2024 French Style Spring Capsule

It's finally here! I’m so excited to share my 2024 French inspired Spring Capsule with you! There’s something mysteriously effortless about French dressing.

Giving your closet a solid foundation for the season is a great way to take the frustration out of getting ready and make it easy and “effortless” to mix and match and create endless chic outfits.

Watch the full video recap above and keep reading to learn how to use this capsule + find all the links...

How to Use the Capsule

This capsule is designed to pull closet classics with a few current silhouettes so that it’s easy to update and enjoy year after year. 

You can use this capsule as a jumping off point to create your own that is true to your own unique style. You can customize the color pallet to one that reflects your favorites or some of the hues that you know you feel at home in.

Keep reading for my tips on how to substitute items. But now, here are all the links...

Here are the 20 Core Pieces for your Spring French Capsule:

Trench Coat 

Moto Jacket (Or quilted jacket or denim jacket)

Jeans (1-3 pairs Medium wash wide leg, light wash vintage straight code: ALEXGIFT, wide leg white jean (size up one) and straight white jean)

Floral Dress similar (more dress ideas)(Or striped dress runs a bit oversized. )

Light Open Stitch Sweater (Or Knit Sweater)

White Tee (Or gray or striped) 

Button Down Shirt (Denim, Pale Blue, White or Silk)

Striped Button Down Shirt or Thin Stripe

Ballet Flats - code: ALEX20

Ankle Boots 

Bucket Bag

Straw Bag - code: ALEX15

0.5" Belt (or 1" Belt or Belt with detail)

Sneakers 

Sandals (Walking or Heeled code: ALEXDAVIESLIVING20)

Blouse (Lace eyelet or ruffle tank or smocked long sleeve)

Jewelry - coin necklace, layering chain, hoop earrings save on all with code: ALEX10 Herringbone Chain

See examples below of how you can make subtle or major swaps to the color pallet and pieces in your capsule...

What can you substitute?
Don’t love wide leg jeans? Substitute them for your favorite trusty pair. Want to add a punch of color? Trade the neutral sweater for a zesty red cardigan or swap out one of the jeans for a fun colored pair of denim. . 

You can also swap pieces to dress up the capsule and make it work for more professional or formal environments. For instance, swap the quilted jacket for a blazer and a pair of the jeans for some trousers. 

Here are some alternate swaps to help you shop your closet creatively: 

Ballet flats -> Mary Janes, Loafers or Mules (code: ALEXDAVIESLIVING20)

Straw bag -> leather tote bag

Moto Jacket -> Quilted Jacket or denim jacket

Trench coat -> Coatigan

Dress -> Skirt 

Neutral pants -> Colored Jeans (size up 1 they run small.)

Here are some additions that are fun to include if you'd like to make a robust capsule:

Bandana  Scarf

Denim Jacket 

Quilted Jacket

Lady Jacket (think fitted cropped cardigan with gold buttons)

Floral Maxi Skirt

White Mini Dress

Slip Skirt

Striped Tee, Long Sleeve, Sweater or Cardigan

Trousers 

Sling Bag - code: ALEX15 Larger Sling

Sweater tank

Heels code: ALEX20

Link Chain Bracelet 

Stacking Rings

Keep reading to see more about some of my favorite capsule pieces...

How to Collect Your Capsule

I hope this is a helpful getting started place for you. I’ve included links to my items or similar ones where mine aren’t available. This capsule isn't something I purchased overnight. It's been at least three years if not longer planning purchases and slowly adding pieces to my closet a few per season. Most of the items I linked are higher budget investment pieces that need to be planned and saved for.

So I'd encourage you to start by shopping your own closet. And then once you’ve identified gaps you wish to fill, you can shop thrift stores or secondhand sites like Poshmark and eBay. The great thing about this capsule relying on classic wardrobe staples is that you can buy last season’s pieces and still feel polished and current in your capsule. 

