Elevated Essentials - The Parisian Guide
The Parisian Guide To Elevating Wardrobe Essentials
When it comes to elevating wardrobe classics, few do it better than Parisian women. We all want to dress like the Parisians do, cultivating a style uniform based on a few high-quality, timeless pieces and reworking them in fresh and relevant ways. Since moving to Paris five years ago, content creator Emmanuelle Koffi has been hugely influenced by the chic nonchalance of the city’s residents. Here, she decodes the secrets to Parisian style, naming five closet foundations to invest in and how to update them.
When I think of Parisian women, I think about minimalism, a simple color palette that revolves around white, gray, black, navy blue and brown, clean lines, a classic silhouette and timeless cuts. I think of pieces that can be elevated by mix-and-matching different styles: a dress with an oversized blazer or a silk top with some boyfriend jeans, for example. Wardrobe foundations like these are essential to my closet. Dependable classics, from the perfect shirt to loafers, are the pillars of my style.
Building a good quality capsule wardrobe isn’t just more sustainable, it’s also budget-friendly. Start by analyzing your style. What do you wear the most? What shades and styles do you feel the best in? Look into your closet and declutter. It’ll make you realize what you never wear and what you need more of. Then, make a list and start shopping, focusing on the quality of the fabrics, making sure the clothes fit you perfectly.
THE INVESTMENT COAT
Not only do long coats keep me warm during fall/winter, they’re also trend-resistant and elegant. A classic style in a neutral color, whether camel, navy or black, is a closet necessity for any woman; they add easy refinement. Look at Victoria Beckham – she always wears longer-length outerwear in the cold months, and they give an impression of looking pulled together. Accessorizing with a beautiful belt gives a nice shape to the silhouette, and I also like layering with a lightweight jacket underneath for a more relaxed look.
THE LOAFERS
Loafers are the shoes I have the most of in my wardrobe. When I was a teen, I was obsessed with sneakers, I had so many pairs and some looked almost the same with little different details. Now it’s the same but with loafers. They’re comfortable, but also very chic. I wear mine all day; they give you that elegantly-casual feel. I love wearing them with white socks and cropped jeans; they add an instant coolness to the look. I also like to wear them with skirts and pretty dresses to inject a nonchalant, masculine edge.
THE WHITE SHIRT
I love how versatile a white shirt is. Everyone should have at least one in their wardrobe because they can be worn with so much. I like layering under a knitted vest for a preppy look, or with a mini skirt to add something girly. You can wear them tucked in, untucked and in summer I like them open as a jacket. If you ever need style inspiration for how to wear yours, look to Jane Birkin who styled hers very simply with a pair of jeans. They have the ability to either smarten up or dress down an outfit depending on the cut and styling.
THE STRAIGHT-LEG JEANS
The perfect denim for me is timeless, comfortable and flattering. I have a pair of high-waisted, straight-leg jeans that I inherited from my mom. She wore them when she was my age, so almost 30 years ago, which shows just how timeless they are. I like to wear denim in a casual way, with a knit and some ballerinas, sneakers, or loafers. I also love dressing up jeans with a blouse and heeled sandals.
THE MINI SKIRT
For many years, I was insecure about my legs. It feels crazy to me now, but I used to only wear jeans and pants – anything leg-baring was a no-go. After working on loving every part of my body, I’ve realized that it didn’t make sense and went out of my comfort zone by wearing more minis. Now, they’ve become one of my signature styles. Minis are sexy and feminine and they’re also very adaptable. Team with knits, tights and knee-high boots in fall/winter, and cute tops, tees and sandals in the spring/summer. I also like to play with fabrics – my favorites are tweed, silky and denim minis, they’re all such timeless styles.
