How to Do Back-to-School Shopping Like a French Girl

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No one does wardrobe essentials quite like French women: think of Brigitte Bardot posing seaside in a classic Breton stripe shirt or Catherine Deneuve with a scarf tied around her coif just so. And while the French approach of dressing around iconic pieces works at any time of year, these sorts of staples are especially useful when it comes to building a back-to-school wardrobe.

Take notes from Caroline de Maigret, who has proven that a crisp white shirt is perfect for any occasion—and a scholarly yet stylish look for the first day in the classroom. And let’s not forget the foulard, the quintessential French accessory, which lends a touch of je ne sais quoi to any ensemble (or book bag).

Whether it’s a pair of clean white boots or a sleek slip dress, these perfectly Parisian pieces will make getting dressed for school (or work) easier than ever—and do double duty on le weekend, too.

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Carla Bruni

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Gilda Pearl Sophia long slip dress, $332, farfetch.com; State cowl-neck slip dress, $99, nordstrom.com; Fleur du Mal cowl-neck slip dress, $485, farfetch.com

Photo: (From left to right) Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of Nordstrom; Courtesy of farfetch.com
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Caroline de Maigret

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Charvet solid poplin dress shirt, $495, neimanmarcus.com; Maje Celina striped shirt, $133, bloomingdales.com; Theory Tenia cotton-blend blouse $245, nordstrom.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of Nordstrom; Courtesy of Neiman Marcus; Courtesy of Bloomingdale s
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Brigitte Bardot

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Kule crop tee, $98, kule.com; Saint James Minquiers Moderne striped sailor shirt, $75, nordstrom.com; Natasha Zinko striped T-shirt, $249, farfetch.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of kule.com; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of Nordstrom
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Catherine Deneuve

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Valentino classic dot silk scarf, $445, nordstrom.com; Rag Bone starburst cotton and silk bandana, $95, nordstrom.com; Hermès Vintage parcours sans faute scarf, $561, farfetch.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of Nordstrom; Courtesy of farfetch.com; Courtesy of Nordstrom
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Isabelle Huppert

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Carel Estime patent leather booties, $595, bloomingdales.com; Alexandre Birman kittie leather boots, $695, modaoperandi.com; Laurence Dacade Pete booties, $820, shopbop.com

Photo: (Clockwise from top left) Courtesy of modaoperandi.com; Courtesy of shopbop.com; Courtesy of Bloomingdale s

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