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10 Chic French Winter Essentials to Keep You Warm and Stylish

10 Chic French Winter Essentials to Keep You Warm and Stylish

Winter is slowly settling in here in Bordeaux. For now, the weather is still quite mild (today’s high is around 20°C/68°F), but colder days are already in the forecast for next week, with morning temperatures expected to dip to 6-8°C (43-46°F) and highs only reaching 13-15°C (55-59°F). That’s all for today’s weather update :)! With the temperature starting to drop, I’ve begun pulling out some sweaters and winter jackets, pairing them with my autumn staples to create a mid-season wardrobe. And, as I do every year, I’ve started browsing online for a few new pieces to complete my winter collection. In today’s article, I’m sharing the results of my recent search: a selection of winter essentials to keep you warm without compromising on (French) style. These pieces are either longtime favorites already in my closet or items I’ve added to my wishlist this season. I hope you’ll enjoy this winter roundup!


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!

Collage: Léonce Chenal.

1. A Long White Wool Coat

Last year, I invested in a stunning long black coat with wide shoulder pads—a very structured, chic piece. This year, I’m drawn to softer tones like white, ivory, off-white, and cream, which pair beautifully with warmer shades such as burgundy, camel, or beige. On my wishlist this season is Mango’s beautiful ecru fringe wool-blend coat. If ecru feels a bit risky for you, try this oversized wool coat in light brown—another stylish, versatile choice.

2. A Pair of Chelsea-Style Ankle Boots

This pair of ankle boots from Sandro has been on my wishlist for years! I adore their blend of combat boot and Chelsea boot style, which would be perfect with wide-leg jeans this winter. They’re absolutely beautiful and versatile, making them a great addition to a winter wardrobe.

3. A Lovely Pair of Leather Gloves

A few years ago, my partner gifted me a beautiful pair of gloves from the French brand Agnelle, crafted from lambskin leather and lined with silk—they are absolutely exquisite, and I can’t recommend them enough! I especially love the Stanilas woven leather gloves, which come in both black and burgundy, so you can choose your favorite shade!

4. A Gorgeous Wine Velvet Blazer

I fell in love with this stunning wine-colored velvet blazer from Mango! The shade is a deep, rich red with a hint of brown undertone, offering a fresh alternative to the usual burgundy we’re seeing everywhere ;). Pair it over a beige, ivory, or cream turtleneck—like this fine-knit one from Everlane—dark blue jeans (such as this pair from Madewell), and some classic boots for an effortlessly chic look.

5. A Bow Hair Clip

By now, you probably know I’m a bit obsessed with bow hair clips—especially since seeing them featured in the recent Chanel Haute Couture show at the Palais Garnier. I recently found this lovely bow hair clip at Mango (for just $20!), a beautiful (and more affordable) alternative to the silk-satin bow clip by Jennifer Behr. This hair accessory is perfect for elevating an evening look or adding a touch of (Parisian) chic to a more minimalist daytime outfit.

6. A Chic-Casual Shearling Jacket

Last year, I invested in a stunning shearling jacket from the Parisian brand Ba&sh (similar in style to this one), and I love wearing it on cold winter days—especially when it’s dry! I recently found a similar style at Mango that’s a bit more affordable. For a chic-casual, Parisian-inspired look, I recommend pairing this jacket with a cashmere sweater, wide-leg jeans, and either ankle boots or sneakers.

7. A Classic Yet Chic Turtleneck

I adore turtlenecks in winter! They’re perfect layered under a wool or velvet blazer and a long wool coat. Don’t be afraid to play with color contrasts: for example, go for an ecru turtleneck under a black or burgundy coat or blazer, or try a beige or burgundy turtleneck under an ivory coat. I found this gorgeous COS chunky cashmere turtleneck sweater, which I’ve added to my wishlist. If you prefer finer knits, I recommend Everlane’s turtleneck in Lurex Merino.

8. A Pair of Equestrian-Style Boots

You know I’ve loved this style of boot for years! They’re perfect in winter, especially paired with cozy, thick socks. Wear them with a long maxi skirt (in leather, suede, or cotton), a knitted maxi dress, or even with stirrup leggings. If you’re looking for a beautiful pair of boots this winter, I’ve found these suede (or leather) options from Massimo Dutti and this stunning pair from COS.

