This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for any purchases made through these links. Click here for the disclosure statement.
Fall is easily one of my favorite seasons for French fashion. After a summer of sandals and sundresses, September brings back all the pieces that make getting dressed feel exciting again: trench coats, blazers, denim, knitwear, and, of course, fall shoes.
And while there’s always a new footwear trend making the rounds each season, the shoes I see women wearing in Paris tend to be surprisingly consistent.
French women are very good at returning to the same classics year after year and simply finding new ways to style them. Loafers come back with the first hint of cooler weather. Ballet flats are worn with jeans and trench coats instead of summer dresses. Boots gradually take over as the temperatures drop. And sneakers remain an everyday essential no matter the season.
That doesn’t mean Parisian footwear never changes. You’ll see different colors, materials, and silhouettes become more popular from one year to the next. But underneath those smaller shifts are a handful of classic shoes that never really disappear.
If you’re looking to give your fall wardrobe a more Parisian feel, these are the six shoes worth having in rotation.
1. Loafers
There’s something about loafers that feels made for fall in Paris.
They’re polished without being overly dressy, comfortable enough for everyday wear, and easy to style with almost everything that comes back into rotation once the weather cools down.
A classic leather penny loafer is always a safe choice. Look for a relatively simple silhouette with minimal hardware if you want a pair that will last beyond a single season. Black is the obvious classic, but I especially love loafers in chocolate brown, cognac, or burgundy for fall.
Suede loafers are another beautiful option. The softer texture works particularly well with other autumn fabrics like denim, wool, and cashmere.
One of the easiest ways to wear loafers is with straight-leg jeans that finish just above the shoe. Add a simple knit and trench coat, and you have the kind of outfit that works for almost anything.
They’re equally good with tailored trousers and a blazer if you want something more polished. Once temperatures drop, you can also wear them with a mini or midi skirt and tights.
And while chunky loafers come and go, I’d stick with a sleeker silhouette if you’re looking for something that feels distinctly classic. It’s the kind of shoe you can pull out every September without wondering whether it still feels current.
2. Ballet Flats
Ballet flats have such a strong association with French style that it’s easy to think of them as a trend. In reality, they’ve been part of the French wardrobe for decades.
The classic version is wonderfully simple: soft leather, a thin sole, and a rounded or almond-shaped toe. A tiny bow is optional.
Black ballet flats are probably the most versatile, but brown, navy, burgundy, cream, and even a subtle two-tone style can work just as well. Patent leather can make them feel slightly dressier, while suede gives the shoe an instant autumn update.
Fall is actually one of my favorite times to wear ballet flats. They’re perfect for those early weeks of the season when you’re ready to bring out jeans and sweaters but it’s nowhere near cold enough for boots.
Try them with straight-leg jeans, a lightweight knit, and a trench coat. They also look great with cropped trousers, especially when the hem leaves a little bit of ankle showing.
And although ballet flats have a feminine reputation, they don’t have to feel overly sweet. Pairing them with more structured pieces (a blazer, straight denim, or tailored pants) keeps the overall look simple and modern.
3. Mary Janes
If you love ballet flats but want something with a little more personality, Mary Janes are another classic worth having in your fall rotation.
The signature strap across the foot gives them a slightly more distinctive look while keeping the same ease as a traditional flat.
There are plenty of variations, from completely flat leather styles to versions with a small block heel. For something you can wear year after year, I’d look for a fairly simple design with one strap and minimal embellishment.
Black leather is always timeless, but burgundy and dark brown feel especially right for autumn. Patent leather is another good option if you want something slightly dressier.
I love Mary Janes with straight-leg or cropped jeans because denim keeps the shoe from feeling too feminine. Add a cardigan or blazer and you have an easy everyday fall outfit.
They also work beautifully with skirts and dresses. Once it gets colder, add tights and a wool coat.
A small heel can make Mary Janes particularly versatile. They’re still comfortable enough for daytime but polished enough to wear to dinner or an event.
They have just enough character to make an otherwise simple outfit more interesting, without feeling like the kind of shoe you’ll get tired of after one season.
4. Ankle Boots
There eventually comes a point every fall when ballet flats and loafers start to feel a little optimistic.
That’s when ankle boots take over.
A simple pair of leather ankle boots is one of the most useful shoes you can own for fall, especially somewhere like Paris where the weather can change quickly.
For the most versatile option, look for a streamlined shape with minimal hardware. An almond-shaped or gently pointed toe feels classic, while a low block heel gives you a little height without making the shoe impractical for everyday wear.
