Is there any winter outfit combination that’s easier than jeans and a sweater?
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I certainly can’t think of one. But a person doesn’t get by on jeans and a sweater alone. You’ll need outerwear, shoes, accessories, and so on. And while the combination of denim and knitwear is as timeless as it gets, there’s plenty of variance when it comes to how you style these pieces, and the specific types of jeans and sweaters you choose to wear together. Well, time has shown that no one knows how to choose a good jeans-and-sweater outfit better than French women.
The French are known for their classic aesthetic, and because of this, the outfits they put together tend to be quite accessible. I’m always drawn to their winter sweater outfits, in particular, and have spotted quite a few as of late that give the go-to combination a fresh spin that’s anything but dated. Keep scrolling to find out how they’re styling these staple pieces to achieve this, and shop similar items to get you through the rest of the season.
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The 2026 Style Tip: Do a modern French tuck
Leave it to a French women to revive and perfect the French tuck. The trick to making it look more 2026 and less dated is to wear a relaxed-fitting sweater, straight-leg jeans, and a classic leather belt.
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The 2026 Style Tip: Layer over a button-down and wear red shoes
The preppy look is still very much a trend, and layering your sweater over a button-down is an easy way to nail the look. Lastly, red shoes go with everything and make any outfit significantly less boring.
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The 2026 Style Tip: Add fancy earrings
When you want to keep your outfit simple, a special pair of earrings instantly dresses things up.
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The 2026 Style Tip: Belt your outerwear
If your coat doesn’t have an attached belt, no need to worry—French women have been keen on belting their outerwear with whatever leather or chain belts are in their collection.
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The 2026 Style Tip: Match your sweater to your shoes
Matching is cool again—especially when it means matching your sweater to your shoes.
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The 2026 Style Tip: Wear trendy flats and fur-collar outerwear
A sweater and jeans is as simple a combination as it gets. To add interest, pair them with your favorite of-the-moment jacket or coat trend and buzzy flats.
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The 2026 Style Tip: Pair with as much suede as possible
You can’t go wrong with suede. It makes everything it’s paired with look cool and luxe—jeans and a sweater included.
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Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power’s executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater arts. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.
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André Leon Talley: Style is Forever
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