I may not have visited Paris this summer, but I did make a weekend road trip out to Montreal, Quebec to have a mini and more local “French girl summer.” Despite being a 6-hour drive from New York, my morning coffee shop trips and the surplus pastries purchased had me feeling like I was indeed in Europe. And while the food was fantastic, I couldn’t help but take note of the fashion, too. Since I did make it out to Paris last year, I thought playing a game of comparison would be fun. Parisians are known for their impeccable style, and while a lot of trends from abroad carried over to the Montreal streets, there was a more casual and laid-back approach within the Canadian city. I also perused local boutiques and the 6-floor Ssense flagship to get an idea of which leading designer pieces and trends people were buying. (PSA: Prada’s Supernova was a top favorite in Ssense’s flagship and also when I visited one of Paris’s Prada stores.)
Below, I rounded up the five standout pieces I spotted around Montreal, including the ones I wore myself. If you’re looking to add a bit of French style to your wardrobe but would rather have a more relaxed and casual-leaning approach, the list below has got you covered.
Matching sets are always trending, but striped sets are especially having a moment right now (The more they look like pajamas, the better!) I spotted them around the city styled with sneakers, flats, and heels. I chose to wear a striped set myself on my trip and I blended right in. It looks put-together yet is extremely comfortable—what’s not to love?
We all have a white t-shirt and tank we rely on, but a more detailed and elevated top is a must-have as well. They usually have one interesting design element that makes them stand out and easy to pair with classic items like jeans or trousers. I loved how Montreal folk took the minimal approach, often letting the top do the talking and foregoing a ton of accessories.
What do Parisian and Montreal fashion folk have in common? They love a classic sneaker that goes with everything. Considering I had to deal with blisters from walking the cobblestone with my barely-there andals, I probably should’ve followed suit and brought a pair of sneakers for myself. Now I know for next time.
When you hear “French,” you think of classic pieces, and a slip skirt is one of those. I saw them styled with both oversize shirting and fitted tanks, but I think my favorite way to style it is how Erin’s done above.
I saw way more jeans in Montreal than I did in Paris, and honestly—I’m on board. Considering I wear jeans a few times a week, I’m cool with the casual item being worn with more elevated pieces like blazers, pretty tops, etc.
