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10 Chic Staples French Women Are Wearing This Summer

10 Chic Staples French Women Are Wearing This Summer

french summer style

The French summer style is very easy to re-create! It consists of basics —thinks white blouses, oversized shirts, jeans, or wide-leg pants, that can be easily mixed and matched to create classic yet chic summer outfits. A classic French summer look would be an oversized linen shirt paired with white denim or wide-leg trousers. Add a chic pair of wedge espadrilles (or strappy sandals if you prefer flats), a straw bag, et voilà! You will look instantly put together!

Undoubtedly, French women know how to combat heat in style. Keep scrolling below to see the ten chic staples essential for a très chic look this summer. Being French, I guarantee you these staples listed below will emanate that je ne sais quoi all season long ;).


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1. Classic T-shirts

A classic T-shirt is probably one of the prettiest (and easiest) things you can pair with jeans, skirts, shorts, and everything else in summer. To get that très chic French look this season, make sure to choose a plain T-shirt without any details —no pleats, flounce, or buttons. Brands like Sézane, Madewell, and J.Crew offer good quality T-shirts at affordable prices.

I love these Sézane Conrad T-shirts; I have several in my closet in different colors. I also love these James Perse Vintage cotton-jersey T-shirts. For a chicer option, I have this gorgeous Sandro organic cotton jeweled collar T-shirt on my wishlist.

2. Oversized Shirts

Oversized shirts are a fantastic summer wardrobe staple due to their relaxed silhouettes, versatility, and effortless appeal. They come in various colors, including blue, neutrals, and monochrome, making them a great choice for any style preference. This season, tuck your favorite oversized shirt (whether in linen, silk, or cotton) into a pair of breezy wide-leg trousers, and wear it over a summer dress or a chic one-piece swimsuit.

My go-to oversized shirt is the Sézane Max shirt, which is super comfortable to wear even on the warmest days of the year. For a simple, clean, and timeless silhouette, consider opting for this Totême organic cotton shirt or this gorgeous Khaite Argo cotton-poplin shirt. For a bohemian spirit, opt for this beautiful Fortela Amy linen shirt.

3. White Blouses

Whether oversized, with puffed, balloon, or flounce sleeves, white blouses are an absolute must-buy when building the perfect warm-weather wardrobe. These hot-weather saviors can be worn with almost anything and dressed up or down, depending on your mood. If you’re seeking something more sophisticated than a white t-shirt this season, these white blouses are the way to go.

This summer, I absolutely love this beautiful Zimmermann Raie guipure lace-trimmed linen blouse and this very chic Alice + Olivia Venty broderie anglaise cotton blouse.

4. The One-Piece Swimsuit

The one-piece swimsuit suits all body types and is one of the most flattering styles for large and small chests. Lean into Parisian chic by wearing your favorite one-piece swimsuit as a bodysuit and pairing it with white wide-leg pants and chic strappy sandals.

One of my favorite swimwear brands is the French Eres. Their swimsuits and bikinis are pricey, but they are definitely worth the investment if you’re looking for a timeless and quality swimsuit. This season, I love this super chic Eres Effigie one-shoulder swimsuit. I also have this gorgeous Magda Butrym underwired swimsuit on my wishlist.

5. Bermuda Shorts

A great pair of shorts is the item that probably gets the most use throughout the summer months. And if chosen well, shorts can definitely be chic! Prefer modern linen, cotton bermuda, or tailored shorts that hit the knee or fall just above. Avoid any shorts that are too short, tight, or distressed denim.

For an easy, effortless daytime look, pair your favorite shorts with a classic white t-shirt and slide sandals. Or you can wear them with a classic oversized shirt and a pair of suede loafers. This summer, I love these gorgeous Totême belted cotton-twill shorts or these Polo Ralph Lauren pleated linen shorts. In the same style, check out this beautiful Everlane The Linen Way-High® drape short.

