This French Girl Just Taught Us How to Dress Like a Parisian for Autumn 2020

September 24, 2020

At Who What Wear, we know just how much you, our readers, love to hear about the latest and greatest trends, easy styling solutions, and the best of the best on the high street. That’s why we’ve partnered with Gap, one of our forever go-to destinations for effortless style, to bring you The Fashion Forecast—a new series dedicated to solving your everyday styling needs and wants, as well as getting a grip on emerging trends with the help of some of the coolest influencers around. This week, uber-chic French girl Aïda of one of our most loved Instagram accounts @basicstouch shows us just how the Parisians are doing autumn dressing. And yes, we’ll be copying every look.

For now, the weather is still warm in Paris, but fashion-wise, my head is already starting to think about autumn. Getting dressed during this transitional time is a process of working out which pieces in my wardrobe I can easily take with me into the new season. That’s why I’m such a big fan of a minimalist capsule wardrobe, as most of what I wear can be layered up when the days get cooler. Here, I’ve styled three looks that I’ll wear in autumn and beyond, and they’re all super easy to copy.

Gap is somewhere I always turn to for must-have basics like denim, T-shirts, classic shirts, and thin knits. I also think every woman should own a great blazer and the perfect trench for her transitional wardrobe— whether you’re going for a more formal or relaxed look, they both instantly make an outfit look put-together without much effort.

ADVERTISEMENT

Denim is obviously the core of any good autumn wardrobe. Personally, my favourite combination at the moment is a classic high-waist jean with a plain T-shirt, which I’ll be switching for a turtleneck come winter. As long as the jeans have a little bit of stretch, a high waist, and minimal details, then I know I can wear them with everything!

I’m seeing a lot of straight-leg jeans on the streets of Paris, of course, but the skinny jean will always have a place in French girls’ heart. I still own a pair, as sometimes they do just work better with an outfit, especially when there’s chunky flat boots, which are so popular at the moment.

In Paris, we have to do a lot of walking. That’s why everything is chic but still very practical. I swear: Every Parisian woman owns trainers, Chelsea boots, and a trench coat, and that’s mostly what we pair with jeans. Recently, I’ve also been seeing lots of cardigans and sleeveless knit vests—which seem like the perfect transitional piece—paired with jeans.

The key is really making simple, minimal pieces still feel interesting. For me, it’s all about colour combinations, fabrics, and fit; and then adding a finishing touch with great accessories. If I have a plain T-shirt and jeans with a brown belt, I’ll pair that with a brown coat or match my T-shirt to my outerwear for a tonal look that keeps things modern.

I have to say, Gap does some of my favourite T-shirts. They’re slightly thicker than the ones I usually wear, which makes them even better for transitioning into autumn, and they work really well under knitwear for that extra layer. I also surprised myself by going for their jeggings this season. I’d forgotten how comfortable they are! Perfect for working from home or going to grab a coffee whilst still looking pulled together. Keep scrolling to shop my outfits.

ADVERTISEMENT

Style Notes: Here, I’ve elevated a simple black T-shirt and mom-jeans look with a pair of black heels and some gold jewellery. The right accessories can make a simple outfit look so chic. I’d also throw on an oversize black blazer with this if I wanted to cover up.

Style Notes: For this look, I chose a very oversized shirt—I actually grabbed an XXL so it would look extra loose—to pair with jeggings. This is another example of how to play with the fit of your basics to make them feel more exciting. I’ve thrown one of Gap’s classic knits over my shoulders to add that extra something to this relaxed look.

ADVERTISEMENT

Style Notes: I love the idea of wearing a cardigan as a top. This is definitely a trend I’ll be wearing more this autumn—it makes a cardigan feel less serious and more casual. Since it’s a slim-fit cardigan, it works better with a high-waisted straight-leg jean that can easily be paired with trainers, as I’ve done here, or even heels or boots for the evening.

As the weather cools down, I’ll be playing around with these pieces and wearing them in different variations. Seeing as they’re all basics, they’ll be super versatile and work really well with the rest of my wardrobe. The jeans can be worn with long coats and knits, while the T-shirts might be layered underneath a knitted vest and the cardigan could be worn as a scarf for a layered look.

I’m still learning how to shop more mindfully, as we all are, but I feel like having a capsule of pieces you really love and can take with you between seasons is a great first step. I usually shop vintage so I know the pieces have already stood the test of time, then bolster my wardrobe with timeless basics from the high street. I always check the fabrics when I shop to make sure they’re sustainable and long-lasting. It’s also a good idea to regularly keep tabs on what you already have in your wardrobe, so you’re not over-consuming but picking pieces you are missing. Right now, I’m looking for a long coat in either black, navy, or camel, some black boots, and a great black boxy blazer—all pieces I know will enhance my current wardrobe and last for years to come.

Author Emily Dawes | Whowhatwear
Selected by CWC