The Aurélist | Journal

Perfectly Parisian pumps, loafers and heels to finish off your Aurélie outfit the chic way 

If you’re well on your way to curating an effortlessly chic French wardrobe full of Aurélie’s stylish shirts and beautiful Breton stripe jumpers, it would be a shame to ruin the look with the wrong footwear. Parisian women are constantly on the move, walking to meetings and lunch dates and jumping on and off the metro so their shoes aren’t ever an afterthought. To nail the look you need to find the holy grail of footwear - something that looks smart, but is seriously comfortable and long lasting. You’ll want to invest in a pair that will go with multiple outfits too. While we might not have shoes in our collection (yet!), thankfully there are plenty of French boutiques that ship to the UK or even have British stores where you can find the perfect chassures to give you that authentic Parisian look. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite brands below. Happy shopping! 

1. Bobbies

Bobbies is a relatively new Parisian shoe brand, but their shoes are simply divine. You can tell they’re good quality from ten paces away thanks to the soft Italian leather they use and the stylish design. We love the beautiful little details - a touch of rose gold leather here and a chunky stylish wooden heel there. The summer ‘22 collection is particularly alluring. You can buy them online and they also have a store on Marylebone High Street in London.  https://www.bobbies.com/en/

2. Rivecour

At around the £150 per pair, Parisian brand Rivecour makes sublimely elegant heels, sandals, wedges, sneakers, pumps and Mary Janes in a range of sumptuous fabrics - think soft suede, decent velvet and striking cord. Rivecour shoes are all feminine and classical in style and luxurious to slip your feet into. https://www.rivecour.com/en/ 

3. Minelli Paris

This brand is a good option if you’re looking for something affordable but that still fulfills the brief of both looking and feeling good to wear. Minelli has both classic, timeless footwear as well as more trend-led directional designs that change with the seasons. You can buy direct from the brand or via La Redoute online in the UK.  https://www.minelliparis.com/

4. Bocage

Bocage shoes hail from the Maine-et-Loire region of France, an area known for its classical architecture and traditional French values. This is reflected in the 50-year-old Bocage brand, where you’ll find classic shoes made using traditional techniques that promise a supremely comfy fit. There’s nothing old-fashioned about Bocage shoes though - pastel-hued sneakers sit alongside leopard print moccasins and black leather boots with chunky soles. https://www.bocage.eu/

5. Repetto

If you grew up doing ballet classes you’ll recognise this French name as the make of your satin ballet slippers. However, Repetto also makes ballet pumps, boots and heels for everyday wear outside the studio. Aurélie founder Lucy has been a fan since she was 21, even before she moved to Paris. They are also known to be worn by the likes of Sienna Miller, Alexa Chung and Adele to name a few. and There’s a huge range of colours and fabrics to choose from, as well as a new vegan option and all of them will add a classic French touch to your look. 

 https://www.repetto.com/uk/

6. Isabel Marant

French fashion designer Isabel Marant is known for her beautiful boho designs that embody that elusive, effortlessly chic I-just-threw-this-on look that women the world over covet. Her range of shoes are just as iconic and definitely worth the investment - think the most beautifully cut boots, standout sneakers, and bright wow-factor occasion shoes. https://www.isabelmarant.com/gb/isabel-marant/women/shoes 

7. Clergerie

This brand is extremely well-established in Paris so you can be sure they’re masters of their craft. The style of their shoes is a little more androgynous than some of their competitors - think chunky soles and lots of brogues - and each pair is definitely made to be delightful to walk in and last you a long time. https://uk.clergerieparis.com/

8. K Jacques

These are the sandals you’ll find any fashionable Parisian packing into her suitcase for les grands vacances at one of the glitzy resorts along the Cote d’Azur. The brand was started in St Tropez in the 30s by an Armenian husband and wife and has since become a much-loved summer staple for celebs and fashion models around the world thanks to their fabulous collaborations with the likes of Karl Lagerfeld, Balenciaga, Givenchy and Paco Rabanne. https://www.kjacques.fr/en

9. Chatelles

Chatelles is all about fabulous flats. The motto of founder François du Chastel is: "Reject the dictatorship of high heels and say no to the banality of ballerinas” and the brand that he launched in 2012 does just that. Chatelles reinvents the classic Albert slipper by allowing you to customise them with different colours, tassels, pom poms, interchangeable patches, and monograms. https://www.mychatelles.com/

10. Veja

You’ll have seen Veja trainers before thanks to the standout V shape cut into the side of their shoes and the fact that everyone from Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton to Emma Watson and Reese Witherspoon have been seen in them. What you might not have realised though is that this sustainable sneaker brand hails from France. For an everyday Parisian look opt for the classic white trainer with a V in black or a pretty pastel for spring and summer. https://www.veja-store.com/en_uk

Please note that due to Brexit there could be import and duty charges to ship to the UK from these websites. Please check with each brand individually about their international shipping and duties status before you buy. 

