Stylists say a capsule consists of pieces which can be mixed and matched.
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The key to French women's effortless fashion is, according to stylists, a capsule wardrobe.
Stylists told BI that French style focuses on good quality, timeless pieces.
Here's what they say should be on your shopping list, from well-fitting jeans to tall boots.
French women have long been a source of fashion inspiration for people across the globe.
What's their secret weapon? According to stylists, it's simple: a capsule wardrobe.
French fashion icons like Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot were known for their chic, effortless aesthetic — which, stylists say, is easy to re-create by focusing on building a collection of timeless pieces that you can mix and match to create several, fashion-forward looks.
Liz Teich, a New York-based fashion stylist, told Business Insider that a capsule wardrobe can vary depending on your personal style, but ultimately it's about pieces that work together.
Here's what Teich, and Paris-based stylist Neda Kalantar, recommend as you go about putting together your own fashion collection.
The first step in creating a capsule wardrobe: Go shopping — but with purpose.
Stylists said to pay attention to what you are buying, and whether you need it.
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Before you even enter a store (or hit "add to cart"), it's important to go through your closet to understand what you already have and what you need, Teich told BI.
"You wouldn't go to a grocery store without a list," she said.
Kalantar told BI that you don't need to give up shopping in Zara and Mango, but you should pay close attention to the quality of the clothing while you're shopping.
"If the stitching is already very loose, you already know it's not a good piece," she said. "If the material's already wrinkled in the store, then you know, at home, it's going to be even worse."
The most important thing is a pair of well-fitting jeans.
Stylists told BI that jeans shouldn't have any stretch.
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Those who prefer comfort over style are in for a rude awakening.
"If you want to look elevated, get rid of the stretch in your jeans," Teich told BI.
Raw denim is thicker and more structured than a stretchy denim, she added, so though it's not as comfortable, it will be more flattering.
She recommends shopping at Levi's, AGOLDE, and Khaite for good-quality jeans that are worth the splurge.
French style is all about sneakers, too.
There are some occasions where sneakers are a must, even for Parisians.
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Kalantar said although fashionable French women typically opt for wide-leg pants instead of sweatpants to run errands, one casual staple stays the same across the globe: sneakers.
"A staple, classic tennis sneaker" is also a must for Teich, who said the shoe is "a great way to just elevate an outfit without trying too hard."
Teich added that sneakers shouldn't be too worn in, and an all-white pair would be a good option.
Teich and Kalantar agreed that the Adidas Samba is a great trendy sneaker. Their other recommendations include Sézane and Veja.
Blazers aren’t just to be worn in an office.
Blazers work even for casual outfits.
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Teich said she recommends a blazer to most of her clients, including stay-at-home moms.
A blazer doesn't have to be expensive, she said, but it's a garment that can have a big impact on an otherwise casual outfit.
Kalantar said the fit you choose can depend on your style, but she recommends that everyone at least has a black blazer in their closet.
Teich added that brands like Toteme, Anine Bing, BA&SH, and Balzac Paris are good options for well-made blazers.
Sweaters can be chic, but pay attention to the shoulders.
A stylist told BI to pay attention to the shoulder seam of sweaters to avoid looking bulky.
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Sweaters, depending on the fabric and fit, can look frumpy.
Kalantar said to pay attention to the shoulder seam on sweaters; if it's lower down on the arm, it'll make your shoulders look bulkier.
"You're going to want something where the shoulder seam is a little bit higher so it looks more structured," she added.
You can otherwise focus on creating structure with your styling, either by tucking in a baggy sweater, or using a belt, Kalantar said.
For basic sweaters, Kalantar recommends Uniqlo, while Teich said Everlane has $100 cashmere sweaters that she recommends to all of her clients.
Focus on quality fabrics.
Stylists said to focus on purchasing natural fabrics.
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French fashion usually points towards an elevated aesthetic. Stylists told BI this means focusing on quality pieces, and that starts with the fabric.
Teich said natural fabrics like cotton, silk, linen, alpaca, wool, and cashmere can "make a big difference in how things look."
Kalantar said even low-quality materials can look better for longer by taking better care of them, either by cold machine washing or handwashing. Teich recommends the Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo to wash sweaters.
A capsule wardrobe doesn't mean turning your back on color.
Included pops of color with accessories.
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Kalantar suggests avoiding "too many trendy colors" when building your wardrobe. Instead, she said, "those can come in with accessories."
She added that incorporating a few colorful pieces into your capsule wardrobe each season can keep it fresh. "Right now cherry red is really big," Kalantar said of this season's hottest trend.
Teich agreed that building a capsule wardrobe doesn't have to be colorless.
"Pops of color are a big thing, like doing a red heel or kitten heel or ballet flat," she said. "Or you could do it through an accessory like a handbag."
She added that experimenting with monochromatic outfits can be a unique way to add color to a capsule wardrobe. "If you love the color pink, get a pink sweater and a pink skirt and pair them together," the stylist said.
Invest in a high-quality coat that will last for years, not just a season.
A stylist said it's worth investing in a good quality coat.
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Kalantar said a capsule wardrobe is about focusing on pieces that are unique to your existing wardrobe.
She recommended purchasing a short leather jacket, like a vintage leather jacket, a long wool coat, and a trench coat.
"If you're getting your wool coat in a darker color, get the trench coat in the lighter color," she added.
She said this is an area of your closet worth investing in, even if it hurts your wallet at the time.
The Frankie Shop, Maje, and Sandro are all French brands with good outerwear options, Kalantar said.
For a final touch, go for tall boots. They're more flattering than booties.
A stylist said that booties aren't as flattering as tall boots.
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Teich told BI that the popular trend used to be wearing booties with dresses, but it results in an unflattering look. She added that French women often wear tall boots with skirts and dresses.
Teich said her clients are now finding more options than they have in the past as the current trend is a wide-calf boot.
She recommends Inez for comfortable boots in extended calf sizes, while Kalantar said Dolce Vita's boots leave her clients shocked at how easy they are to walk in.