French Style in the UK: How to Buy Like a Parisienne Without Leaving Britain

There’s something undeniably compelling about French fashion. With its combination of effortless elegance, tailored minimalism, and timeless appeal, French style has become an international benchmark for chic dressing. But you don’t need to live in Paris—or even leave the UK—to adopt this iconic aesthetic.

In this guide, we explore how to buy into French style from the UK, including which brands to look for, where to shop them, how to ensure correct sizing, and why using tellar.co.uk is essential to getting the fit right the first time—especially with European sizing inconsistencies.

What Defines French Style?

French fashion is rooted in key principles:

• Simplicity over statement

• Tailoring over trend

• Quality over quantity

It’s not about being the loudest in the room. It’s about refined confidence and understanding your silhouette. A French wardrobe is functional but elevated—anchored in wardrobe staples like straight-leg denim, structured blazers, trench coats, crisp white shirts, silk blouses, and ballet flats.

Adopting French style from the UK requires smart shopping—knowing which brands offer the look, how to source them affordably, and how to choose the correct size (since many use continental EU sizing systems that differ from UK norms).

1. French Brands You Can Buy from the UK

Several top French brands now offer seamless UK delivery, either through their own sites or via UK-based retailers. Here are some of the most loved labels with French heritage and international accessibility:

Mid-Range French Brands (Contemporary Chic)

Luxury French Brands (Investment Pieces)

Many of these brands run smaller than standard UK sizing. That’s where tellar.co.uk becomes essential—it compares your measurements to each brand’s actual cut and gives you your perfect size for that label. Say goodbye to disappointing returns and trial-and-error shopping.

2. High-Street Brands That Nail the French Look

If luxury or mid-range isn’t in your current budget, several British or international high-street brands offer French-inspired collections:

You can mimic a full French wardrobe using pieces from these brands with careful curation. Focus on neutral tones, crisp silhouettes, and natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, and silk.

3. Where to Shop French Fashion in the UK

Beyond brand websites, these UK-based platforms make French fashion accessible with local customer service and return policies:

Online Retailers:

• Net-a-Porter – Great for Isabel Marant, Chloé, and Celine.

• Matches Fashion – Hosts a strong curation of Maje, Sandro, and Rouje.

• Selfridges – Stocks French fashion across price points, from Claudie Pierlot to Balmain.

• John Lewis – Hosts Ba&sh and other continental brands seasonally.

Physical Boutiques and Department Stores:

• Harvey Nichols – Known for carrying Ba&sh and Sandro.

• Liberty London – Occasionally stocks emerging French designers.

• Flannels – Trend-led retailer with pieces from Maje, Sandro, and Isabel Marant.

Check Tellar.co.uk first to find your correct size in each of these stores using your profile—it ensures better confidence before checking out.

4. Understanding Sizing: The French vs UK Dilemma

French brands typically follow European sizing (EU 34–44), which doesn’t always match up neatly with UK sizing. Even when translated into UK numbers, the fit can vary significantly between brands.

Sample Conversion Table:

However, this conversion is not universal. For example:

• Sézane often runs true to size.

• Sandro and Maje can run small in the shoulders and chest.

• Rouje sizing is inconsistent across dresses and jeans.

With over 1,500 brands mapped, tellar.co.uk removes the guesswork. Just enter your bust, waist, and hips once—and it instantly tells you your ideal size in Rouje, Sandro, Mango, Zara, and more. Create your profile here.

5. The Key Pieces to Buy First

If you're building your French wardrobe from the UK, start with the following high-impact staples:

1. Breton Stripe Top

A signature French look. Look to Saint James (available at Liberty or online) or & Other Stories for modern cuts.

2. Tailored Trousers

A pair of cropped black cigarette trousers from Maje or Mango is versatile and flattering.

3. White Cotton Shirt

A structured yet soft white shirt is a cornerstone. Sézane, COS, or Claudie Pierlot all do excellent versions.

4. Trench Coat

Opt for beige, camel or khaki with a waist tie. Check Uniqlo for value, or splurge on Sandro or Burberry.

5. Ballet Flats or Loafers

Brands like Repetto (French-made) or Jonak offer timeless options. For high-street versions, M&S and John Lewis do well-made alternatives.

Again, fit is everything—especially for tailored and structured pieces. Let Tellar.co.uk guide your sizing before committing.

6. How Tellar.co.uk Makes It Easier

Shopping French brands from the UK can be intimidating—international sizing charts, unclear returns, expensive shipping. Tellar.co.uk simplifies the process:

✅ One-time profile with accurate body measurements

✅ Instant size matches across 1,500+ global brands

✅ Choose between CM or inches

✅ Works across luxury and high-street labels

✅ Free to use and comes with a printable measuring tape

Whether you’re shopping Claudie Pierlot at Selfridges or Mango online, Tellar ensures the piece you order fits your body, not just the mannequin.

Conclusion: Style Like a French Icon—From the Comfort of the UK

Buying into French style from the UK is easier than ever. The right pieces are just a few clicks away—you just need to know which brands, where to shop them, and how to avoid the sizing traps.

With a clear eye for wardrobe structure and a tool like tellar.co.uk, you can confidently build a refined, versatile wardrobe that channels French elegance while staying true to your own proportions.

It’s not about dressing like a Parisian—it’s about dressing for yourself, with precision and purpose.

Ready to Shop Smarter?

• Create your free Tellar profile

• Find your size in French and UK brands

• Print your Tellar measuring tape

• Follow us:

  • Instagram: @Tellarsizing

  • Pinterest: TellarUK

  • Facebook: TellarSizing

“Find your size in 1,500+ brands real-time. It’s free & easy.”