The 8-Piece French-Girl Summer Wardrobe

We’ll admit it—we have a thing for French style. This probably doesn’t come as a big surprise, as we’ve investigated everything from the trends in their closets to the cool basics they love. In other words, we’ve done our research on how they achieve that je ne sais quoi, and now, we’re diving into their summer wardrobes.

French It girls such as Leia Sfez, Claire Most, and Anne-Laure Mais seem to line their closets with many of the coolest pieces of the season and are always providing inspiration for the key pieces to own. Right now, their wardrobes are serving as inspiration for how to perfect the ultimate French-girl summer wardrobe. If you're ready to update your new-season outfits with some key buys, keep reading to see the eight pieces that define French summer style, and then shop our favorite pieces.

Summer Dress

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(Image credit: @claire_most)

A cool summer dress doesn’t require a lot of accessories. Do it the French way by throwing on some gold jewelry, and you’re good to go. 

Structured Bag

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(Image credit: @leiasfez)

Add a classic structured bag to your wardrobe year-round. French girls take this bag style with them everywhere.

Crop Tops

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(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace)

Basic tees are now being replaced by fashion-forward crop tops.

Cat-Eye Sunglasses

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Cat-eye sunglasses are an effortless way to perfect a vintage look. Match a pair of retro white sunnies with a timeless statement blouse. 

Printed Swimsuits

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

French girls are opting for printed swimsuits this summer. Look out for fun prints like gingham.

Miniskirt

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

Look for skirts with super-micro hemlines. This is the ultimate going-out piece, and honestly, the shorter, the better.

Relaxed Trousers

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Relaxed trousers are carving themselves out to be a fashion-insider staple, and there are so many cool takes you can try out.

Platform Sandals

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(Image credit: @basicstouch)

Platform sandals were basically made for summer. I recommend wearing them with absolutely everything.

Next, shop 31 Under-$150 Summer Dresses That Are Peak Fashion.

This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.