white sneakers, which are the perfect comfortable shoes for exploring a new city by foot.
PRINTED DRESSES
Printed dresses are the French-approved necessity for a warm-weather holiday.
MIDI SKIRTS
Midi skirts are perfect for travel because they easily transition from day to night.
DARK DENIM
French girls never leave home without a great pair of versatile dark jeans.
SLIP DRESSES
Tropical holidays require slip dresses.
LEATHER BAG
A practical but stylish leather bag is a must when heading on vacation.
BLAZERS
French girls love their blazers and always bring them on vacation—whether they're wearing them with jeans or throwing them over a printed dress.
ONE-PIECE SWIMSUITS
You won't spot many people wearing swimsuits in Paris, but when French girls travel to an oceanside destination, they always pack a one-piece.
ANKLE BOOTS
Boots are another shoe style you'll always spot French girls wearing on their travels.
Next up: Here's one trend I'm skipping.
This post was published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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