OK but can we talk about shoes for a second?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Parisian style, it’s this: French girls don’t have 50 pairs of shoes. They have 10 perfect pairs. And they wear them with everything.
I’ve been obsessée — obsessed — with finding the shoes that actually make an outfit look effortlessly Parisian. Not the ones that look good on Instagram for a day, but the ones you’ll still be reaching for in five years. The ones that make you feel like you belong on Rue Saint-Honoré even when you’re grabbing coffee on a Tuesday.
So here they are — mon coup de cœur, my love-at-first-sight picks. The 10 dream shoes every French girl needs.
1. The Isabel Marant Boot
This is THE shoe. If Parisian style had a signature shoe, it would be an Isabel Marant boot — whether it’s the iconic Dicker ankle boot or the newer Western-inspired styles. They’re worn-in, effortless, and go with literally everything from a slip dress to vintage jeans.
Why they’re worth it: They break in beautifully and look better with age. C’est incroyable.
→ Shop Isabel Marant Dicker Boot
→ Shop Isabel Marant-inspired alternatives
2. Classic Ballet Flats
Every French girl owns a pair of ballet flats. Not the flimsy kind — I’m talking structured, leather, the kind that look just as good with a blazer as they do with a sundress. Brands like Repetto have been the Parisian go-to for decades.
Mon petit conseil — my little piece of advice: Go for black or nude. They’ll carry you through every season.
→ Shop Repetto Cendrillon Ballet Flat
→ Shop Sam Edelman Felicia — affordable alternative
3. The White Sneaker
I know, I know — sneakers in Paris? Trust me on this one. A clean white sneaker is the most Parisian thing you can wear right now. Veja is the brand you’ll see everywhere from Le Marais to the Left Bank.
Styling tip: Pair with a midi skirt and a trench coat. Très parisien.
→ Shop Veja Campo Sneaker
→ Shop Veja V-10 — the other classic
4. Pointed-Toe Kitten Heels
There’s something about a low kitten heel that screams French sophistication without the pain of a stiletto. These are the shoes that take a simple outfit from “nice” to “she looks incredible.”
The French girl trick: Kitten heels + straight-leg jeans + a silk blouse = the outfit.
→ Shop Steve Madden Kitten Heel
→ Shop Marc Fisher Kitten Heel Pump
5. Ankle Strap Sandals
When summer hits Paris, you’ll see these everywhere. Simple, elegant, just a few straps and a low block heel. They’re the kind of shoe that makes bare legs look a million euros.
Best in: tan, black, or gold metallic.
→ Shop Steve Madden Ankle Strap Sandal
→ Shop Sam Edelman Yaro Sandal
6. The Chelsea Boot
Autumn in Paris demands a good Chelsea boot. Sleek, minimal, and endlessly versatile. You’ll wear them from September to April and wonder how you ever lived without them.
File under: things I didn’t know I needed.
→ Shop Blundstone Chelsea Boot
→ Shop Dr. Martens 2976 Chelsea
7. Espadrilles
The quintessential French summer shoe. Espadrilles are what you wear to the market in the morning, to a seaside lunch at noon, and to drinks at sunset. They’re casual, charming, and très français.
The classic: Castañer Carina — the brand that started it all.
→ Shop Castañer Espadrilles
→ Shop Soludos Classic Espadrille — budget-friendly
8. Knee-High Boots
A good pair of knee-high boots transforms everything. With a knit dress in winter, with a mini skirt in autumn — they’re the statement shoe that never shouts.
Investment worth it: Real leather knee-highs last years and only get better.
→ Shop Sam Edelman Sylvia Knee-High Boot
→ Shop Steve Madden Knee-High
9. The Loafer
Loafers are having a massive moment, but French women have been wearing them forever. Chunky-soled or classic penny style — they’re the shoe that says “I’m chic but I’m not trying.”
Power move: Loafers + no socks + cropped trousers.
→ Shop G.H. Bass Weejuns Loafer
→ Shop Sam Edelman Loraine Loafer
10. Strappy Heeled Mules
The going-out shoe. When a French girl gets dressed up, she reaches for a mule — open-back, a few straps, a sculptural heel. They’re elegant without being fussy.
Mon coup de cœur: Anything with a squared toe this season.
→ Shop Dolce Vita Mule
→ Shop Steve Madden Heeled Mule
The French Girl Shoe Philosophy
Here’s what I love about the French approach to shoes: it’s not about having the most, it’s about having the right ones. Build your collection slowly. Invest in quality. Buy shoes that work with at least 5 outfits you already own.
And remember — in Paris, the best shoes aren’t the shiniest or the newest. They’re the ones that look like they have a story.
À bientôt — and happy shoe shopping!
— Amelie, Bonjour Ami
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