Rooted in ‘Good Style, Good Class,’ the Bon Chic Bon Genre, or BCBG, is a unique way of dressing, epitomizing Parisian refinement, sophistication, and timeless elegance.
With a unique look stitched together by the lore of French tailoring and specks of British aesthetics, achieving this look is about choosing brands that capture the essence of BCBG.
In this article, we’ve curated the 10 best clothing brands encapsulating the understated elegance and sophistication that define this unique Parisian fashion sense, essential to mastering the Bon Chic Bon Genre style.
1. Chanel
Origin
Founded in 1910 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, one of the world’s most iconic fashion designers, this French luxury house is synonymous with Parisian chic and elegance.
Why it is BCBG
Chanel’s tweed jackets, quilted handbags, and iconic ‘little black dresses’ are staples in the BCBG wardrobe. The brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and understated luxury aligns with the BCBG ethos of ‘good style, good class.’
Best for
Quilted handbags, tweed suits, and pearl necklaces.
2. Hemes
Origin
Founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermes, this French brand was renowned for high-end equestrian leather goods before it became a luxury giant and the epitome of understated opulence.
Why it is BCBG
Globally renowned for its Birkin bags, equestrian-inspired silk scarves, and impeccable leather goods, Hermes is a go-to brand for Parisian high society and a perfect fit into the BCBG lifestyle.
Best for
Birkin and Kelly iconic bags, silk scarves, and luxury leather belts with the distinctive ‘H’ buckle.
3. Ralph Lauren
Origin
Founded in 1967 by Ralph Lauren, this American brand is a global fashion empire, touching everything from apparel to home goods.
Why it is BCBG
Though American, Ralph Lauren has a timeless Preppy aesthetic that delivers the refined and understated elegance central to BCBG style.
The brand’s Polo shirts, cashmere sweaters, and tailored chinos are critical to adding a cosmopolitan touch to the inherently Parisian BCBG look.
Best for
Polo shirts, cashmere sweaters, tailored chinos, and classic loafers.
4. Sandro
Origin
Founded in 1984 by Evelyne Chetrite, Sandro is a Paris-based clothing brand that exemplifies the contemporary Parisian chic aesthetic.
Why it is BCBG
Sandro’s cable-knit sweaters, fitted blazers, and delicate silk blouses encapsulate the understated elegance required for the BCBG look.
Best for
Cable-knit sweaters, fitted Navy blazers, silk blouses.
5. Maje
Origin
Founded in 1998, Maje is a Parisian clothing brand specializing in chic, laid-back garments and accessories with a distinctly French flair.
Why it is BCBG
The brand catches the BCBG spirit through Old Money style dresses, chunky knits, and elegant Sloane Ranger wool pea coats.
Best for
Old Money style dresses, chunky knit sweaters, and wool pea coats.
6. Lacoste
Origin
Founded in 1933, Lacoste is a French clothing label renowned for inventing the modern Polo shirt.
Why it is BCBG
Lacoste’s piqué cotton polo shirts with a two-button placket, ribbed collar, and iconic crocodile logo deliver a sporty but refined look crucial to the BCBG style and Parisian high society.
Best for
Classic Polo shirts, tennis skirts, and cricket jumper.
7. A.P.C.
Origin
Founded in France in 1987, A.P.C. specializes in Old Money designs of high quality and excellent fit.
Why it is BCBG
The brand’s tailored chinos from premium cotton twill and fine-knit wool sweaters are ideal for creating a sophisticated BCBG look.
Best for
Chinos, wool sweaters, leather bags.
8. Ba&Sh
Origin
Ba&Sh is a Paris-based fashion brand known for creating clothes and accessories that capture the essence of modern-day Parisian chic.
Why it is BCBG
Ba&Sh’s floral print wrap dresses, silk blouses with delicate lace trim, and knee-length skirts convey a refined look required in the BCBG style.
Best for
Maxi dresses, silk blouses with lace trim, and leather ankle boots.
9. Claudie Pierlot
Origin
Founded in 1984, Claudie Pierlot is a French clothing brand that captures the essence of Parisian chic with its A-line dresses and fitted blazers.
Why it is BCBG
Claudie Pierlot’s tailored wool pea coats, Lavallière-neck silk blouses, and classic pointed-toe flats match the understated affluence emblematic of BCBG style.
Best for
Double-breasted wool pea coats, silk blouses with Lavalliere necks, and pointed-toe heels.
10. Isabel Marant
Origin
Established in 1994 in Paris, Isabel Marant is a BCBG clothing brand with clothing and accessories that blend bohemian aesthetics with Parisian chic.
Why it is BCBG
Isabel Marant’s high-waisted trousers, cropped jackets, and ankle boots are essential to achieving a modern BCBG look.
Best for
High-waisted trousers, cropped leather jackets, and suede ankle boots.
3 Key Takeaways
- Shop Genuine BCBG Brands.
The article outlines the 10 essential brands that encapsulate the unique Parisian fashion feeling of Bon Chic Bon Genre (BCBG).
Each clothing brand presented here has refined clothing, timeless footwear, and sophisticated accessories required in assembling perfect BCBG outfits.
- Create a BCBG Wardrobe of Signature Creations.
For those looking to master the BCBG look, this article serves as a guide to the most relevant clothes, footwear, and accessories.
From Chanel’s tweed suits and quilted handbags to Lacoste’s iconic Polo shirts, all creations here represent the BCBG aesthetic.
- Understand BCBG’s Connections with Other Styles.
While BCBG is deeply rooted in the Parisian lifestyle, it draws aesthetics and patterns from other fashion styles.
For example, a touch of Ralph Lauren’s Preppy designs adds a tinge of Ivy League, while LK Bennett has a touch of cosmopolitan Country Club attire.
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After years of managing hundreds of fashion brands from London’s office of a global retailer, Mandy has ventured into freelancing. Connected with several fashion retailers and media platforms in the US, Australia, and the UK, Mandy uses her expertise to consult for emerging fashion brands create top-notch content as an editorial strategist for several online publications.
