When I first moved to Paris, I lived on an island that shut down when our ice cream shop closed for the night (really) — but then I moved, right into the heart of the city’s going-out area. The biggest benefit: Sitting at home in my favorite chair, taking little notes on what everyone’s wearing on their way to spots like Little Red Door.

What I love about Paris going-out wear is that it’s usually just as classically minded as daytime looks, meaning it’s easy to replicate. (At least in the sense of going item-for-item — the tailoring, fit, and of course managing the expense are all harder to master.) As to that last item: For 90% of your Paris nights out, it’s easy to invest in one stand-out piece, while keeping the rest of it easy-going (read: obtainable by shopping your closet). Honest to God: The best thing I learned working one floor down from Vogue is that you can wear Lululemons to work as long as you wear them underneath a perfect coat [which you never remove]. (Also: nice shoes.)

Here, three options each for three such statement pieces for winter 2025, plus how to fill out these looks with what you already own.

1. Paris Night Out Option #1: Transparent Black Blouse

I love that she’s wearing it in this picture with jeans. Fancy top, blue jeans — such as it has ever been, such as it will ever be. There are a lot of ways to get this sort of top wrong: too much futzing, too much volume, too many flairs. The Sézane is the Platonic ideal — I have a version of this from four years ago that I’m still obsessed with — but here are a few more options.

Just add: jeans you already have, or maybe these wide-legs from Madewell. 

2. Paris Night Out Option #2: Midi Sequin Skirt

This is the sequin skirt for 2025: midi-length, with a narrow silhouette. Black is best, but that burgundy is feeling very of the moment. Also loving it in the Champagne.

Just add: a simple cashmere sweater — or a thrifted sweatshirt, or that CashSoft from the Gap everyone’s talking about. 

3. Paris Night Out Option #3: Faux-Fur Coat

I’ve been fascinated with the rise of the faux fur jacket/coat this season. A few things it isn’t: real fur (obvs), sportily cut, or fitted — best if it’s slightly volumized, and cropped. As we’ve discussed earlier, leopard print is everywhere this season, though we’d certainly get more years out of the Z&V.

Just add: a black tank top and leggings — these are standard black but even better with these iridescent ones.

4. Paris Night Out Add-Ons

A few additional pieces: a great-looking bra (best worn under one of those blouses at top), sheer black tights literally engineered not to rip, some two-tone metallic earrings, and the easiest-to-wear red lipstick I’ve ever seen, Clinique’s Mighty Maraschino. TBH: Those aren’t my absolute favorite H&M metallic earrings — but I generally think they have an excellent selection of gold-toned earrings, usually under $10.