The Perfect AUP Fall Lookbook
Fall in Paris always brings a shift in mood. For students at The American University of Paris, it also brings a shift in style. As the leaves turn, the outfits on campus turn with them: layered, textured and carefully curated for the season. But what does a perfect fall look-book actually include? According to leading fashion editors, the answer lies in a blend of timeless essentials, bold statement pieces and a few chosen seasonal trends.
Back to Basics
Every strong wardrobe starts with the basics. This season’s editors are all pointing toward the capsule wardrobe: tailored trousers, oversized blazers, straight-leg denim, crisp button-downs and a versatile coat. These staples ground a look-book and make it endlessly flexible. For students, they are the reliable pieces that can be styled for class, coffee runs or a night out in the city.
Fashion insiders agree that about a dozen essentials are enough to carry you through the season: ankle boots, chunky knits, a trench or wool coat, and a sleek everyday bag, among them. They are not about making a splash but about making mornings easier. Throw them together in almost any combination, and you are set.
Where Style Gets Personal
If basics are the canvas, statement pieces are the brushstrokes. Oversized leather jackets, sharp-shouldered blazers and long maxi skirts are all trending right now, and they are showing up in ways that feel personal on campus. One student might layer a vintage leather jacket over neutral trousers, while another uses a structured blazer to elevate sneakers and denim.
It is Parisian polish with an international twist. Color is another place where individuality shines. This fall’s palette is not just browns and grays, as deep reds, soft yellows and even pastels are making their way into outfits. In a city where black is the default, a bright scarf or pastel bag can say a lot. Students often experiment with these smaller touches, weaving in colors that make their outfits stand out against the Paris backdrop.
Smart Spending
Part of building a fall wardrobe is knowing where to spend and where to save. The general rule? Invest in the pieces that will last, like a high-quality coat or leather boots, and save on trend-driven accessories that might not make it past this season. “What am I going to do when I graduate and don’t have access to the deals on Vinted anymore?!” Amber Watt, a business major at AUP, told me about one of her favorite apps to buy second-hand clothing from. For students, that often means mixing a splurge item with thrift finds or adding fast-fashion scarves and bags to refresh what they already own.
Layered Looks, Global Touches
What makes the perfect look-book is not just the individual pieces but how they layer together. A chunky sweater tucked into trousers, an oversized blazer thrown over denim or a trench belted at the waist are all simple formulas that students adapt into their own routines. The goal is versatility: every piece should be able to work in multiple outfits.
What makes this story uniquely AUP is how international students interpret these trends for themselves. Some lean heavily on Paris thrift stores, others rely on staples they brought from home and many use accessories or color to bring their cultural backgrounds into the mix. Their lookbooks do not just mirror what is in fashion magazines; they reflect a global community of students styling themselves into the rhythm of Paris life.
What AUP Students Are Wearing This Fall
Across campus, fall looks feel effortlessly layered. Jeans paired with long sleeves or sweaters, from printed to solid colors, are everywhere. Some mix in texture with fur, leather or a classic trenchcoat, while others pull on tights and boots with a mini skirt and slouchy socks. “I usually opt for something that keeps me warm but looks cute. I often reach for a mini skirt, tights and a sweater”, Jaylee Garcia, Global communications major at AUP said.
Scarves, beanies, each person’s jewelry layering and the rare pop of color, like a neon sweater vest, add the perfect customizations for each AUP student to stand out while having the same structure of their outfit.
A Look-Book that Tells a Story
The perfect fall look-book is not about chasing every runway trend. It is about balancing essentials with standout items, layering smartly and weaving in touches of individuality. In Paris, and especially at AUP, those choices tell more than a style story. They tell the story of a season, a city and a student community finding its own fashion voice.
