I’ve Lived in Paris for 8.5 Years—This Is the Dress French Women Always Wear

I’m a big advocate for the capsule wardrobe—an armoire filled with cherry-picked items that, to borrow from Marie Kondo, give me only joy when wearing them. Conscious shopping is something I’ve adopted too in the past eight and a half years since moving to Paris, and it’s also incidentally something I write about in my new book, Practising Parisienne: Lifestyle Secrets From the City of Lights, which is out now.

I’ve found that Parisians have a knack for picking forever pieces, are less likely to buy into fast fashion, and have a penchant for vintage and pre-loved clothing that they mix in with more up-to-date styles. They have certainly inspired my own style that’s a lot less try-hard than it used to be, and I now invest in pieces that last: elevated basics that I can wear again and again, such as a black blazer, a great pair of jeans, a trench coat, a shirt or a slip dress. 

At first glance, you might think that a slinky, body-hugging slip dress should only be worn to elegant soirées, but its simple silhouette means it can actually be styled in a multitude of ways for different occasions, making it one of the most effortless and versatile pieces you can own. It can easily be dressed up or down and worn with everything, whatever the weather or your mood. Scroll down to see how I’ve styled one five ways.

I’m a blazer girl, but I sometimes like to switch it up with an oversize denim jacket, which immediately dresses down your look. Throw a cozy sweater over the shoulders for the cooler temperatures. This striped style has become my go-to and gives a nod to the city I live in. 

No capsule, or French wardrobe for that matter, is complete without a good white shirt. It also makes a great cover-up for a slip dress, dressing it down so you don’t look too overdone. Go for an oversize style that works with today’s trends. 

A slip dress looks great under a trench (ideally one that’s the same length). Pair it with long, chunky boots for a casual yet chic lunch look.

A slip dress plus a knit is the perfect example of effortless dressing. I think it would work just as well for a date night on a cold evening as it would for the office teamed with a blazer.

This is probably the easiest evening look I know: a slip dress paired with a blazer, a baguette, heels, and a slick of lipstick!

Next up, seven things French girls wear every fall.

This post originally appeared on Who What Wear UK.