15 French Style-inspired Amazon Gifts for Travelers

Each winter, I browse the holiday displays at Paris’ grands magasins (department stores) — my version of the holy trinity is Le Bon Marché, BHV Marais, and Galeries Lafayette — getting inspiration for gifts to send back to friends and family in Florida. After a decade of living in France, I know how unreliable the French postal service can be, so instead of splurging on shipping and risking holiday delays, I find similar, Paris-inspired styles at Amazon.

This year, I’ll be traveling in Switzerland during the holidays, and I’ve already scoured the Amazon holiday deals so my gifts will arrive well before Christmas. Holiday shopping can seem daunting, but for the friend who has everything, you can’t go wrong with chic, patterned neck scarves. For the fashionistas in your family, how about a pair of Saint Laurent-inspired shades or a Chanel-style striped cardigan? As for Secret Santa, a cashmere-like pashmina or pair of Italian leather gloves are both safe bets. And when you’re looking for something for your Emily in Paris-obsessed sister, I’ve tracked down a lookalike of a pageboy cap she sports in season 4. The best part? These gifts for travelers start at just $8 at Amazon. 

Lillusory Striped Knit Cardigan

Striped Breton sweaters are a French wardrobe staple, but a more feminine, sophisticated take on the sailor-style classic is in cardigan form. This lightweight knit cardigan with its gold buttons can be worn as a top (my favorite way!), over a bodysuit or tank with a pair of leather pants, or with light-wash denim and sneakers. The front patch pockets add a nice touch to the crewneck cardigan, which falls around the waist for a look that’s flattering, elegant, and won’t hug your hips too tightly — the perfect gift if you’re not sure of someone’s exact size.

Casio Stainless Steel Analog Watch

The smartwatch craze hasn’t made its way across the pond, and while Parisians are getting much more into boutique fitness trends like spinning and boxing, you aren’t likely to see anyone sporting an Apple Watch anytime soon. Just like phones aren’t sitting on top of a table at a restaurant, the French naturally digital detox throughout the day — meaning the fewer message notifications, the better. Instead, you’ll see retro-style timepieces like this stainless steel, gold-colored Casio watch. The beauty of this piece is its simplicity; the features are kept to a minimum with a digital screen displaying time and date, plus an alarm and timer feature. 

Ekouaer Silk Satin Loungewear Set

One of the best gifts I’ve ever received was a silky loungewear set from a Parisian friend. The French are masters of elegant lingerie and loungewear; they maintain a sense of elegance even at home or in a hotel room. Pajama sets like this are great for mixing and matching, whether you sport the button-down top with a pair of straight-leg jeans and sneakers or wear the full ensemble with a pair of micro-kitten heels and a statement gold chain necklace to a holiday party or on an evening out with friends at dinner or cocktails.

Sqlp Large Work Tote Bag

For the traveler in your life who dreams of visiting Paris (or is an annual visitor), a roomy tote bag is a gift that goes a long way. Doubling as both a work and travel bag, this tote comes with a detachable shoulder strap that transforms it into a crossbody great for the métro or airport. The zipper pouch is also detachable and can be used to keep essentials like a phone and keys together, while the interior side zipper pocket can keep money and a wallet safe. 

PrettyGarden Lantern-sleeve Tie-waist Knit Dress

A little black dress is a cornerstone of any French wardrobe, but what’s surprising is how an item that seems so simple is one of the hardest to find. Anything too short or tight is instantly out — Parisians prefer looser-fitting clothing tailored just enough to accentuate your figure without showing off too much. The tie waist means you don’t have to worry about packing a belt, and it cinches the waist in a way that’s flattering on a variety of body types since it doesn’t hug or cling to the hips or stomach. 

A day-to-night piece like this one is almost too good to be true — especially since it’s only $45. For holiday cocktail parties, I’d dress it up with a pair of sparkly black tights and heeled ankle booties. But during the day, I’d wear it with thigh-high boots and a cozy, oversized cardigan. Give it a boho-chic spin with a wide-brim fedora, shearling coat, and circular metal sunnies and whoever you’re gifting is ready for a day out on the town anywhere from New York to Paris or London.

Feisedy Vintage Square Cat-Eye Sunglasses

In winter, we’ll use even the smallest sliver of sunshine as an excuse to don a pair of shades in Paris. Nothing makes an all-black ensemble look even sharper than statement-making sunglasses, and these Saint Laurent-inspired lookalikes are all over Paris’ streets this season. Oversized and angular, this strong take on classic cat-eye sunglasses feels both vintage and timeless. While I’m a huge fan of the black-on-black look, there’s 17 other styles that are equally as chic, from a leopard gradient to sleek, glossy caramel.

Kcctoo Neck Scarves

The cliché that the French never leave the house without a scarf is true. You’ll see gorgeous silk squares tied expertly around the neck, around purse straps, and worn as headbands. The way Parisians style scarves can be somewhat intimidating (I only just learned how to tie one around my neck recently!), which is why I prefer long, narrow neck scarves that only require a simple bow tie.

