How to build a capsule wardrobe — but make it French

Before you even enter a store (or hit "add to cart"), it's important to go through your closet to understand what you already have and what you need, Teich told BI.

"You wouldn't go to a grocery store without a list," she said.

Kalantar told BI that you don't need to give up shopping in Zara and Mango, but you should pay close attention to the quality of the clothing while you're shopping.

"If the stitching is already very loose, you already know it's not a good piece," she said. "If the material's already wrinkled in the store, then you know, at home, it's going to be even worse."

Those who prefer comfort over style are in for a rude awakening.

"If you want to look elevated, get rid of the stretch in your jeans," Teich told BI.

Raw denim is thicker and more structured than a stretchy denim, she added, so though it's not as comfortable, it will be more flattering.

Kalantar said straight-leg jeans are the perfect medium between the skinny versus baggy jeans debate between Gen Z and millennials.

She recommends shopping at Levi's, AGOLDE, and Khaite for good-quality jeans that are worth the splurge.

Kalantar said although fashionable French women typically opt for wide-leg pants instead of sweatpants to run errands, one casual staple stays the same across the globe: sneakers.

"A staple, classic tennis sneaker" is also a must for Teich, who said the shoe is "a great way to just elevate an outfit without trying too hard."

Teich added that sneakers shouldn't be too worn in, and an all-white pair would be a good option.

Teich and Kalantar agreed that the Adidas Samba is a great trendy sneaker. Their other recommendations include Sézane and Veja.

Teich said she recommends a blazer to most of her clients, including stay-at-home moms.

A blazer doesn't have to be expensive, she said, but it's a garment that can have a big impact on an otherwise casual outfit.

Kalantar said the fit you choose can depend on your style, but she recommends that everyone at least has a black blazer in their closet.

Teich added that brands like Toteme, Anine Bing, BA&SH, and Balzac Paris are good options for well-made blazers.

Sweaters, depending on the fabric and fit, can look frumpy.

Kalantar said to pay attention to the shoulder seam on sweaters; if it's lower down on the arm, it'll make your shoulders look bulkier.

"You're going to want something where the shoulder seam is a little bit higher so it looks more structured," she added.

You can otherwise focus on creating structure with your styling, either by tucking in a baggy sweater, or using a belt, Kalantar said.

For basic sweaters, Kalantar recommends Uniqlo, while Teich said Everlane has $100 cashmere sweaters that she recommends to all of her clients.

French fashion usually points towards an elevated aesthetic. Stylists told BI this means focusing on quality pieces, and that starts with the fabric.

Teich said natural fabrics like cotton, silk, linen, alpaca, wool, and cashmere can "make a big difference in how things look."

Kalantar said even low-quality materials can look better for longer by taking better care of them, either by cold machine washing or handwashing. Teich recommends the Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo to wash sweaters.

Kalantar suggests avoiding "too many trendy colors" when building your wardrobe. Instead, she said, "those can come in with accessories."

She added that incorporating a few colorful pieces into your capsule wardrobe each season can keep it fresh. "Right now cherry red is really big," Kalantar said of this season's hottest trend.

Teich agreed that building a capsule wardrobe doesn't have to be colorless.

"Pops of color are a big thing, like doing a red heel or kitten heel or ballet flat," she said. "Or you could do it through an accessory like a handbag."

She added that experimenting with monochromatic outfits can be a unique way to add color to a capsule wardrobe. "If you love the color pink, get a pink sweater and a pink skirt and pair them together," the stylist said.

Kalantar said a capsule wardrobe is about focusing on pieces that are unique to your existing wardrobe.

She recommended purchasing a short leather jacket, like a vintage leather jacket, a long wool coat, and a trench coat.

"If you're getting your wool coat in a darker color, get the trench coat in the lighter color," she added.

She said this is an area of your closet worth investing in, even if it hurts your wallet at the time.

The Frankie Shop, Maje, and Sandro are all French brands with good outerwear options, Kalantar said.

Teich told BI that the popular trend used to be wearing booties with dresses, but it results in an unflattering look. She added that French women often wear tall boots with skirts and dresses.

Teich said her clients are now finding more options than they have in the past as the current trend is a wide-calf boot.

She recommends Inez for comfortable boots in extended calf sizes, while Kalantar said Dolce Vita's boots leave her clients shocked at how easy they are to walk in.