French designer brands are the epitome of luxury. Names like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga and Celine demand rent-size budgets to own. But that doesn’t stop the street style set from sporting these French fashion brands every chance they get. But certain pieces from these notorious French designer brands rise above the rest.
Whether it’s Chloe’s stallion spotted separates or the “official” uniform of the Balmain army, for the past few seasons it seems like every fashion show attendee has items from these French fashion brands on their must-buy list. And while some will only cost you a week’s pay, others require a major investment. Allow us to play devil’s advocate temporarily as we rounded up the top 11 must-have pieces from French designer brands you need to have for the street style pack to accept you as one of their own.
[ Next: How to Master Color Clashing, According to the Street Style Set ]
French Designer Brands
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Chloe
Launched in 1952 by Gaby Aghion, Chloe benefited from the Karl Lagerfeld touch (he worked there in the 60s before he made a name for himself). But in recent years, the French fashion brand has favored women designers at the helm, including Stella McCartney, Phoebe Philo and Clare Waight Keller. While Chloe has a reputation for being a bit boho, its latest gotta-have items are its horse-accented velvet blazer and matching pants.
Image: Imaxtree
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Chloe
Embroidered Cotton-Blend Velvet Straight-Leg Pants, $1,495 at Net-a-Porter
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Christian Dior
Even non-fashion folk know this French designer brand. Though some, like our forum members, haven’t been too thrilled with the direction of the house in the Maria Grazia Chiuri era, you have to give her props for bringing back the brand’s iconic saddle bag. We’re not exaggerating when we say every single street stylist owns the revamped version. You can, too, if you have over $2,000 lying around ...
Image: Imaxtree
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Christian Dior
Mini Dior Oblique Saddle Bag, $2,350 at Christian Dior
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Chanel
Chanel has been extra basically since its inception (has there ever been anyone cooler than Coco Chanel?) and Karl Lagerfeld has helped the French fashion brand grow exponentially. While a tweed jacket is a safe bet, lately the street style faithful have been after those PVC rain hats and the brand’s quilted shopping bags to fold under their arms.
Image: Imaxtree
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Chanel
31 Large Shopping Bag, $4,400 at Chanel
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Celine
If you don’t know who Phoebe Philo is, we can’t help you. Synonymous with this French designer brand, the designer’s departure has left many Celine die-hards in mourning. Hedi Slimane was brought in to give the brand a makeover, but it remains to be seen how this beacon of French designer brands evolves. Notoriously difficult to find online, Celine shades are an easy way for us mortals to get in on the action.
Image: Christian Vierig/Getty Images
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Celine
CL 41468/S, $239.92 at EzContacts
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Balenciaga
While founder Cristóbal Balenciaga was actually born in Spain, the house he created has firm French roots since he was forced to relocate to Paris in 1937 due to the Spanish Civil War. Now under the experimental hand of Demna Gvasalia, the French fashion brand produces must-have everything, from plaid skirts to Knife boots.
Image: Imaxtree
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Balenciaga
Buttoned Skirt, $1,350 at Balenciaga
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Givenchy
While some of us are still mourning the loss of Riccardo Tisci at Givenchy, the French designer brand is staying relevant thanks to Clare Waight Keller’s takeover. Regardless of who’s running the show, the brand is still churning out red carpet gowns and logo pieces for all of us to fawn over.
Image: Imaxtree
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Givenchy
Logo Detail Cotton Denim Shirt, $714 at Luisa Via Roma
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Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton actually started off as a trunk master. Nowadays, the French designer brand is known for its logo-clad luggage as well as bags, jackets and iconic kicks. Hey, if you’re going to drop serious coin on LV, you want everyone to know it.
Image: Christian Vierig/Getty Images
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Louis Vuitton
Archlight Sneaker, $1,090 at Louis Vuitton
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Balmain
Love it or hate it, every model longs to be a part of the Balmain army. So we weren’t surprised to see the French designer brand’s squad tees all over the streets during fashion week. Balmain’s love of strong shoulders and glitzy accents doesn’t always earn raves, but the army marches on.
Image: Imaxtree
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Balmain
Cotton T-Shirt With "Outnumbered" Print, $250 at Balmain
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Jacquemus
Simon Porte Jacquemus started his eponymous brand at the tender age of 19. While still relatively new to the French designer brands club, he has definitely left his mark with everyone clamoring for his oversized sun hats, micro purses and structured blazers.
Image: Imaxtree
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Jacquemus
Saad Wool-Blend Blazer, $802 at mytheresa.com
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Sonia Rykiel
Sonia Rykiel passed away back in 2016, but her legacy lives on. Her colorful striped sweaters are still street style bait. Now, the French fashion brand’s colorful totes are proving popular.
Image: Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images
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Sonia Rykiel
Le Baltard Calfskin Tote, $750 at Sonia Rykiel
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Marine Serre
The new kid on the block, Marine Serre has already made a name for herself by creating those crescent moon catsuits, leggings and tops you saw all over during fashion month. The ideal layering pieces, it’s not surprising how quickly they took over. You can see why the designer was awarded the LVMH Prize in 2017. Expect more to come.
Image: Imaxtree
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Marine Serre
Moon-Print Top, $310 at Barneys