Black leather is an obvious choice and works with almost everything. But if your wardrobe leans toward warmer neutrals, dark brown can be even more useful. Chocolate and cognac look especially good with blue denim, camel coats, cream knits, and navy.
Suede ankle boots are another fall favorite, although they’re admittedly a little less practical on rainy days.
When wearing ankle boots with jeans, pay attention to where the hem falls. Straight-leg denim that skims the top of the boot usually creates the cleanest silhouette. Cropped jeans can work too, particularly with a slimmer boot.
Ankle boots also transition easily into the evening. Swap your jeans for a dress or skirt and tights, and the same pair suddenly feels much more dressed up.
If you’re building a smaller fall wardrobe, this is one of the shoe styles I would prioritize. A good pair can carry you from October through winter and even into early spring.
5. Knee-High Boots
Once the temperatures really start to drop, knee-high boots become one of the most useful shoes in a Parisian wardrobe.
And while the exact silhouettes change from season to season, a simple leather knee-high boot never really goes out of style.
Riding-inspired boots are perhaps the most timeless option. Look for smooth leather, minimal hardware, and a low heel for that classic equestrian feel.
Brown leather is especially beautiful in fall. Chocolate, chestnut, and cognac work naturally with camel, cream, navy, gray, and denim. Black, of course, is another easy choice and looks particularly sleek when worn with black tights.
If you prefer something a little dressier, a knee-high boot with a modest heel is equally versatile. I’d still keep the silhouette fairly streamlined if you want a pair that won’t feel dated in a few years.
Knee-high boots are especially useful with skirts and dresses. Wear them underneath a midi skirt so the top of the boot disappears beneath the hem, or pair them with a shorter skirt and tights.
They’re also one of the easiest ways to keep wearing your favorite dresses once summer is over. Add tall boots, a knit, and a wool coat, and suddenly a dress you wore in September works just as well in November.
It’s one of those pieces that manages to be practical and elegant at the same time, which is probably why it returns every fall.
6. Sneakers
Despite all the stereotypes about Parisian style, French women are not spending every day walking around the city in ballet flats and heels.
Sneakers are everywhere in Paris.
And realistically, they need to be. Paris is a city where you walk…a lot. Between Métro stairs, cobblestones, and getting from one neighborhood to another, comfortable shoes are an everyday necessity.
The difference is often in how sneakers are styled.
Rather than wearing them exclusively with leggings or other athletic pieces, you’ll see sneakers mixed into otherwise polished outfits. Think straight-leg jeans and a trench coat, tailored pants and a sweater, or even a skirt with a blazer.
For a more timeless look, I’d choose a relatively simple sneaker rather than something extremely chunky or technical.
Classic leather sneakers are always easy to wear, while low-profile retro sneakers in leather or suede offer a slightly sportier option. White and cream are obvious choices, but fall is also a great time to introduce brown, navy, gray, or other muted colors.
One of my favorite combinations is also one of the simplest: straight-leg jeans, sneakers, a knit, and a trench coat. It works because there’s a balance between the casual shoe and the more polished pieces around it.
The same idea applies to tailored trousers. Sneakers make them feel less formal, while the trousers keep the overall outfit from looking too sporty.
And if you’re packing for Paris in the fall, sneakers are probably the one pair you’ll be happiest you brought. Even if you plan on wearing your prettier shoes most of the time, there will inevitably be a day when you’ve already walked 15,000 steps and comfort wins.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a closet full of new shoes to dress like a Parisian this fall.
In fact, the shoes that seem to work best are often the ones that have been around for years. Loafers, ballet flats, and Mary Janes are perfect for the milder days at the beginning of the season. Ankle boots and knee-high boots take over once the temperatures drop, while sneakers are the everyday option that works practically year-round.
What I like most about these six styles is that none of them feels tied to a single season or trend.
The details may change (a different toe shape here, a new color there) but the basic silhouettes remain. Invest in a good pair in leather or suede, choose a color that works with the rest of your wardrobe, and you can easily wear the same shoes for several falls to come.
And that, more than owning whatever shoe happens to be trending at the moment, is what makes a wardrobe feel genuinely French. Finding the pieces that work for you and wearing them again and again.
Shop Fall Shoes
Discover More on Fall Style
- 10 Fall Fashion Trends Parisian Women Are Already Wearing
- How to Wear Leopard Print Like a French Girl
- 8 Parisian Fall Outfits to Copy for Cozy French Style
Which of these French shoes are you wearing this fall? Let me know in the comments below.
