9 French Fashion Essentials for a Stylish Fall Rentrée

It’s currently 32°C (90°F) in Bordeaux, and we’re in the middle of a heat wave that’s been going on for a few days now, with temperatures staying high day and night. Even with the heat, I’m super excited about the new pre-fall and fall collections that have just come out. I can’t wait for the weather to cool down a bit so I can start wearing these new pieces ;)!

So, what should we wear for the “rentrée” (back to school)? This season, denim is getting longer and wider, while jackets are becoming shorter. We’ll also see lots of tweeds, ballet flats are making a big comeback, and bags are looking a lot like the classic Hermès Kelly. In terms of colors, expect chic burgundies, timeless camels, soft blues, and deep raspberries. To save you some time, in today’s blog post, I’ve put together a selection of pieces that you can easily mix and match to create gorgeous Parisian looks for everyday wear. These are my favorite picks for the season, whether I already love them or plan to shop for them. I hope you enjoy this little selection for the rentrée and fall!

This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. I only feature products I truly love and personally select. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Merci!

1. Wide-Leg Mid-Waist Denim

This season, I’m all about wide-leg, mid-rise jeans (as seen in the Chloé pre-fall 2024 collection)! They offer a more modern look compared to classic straight-leg or mom jeans, and I believe they do a great job of elongating the silhouette. I recently bought a pair of grey denim from Massimo Dutti (which also exists in charcoal) that I’ve been wearing on repeat. I also adore these chic AMI Paris boyfriend jeans.

2. A Pair of Flats

We’ve been seeing ballet flats in styles different from the classic Repetto design for a few seasons now—think mesh, pointed toes, or embellished flats. And this season is no different! I love these gorgeous Vibi Venezia velvet slippers, inspired by the traditional footwear of Venice gondoliers and made right in the heart of Venice. The beautiful deep raspberry hue looks très chic paired with camel and blue. They’re definitely on my wishlist ;).

3. A Soft Blue Cotton-Poplin Shirt

I can’t help it, I’m a shirt girl ;)! This season, I’m on the hunt for a poplin shirt in beautiful soft blue hues that will look incredibly chic under a camel or white tweed cropped jacket. I love this AMI Paris pussy-bow cotton-poplin shirt, but I also adore this Sébline striped shirt. If you prefer a classic white, go for this stunning Sandro white silk shirt with a jewelry button on the collar.

4. A Silk-Satin Bow Hair Clip

I’ve been greatly inspired by Chanel’s recent Fall-Winter 2024 Haute Couture collection, where the models wore pretty black bows in their hair, as shown in the photo above. As my hair gets longer, I’m looking for new ways to style it, and I find this hairstyle from the Chanel show très chic! To avoid a romantic-kitschy look, I recommend wearing this Virginia silk-satin bow hair clip with a more masculine outfit. Think wide-leg mid-waist denim paired with a structured jacket or blazer and loafers. Avoid romantic white blouses or floral midi dresses, for example ;).

5. A Camel Cropped Jacket

If, like me, you’re all about wide-leg jeans this season, I recommend pairing them with a short jacket, like this beautiful Sandro camel cropped wool-blend jacket (which is on my wishlist). The idea is to balance the looseness and length of the jeans with a more structured and shorter jacket. I’ve been greatly inspired by this look from the Chloé Fall-Winter 2024 collection.

6. A Brown Tan Minimalist Bag

For a few years now, I’ve only been buying and wearing minimalist handbags or tote bags without any noticeable logos. One of my favorite brands is the French leather goods maker Le Tanneur. This season, I’m totally in love with their new Emie handbag in smooth leather and suede. It’s the perfect bag for “la rentrée”—both chic and practical. You can carry it by hand, over the shoulder, or across the body with its adjustable and detachable shoulder strap.

7. A Short Tweed Dress

I just love this beautiful Sandro short tweed dress in beige with a rhinestone-embellished teardrop neckline! Its shape is perfect—short and slightly straight—and will look fabulous paired with classic ballet flats or burgundy loafers for a more preppy look. Last season, I bought a similar black Sandro tweed dress with a jewelry collar, and I don’t regret it one bit! It’s the kind of dress you can wear for any special occasion.

8. 60s-Style Ankle Boots

If you’re looking for the perfect pair of ankle boots this fall, I highly recommend the brand Carel Paris! Last year, I bought two pairs of Carel Paris Estime ankle boots: one in black and white and another in red patent leather. I just adore them! The low-block heel is the perfect height to elongate the silhouette while being super comfortable. Plus, they look incredibly chic! This season, I added this pair of Audrey boots in burgundy and camel to my wishlist. They pair best with cropped jeans, like these faded straight-leg high-waist jeans from Massimo Dutti.

9. A Chic Leather Belt

I don’t buy a lot of accessories, but when I do, I always look for versatile and timeless pieces ;). I’m in love with this Sandro leather belt in burgundy! The color can go with any jeans or pants, and its style totally gives off Isabel Marant’s boho-chic vibe.