I am always open to discussing French style at length, but in the interest of keeping things on track, let’s cut to the chase: French women love wearing loafers. I see it on my feed every day. It’s also evident in real life, should you find yourself on the streets of Paris any time soon. However, I didn’t quite realise just how much they loved wearing them until recently. Having bought a fresh pair of loafers myself, I was looking for inspiration to style them—cue my favourite françaises, all of whom seem to know exactly how to wear their classic loafers chicly.
Like the rest of us, French women rely on basics to help elevate their looks and give them timeless appeal, so naturally, jeans are a recurring them when it comes to styling their loafers. Other Gallic girls are serving up combinations involving skirts, leggings and even joggers, confirming just how versatile loafers can be.
So if you ever wondered how French women style loafers, well, wonder no more. I’ve whittled down eight key looks that demonstrate this perfectly—scroll on to see them and to shop any pieces you might need to re-create them should they not already feature in your wardrobe. Vive la loafer!
Style Notes: French women love their knitwear, which is something I can appreciate given the fact I live in Scotland where the word “cold” takes on new meaning. Paired with flares and, yes, loafers, this is a look I can (and will) wear on repeat right up until summer.
Style Notes: Loafers are ideal for layering with miniskirts as they provide a less-flimsy footwear solution than, say, ballet flats. Just add chunky socks, and this is a look you can legitimately wear when it’s freezing. Once it’s warm enough, you can ditch them in favour of bare legs.
Style Notes: It should come as no surprise that French women have relied on loungewear just as much as we have over the last two years. Wearing said comfies with loafers? Inspired!
Style Notes: You can never go wrong with a blazer-and-tailored-trouser look—add loafers into the equation, and you’ve got the ideal look to take you from your desk (wherever that may be) to dinners out.
Style Notes: Leather biker jackets never truly go out of style, but we’re predicting they’ll be back in a big way in 2022. French women are already wearing theirs with a throwback flair with straight-leg jeans and chunky loafers.
Style Notes: A cool take on a classic shoe style, Prada’s stacked loafers will give all your wardrobe staples a fresh overhaul—just look to Camille’s camel-coat-and-black-skirt pairing for inspiration.
Style Notes: French women aren’t afraid to clash their accessories with their outfits. Some might deem black leather against light-wash denim too harsh, but with a teddy coat and sartorial conference, Tamara’s backless-loafer look is one I’m desperate to copy.
Style Notes: If leaving the comfort of your leggings just isn’t on the cards right now, you can give them instant polish with a pair of loafers. Leia styles her split-hem pair with chunky white socks and chain-embellished loafers—a common theme amongst the French fashion set.
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