9. A Beautiful Taupe Leather Bag

A few weeks ago, the Parisian brand Ateliers Auguste introduced me to their collection of luxury leather handbags, handcrafted in Italy and designed in Paris. I’d already had my eye on one of their pieces: the Marceau Gold Edition. This bag, with its compact shoulder strap, is perfectly sized for carrying daily essentials. One of the brand’s founders kindly sent it over (without any obligation to review or mention it) so I could see the quality up close. The leather feels luxurious, and the finishing is impeccable. I also appreciate the minimalist design and the subtle, almost hidden logo, which keeps the look clean and timeless. If you’re interested in exploring their collection, Ateliers Auguste has offered a discount code exclusively for you: use LC10 for 10% off their entire selection of bags. You’re welcome ;)!

10. A Slim Burgundy Leather Belt

What can I say? I’ve been in love with this gorgeous burgundy leather belt from Sandro ever since I first spotted it! Wear it liberally with all your jeans and even tailored or corduroy trousers. Personally, I love styling it with a crisp shirt (from the Parisian brand Marie Marot, of course), wide-leg jeans, and my Tod’s loafers.

View Comments (17)
  • Bonjour
    I now have very similar Boots – the bow for hair – gloves and still to get the jacket unfortunately the budget doesn’t stretch to Designer. Being able to use your knowledge in my own way – helps a lot. Thank you so much.

    • Bonjour Denise! That makes me so happy to hear, you’ve curated such a lovely collection! And honestly, styling these pieces in your own unique way is what makes them even more special. No need for a designer label to have that chic, timeless look! I’m so glad my tips have been helpful. Merci beaucoup for your kind words <3

    • Thank you so much Melissa! The Mango coat is such a beautiful piece! Your kind words mean the world to me <3 Bon dimanche à toi aussi!

  • These are such gorgeous choices. The long ecru coat is exactly what I have been looking for. I especially love the selections from Mango, and I am very grateful to have discovered them through your blog. I am so glad I found your blog!

    • Thank you so much, Niamh! I’m very happy to hear you enjoyed these picks. The long ecru coat is one of my favorites too—I’ve added it to my wishlist for this winter! I’m actually planning to do more selections from Mango as well; I’m in the middle of rediscovering the brand and realizing just how many gorgeous options they have right now. So glad you found the blog <3

  • A nice take on winter wear!! But, please, show some models who are not always very dark hair, blonds, brunettes, red head, etc.. The world is a variety of these, including in France!! Black is great on dark hair/ darker skin, etc.. What about the rest of us??

  • Excellent article with lots of information thank you. I always learn something new from every article you write and they are always so interesting to read. My ultimate dream would be to own everything you mentioned on this list! Cashmere and Merino are my top favourite winter items, so soft to the skin.

    • Thank you very much Anita for your kind comment and for following the blog <3 Merci! Yes, I agree with you, cashmere & merinos are really the best items to have in your winter wardrobe.

  • I love your posts, Chenal! It’s always a pleasure to ‘meet’ you in my inbox.

    I wonder if you could give some style tips for petite women like me (150 cm tall) please. How do short French women achieve elegance? Thank you in advance. All best wishes, Anna

    • Bonjour Anna, merci beaucoup for your comment! Yes, of course! What a great idea! I’ve added your blog post idea to my to-do list 🙂

  • Once again – another fantastic Article on French Style and Clothing. I look forward to reading it every time.
    Merci Beaucoup
    Leonce

  • I love this blog so much and I love this post! I love all of the pieces you have mentioned and think each piece is wonderful to have in any wardrobe. So timeless and classy. I’m currently loving cardigans and I had never paid much attention to them before. Or I had only considered long cardigans (which seem to be popular here in the USA). But I love the cropped cardigan look. So chic. I would love to see a blog post on either books that you love or books French women love! 🙂 you’re amazing! Keep putting out this amazing content!

    • Thank you very much for your nice feedback <3
      It's a wonderful idea! I have so many books that I love, I'll write an article about them soon!
      Merci beaucoup

  • Hi Leonce. Great article. Thank you. Can I ask you to write an article about the fragrances and deodorants that French prefer? What are your favorite? Or is winter so much about hand creams and body care? Thank you very much I will be very much looking forward.
    Brst regards Sylvia

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