6. Breezy Wide-Leg Trousers

There is no chicer way to master French summer style than a nice pair of wide-leg trousers in lightweight colors and fabrics. Wear to the office with an oversized shirt, a white blouse on the weekends, or to the beach with a one-piece swimsuit. Thanks to their relaxed and wide-leg silhouettes, these summer pants will suit almost every occasion!

This summer, some of my favorites come in light colors, like these Totême cotton-gabardine tapered pants or these chic Reformation Manson pants. I also love these comfortable styles that imitate the look of pajama pants like these Sandro loose-fit scarf print pants.

7. Sundresses

Sundresses (“les robes d’été”) are undoubtedly one of the most versatile pieces to wear in summer, as long as you have the right accessories to dress them up and down. And this season, there are a handful of dress styles to look forward to wearing this summer: white midi dresses, oversized linen shirt dresses, floral dresses in vibrant hues, or maxi dresses in neutral colors.

Pair your favorite sundress with slide sandals, espadrilles, and a straw bag for a French chic look. This season, I love this gorgeous By Malene Birger knitted linen midi shirt dress and this Nensi Dojaka open-back cutout cotton-voile maxi dress. Also, I have this beautiful bohemian-chic Sézane Kim dress on my wishlist.

8. The Straw Bag

Whether it’s a market basket à la Jane Birkin, a raffia, a woven, or a rattan bag, something about a straw bag instantly signals summer. This bag is definitely a must-have summer accessory, perfect for carrying all your daily essentials and making your summer outfit look classic and stylish.

This season, straw bags incorporate details like chain straps and leather accents, making them more polished than the classic floppy beach bag. I love this very chic Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza leather-trimmed woven raffia tote (which exists in pink and ombré) or thise Isabel Marant Cadix leather-trimmed raffia tote.

9. The Sunhat

To get French style this summer, consider opting for a boater, straw boater, or classic straw hat. These are definitely part of French women’s summer accessories repertoire. Lightweight, breathable, and great for keeping the rays off your face, straw hats can elevate any vacation or beachy look. I love this Roger Vivier embellished grosgrain-trimmed straw sunhat. I also have this beautiful Gucci grosgrain-trimmed glittered straw hat on my wishlist ;).

10. Sandals

From strappy sandals that pair well with white denim and summer dresses to city-appropriate sporty sandals to on-trend slides, sandals are the most reliable summer footwear option! This season, consider opting for flat leather strappy sandals like these gorgeous Isabel Marant Jools studded leather sandals. Or these Sézane low Adeline sandals.

Et voilà! I hope this ultimate guide to French summer style will inspire you! Please let me know in the comments below if you have any questions.

View Comments (7)
  • Bonjour. I love reading the articles as the Parisian style is something I definitely find to match my taste of clothing. I was wondering if you could do a parisian airport style guide sometime, so we could be fashionable even when travelling. Merci

    • Bonjour Emma! Thank you very much for your comment. Yes sure, I’m adding this idea to my to-do list and I’ll come back with a detailed article! xo

  • Bonjour! I love this style and this list but I’m wondering if our climates are different… with 90 degrees and 80% humidity, I can’t imagine wearing a long sleeve blouse or blazer. Is it cooler where you live? Maybe I could do some adaptations!

    • Bonjour Kacey! Thank you very much for your message. Indeed, the climate in France is different (the daily averages in summer range from 17/18 °C (63/64 °F) to 24/25 °C (75/77 °F). So, we can easily wear long sleeve blouses or linen blazers in the evening, when the temperatures drop 🙂

  • Hello! I too love these styles only wish my body type matched. I’m a little plump as many American women are but I can still adapte these styles as I accept my body type. Someone mentioned weather differences. We are able to have some difference in clothing options in Los Angeles especially near the beach as it can be cooler. Like today we have June gloom and sprinkling rain a natural phenomenon here right after May gray! Have a beautiful weekend and stay healthy and happy.

  • I love the blue dress pictured at the beginning of your article. Could you tell me who makes it and where I could purchase it?
    Merci

    • Hello Barbara! Thank you very much for your comment! I assume it’s a Dior dress but I’m not sure 🙂 xo

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