Wine and dine—nothing is more French than indulging in life’s simple pleasures. It was during one such Parisian meal that Marie Marot began her own journey to “simple pleasures”: crafting the perfect button-down.
Over dinner with a master shirtmaker whose father and great-grandfather were also in the shirt business, Marot asked him for tips on craft and tailoring.
The tailor, who had been fascinated by shirtmaking since her teens and had previously worked in film marketing, wanted to learn how she could turn her passion into a full-time career.
She was invited to his factory, where he made a custom shirt for her. The shirt was a classic sky-blue poplin with just one pocket. He became her first manufacturer in 2017 when Marot founded her eponymous label, Marie Marot.
The values they discussed during their first meeting—crafting with care and building a solid foundation around a core product—still influence the way she works today.
When we meet via Zoom, Marot is in her Paris office, wearing a soft blue button-down shirt of her own design, with a safari-inspired silhouette, two chest pockets and epaulettes on the shoulders.
The shirt is buttoned tightly at her neck, her hair is slicked back, her face is clean, and her fingers are adorned with just a few chunky silver rings. The word “effortless” is often mentioned in discussions of “French girl style,” but Marot’s version of it is very sophisticated. “I like to dress up,” she says. “I always wear a shirt, never a T-shirt. I never wear sneakers.”
In some ways, Marot’s obsession with button-downs—which she began scavenging from her parents’ and brother’s closets as a teenager—fits her well, not only as the founder but also as the face of her eponymous brand.
“I know the product,” she says of her shirts, which are available on the Marie Marot website and in an ongoing collaboration with J.Crew. “It’s my thing.” She’s meticulous about designing, sourcing new fabrics or paying attention to details like seams and cuffs, but it’s also her best advertisement for herself — classy yet boyish, sexy yet simple.
Introduced by Brooks Brothers in 1900, the button-down became the de facto uniform of office workers and preppy college students. Over the years, its place in fashion culture has slipped a bit: while it’s still a must-have for corporate commuters, it’s equally at home as a swimsuit cover-up on vacation, or paired with denim shorts for a casual weekend. “It’s the only piece of clothing you can have in your wardrobe that’s like that,” Marot says.
On Instagram, Marot often shows off her brand’s latest styles, blending naturally into real life while out and about on the streets of Paris, or on vacation on the Riviera.
There’s something powerful about a woman who has worn clothing she originally designed for men—a sleek suit, a button-down shirt, even a tie. There’s also an unabashed sexiness to Marot’s button-down shirts, which fit the silhouette of a woman’s chest. The buttons on her chest are often left undone, revealing a lace bra peeking out.
In addition to her own looks, Marot has built a fan club, or “shirt club,” which she refers to as a group of women who wear her iconic designs. It’s a veritable who’s who of fashion—women who can do it, from Gucci Westman to Jenna Lyons to Sarah Harris.
Her shirts have also found their way into the wardrobes of glamorous politicians (Kamala Harris wore a blue Marot in 2024) and celebrities (Meghan Markle was seen wearing one last fall). Markle collaborates with J.Crew. )
However, Marot is eager to see the people in her life wearing her designs, especially her original inspiration, her mom. “She has perfect taste,” Marot said. “She always finds a good shirt made of good fabric.”
At a time when the fashion world expects to launch new products season after season, it’s refreshing to see a brand taking a more sedate approach, creating classic pieces that are comfortable and appropriate for women of all ages. “It’s about improvement, not reinvention,” she quips. But simplicity also means perfection—keeping the line streamlined and leaving no room for error.
Marot might switch up a color or fabric, or make a small tweak to her signature silhouette, but ultimately, she knows what her customers want. “I want to be a simple brand,” she explains. “When you need a good shirt, think of Marie Marot. ” The brand’s best-selling style takes inspiration from the classic Winchester shirt and features contrast cuffs and collars.
Her singular focus caught the eye of another stylish woman who knows the ins and outs of creative operations: Olympia Gayot, J.Crew’s women’s wear director.
Another aptly Parisian origin story: Marot first received an Instagram direct message about a potential collaboration while enjoying rosé with her brother; the two brands have since collaborated three times (with more to come), blending J.Crew’s signature preppy style with Marot’s elegance.
“We share the same DNA,” Marot says. “They’re doing something timeless and fundamental, but at the same time, very modern.”
Ultimately, Marot Marot says that despite the time and effort she puts into her products, she doesn’t consider herself a luxury brand. “I want to create something genuine that you can wear every day,” she explains. But her utilitarian take on the shirt offers a unique luxury to women—one that comes with trust.
“The quality is good; the price is right.” With a price tag under $200, each classic style is designed to not only stand the test of time, but also look as stylish after 10 years as it did when you first brought it home. Marot explains it best: “As you grow, or as your style changes, these pieces evolve with you.”