French fashion is well-known for its effortlessly chic and cool casual look. Even in the heat of summer, French women still manage to pull off that perfectly imperfect look that so many of us love and admire. There must be something in the water, right? Well, not exactly! In reality, the stylish French woman has plenty of styling tricks up her sleeve to keep her looking cool, classic, and fashionable during the summer months. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing some effortless ways to emulate that chic French summer style.
The Basics of French Summer Style
If you live in a place where the temperature climbs during the summer, finding cute ways to dress can be frustrating, to say the least – after all, who wants to plan an outfit during heat waves? Thankfully, beyond its aesthetic appeal, French summer style can also be an easy and functional way to dress during this time of year. Think white blouses, floral prints, blue jeans, and an occasional splash of different colors – all easy to style between themselves, making your chic summer outfits that much easier to put together during your busy days ahead. Whether you are looking to expand your wardrobe with some fun new pieces or switch things up with an unfamiliar style, there’s plenty of inspiration here for you.Â
The truth is, there is no one real secret to great French style, but there are certain style principles that seem to be very popular on the other side of the Atlantic. Classic pieces like straight-leg jeans and a simple pair of leather sandals (not to mention a red lip!) are common when it comes to Parisian summer style. Betting on quality staples is the way to go here, making it easy for you to mix and match your different pieces all season long!
French Summer Outfits
1. Embrace a Classic Pair of Light Wash Jeans (Yes, Jeans!)
floral blouse + straight-leg denim jeans + espadrille wedges + coin necklace + basket bag
top | jeans | shoes | bag | necklace
Although you won’t commonly find jeans as part of most summer wardrobes, a quick peek at Parisian influencers’ Instagram accounts will show that jeans are still a key part of French girl style.
To retain that cool and casual look, there’s no going wrong with a pair of light wash, straight or slim jeans. Wear these with a breezy, patterned top (florals!), low heels or espadrilles, and a Jane Birkin inspired wicker bag for an easy casual outfit.
Just like at any time of year, straight-leg jeans are great staples, as they can be quickly styled with other basics to make a quick, comfortable, and chic outfit without much effort – what’s not to love? Oversized shirts, breathable blouses, and linen vests are some styles that would pair beautifully with a timeless pair of blue jeans.
2. A Lived-In Pair of Denim Shorts Is a Must-Have
knit tank + denim shorts + espadrilles + basket bag + cat eye sunglasses
top | shorts | sunglasses | shoes | bag | earrings
An ivory tank is a great way to give your look a laid-back yet classic vibe, especially when paired with a pair of cut-off shorts. When the temperatures get warm, French girls love cooling down with a go-to pair of casual, lived in denim shorts.
If you like the color black but feel like it’s “too much” for a head to toe look for summer (though you can still wear black this way!), you can opt for black accessories as a way to balance and ground your look. Classic black sunglasses and black espadrilles dress up this outfit while also adding some great contrast.
3. Keep it Simple With Accessories
white blouse + jeans + block heels + basket bag + hoop earrings
top | jeans | shoes | earrings | bag
For the most part, French girls are all about simplicity. This is especially true when it comes to accessories! Too many accessories can overwhelm your look, especially in the summer. The best solution is to stick with simplicity and opt for timeless gold jewelry and neutral accessories.
You can never go wrong with summer wardrobe staples like a basket bag, neutral pumps, hoop earrings, or chic sunglasses, which will go a long way in giving you that chic, yet slightly rustic look that screams “South of France.”
Related: 11 Effortless Ways to Achieve French Riviera Style in Your Summer Wardrobe
4. Keep Outfits Mostly Neutral (to Leave Opportunity for a Pop of Color!)
lightweight cropped cardigan + slip skirt + sandals
cardigan | skirt | shoes | bag | earrings
Along with having a small and versatile wardrobe, keeping your color palette neutral will help you create more cohesive outfits and make getting dressed way simpler overall. Brown, gold, nude, tan, cream, white, blush, and even light blue always go together, so you don’t have to worry about what to mix and match.
