We Went Outfit-Spotting in Paris—14 Looks That Stopped Us in Our Tracks

Today is a good day, because I get to write about two of my favourite subjects: Street style and what people in Paris are wearing right now. At Who What Wear, we love seeing fashion as it happens—looks in real time that aren't measured by an algorithm. This is why I was thrilled to re-introduce our annual street style series last month, for which we took to the streets of London—the car park behind Selfridges if we're being exact—to see what the city's fashionable inhabitants are actually wearing. And now, I am beyond pleased to bring you the latest instalment which, as you've likely guessed, comes direct from Paris.

I have spent over 13 years chronicling French fashion—the brands they wear, the pieces they always come back to—so, needless to say, when the opportunity to shoot street style from one of the world's most stylish cities presented itself, I was more than eager to see it through. After connecting with a photographer working out of Paris, all that was left to do was eagerly wait for the shots to land in my inbox. The date we settled on just so happened to fall bang in the middle of a cooler spell in France, so the outfits reflect that, but rest assured we still have some serious new-season outfit inspiration on our hands.

While there will always be cliches attached to French style; some are warranted, some aren't. However, the looks we found prove Parisian wardrobes go way beyond berets, Breton stripes and ballet pumps, as chic as we all know them to be. Instead, what I found is that the current Paris aesthetic is as diverse as ever. In terms of common threads woven throughout the looks, I was surprised at the sheer amount of pinstripes. Also on the agenda were cowboy boots, though perhaps less glittery than the ones we snapped from outside the Paris shows of Taylor Swift's Eras tour. Then there were core wardrobe staples that the French styled with their own unique blend of je ne sais quoi—think black tailored trousers worn with zesty waistcoats and classic pinstripe blazers made to feel up-to-date with the addition of a sheer crochet skirt.

I could keep racking up my word count but, instead, I think it's better that I show you the looks as they unfolded. Scroll on to see which trends came to the fore when Who What Wear UK shot street style in Paris in June 2024.

14 CHIC STREET STYLE LOOKS AND TRENDS I SAW IN PARIS

Style Notes: Over in Paris, jeans are just as prevalent as we enter summer. Dark washes seem to be increasingly popular and look especially chic worn with tan leather and suede for a retro feel.

Key Buy:

& Other Stories

Wide Cropped Jeans

£75

Style Notes: Elegant and refined, I'd expect nothing less from the Parisian style set. The layering here is particular exceptional.

Key Buy:

COS

Longline Knitted Wool Waistcoat

£95

Style Notes: Barrel-leg silhouettes have been dominating the streets of London this season, so it's interesting to see the look is just as impactful on the streets of Paris, too.

Key Buy:

SPORTY & RICH

Appliquéd Ribbed-Knit Polo Shirt

£120

Style Notes: Historically, black and brown was a colour combination fashion types avoided—thank goodness that's changed! Incredibly chic and something many of us will be able to pull together from pieces that already live in your wardrobes, this look is up there as one I want to re-create immediately.

Key Buy:

New Look

Brown Tailored Oversized Suit Blazer

£45

Style Notes: Volumised silhouettes are proving especially important in Paris this season as wide-leg trousers are being taken to the max. Add further volume with an untucked blouse in a starched cotton fabric.

Key Buy:

Anthropologie

Linen-Blend Barrel Trousers

£110

Style Notes: The French do cheeky fashion like no one else—this top is sure to turn heads, but my eye is just as drawn to her incredible flares, too. This is Y2K-inspired dressing at its very finest.

Key Buy:

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER

Trompe L'oeil Ribbed Wool-Blend Top

£490£295

Style Notes: Tulle skirts might sound like another French style trope but there's nothing cliche about this look whatsoever. Toughened up with black stomping boots complete with a silver toe-cap, this outfit is pretty and powerful in equal measure.

Key Buy:

Free People

One Net Godet Half Slip

£88

Style Notes: I don't know what I love more—the bowling bag, running shoes or neat, button-up leather jacket. Fortunately I don't have to choose, because this look has them all!

Key Buy:

MANGO

Rectangular Leather Handbag

£150

Style Notes: When you think of a black tailored trouser, what do you imagine styling it with? Chances are, a bright lime waistcoat isn't the first thing that springs to mind, this is is exactly why this look feels on-point; the unexpectedness of it all.

Key Buy:

Free People

Ava Waistcoat

£88

Style Notes: Denim on denim is a look I see French fashion people wearing all the time but here, the contrasting washes add bite to what can otherwise feel like a pulled-together look. The cute silver ballet flats are a nice touch, too.

Key Buy:

MANGO

Metallic Ballerinas

£36

Style Notes: Easily the cutest look we captured, fruity embellishments and prints are a key trend for summer 2024. Bonus points if you match the colour of your bag to that of your cherries. And no, that's not a euphemism.

Key Buy:

Reformation

Irisa Dress

£298

Style Notes: Temperatures may now be too warm for faux-fur-trimmed coats, but I insist you save this ensemble down for autumn. A pink coat, acid-wash jeans and a slogan tee sounds brash (because it is!) but this street styler makes it all just work by being innately cool as only the French can be.

Key Buy:

Zara

Grey Jeans

£36

Style Notes: Blazers are one of my favourite things to wear, so you know I'll be re-creating this navy-pinstripe-and-brown-crochet-skirt outfit pronto! The addition of Adidas trainers keeps everything looking relevant and cool, too.

Key Buy:

Warehouse

Crochet Midaxi Skirt

£36

Style Notes: Simple but very effective, this is the sort of look I could easily picture myself running errands in London wearing, the cross-body bag being a city-girl essential.

Key Buy:

& Other Stories

Boxy Zip-Up Jacket

£120

Style Notes: Graphic tees are very much a thing in Paris—let them do the majority of the talking by styling with simple silhouettes in black, white or neutrals.

Key Buy:

Jaded London

Rhapsody Baby Tee

£30