This six-pack set at Amazon is a fantastic deal since whoever you’re gifting can mix and match depending on whether they’re wearing it as a hairband around a bun, bracelet on their wrist, or accessory on a fedora or sunhat. With their silk-like material and beautiful stitching, these scarves could easily double as one of the pricier designer versions from Hermès — yet they’re a mere fraction of the price.

Top Band Color Block Crossbody Purse

In a city like Paris where your day could involve a mix of métros, Vélib city bikes, and walking, you’ll notice women opting for bags on the more practical side, like a crossbody. I love a purse that’s versatile enough to go from day to night so I don’t need to pack a clutch, and this one doubles as a shoulder bag perfect for dinner and drinks, thanks to the chain link that can be doubled in a style most famously seen with Chanel purses. Two roomy compartments, a zippered middle section, and a small pocket under the front clasp mean plenty of storage options to divide up essentials like a wallet and keys and makeup or perfume. Bonus points for the subtly textured faux leather and gold hardware, which makes this bag — now on sale for just $30 — look much more expensive than it is.

Comhats Merino Wool Newsboy Cap

Our favorite American in Paris, Emily, is a huge fan of newsboy caps, and she sports a near-identical version of this herringbone hat on the show. The rounded cap, with its short, stiff brim, is a more fashionable take on a beret — and a style that designers like Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana continue to reinvent in classic tweed or edgy lace and netting. Gifting a hat can be tricky, but this look is one that practically everyone can pull off. There’s a reason why Parisians seem to keep a newsboy cap on rotation during the holiday season; this easy accessory can make any bundled-up winter outfit look chic.

Veja White Campo Sneakers

French brand Veja is to sneakers what Christian Louboutin is to stilettos. The iconic “V” gracing the side of the retro-inspired shoes is as recognizable as the haute designer’s cherry-red soles. Sneakers hold a proud place in Parisians’ wardrobes; they’re practical, comfortable, and exude that effortlessly cool look that defines French fashion. 

I bought a pair of Veja’s white Campo sneakers my first year living in Paris and wore them almost daily. They matched practically everything, from casual jeans and a sweater to dressier ensembles like a silky slip dress and leather jacket — and they’re my favorite travel shoes for airports and long-haul flights since they won’t buzz while going through security in Europe. 

Zluxurq Italian Leather Gloves

Everyone thinks a scarf is the finishing touch for an ensemble, but in winter, it’s really the gloves. Go to any market in Italy, from Milan to Florence, and you’ll come across gorgeous leather in the form of bags and gloves. The French may have mastered silk (hello, Hermès!), but when it comes to leather, Italy is king. These vintage-inspired leather gloves are a great gift since they look sophisticated with their elegant cut — and they’re super practical. They’re soft and lined with cashmere, so they’ll keep hands warm without being bulky, making them an easy accessory to carry in a purse or tote bag in winter or pack for a trip somewhere chic like Megève or Courchevel.

PrettyGarden Faux Fur Shearling Oversized Coat

Parisians love protesting rules — especially when it comes to fashion — so the whole “no white after Labor Day” concept is null here. You’ll see winter white in full force around the holidays, and one of the most popular ways to embrace the shade is in faux shearling. A bright alternative to a traditional double-breasted peacoat, this oversized piece of outerwear is thick enough to keep you warm in the height of winter, yet won’t weigh you down like a puffer. Pair it with a chunky knit sweater, high-waisted wide-leg jeans, and Chelsea boots and whoever you’re gifting will instantly nail the Parisian look.

Whippy Western Leather Belt

A friend from Monaco recently visited me in Paris and every outfit she wore on the trip looked beautifully put together thanks to one accessory: a gold buckle, western-style belt. When I asked where she purchased it, I couldn’t be more surprised to hear her say Amazon. An easy piece to pack, this belt is an affordable alternative to designer styles and can be worn with everything from jeans and trousers to a dress or over a long winter coat. Even better, you can remove the buckle if you need to shorten it. Available in a wide array of waist sizes from S to 3XL, this adjustable belt — which has seven holes — is almost hard to go wrong in terms of sizing.

Furtalk Pashmina Shawl Wrap

The moment the weather dips, Parisians pull out pashminas that are worn as scarves while strolling around town or use them as shoulder wraps while sitting on café terraces (yes, even in winter!). This extra-long scarf shawl is crafted from warm, eco-friendly materials, so it has a cashmere feel — making it look much more expensive than it is. I have a similarly styled one that I wear practically daily in the winter, wrapped loosely around my neck and tucked into the collar of my coat. Cream matches everything and looks beautiful with patterns like houndstooth or plaid, as well as solids like camel or jet-black. For a jet-setter, this will be the perfect plane accessory for long-haul flights.

Franco Sarto Carolynn Tassel Loafers 

French women are masters of androgynous fashion, and there’s no better example than tassel loafers. Faux patent leather dresses these shoes up, making them a great accessory year-round for practically any occasion, whether you’re shopping in Paris, dining out with friends, or attending a cocktail party. I recently went to an event and wore a similar pair with tights, a midi-length leather skirt, and a cable knit black sweater, adding a touch of color with red lipstick and an emerald shoulder bag. Trust me, these will become an instant favorite sure to elevate any holiday look this season.

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