How a French Woman Dresses When the Weather Won’t Cooperate

I never thought I would find myself writing a fashion article inspired by miserable autumn weather. And yet, here we are. If you happen to live in Amsterdam, or anywhere in Northern Europe for that matter, you’ll know exactly what I mean. The skies have turned grey, the temperatures have dropped, and the weather seems quite incapable of making up its mind. One moment it’s raining, the next it’s merely threatening to, and occasionally, just to keep things interesting, we get a little sunshine. Not exactly the sort of conditions that make getting dressed particularly straightforward. But, as it turns out, rather good inspiration for a little fashion edit.

Those of you who subscribe to Les Édits Privés (and thank you, by the way, for supporting the work I do both there and here on Léonce Chenal) will know that I’ve developed something of a fondness for putting together French capsule wardrobes for just about every occasion and season imaginable. I find the whole exercise rather entertaining, perhaps a little more than I should.

So this week, I thought I would bring a little of that spirit here. Not quite a capsule wardrobe, mind you. For today’s article, I’ve gathered a selection of pieces I’ve come across in my recent searches: some that immediately caught my eye, others that have already found their way into my own autumn and winter wardrobe. Although I must admit, they do happen to work rather nicely together.

The idea is simple: lovely, useful things to wear when the days are chilly, the skies are grey, and there’s a fairly good chance of rain. Which, judging by the view from my window lately, could describe just about any day in Amsterdam. But enough about the weather. What does a French woman actually wear when it refuses to cooperate?

A Few Things I’ve Learned About Dressing for Unpredictable Weather

1. Never Underestimate the Importance of a Good Umbrella

I realise an umbrella is hardly the most exciting place to begin a fashion conversation. But anyone who has spent an autumn in Amsterdam will understand. There is nothing quite like having your umbrella turn itself inside out in the middle of a downpour, preferably just as you’re crossing a busy street. I’ve come to believe that a good, wind-resistant umbrella is one of those rather unexciting purchases you’re eventually very grateful to have made.

2. Dress in Layers, but Don’t Overdo It

The difficulty with dressing for chilly, unpredictable weather is that the temperature outside rarely has much in common with the temperature inside. I’ve found that several lighter layers are generally much easier to live with than one particularly heavy one. A fine merino wool sweater, a cotton shirt, or a lovely cardigan worn beneath a jacket or coat allows you to adjust without too much fuss. I also tend to prefer natural fabrics that feel comfortable against the skin and are easy to layer without becoming too warm indoors.

3. Suede Is a Beautiful, Rather Impractical Love Affair

I have a particular weakness for suede. Shoes, bags, jackets, there is something about the softness of the material that makes almost everything look a little more beautiful. Unfortunately, I also happen to live in Amsterdam, where autumn and rain are practically inseparable. You would think that, after a few years here, I might have learned to stop buying suede. I haven’t. I still find myself admiring a beautiful chocolate-brown suede jacket or a pair of suede ankle boots, conveniently forgetting that there may be very few days when I can actually wear them.

So my advice is perhaps not to follow my example entirely. If you live somewhere particularly rainy, think carefully before investing in expensive suede pieces, especially shoes. A good protective spray can help with the occasional drizzle, but I wouldn’t risk my favourite suede bag in a proper downpour. Will this stop me from buying suede? Probably not. But at least I’ve learned to check the forecast first.

A Few Lovely Things for Chilly, Rainy Days

I’ve gathered a little assortment of pieces that I think would be particularly lovely for this time of year. Some are practical, some are simply beautiful, and a few fall somewhere in between.

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And a Little More on Winter Dressing…

If all this talk of chilly weather has you thinking about your winter wardrobe, you might enjoy this week’s Édit Privé. I’ve been looking at seven shifts from the recent runways that can make a classic French wardrobe feel a little more current this winter, along with what you can try using pieces you already own and what I think is genuinely worth adding. It’s a rather different exercise from today’s little selection, but one I particularly enjoyed putting together. Read Édit Privé No. 67 →

And on that note, I hope you’re keeping warm and dry, wherever you’re reading from. Or, if you’re lucky enough to be enjoying a little autumn sunshine, do send some our way.