In my years as a personal stylist, I’ve lost count of how many women have told me they have, “a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear.” Spoiler alert: they had plenty to wear. The real issue wasn’t a lack of options, but too much visual clutter, too many near-misses, and not enough of the right building blocks. What they actually needed was clarity: to distill their wardrobe down to the core pieces that form the backbone of everything else they wear.
Since moving to Paris in August, I’ve had to perform this very exercise on myself. I needed to recalibrate my foundational wardrobe to suit a new climate, distinct styles codes, and a walk-heavy lifestyle. Out went my beloved Tibi Calders (for now) and, as I’ve recently discovered, thick wool knits (Toronto cold and Paris cold hit differently). In their place, I’m adding lightweight layers, a good raincoat (my first!), well-cut denim, and comfortable flats.
Above all, I want my staple pieces not only to exude ease, but to feel easy on my body. They’re the pieces I want to reach for, whether I’m post-meal, in my luteal phase, or simply want to feel good without too much effort.
In the process, I naturally turned to my old faithfuls like COS, Tibi, and Jacquemus—brands with interesting cuts and thoughtful details that I regularly see on the racks at Toronto shops. But my latest wardrobe obsession is the French brand, Soeur.
I’d known of Soeur, of course, but I’d never ordered from them. With no boutiques in North America—and Canada’s dreaded import duties—international shopping always felt like a gamble I’d already lost too many times. Yet here in Paris, Soeur is everywhere, and fortunately for me, it embodies so much of what I look for in a closet essential: unfussy yet refined, and quietly distinctive.
Ahead, discover my tried-and-true favorites from Soeur, and the many ways I love to wear them.
My Soeur Favorites:
How I Style My Soeur Favorites:
Here is Soeur's perfect dress shirt that isn’t your typical white or blue option. I can wear this oversized top over a skirt or trousers, or under a jacket.
See those trousers I’m wearing below? Those are the pants I wear in place of my Tibi Calder joggers. They're just as comfortable, but more refined.
I didn’t wear felted coats in Toronto because the season for them was so short. But, here, such a warm yet lightweight layering piece makes so much sense. And yes, here's that Soeur shirt again.
And, finally, for those of you in corporate settings, this set is such a chic and modern alternative to the classic blazer-and-trouser combo.
My Soeur Wish List:
In addition to my well-rounded assortment of Soeur essentials, there are a few other items that I'm coveting. Below, discover my handpicked wish list.
