In Paris, This Color-Styling Trick Is What the Chicest Dressers Do Differently in 2026

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Take notes so you can put together the chicest outfits this winter and beyond.

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It’s a pet peeve of mine—and, frankly, a dated fashion rule—that people feel their bag must match their shoes in color. As a fashion editor, I’m here to debunk this once and for all because I believe it’s what separates an outfit that’s “good” from one that’s “great.” My main point is that when following this “rule,” either the bag or the shoes often becomes an afterthought rather than an intentional accessory, resulting in a look that lacks dimension and interest. I know I’m not alone in this; my fellow editors at Who What Wear agree, and I’ve noticed that the best dressers in Paris—both locals and visitors—consistently ignore this idea.

I recently saw Halle Berry execute this non-matching color-styling trick perfectly while she was visiting Paris. The actress wore a polished winter denim look: medium-wash straight-leg jeans, a gray double-breasted coat, and a gray scarf. For her accessories, she consciously paired black pointed-toe heeled boots with a brown croc-effect purse. Someone still adhering to the old “rule” might question why she didn’t choose a black bag or brown boots. Yet it’s this deliberate clash that elevated her outfit, making it look elegant and interesting.

Inspired by Berry’s ensemble, I browsed Instagram for examples from chic Parisian dressers who share this approach. To my benefit, I didn’t have to look for long. Recent Parisian street style confirms that intentionally not coordinating the colors of the shoes and bag is a key to their effortlessly chic and inherently cool aesthetic. It’s a subtle touch, but it’s what shows that they “get it.” Examples included pairing a tan suede bag with black leather pumps, beige suede flats with a black leather bag, and black leather boots with a chocolate-brown suede bag. These looks demonstrate that a bag should enhance the outfit on its own merits, not just coordinate with the footwear, and that mixing materials is also acceptable.

So the next time you instinctively grab your black bag to go with your black boots, stop and reconsider. Ask yourself whether the black bag looks best with the outfit, or if you’re choosing it out of habit and because you feel you need it to create a polished look. Keep scrolling to see the Parisian outfits I mentioned and find the best pieces to re-create them.