The Windbreaker Trend Is Defining My Parisian Style
Here's how I'm wearing the sporty-chic look for fall.
I've been living in Paris for three months, and I’m going to share a little secret that the city’s PR machine works hard to keep under wraps: it rains a lot here. It’s basically London, except Brits complain about gloomy weather openly, while Parisians are too proud to do so.
When I lived in Toronto, there was nary a trench in my wardrobe. However, while adjusting to the climate here—they say Paris weather is similar to Vancouver and the Pacific Northwest—I’ve had to invest in a few water-resistant outerwear pieces.
Enter: the humble windbreaker. Certainly not the sexiest item in one’s closet, but hear me out—this practical little number is having a fashion moment. From luxury labels, including Zankov, Prada, and Dries Van Noten, to affordable brands such as Zara, everyone’s got a take. Needless to say, windbreakers are refreshingly democratic in both style and price.
Windbreakers took center stage on Zankov's Spring 2026 runway.
And for all its outdoorsy REI energy, my new windbreaker has turned out to be a surprisingly functional and versatile styling piece for every aspect of my #momlife. Take, for example, the school run.
Yes, a black, normcore Uniqlo zip-up and a pair of men’s Nike sweatpants on their own might not do it for you. In fact, my husband has worn this exact combo to drop-off before! But with a few quick styling flourishes while running out the door—like a red bandana and white socks styled with burgundy loafers—the look shifts from “convenient” to “considered.” Proof that intention can live even in the lowest-of-effort outfits.
Another easy styling move for a school-run outfit: layering the windbreaker under a blazer—in my case, my hero Tibi Liam blazer. The vibe strikes the tenuous balance between accidental and intentional (as if you just threw on “this old thing,” while 100 percent knowing that the juxtaposition of sporty and structured is anything but basic).
Here I am on a Sunday, probably headed to basketball practice... or a Pokémon shop. Either way, windbreaker to the rescue.
And, finally, moms need to have fun, too. As Zankov proved on his Spring 2026 runway, the windbreaker isn’t just for school runs and casual errands. I wore this outfit to Fête des Puces de Saint-Ouen, a semi-annual outdoor soirée at one of the world's largest flea markets that sits just north of Montmartre. Functional, yes. But also très chic.
