How I Buy French Style in the UK (And Get the Fit Right Every Time)

I’ve always been drawn to French fashion. There's something about it—how French women can wear a simple striped top, a pair of jeans, and ballet flats, and still look like they’ve just stepped out of a Vogue editorial. It’s not loud, not fussy, and definitely not trend-chasing. It’s classic, intentional, and just... elegant.

But the best part? You don’t need to live in Paris—or even go there—to build a wardrobe that captures that understated magic. I live in the UK, and I’ve found a way to shop French style right here, using a mix of smart brand choices and a tool that’s become my not-so-secret weapon: tellar.co.uk, the UK’s free sizing tool that helps you find your perfect fit across 1,500+ brands.

Let me walk you through how I build a French-inspired wardrobe without leaving the country (and how I’ve finally stopped guessing my size online).

The French Style Philosophy I Live By

Before I share where I shop, I think it’s important to talk about why French style resonates with me. It’s not about buying designer labels or keeping up with the latest trend report. It’s about simplicity that’s built to last. The kind of wardrobe where:

Everything goes together.
You look polished without trying too hard.
You own fewer things but wear them more.

Think clean lines, neutral colours, great tailoring, and natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, and silk. French women aren’t dressing to impress—they’re dressing for themselves. That’s what I love. And that’s what I try to replicate.

Where I Buy My French-Inspired Wardrobe in the UK

You’d be surprised how many amazing French brands are accessible from the UK—either through direct shipping or from UK-based stockists. Here are some of my go-tos:

Mid-Range French Brands I Love

Sézane: Romantic blouses, perfect denim, timeless coats. They ship to the UK, and their packaging is always beautiful.
Rouje: Created by Jeanne Damas, this brand just gets feminine Parisian style. I love their wrap dresses and soft knits.
Claudie Pierlot: Great for workwear that doesn’t feel corporate. Think navy blazers, cigarette trousers, pleated skirts.
Sandro and Maje: For sleek tailoring, chic coats, and the kind of clothes you wear to a nice dinner and the office.
Ba&sh: Slightly boho, very wearable. Their midi dresses and jumpers are just dreamy.

Luxury Labels When I’m Ready to Invest

Isabel Marant: Slouchy chic perfection. I own a jacket from here that I’ll wear for the next 20 years.
Chloé: If I could splurge endlessly, it would be on Chloé’s tailoring.
Celine: Pure, minimal, architectural French elegance.

And the best part? You can find many of these brands in Selfridges, Matches Fashion, Net-a-Porter, or even John Lewis. I often check stock across sites to find the best price or sale.

The Sizing Struggle (and the Fix That Changed Everything)

Here’s the truth: French brands don’t size like UK brands. Even when they say "UK 10 = EU 38," the fit can be wildly different from one label to the next.

I learned this the hard way.

One summer, I ordered the same size in a dress from Sézane and a blazer from Sandro—both 38 (supposedly a UK 10). The dress fit like a glove. The blazer? Too tight in the shoulders, awkward through the bust. And returning it from the UK? A hassle.

That’s when I found tellar.co.uk.

Instead of using generic size charts, Tellar lets you create a free sizing profile based on your actual body measurements—bust, waist, hips. It then tells you which size you’ll be in each brand. No more guessing. No more returns. No more “why does this brand run so small?” meltdowns.

I now check my size on Tellar before I buy anything online, especially when I’m shopping French labels.

You can look up your size by brand here or create your free profile in under five minutes. They even offer a printable measuring tape, which is handy if you don’t already have one.

The Pieces I Always Start With

When people say “French wardrobe,” they don’t mean 100 outfits. They mean 10 really well-chosen pieces that mix and match endlessly. Here are the staples I built first:

1. The Striped Breton Top

It’s a cliché for a reason. I wear mine with jeans, under a blazer, or tucked into a midi skirt. I got one from & Other Stories and another from Saint James (via Liberty).

2. Straight-Leg Jeans

High-rise, cropped at the ankle, and never too tight. I love Rouje’s cut and also found great options at Mango and Sézane.

3. A Crisp White Shirt

This is my fail-safe. I wear it open over a cami, buttoned up with trousers, or layered under a knit. COS and Sézane do it best in my opinion.

4. Tailored Trousers

I chose a pair of black cigarette pants from Maje, and they honestly changed how I feel in workwear. Sandro and Uniqlo also make great options.

5. A Trench Coat

The ultimate French outerwear piece. Mine is from Massimo Dutti, but if I ever splurge again, it’ll be Ba&sh or even Burberry.

6. Ballet Flats

Repetto are iconic. I got mine in a soft blush pink. But M&S and Boden also do great leather options if you're starting small.

Styling Tips I Live By

French style isn’t just what you wear—it’s how you wear it.

I stick to neutral tones: camel, navy, white, grey, black. That way, everything goes together.
I mix textures, not colours. Silk with wool, cotton with denim.
I always add one piece that’s a bit undone—maybe it’s slightly rolled sleeves, messy hair, or unpolished nails.
I wear less makeup but better skincare. Glowing skin is very French.

And no, I don’t chase trends anymore. French style has taught me to buy less and buy better—which brings me to another lesson…

French Fashion = Sustainable Fashion

The idea is simple: invest in quality, wear it for years, take care of your clothes.

Now, I spend more on individual pieces, but I buy far fewer items. And it feels better—on me, and on my conscience.

Knowing that what I buy will actually fit (thanks to Tellar) means I waste less time, money, and packaging on returns. That alone makes the whole experience feel more thoughtful.

Where I Shop in the UK

Here’s my current list of go-to retailers:

Sézane.com – ships to the UK directly
Rouje.com – also ships here, just check duties at checkout
Selfridges – for Sandro, Maje, Claudie Pierlot
Matches Fashion / Net-a-Porter – excellent for Isabel Marant, Celine
John Lewis & Harvey Nichols – stock Ba&sh and other gems
& Other Stories, COS, Zara, Mango – for French-inspired high street pieces

But again, I never check out without checking Tellar.co.uk first. The sizing differences—even between two “EU 38” pieces—can be huge. One will fit like a glove, the other won’t button up.

Final Thoughts: Parisian Style, Made Possible in the UK

I’m not French. I don’t have a flat in the 6th arrondissement. But I’ve learned to shop and dress in a way that makes me feel just as chic—right here in the UK.

With the right brands, a refined colour palette, and the confidence that comes from knowing your size, French fashion becomes less of a fantasy and more of a formula.

So if you’re looking to build your own French-inspired wardrobe, start with your measurements, use tellar.co.uk, and shop smarter. Because effortless style? It starts with a perfect fit.

My French Style Checklist (with Links)

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