15 Paris Fashion Finds for Fall 2025

Fashion takes on an “anything goes” mentality when it comes to summer in Europe. Cities are crowded and hot, beaches are packed, and days seamlessly shift into night, leaving hardly any time to freshen up before dinner. Style rules can be broken in a heat wave or after weeks of living out of a carry-on, but you can’t make the same faux pas when fall rolls around.

As a writer living in Paris, I can attest that the French have already switched out their wardrobes for fall. Sure, some of the fall fashion pieces you invested in last season can carry over into this one, but there are a few sure-fire ways to stick out as a tourist in Europe, which you can avoid if you know what travel clothes to pack instead. 

After more than a decade in Europe, I’ve seen fashion trends come and go, but here are some of the ones that stick—and are worth investing in. From a sleek suede blazer to chic riding boots, here’s what to add to your wardrobe—starting at just $12.

5 French Fashion-inspired Finds

Don’t Wear: a Pleated Skirt

Wear This Instead: a Silk Maxi

Quince 100 Percent Washable Silk Maxi Skirt

When travelers visit Paris for the first time, they often model ensembles based on shows like Emily in Paris, which can seem like too much of a caricature. Skip clichéd berets and 1950s-style pleated skirts, and instead, go for something sleek and sexy like this silk maxi skirt at Quince. The shine dresses up the look, so you could wear it in the evening with a cashmere sweater and kitten heels, or make it a more casual daytime look with a ribbed sweater and leather sneakers. Silk can be tricky, especially if you’re traveling for a longer period of time, but this skirt is washable, so you can rewear it multiple times on a trip.

Don’t Wear: Plaid Flannel

Wear This Instead: a Rollneck Sweater

J.Crew 2025 Rollneck Sweater

While plaid is a great pattern for fall, you won’t see much flannel in a city like Paris. For a similarly simple, comfortable option that’s a little more sophisticated, try a stylish ivory sweater (yes, white after Labor Day is definitely acceptable in France), particularly in a rollneck fashion that will suit silhouettes of all types. A relaxed take on a traditional turtleneck, this slouchy style at J.Crew is a nod to the brand’s iconic ‘80s sweater that was such a hit, they’ve revived it for 2025. 

Falling just below the hip, it’s perfect to wear over high-waisted jeans or with a satiny midi skirt. A great piece for layering with a leather jacket on colder days, this is one staple I plan to wear all season long and well into the early spring everywhere from long-haul flights back home to Miami to chic chalets in the French Alps, where it could double as loungewear with leggings and cozy slippers.

Don’t Wear: a Rain Jacket

Wear This Instead: a Water-repellent Cape

Donna Karan New York Water-repellent Crepe Raincoat With Cape

Fall weather is unpredictable in Europe, but one thing you can almost always count on is a chance of rain. Of course, you can borrow an umbrella from your hotel, but for a look that’ll keep you dry (and warm), skip the classic rain jacket and opt for something sleek like this combination raincoat and cape. While it’s water repellent and designed to stand up to seasonal showers, it’s still put together enough to wear simply as a coat on cooler days, especially when paired with cream wool pants or high-waisted white trousers and ankle boots.

Don’t Wear: a Ribbed Tank

Wear This Instead: a Lingerie-inspired Silky Camisole

Toutouai Silk Satin Camisole Cowl Neck Tank Top

A ribbed tank is great for loungewear or over a bikini top, but for something that looks much more put together, don a silky camisole. This gem-toned army green version at Amazon matches with everything from high-waisted, safari-style khaki pants to structured midi skirts. For an easy throw-on-and-go look, pair this classic wardrobe staple with dark denim, a Chanel-like tweed jacket, and pointed-toe flats—voilà, an ensemble that’ll have you mistaken for a Parisian.

Don’t Wear: Ripped Jeans

Wear This Instead: Straight-leg Jeans

Everlane The Original Cheeky Jean

One style I wish would fade away is distressed denim, but luckily, it’s a look seldom seen in France—besides on tourists. When it comes to denim, simple straight-leg jeans are the way to go. These higher-rise Madewell pants are great for tucking in a sweater or long-sleeve tee, but you can also wear them with a bodysuit and chunky cardigan. The higher set pockets are designed in a way to give the back a lifted look (and who doesn’t want that?), and the slight stretch in the organic cotton fabric allows for a more comfortable fit that shoppers say is “very flattering” and “looks good with every shoe I’ve tried them with!”

Don’t Wear: Mesh Slippers

Wear This Instead: Pull-on Boots

Free People Blaze Pull-on Boots

Mesh footwear was à la mode this summer, but once September started, I noticed fall staples like practical flats and boots quickly taking their place. These Free People boots exude a vintage feel with distressed details, giving them a worn-in look. I’m a huge fan of the toasted wheat shade since it can pair with patterns and plaids or even a long embroidered white dress—my favorite look for fall in the city.

Don’t Wear: a Transparent Top

Wear This Instead: a Bohemian Blouse

Sézane Honey Shirt

There are plenty of ways to show off your summer tan that don’t involve see-through tops and naked dresses. One look that seamlessly transitions into fall—and won’t be a dead giveaway you’re a tourist—is a flouncy, 1970s-style embroidered blouse, like this pick from Sézane, the master of elevated staples. It has a modernized vintage feel thanks to its blend of lace and mother-of-pearl buttons. Leave a few top buttons undone and sport an oversized gold pendant as a statement piece. Keep the whimsical vibes going with high-waisted flares and burgundy ankle booties, and you’ll fit right in while visiting Paris this season.

