While I always aspire to have a wardrobe elegant enough to blend seamlessly into the streets of Paris, that feeling only intensifies once spring arrives. In my opinion, no one does transitional dressing quite like French women. As the weather begins to soften, their signature pieces—white shirts, sleek straight-leg denim, polished loafers and sweet ballet flats—come back into focus, proving that effortless style is often built on the simplest foundations.

There’s a certain ease to French spring style. The good news is that achieving this aesthetic doesn’t require a French postcode or a designer budget, and, if there are three high street brands consistently delivering the understated staples synonymous with French style, it’s Zara, H&M and COS.

Each brings something slightly different to the mix: Zara captures the fashion-forward edge French women balance so well; H&M excels at wearable classics and knitwear staples; and COS offers the clean lines and refined tailoring that give outfits that quietly expensive feel. Together, they make it surprisingly easy to build a wardrobe that channels that effortless, spring-in-Paris energy, no plane ticket required.