How to Dress Like Emily in Paris Without a Designer Budget

While we all know Emily Cooper is an idealised character with her bold, extravagant outfits, perfectly styled hair, and flawless makeup, it’s still so comforting and inspiring to watch her navigate her overly romantic love affairs — and her even more romanticised job in fashion.

Emily has become a style icon, no matter how unrealistic and over-the-top her entire universe may be. Let’s be honest: we all secretly want to be a little like her, embracing unexpected and wild fashion choices. But of course, most of us don’t exactly have her unlimited budget for designer clothes… and that’s why I thought it would be fun to help you recreate her style in a more realistic way.

The goal here isn’t to find exact dupes for her million-dollar dresses — definitely not! Instead, I want to highlight the core elements of Emily’s style that you can follow when putting together your own looks, inspired by our not-so-French, yet still-so-French muse.

Emily’s Fashion Rules 

1. Colour Play

I’m sure I’m not the only one who reaches for neutral-coloured clothes all the time — especially when I want to look stylish. And while having a muted wardrobe can be great, Emily Cooper is the perfect role model when it comes to using colour confidently. She shows us how to pair bright, vibrant tones in a way that’s bold yet tasteful.

Here are some examples of her rainbow-like outfits — along with more affordable ways to recreate them.

 

   

Yellow H&M Blazer
Reserved Tweed Dress
Pink Mango Outlet Body (our advice: pair it with skirts or flare pants instead of jeans!)

 

2. Mixing Prints & Textures

There are fashion rules that are just begging to be broken. I know — it’s risky business… but sometimes, mixing unexpected prints and textures can create a truly standout, fashion-forward look.

Emily often wears checkered skirts with striped shirts (or the other way around), and it gives her outfits a bohemian yet carefully thought-out vibe. She clearly knows what she’s doing.

And if you’re not quite confident enough (yet) to pair a floral-patterned blazer with striped pants — let me be a little pushy — we’re here to help: start your outfit with one of our t-shirts. A classic white tee with a tasteful print, combined with a patterned blazer and simple trousers, already creates an outfit that feels interesting and intentional.

 

   
Green Checked MONKI skirt
Reserved Knitted Top

Checked H&M Blazer
Je Suis Yours Truly BONJOUR T-shirt

 

3. Statement Accessories

As they say, no outfit is complete without accessories. Or to put it a bit more dramatically: we can only really talk about style when we know how to match jewellery, bags, and shoes to our clothes. It’s essential, it’s fun — it’s the cherry on top! So never, ever think you’re ready until you’ve chosen the perfect accessory for the day. Seriously — never.

Emily loves her statement pieces: oversized pearl necklaces, playful hats, and scarves she sometimes wears as headpieces.

Having a few standout accessories can actually make your mornings so much easier. When you’re short on time — or inspiration — it’s the quickest way to take your outfit to the next level. Just grab a brightly coloured handbag or a bold bracelet, and even the simplest look can feel completely transformed.

 

Floral Flawna  - Faux Feather Clutch Bag
Je Suis Yours Truly - Polka Dot Scrunchie

 

4. French Basics with a Twist

To be honest, Emily doesn’t exactly fit the image we usually have of a French girl. (Maybe because she’s not actually French…) But alongside her bold, extravagant outfits, we do often see her wearing French classics like striped shirts, red berets, flared pants, and polka-dot blouses. Personally, these are my favourite looks from the show.

Of course, even these “classic” outfits come with a twist. Whether it’s a pair of shoes only Lady Gaga would dare to wear or a surprising colour combo you’d never expect from a so-called Frenchie, Emily always manages to add her own spin.

ASOS Red Beret
H&M Red Flare Pants
ONLY Cropped Blazer

And that’s the real takeaway — fashion should be fun, personal, and a little unexpected. So don’t be afraid to mix things up, try something new, and maybe even start your next outfit with one of our très chic t-shirts.