I'm an American in Paris-These Effortless French Style Staples Are My Secret to Looking Like a Local, From $9

"There are some French fashion cliches that movies and TV shows get right, like trench coats and striped sailor tops, and others that couldn't be more wrong-like berets. As an American living in Paris, I've noticed the secret to French style -that effortlessly cool "I woke up like this" look-is to curate the right collection of pieces and keep them on rotation year-round. They don't need to be expensive, and in fact, they usually aren't."

"Parisians embrace understated style, so with a few key items like a Chanel-inspired tweed jacket and patterned silk scarf, you'll instantly look the part. I've edited down my own closet to a core collection that I can mix and match to wear everywhere from the South of France when I'm down in Nice and Monaco in the summer to the French Alps while skiing and fully embracing the après culture."

A curated core wardrobe of affordable, understated staples creates an effortless French look. Key items include a Chanel-inspired tweed jacket, patterned silk scarf, knit turtleneck, and a little black dress. Mixing and matching these pieces yields versatile outfits suitable for summer in Nice or Monaco and winter in the French Alps. Understated accessories like skinny belts and slingback kitten heels add color and polish. Many functional pieces are budget-friendly, with full ensembles starting under $100 and available from mainstream retailers such as Amazon, Madewell, and J.Crew. A compact capsule makes packing and daily dressing simple and chic.

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