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When it comes to French girl fashion and style for fall and autumn, a classic pair of shoes and sneakers can make all the difference in your outfits.

A beautiful shoe can make an entire outfit and can take a casual pair of denim and a sweater to a beautiful elevated look.

Shoes are classic, timeless pieces that can last for years and outlive any seasonal fashion trend. If you follow French girl style at all, these are all must-have shoes in your closet to take you through fall and winter.

If you don’t follow French girl style but still appreciate classic women’s style and fashion these are also great shoes to invest in. You can wear these shoes with basic everyday outfits like jeans and sweaters or with dressier outfits like a Fall knit dress.

Today, I am sharing the shoes I will be wearing for fall plus also joining in with some stylish friends, who will also be sharing what they are wearing for fall.

French Girl-Inspired Fall Shoes

Classic Must-Have Shoes For Fall

1. slingbacks

Above: MOTHER Denim (similar) | ba&sh Cardigan ( size m) | French Sole Pumps

Slingbacks are a great alternative to high sandals or heels if you still want the height but want a little extra comfort with a strap around your ankle. Slingbacks are classic, stylish shoes that can be worn with jeans, trousers, and even a dress or slip skirt for fall.

Classic slingbacks come either as a kitten heel, or a small wedge, or you can even purchase a flat slingback.

A stylish and fashionable color to wear is either a two-tone or a sleek all-black slingback. The slingbacks I am wearing above which are incredibly comfortable are the Barton Slingback.

Of course, the ultimate slingbacks are Chanel, but if those aren’t in the budget go for more affordable options. I actually bought my black Chanel slingbacks second-hand and couldn’t be happier. I have a timeless pair of slingbacks to wear for years that I purchased for less than half price.

For fall, I am wearing my slingbacks with denim and trousers, both dressed up and dressed down. A very easy and classic look is denim, slingbacks, and a blazer, or cardigan.

2. Loafers

Loafers are such chic and classic shoes for the fall and autumn seasons and never go out of style. They are a closet staple for Parisian women and not just a seasonal trend. There are so many different types of loafers you can wear.

Depending on the look you are going for, you can choose from more of a classic, polished style like the Sam Edelman Loraine (mine are TTS). An investment feminine-looking pair is the Gucci Jordan Horsebit (mine are European TTS), which I also purchased second-hand years ago.

Recently, in Paris this summer, I picked up these loafers from ba&sh, which are buttery soft and incredibly comfortable. They are sleek and polished and there was no break in time.

If you’re looking for more of an edgy or masculine-looking loafer for fall or autumn, you can go with a loafer with either a tassel, a penny loafer, or even a chunky lug sole loafer.

3. Ankle Boots

Classic ankle boots are a staple during the fall and winter months for not only French women but for stylish women in general.

Ankle boots are easy to wear with jeans and you can even dress them up to be a bit chicer with black ankle boots and black pointe pants for a more streamlined look.

Go with leather, suede, or even a dark burgundy for the fall and winter months. The height of an ankle boot will vary from either a block heel to low or high ankle boots depending on your comfort level. This year, I purchased these ankle boots from Sézane in the camel color.

Some of my favorite ankle boots are from Sézane, J.Crew, Veronica Beard,

The beautiful investment options I would recommend are these Loeffler Randall ones in a beautiful cacao color. I purchased these finally after two years of them selling out before I could get them. Another investment pair is these Rag & Bone that I get so many compliments on when I wear them.

4. Sneakers

Sneakers can obviously be worn year-round and look classic and stylish in many different ways. For fall and winter, wear sneakers with trousers and a sweater or jeans and a blazer.

You can wear a basic French girl sneaker like a VEJA, Converse, or Stan Smith. Or, go for a vintage-looking New Balance. Sneakers no longer have the reputation they used to have, just being worn for sports. Now, a sneaker is part of a classic shoe for fall.

Sézane has a new sneaker option, which I just ordered, and another shoe I bought in Paris this summer that all the Parisians are wearing is Axel Arigato.

5. Tall Boots

Once the weather becomes much cooler, wear tall boots for an elevated look while staying stylish. I love to wear tall boots with skirts and dresses in the fall.

There’s something elegant about a pair of tall black leather or brown cognac boots with a turtleneck or sweater and a classic bag.

Invest in a pair of tall boots you can wear for years because they never go out of style. Depending on your comfort level wear wedges, heels for height and to lengthen the legs, or a flatter version.

Several years ago, I invested in these Loeffler Randall Gia Boots and they are absolutely worth the money. They are gorgeous, the heel height is great, and they are comfortable. Very classic and timeless-looking pair of tall boots for fall.

Another favorite style that I own in black and stone is these boots from Sézane. I also love these gorgeous ones from Veronica Beard.

6. Evening Shoes For Fall

A beautiful and elegant pair of evening shoes can be worn for date nights, cocktail dinners, and evenings out with friends. Don’t overestimate the power of a beautiful evening shoe. It can make a very basic outfit look elevated and elegant.

If you want something more classic and timeless, go for a kitten heel, suede mule, or beautiful pair of tall boots. Invest in a pair that you can wear for years and that’s versatile. One evening shoe on my wish list and a very French girl shoe is a pair of Manolo Blahnik pumps.

Another evening shoe to invest in would be a classic pair of black pumps in either leather or suede. A pair I often reach for during the evenings, are these Gloria Sandals from Sézane, that practically go with anything.

7. Classic Ballet Flats

Ballet flats are having a comeback this season although for me they never really went away. Not only are ballet flats classic and timeless but they are in every French woman’s closet.

An incredibly classic and versatile shoe, ballet flats can basically be worn with anything. A very classy, stylish, and timeless outfit is a pair of ballet flats, jeans, and a beautiful cashmere sweater or blazer for fall.

Go for a very Parisian style look with a striped top, straight-leg denim, and a classic leather bag.

You can wear a simple black pair in leather or go with a two-tone that will go with anything you wear. If you don’t love a plain ballet flat but want something for the season you could opt for a pair of Mary Jane or a suede ballet flat, which is still classic, but a bit more on-trend.

Chanel ballet flats are the most classic but since ballet flats are trending this Fall you can find them at classic retailers like J.CREW, Everlane, Shopbop, and Net A Porter.

For more inspiration, please head over to my friend’s blogs to see what they will be wearing this fall season.

• Most Lovely Things
• Cindy Hattersley Design
• Classic Casual Home
• State of Gray

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