This slip skirt and cropped cardigan outfit combo make for the perfect easy (yet stylish) look and look great when paired with other neutral accents, such as these strappy sandals. If you’re into it, though, don’t be afraid to add a little pop of color here and there – it’s all about doing what you love!
5. Incorporate a Classic and Feminine Pattern
polka dot dress + espadrilles + basket bag + coin necklace + sunglasses
dress | sunglasses | shoes | bag | necklace
Although French girls tend to keep things simple, adding some pattern to your look is a great way to add a great summer feel. Simple florals and classic polka dots are considered seasonless patterns, meaning they can easily be transitioned into other seasons for years to come without ever going out of style.
For the warmer months of the year, try adding at least one patterned skirt or dress to your summer wardrobe for a little flair. You can never go wrong with polka dots!
6. Say Yes to Dresses
floral midi dress + straw tote + espadrilles + necklace + sunglasses
dress | sunglasses | shoes | bag | necklace
When it comes to the ideal summer clothing piece, dresses are hard to beat! Comfortable, flattering, and super easy to wear (on top of looking super put-together… and much more!), this style is a summer favorite for more reasons than I can list. While there is no denying we love a neutral color palette around here, a pop of color is the perfect way to add some variety to your summer wardrobe, and a dress is the perfect way to do it!
For an outfit you can always go back to, accessorize with a straw tote for some texture and a pair of espadrille wedges. Not only do these accessories work together really well, but they also pair very well with the bolder color of your dress, making for a balanced final look.
7. Combine Casual and Elegant Styles
white tee + skirt + espadrilles or sandals + straw tote + sunglasses + necklace
top | skirt | bag | necklace | sunglasses | shoes
The combination of casual and elegant styles is one that is well-known in Parisian style. This floral skirt gives the perfect amount of dressiness to a plain white tee, making for an ultra-comfortable and stylish outfit for the summer season. Complete your outfit with your go-to accessories to make this look your own!
8. Keep a White Blouse in Rotation
white blouse + denim shorts + basket bag + espadrille wedges + necklace
top | shorts | shoes | bag | necklace
This outfit is another example of how great basic pieces can be combined to create tons of great outfits. You can never go wrong with denim shorts and a feminine top like this one for a fun and flirty touch. French girls love their white blouses year round, and this summer, swap your classic white button-down for a more feminine version.
And of course, you can’t forget the famous basket or woven bag! This is a key piece to creating fabulous French-inspired summer looks.
9. Embrace Natural Fabrics
slip dress + lightweight cardigan + sandals + straw tote + earrings
dress | cardigan | bag | shoes | earrings
Many Parisian women will tell you that comfort is one of the most important elements when it comes to pulling off a chic summer outfit – or a chic outfit during any season, for that matter! Beyond loving the style of the clothes you are wearing, feeling comfortable in your skin (both physically and mentally!) is a lot of what gives your final look that special extra flair.
Natural fabrics such as silk, cotton, linen, cashmere, and lightweight wool are some great options for the summertime, as they are breathable and will keep you cooler under the sun.
This silk slip dress is the perfect example of a comfortable, elegant, and versatile summer piece, with a simple silhouette and an undeniably chic look. When the sun sets, this simple cardigan makes for the perfect addition to your look for some added warmth on a cool summer day, and also works to add a little bit of beautiful texture to your ensemble.
Achieving the Perfect French Summer Look
Although French style seems elusive and difficult to perfect, there are plenty of ways to pull off this chic summer look. By sticking to classic silhouettes, fabrics, and colors, and remembering that “less is more,” you’ll find that achieving a French girl summer style is easier than you may have thought. At the end of the day, it takes time, practice, and experimentation to perfect our personal styles, and, of course, some fun during the process!
If you’re still looking for more French girl style inspiration to get you going, there’s plenty more where that came from. Up Next: 11 Effortless Ways to Achieve French Riviera Style in Your Summer Wardrobe
