How Paris Creatives Actually Style Denim

Baggy jeans are a must in any major city. At this point, they aren’t even a trend anymore—they are a staple in every creative’s closet. If you want to fit into the Parisian fashion scene, take some advice from these style icons: 

• Kara is a stylist and creative consultant in Paris who knows exactly how to style denim right. She went for a light-wash baggy jean, a bright yellow shoulder bag, a baby blue Gap zip-up to keep that playful energy going, and to add the perfect summer touch (and one of my fav trends right now), a wedge flip-flop! Perfect for a day spent exploring Montmarte.

• Alexi’s styles these iconic baggy jeans in a simple streetwear way, pairing them with a matching denim jacket and crisp white sneakers. If you want to match Alexi’s look, the formula is simple: find slightly different toned denim pieces that complement each other, add some silver jewelry thrifted from vendors around Paris, and always carry a book to read (or just to pretend to read, if you are part of the performative male saga).

Honestly? I’ve never considered myself a big baseball cap girl, but the way Paris girls are styling their Gap denim hats is single-handedly swaying my opinion. It is the ultimate casual-cool accessory.

These are so fun because instead of pairing a denim hat with a standard streetwear look, these creatives are styling them with more whimsical, colorful summer looks. It’s the perfect styling hack to elevate basic items:

• Petra is a creative director, a pilates instructor, and a registered nurse, and she somehow still finds time to look flawless. Talk about a girl who can do it all! She styled her Gap denim hat with a red and white checkered two-piece set, butter yellow ballet flats, and a white fringe mini bag. Perfect for grabbing wine in the 11th arrondissement or taking a day trip to Marseille.

• Following along with the fun print trend, Alizée, a Parisian model, styled her denim hat with a long, flowy checkered blue and white dress, pointed-toe brown leather shoes, and a chunky brown bag to match. It is the exact kind of outfit made for surviving a Paris heatwave.

• Alésia’s style is the definition of messy chic. She styles her light-wash denim hat with a white poplin maxi skirt, a cream linen tank, a plaid button up, and a striped crochet mini purse. To tie it all together, she slips on a pair of pink silk ballet flats. It’s the kind of look that sounds like a mess on paper, but once it's on, it becomes a perfectly balanced summer outfit—ideal for roaming around Paris without a real destination.

Long denim shorts are everywhere right now, but the Paris men are making them look incredibly effortless.

• Alijah keeps his 90’s style jorts casual, styling them with black loafers, unique yellow-tinted sunnies, a linen checkered button-up, and a big brown Gap hoodie for a total 2000s skater-core look.

• For another great men's look, Axel styled his soft mid-wash jorts with a everyday white long-sleeve, a poplin button-up shirt, and tan suede sneakers. A simple but elevated look, 

Both of them carry a canvas tote bag, just like many European men do. (If you still think it’s weird for a guy to wear a tote bag—please get over yourself! It’s chic, practical, and much more attractive than carrying a backpack or a fanny pack.)

The "just-in-case" layer is now being used as an intentional styling piece. Parisians are using denim tied around the waist to add in more texture, look expensive effortlessly, and bring a hint of playfulness to their looks.

• Sarah, a casting director based in Paris, styles her mid-rise dark denim jorts with a navy baby tee, adorable gold wedges, a big yellow tote bag, and an oversized denim jacket tied around her waist. It’s the ultimate outfit for a summer day spent frolicking around the vintage markets, eating fresh fruit, and exploring new cafes.

• Celine, a Parisian content creator, styles her denim in a fresh, clean way. She pairs baggy white mid-rise jeans with a butter yellow baby tee, gold kitten heels, and a light-wash denim button-up tied at the waist to pull the whole look together. To. Die. For.