Pick a couple items to focus on each season as you slowly build your wardrobe. Honestly the slow closet is the best way to hone in on your personal style and discover what you truly love instead of doing one massive shopping spree. 

Now for some of extra special pieces in the capsule...

Le Trench

I've written extensively already about my love for this special piece (linking to those trench coat love notes here), so it's no surprise that my spring exclusive with Able - the Kimberly Trench Coat - is a foundational part of my French inspired capsule. I'm 98% convinced there's no outfit you can't throw this easy everyday coat on top of and feel amazing!

You can read more about it here. Some of the sizes are starting to go fast and have just a few left, so don't sleep on this one.

Shoes

For footwear in this transitional season capsule, I like to keep a pair of chic boots in rotation. I found the most elegant timeless ankle boot recently at Poppy Barley. I love the sculpted lines of the shoe and how the High Street Boot curves in with your calf through the shaft to help keep the leg line elongated making it perfect for wearing with a variety of jean including wide leg crops and dresses, too. The craftsmanship is so obvious on this beautiful boot and it really speaks volumes about how Poppy Barley, as a certified B Corp, prioritizes ethical and sustainable measures throughout the brand.

And because nothing feels more complete in an outfit than a belt that matches your shoes, I found this chic little Polished Belt from Poppy Barley, as well, which looks great with the boots or on its own mixing and matching with other shoe options. If you're intimidated by accessorizing with a belt, this is the perfect subtle piece that magically elevate your outfits without feeling "over the top." (Side Note: you can save 15% on both these pieces when you sign up for Poppy Barley's email list.)

Another closed toe option, ballet flats are so totally French girl approved. There are so many variations of this trend that make it really fun to shop right now. The Mary Jane style is especially having a moment reimagined with multiple straps or even studs. I like this very classic version here also from Poppy Barley and this unique twist on the style that I've been wearing a bunch lately.

I will also always keep a trusty pair of sneakers in my capsule. As a mom of three littles, it's a must to have a trusty all day shoe for our days out, plus I love the fun casual contrast of a sneaker with a dress or pair of pleated trousers.

And I'm including a versatile strappy walking sandal for more range as the weather warms.

Shirts

I can't believe the perfect timing this weekend as I prepared to finally publish my capsule and saw that Able just released the new denim Harris Button Down. I was lucky to try a sample of this shirt a month early before it's release and it's 100% one your closet probably needs. I love the soft feel but sturdy weight of the denim fabric.

This is not your average chambray shirt. It's perfect for creating chic denim on denim looks (side note: it looks amazing layered under the Kimberly Trench Coat with some jeans!) and also super practical for an easy breezy weekend outfit left untucked over skinny jeans or leggings with it's oversized length that scoops perfectly well below the hip.

Button Down Shirts are a surprisingly substantial part of this capsule. Another favorite that I'm relying on heavily this spring is the Sophia Striped Button Down. This vintage inspired cabana stripe is a really fun throwback while feeling very relevant this season.

I love the faded cream and brown colors that make it feel like an old faithful piece. (It does come in a lovely green, too.) The crisp poplin fabric is not see through at all and holds it's shape really well making it so easy to wear. Each week, I'm finding new great outfits to incorporate this piece in.

Jewelry

You don't need a ton of accessories for this capsule, but a few key jewelry pieces will really bring these outfits to life. Simple everyday gold hoops are a must for me because earrings are so powerful at dressing up your look. (Or the new larger daily hoop here.) And you can add your favorite locket or coin necklace or layer a few pieces along with it.

My favorite layering necklaces are from Sela Designs. I love that they are affordable but made ethically and all the profit from your purchase is donated to help end human trafficking. Don't forget to use my 10% off code: ALEX10

I hope this capsule list is a helpful tool to you as your build your own classic wardrobe. I'll keep adding notes and refining this blog post over the next week, so be sure to check back! Thanks so much for watching and reading, and let me know if you have any questions below in the comments!