8 Dresses All French Women Wear In Summer

Here are the best summer dresses or sundresses all French women wear in the summer season. Being French, I love to write about French girl style, and today, I wanted to dive a little more into the French summer wardrobe and more precisely into the summer dresses that are in every French women’s closet. So, if you’re wondering what style of dresses Parisians and French women wear in summer, this article is for you!

First, you need to know that even during summer, French women always follow a set of rules to dress effortlessly chic. Indeed, French women stick to classic shades like navy, white, red, beige, khaki as well as earthy tones like tan and rust. So, if you’re looking for a French-style summer dress remember to keep your palette natural. In terms of prints, always go for seasonless patterns like polka dots, gingham (Vichy in French), and simple florals patterns which will always be in style.

Also, French women like to play the intellectual card as they don’t like to be over-sexy with summer dresses being too short, too tight, or too revealing. In terms of fabrics, seek cotton, silk, or linen which are light and breathable summer fabrics that are perfect to wear when the weather gets hot. As for styling, you can pair your favorite summer dress with French-style summer shoes like espadrilles, delicate jewelry pieces, and a straw bag or a French market basket.

Keep scrolling below to see the 8 summer dress styles that define French summer style, then shop my selection of the best French summer dresses from Sézane, H&M, Mango, &Other Stories, Reformation, and more.

8 Dress Styles That Define French Summer Style

1. The Floral Print Dress

The floral print dress is one of the staples of the French woman’s wardrobe. You might have seen thousands of pictures of french women like Jeanne Damas or Anne Laure Mais wearing floral print dresses. There are so many lovely floral dresses out this season that come in a variety of floral patterns. I’ve curated a selection of my favorite options at a wide variety of price points. These designs are ideal for every day and any special occasion.

2. The Gingham Dress

You might all picture Brigitte Bardot in the ’60s wearing a pink gingham dress for her wedding. The gingham dress is the perfect summer dress if you want to adopt the classic French style look this season. This summer dress is perfect for any and every activity, from more formal events to a casual gathering with friends and family. And best of all, it’s super easy to dress up or down. Just pair your favorite gingham dress with lace-up espadrilles. Keep reading to see French women’s favorites gingham dresses to wear this summer.

3. The Wrap Dress

Wrap dresses have always been an iconic piece of French wardrobe, perfect to wear for both workday and weekend. The elegant wrap dress is easy to wear and looks flattering on absolutely everyone. The design has been around as a stylish option for busy women since the start of the 20th century, but it really became popular due to Diane von Furstenberg’s signature jersey designs. Plenty of designers and brands such as Sézane, Reformation, or Rouje have their own variations of the wrap dress that range from classic to trendy. If you’re looking for inspiration I’ve compiled a selection of the best French-inspired wrap dress to wear this summer.

4. The Button Front Dress

The button-front dress is an essential piece of the French summer wardrobe. It’s been several years since we’ve seen the button front dress everywhere in the streets of Paris during the summer season. And there’s a reason why! This vintage-inspired dress looks flattering on absolutely everyone (and all body shapes). In addition, the button-front dress is super versatile: you can pair it with sandals, white sneakers to espadrilles and you can wear it for any occasion. Whether they’re mini, midi, sleeveless, or with puff sleeves, button-front dresses are the French summer basics you need in your closet. Keep reading below to shop for the coolest summer button-front dresses to wear this summer.

5. The Maxi Dress

The long dress has become a seasonless French wardrobe essential. It’s the perfect dress for when you want to be a little bit chicer and transition incredibly well from day to night. From the floral to minimal, billowing cotton to silks, there is a style for everyone and every body shape. You can pair it with a strappy heeled sandal or with your favorite sneakers. A long summer dress doesn’t require a lot of accessories. Do it like the French girls by wearing your favorite shade of red lipstick and a simple designer tote bag. See my selection of the best summer maxi dresses of the season.

6. The White Dress

There is no better summer go-to than the white dress. When it comes to creating a chic and statement look, an all-white ensemble is a perfect option. The color white has long been associated with summer thanks to its light and bright appearance. That’s why during the summer months, it’s the perfect time to try out an all-white ensemble. This can easily be worn for casual occasions or dressed up for an evening out. The white dress is the best kind of classic that can be worn about a million different ways. Shop French woman’s favorite white dress to wear this summer.

See Also

10 Ways French Women Wear Denim Shorts This Summer

7. The Satin Dress

The 90’s iconic satin dress is back and is one of the staples of the French wardrobe. The satin dress is a quite versatile dress. Indeed, you can layer a silk dress over a basic t-shirt, or if you’re going out you can wear it alone with strappy heels. However, that doesn’t mean you need to keep them for formal occasions only. Go elegant with a satin midi dress, or take sexy to new heights with a silky, satin cami number. With minis, midis, and maxis to choose from, see and shop French women’s favorite satin dresses to wear this summer.

8. The Linen Dress

The linen dress is one of my favorite dress for summer, especially when the temperature breaks 30°C and when getting dress start to be challenging! Not only linen is extremely comfortable to wear but it’s also very easy to put on. Linen is the kind of easy fabric that looks good on every body type. There are tons of options to incorporate in your summer wardrobe: you can choose from a linen mini to midi dress, a shirt dress, a sundress, a checkered dress, or a linen shift dress.

Et voilà! I hope this post will help you to add beautiful French-style summer dresses to your wardrobe! Which one is your favorite French summer dress? Which style of French summer dress will you incorporate in your closet? Please add your comment below.

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.