A fashion editor breaks down the anti-trend essentials she relies on for effortless European style.
Living in New York City hasn't stopped one fashion editor from dressing as though she calls Paris home. French style has dominated her social media feeds lately, from emerging color directions to the flat shoes favored by women in the French capital. The attention has paid off—she reports receiving more compliments than ever before. Rather than chase trends, she looked to her own closet to identify what gives her wardrobe its distinctly European sensibility. The answer, she discovered, lies in foundational basics.
The core of her approach borrows from the anti-trend pieces French women return to season after season. These are not fleeting items but workhorses that simplify styling and draw praise. Among them: the crewneck cardigan and the leather skirt, both cited as examples of timeless, classic dressing.
First on her list is an unassuming jacket she describes as simple, low-effort, and sharp—an anchor of chic Parisian wardrobes despite its humility.
The leather column skirt earns special emphasis, specifically ALC's Marta Skirt, which she notes even her publication's cofounder, Hillary Kerr, swears by.
A crewneck cardigan joined her rotation after she observed French women's affinity for the style during her first trip to Paris.
Color plays a role too. She finds it difficult to imagine a Parisian wardrobe without a pop of red, whether applied as lipstick or worked into a knit.
A statement belt represents the most trend-adjacent entry, though she points out its popularity predates the recent Western styling moment among urban Parisians. It lends a chic, cowboy-influenced accent to nearly any look.
Finally, straight-leg jeans complete the lineup. Their relaxed silhouette makes them exceptionally versatile, and she suggests pairing them with either a shawl or an oversize knit.