Don’t Wear: a Zip-up Hoodie

Wear This Instead: a Suede Blazer

Madewell The Kline Blazer

Zip-up hoodies are great for long-haul flights and the gym, but it practically screams summer if you’re wearing one in Paris. A blazer is a staple for any European wardrobe, and in France, you’ll notice women donning oversized versions with just the right amount of suiting detail to add a feminine touch. Perfect for a cool fall day, this Madewell suede blazer is also ideal for layering over thicker knits or under a heavier wool coat. Burgundy had a major moment last fall, but this rich mahogany shade is slightly more versatile when it comes to mixing and matching with prints and other textures like a leather skirt or corduroy pants.

Don’t Wear: a Bodycon Dress

Wear This Instead: a Knit Midi Dress

Rouje Viviane dress

The Hervé Léger-famous bodycon dress is officially back in fashion and being reinterpreted by other designers for celebrity red carpet looks—but you won’t find Parisians donning the iconic bandage dress. Instead, the French prefer a form-fitting (not skin-tight) look like this flattering knit midi dress from Parisian cool-girl label Rouje. The subtle side snap buttons leading down to the slit provide detail without being distracting, and the pointelle knit offers enough stretch and texture to hug your curves in all the right places. Pair with sneakers or leopard print flats to dress it down, or take the look from day to night with chunky heels and thick gold hoop earrings.

Don’t Wear: Open-toed Shoes

Wear This Instead: Loafer Mules

Quince Italian Leather Horsebit Loafer Mule

The Gucci horsebit loafer mules have long been on my fashion wishlist, but with a price tag that’s nearly one month of rent, they’re far out of my budget. These Quince Italian Leather Loafers, however, are a near dupe that looks every bit as expensive, despite coming in at a fraction of the price. Bone is one of my favorite shades for fall, especially when worn with a pair of dark denim. A quick way to elevate any look, these cushioned mules are a great alternative to heels when you want to pack light (and be comfortable).

Don’t Wear: Cropped Pants

Wear This Instead: High-waisted Trousers

Sézane Cesar Trousers

Jeans are a year-round staple, but in the fall, I love embracing slightly more sophisticated pieces like wide-leg trousers that I can pair with a gorgeous wool coat and silky top. These slouchy high-waisted trousers from Sézane look put together thanks to the gold buttons and flattering pleats, while the long, loose legs remind me of suit pants—adrogynous and effortlessly chic (think British icon Twiggy and Bianca Jagger’s all-white tux). For a casual look, pair with a crewneck tee and chunky cardigan, or dress up the ensemble with a matching blazer and chunky heels.

Don’t Wear: Cat-eye Sunglasses

Wear This Instead: Retro Aviators

Livho Trendy Polarized Aviator Sunglasses

Sunglass styles come and go, but one timeless look that never seems to fade from fashion is aviator frames. The retro unisex style goes with practically every ensemble, so no need to switch out your shades while traveling. This lightwear pair at Amazon is on sale for $12—a serious deal considering they’re polarized to ensure UV protection, feature a coating that helps protect against water on rainy days, and have a one-piece nosepad that fits snugly on your face without digging in like some of the metal varieties. “They’re lightweight and easy to throw in my bag, and they add a fun little touch to any outfit,” raved one shopper. “Great value for the price—I’ll probably grab another pair.”

Don’t Wear: a Denim Miniskirt

Wear This Instead: a Leather Pencil Skirt

Nordstrom Leather Pencil Skirt

If you’re investing in one essential piece to boost your fall ensemble, it should be a leather pencil skirt. I purchased a similar style to this Nordstrom skirt last year and wore it on repeat with chunky cable knit sweaters, turtleneck tops, and cropped cardigans. On chillier days, pair it with Chelsea boots, tights, and a boxy wool overcoat, or don a sheer silk top and cropped shearling bomber jacket for a look that’s equal parts sexy and edgy—ideal for date night in Paris.

Don’t Wear: a Billowy Linen Dress

Wear This Instead: a Ruffle Maxi Dress

Banana Republic Georgette Ruffle Maxi Dress With Scarf

After a few months of sporting linen trousers and flouncy dresses, it’s time to trade them out for more structured pieces that I can layer with cardigans and heavier coats. This ruffle maxi dress still exudes a breezy summer feel but is elegant enough to wear to a wedding in the French countryside or evening out in Paris with knee-high boots and a leather or denim jacket. The matching scarf can be worn with the dress or separately with a classic white tee and jeans.

Don’t Wear: a Micro Purse

Wear This Instead: a Slouchy Shoulder Bag

Coach Brooklyn 39 Shoulder Bag

Expect Y2K-inspired fashion trends to still be all the rage this fall with designers embracing looks like low-rise jeans and bucket hats. While I’m skipping some of the iconic staples of that era, like baby tees and platform shoes, the one accessory I’m happy has made a comeback is the slouchy shoulder bag. It’s a style synonymous with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in the 2000s that celebrities like Bella Hadid and Jennifer Lawrence have recently helped revive. 

Classic American brand Coach is embracing the one-time It-bag with a modernized version, like this slouchy leather version. A more polished take on a practical tote, this roomy bag is spacious enough to store a water bottle and other essentials you may need for a day of sightseeing, but it still feels elevated enough to wear out to dinner, so no need to use precious carry-on space packing a second purse.  

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