Finding it difficult to look chic with the ever-changing spring weather? We spoke to French fashion guru and editor, Penny Goldstone, about the seven essential pieces you need in your wardrobe to nail perfect Parisian style this season, come rain or shine.

Gallic Great Britain: UK breaks with a French Feel

Discover our pick of the best UK hotels for Francophiles

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

No round-up of British hotels with a French vibe would be complete without Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. This chic hotel feels so French that you could be forgiven for thinking you were in Provence rather than the Oxfordshire countryside. The five-star countryside gem is owned by French luxury goods company LVMH and is the brainchild of legendary French chef Raymond Blanc. With two Michelin Stars, the hotel is first and foremost a foodie destination - whether to learn the tricks of the French haute cuisine trade in the smart cookery school, or simply to sit down in the sumptuous L’Orangerie and devour course after course of exquisite French fare. The rooms and gardens have a distinctly French feel to them too - with plush fabrics and four posters inside and lavender flanked pathways leading to a pretty potager and mushroom valley outside. https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/uk/oxfordshire/belmond-le-manoir-aux-quat-saisons/

Le Petit Château, Northumberland 

It’s not just the name that has a distinctly French flavour at this 25-bed boutique hotel in Otterburn in North East England. The whole building has been imbued with a gallic vibe, from the opulent interiors of the rooms that wouldn’t look out of place in Versailles to the Mediterranean style garden that will transport you to Provence (on a warm day up North!). The whole place has a fantastical feel to it, taking French ideas and going over the top with them… but it all works to create a magical place to stay without having to leave the country. Le-petit-chateau.com 

The Great House, Lavenham, Suffolk

Villages don’t get much more typically English than Lavenham, with its perfectly preserved Tudor timber-framed buildings and wonky pastel-hued medieval cottages. Head to the corner of the village’s famous square though and you’ll find a little slice of France hiding behind the quintessentially 14th century British façade. The Great House really lives up to its name and is a truly great place to eat and stay. There are just five bedrooms, all luxuriously appointed, but the star of the show here is the restaurant. Award-winning French cuisine accompanied by the best French wine is served in elegant surroundings by a team of meticulous and charming French waiters. The best French food we’ve had this side of the Channel.   https://www.greathouse.co.uk

Château Rhianfa, Anglesey, Wales 

What do you do when you’re on holiday in France and your wife falls in love with the architectural design of French chateaux? Build her her very own chateau back home of course. Well, that’s what the eccentric Sir John Hay-Williams, Baronet of Bodelwyddan did back in 1849 and the result is Wales’ Chateau Rhianfa, which looks for all the world like it belongs in the Loire Valley. Today the Chateau has a mix of modern and historical rooms with glorious countryside rooms. There’s also the restaurant Le Dragon Rouge (see what they did there!) that serves Welsh fare and a wine cave. The area is an outdoor-lovers dream with Snowdonia on the doorstep. 

Le Monde, Edinburgh

Le Monde means ‘the world’ and that’s what you get at this cool, quirky boutique Edinburgh hotel. The name might be French, but you can actually choose from a whole host of different overseas vibes here - LA, Rio, Casablanca, Tokyo and of course Paris. The Parisian-inspired room is decked out in shades of Moulin Rouge pink and burgundy with opulent and ornate furniture. There’s also a Monaco room if you prefer a bit of bling. In true French style there’s a Champagne Bar too, and if you’re ordering a cocktail, it has to be the Parisian-inspired Saintonge Sidecar. https://lemondehotel.co.uk

Denbies Wine Estate 

Drinking fine wine paired with local cheeses in a smart restaurant with views over a pretty vineyard… you could be in Bordeaux or you could be in Surrey! A vineyard hotel stay can transport you straight to the French countryside, and fortunately we have quite a few gorgeous options right here in the UK. Denbies is one of the most famous and really is a special place to stay if you want to slow down and enjoy the finer things in life. There are two restaurants, The Gallery overlooking the 265 acre vineyard, and The Vineyard Restaurant with huge floor to ceiling windows so you feel like you’re surrounded by the vines. The hotel has 17 smart rooms and there’s a wellbeing centre to visit when you’re not wine-tasting or enjoying a tour of the vineyards. https://www.denbies.co.uk

The Waterside Inn

This riverside beauty is so committed to its French identity that it describes itself as ‘un restaurant avec chambres’. The French influence comes from celebrated chef Alain Roux, the culinary brains behind the exquisite menu here. Everything you eat here from the continental breakfast to the fine dining Menu Exceptionnel is as French as a Breton stripe. You’ll not want to miss out on the perfectly curated French wines over dinner, so book one of the 12 stylish bedrooms, being sure to ask for one with a river view. https://www.waterside-inn.co.uk

From charming and affordable boutiques to once-in-a-lifetime five-star stays, we’ve rounded up the best boltholes for the perfect Parisian getaway 

 

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