Most Wanted: Paris Fashion Week’s Front-Row Style

When it comes to effortless style, nobody does it better than the French. Their signature formula is deceptively simple: impeccably cut tailoring, straight-leg denim, a trench coat and the kind of cocktail dress that looks just as chic styled with a slouchy cashmere cardigan and ballet flats by day as it does with a razor-sharp blazer and kitten heels after dark. On paper, such a tightly edited wardrobe might appear predictable, but its enduring appeal lies in the attitude with which such pieces are worn – that is, confidence and a studied nonchalance that transforms even the most classic staples into something infinitely chic.

“As a buyer, Paris Fashion Week is possibly my favorite time of the year. It’s the culmination of fashion month when some of the best collections are shown and all the new season’s trends come together,” says NET-A-PORTER’s buying manager, Lydia Zacharis. “It’s also the best time to observe true French style both at the shows and on the streets. Myself and my colleagues tend to dress a little more Parisian while we’re there, running around the city in looks that feel feminine and effortlessly cool.”

Speaking of cool, another staple piece integral to any Parisian wardrobe is the leather jacket. If you’re attending Paris Fashion Week and haven’t yet settled on an outfit, look no further than Nour Hammour’s ‘Rios’ jacket, which comes in a relaxed bomber shape with a tab-fastening collar and oversized pockets. Style yours with The Row’s wide-leg ‘Daniela’ pants and razor-sharp heels, adding Balenciaga’s ‘Hourglass Avenue’ top-handle bag and Chloé’s ’70s-style frames to complete a front-row-worthy look. Alternatively, throw it on over a dress in the evening – Saint Laurent’s midi from the fall/winter ’26 runway is cut from silicone-coated silk with scalloped lace trims that exude sex appeal.

For days when your calendar is filled with back-to-back meetings, networking events and client dinners, a blazer will ensure you always look put together. Wear yours the French way by pairing Balenciaga’s double-breasted style with a delicate lace-trimmed camisole and Loulou de Saison’s knee-length ‘Debi’ skirt in smooth black calf hair, adding a pop of color via Roger Vivier’s mustard satin ‘Efflorescence’ pumps. Alternatively, swap the skirt for a pair of jeans or tailored pants and finish with Dries Van Noten’s ornately embellished clutch.

If it’s instant impact you’re after, reach for Balenciaga’s purple asymmetrically draped top in the hottest color of the season and style with Tom Ford’s plush animal-jacquard velvet midi skirt and Manolo Blahnik’s pink satin ‘Zutosan’ sandals for a look worthy of the front row.