My French Friend Swears By H&M’s Expensive-Looking Basics—9 Staples She’s Currently Stocking Up On

I’d be lying if I said I don’t—rather impatiently—wait for H&M’s Studio collection to drop every single season. Why? Because it has an uncanny ability to capture the mood of the moment, feels leagues more elevated than the brand’s mainline offering, and yet remains accessible enough to fit neatly into a February budget. Alongside the headline Studio collection, H&M also releases Studio Essentials, a tightly curated edit of capsule wardrobe staples designed to slot seamlessly into everyday dressing. And this season, the offering feels unmistakably French.

From perfectly cut straight-leg jeans and sharply tailored trousers to shirts that fit just right and lightweight cashmere cardigans ideal for the transition into spring, there’s a certain je ne sais quoi running through the entire collection. Each piece feels as though it belongs on the quietly chic streets of Paris, understated, effortless and considered, so it’s no surprise my most elegant French friend rely on H&M’s elevated basics to look instantly chic all year round.