Chic French labels that will give your wardrobe some va-va-voom…

• French brands are behind luxe basics, classic knitwear and sophisticated staples
• READ MORE:  The 6 unmissable winter trends every woman should follow and where to buy these must-have coats, dress and more for those chillier nights

Timeless, elegant, effortless. The words which come to mind when picturing the archetypal well-dressed Frenchwoman. From Coco Chanel to Brigitte Bardot, there’s no denying that Gallic style has taken on an almost mythic status.

But that elusive, and somewhat infuriating, je ne sais quoi of French glamour can now be incorporated into your wardrobe and, fear not, doesn’t require a shopping trip across the Channel. Some French brands have recently set up shop in the UK, and others now ship internationally.

It’s not all breton stripes and boucle suits; there are luxe basics, classic knitwear and sophisticated staples to suit every style and budget. Vive la France!

Longchamp: Handbags

Suki Waterhouse at a party to celebrate the re-opening of the Longchamp store on London’s New Bond Street in October 2022

Le Pliage tote, £110, longchamp.com

This year, Longchamp celebrates its 75th birthday.

The famous label’s most recognisable design is perhaps the classic Le Pliage tote. This has stood the test of time, as it suits practically every woman.

The list of celebrities who have been spotted with it on their arm is endless, from Hollywood A-listers such as Julia Roberts to our very own Mary Berry.  Suki Waterhouse is a fan of the brand, too.

With prices starting at £100, this is a bag worth investing in.

Maje: Tweed pieces

Jacket, £299, maje.com

Trousers, £279, maje.com

Judith Milgrom’s career has always been a family affair; starting out at her big sister’s label, Sandro, before founding Maje, with her brother, in 1998. 

Maje has a fun, bohemian style and you’ll find French staples such as its Chanel-inspired tweed jackets for £299, as well as playful sequin mini-dresses for £399. 

Maje even featured in hit Netflix series, Emily In Paris. 

Sandro: Suits and blazers

Jacket, £469, cardigan, £259, and jeans, £249, sandro-paris.com

A family-run  business, Evelyne Chetrite set up Sandro in 1984.

The ready-to-wear brand, with a global following, is known for making accessible, high-quality fashion.

It is positioned between the luxury and mass markets, and the higher-end price points match the attention to detail. You’ll find Parisian coolness in tailoring and elevated basics with accessories to match.

And supermodel Kendall Jenner is a fan of its oversized blazer, with suit jacket prices starting at £219.

Bobbies: Footwear

L-R: Anya shoes, £205, bobbies.com; Callie boots, £315, bobbies.com

Designed in Paris and manufactured in family-run workshops in Portugal, Bobbies has been creating shoes and accessories since 2010 — from classic Parisian-style block-heeled Mary Janes, loafers (£175), and slingback pumps (£195), to chic boots (£220).

If you happen to be in Paris or London, it’s worth paying a visit to a Bobbies store to see the true craftsmanship at first hand.

Sezane: Knits and blouses

Carlotta blouse, £110, and jeans, £95, sezane.com

Creme de la creme: Kate Middleton in a matching Sezane knitted skirt and jumper last month

This affordable brand is your one-stop-shop for French-girl staples.

Quiet luxury remains on the fashion agenda this winter and Sezane has a perfect range of cosy wool knits and cardigans in the stealth-wealth palette of creams and beiges. Prices start from £95.

Fans include Sienna Miller and the Princess of Wales, who recently stepped out in a matching Sezane knitted skirt and jumper.

Balzac Paris: Jackets

Camille jacket, £510, balzac-paris.com

Balzac Paris launched its UK online shopping site in September and is swiftly becoming the new French brand to know about.

To entice us Brits, it has cleverly collaborated with Barbour, fusing British heritage with Parisian-chic aesthetic to create its own spin on waxed jackets.

Prices start from £45 for fashion basics, going up to £500-plus for premium styles and leather goods.

Rouje: Dresses

Gabinette dress, £205, uk.rouje.com

Star role: Lea Seydoux wore Rouje’s Gabin dress, £215, in the most recent James Bond film, No Time To Die

If you’re on social media, or a keen follower of fashion, you’ve probably heard of new brand in town, Rouje, which opened its first international store in London this summer.

Its founder, Jeanne Damas, previously designed collections for Sezane and Reformation. She is the epitome of a French It-girl, with over 1.5million Instagram followers hoping to glean some of her fashion savoir faire.

Rouje is your go-to for elegant dresses. In the most recent James Bond film, French Bond girl Léa ­Seydoux wore Rouje’s red Gabin dress, £215.

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