I Want a Chic French Winter Wardrobe—9 Zara, M&S and COS Buys I’ve Been Quietly Collecting

Turns out, the best French-leaning winter buys are on the high street.

cos zara m&s winter buys
(Image credit: @marinaavraam, Zara, M&S)
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As we move swiftly into winter (I’m currently typing this with a hot water bottle strapped to me), there’s a real temptation to prioritise function above all else. The bulky jumper that’s guaranteed to keep you toasty. The coat that might not be the most directional, but covers every inch of your body. You know the drill. After years of working in fashion, I’ve always been hunting for pieces that allow me to balance style and warmth. It’s not as easy as it sounds. One subset of dressers who have somehow mastered this? French women.

Marilyn NK wearing COS cashmere jumper

Marilyn NK wearing the COS Cashmere Jumper.

(Image credit: @nlmarilyn)

French women don’t let plummeting temperatures interrupt elegance. Instead, through clever layering, beautifully cut wool coats and those just-right cashmere knits, French style is a masterclass in looking chic, no matter the weather. With that in mind, I’ve been on a mission to find those pieces on the British high street that feel properly chic while genuinely delivering on warmth. And there were three stops I immediately thought of: Zara, COS and M&S.

Each comes into its own in winter: Zara’s wool coats, sleek knitwear and elevated accessories; COS’ 100% cashmere and designer-adjacent tailoring; and M&S’ outerwear that feels observably expensive yet is impressively cost-efficient. Below, I’ve highlighted buys from Zara, COS and M&S that a chic French woman would approve of, and that will instant elevate your wardrobe.

Shop The Best French-Approved Zara, COS and M&S Winter Buys

Marina Avraam
Marina Avraam
Senior Shopping Editor

Marina Avraam is Senior Shopping Editor at Who What Wear UK, where she expertly navigates Zara, H&M, Toteme and Net-a-Porter (to name but a few) on a daily basis to unearth the most worthwhile pieces, while valiantly resisting the urge to add every single one to her basket. At Who What Wear, Marina is committed to curating a shopping experience that feels both aspirational and intentional, guiding readers to items—both affordable and investment—that will genuinely benefit their wardrobes.

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