I'm Stealing This Easy French-Girl Styling Trick to Freshen Up All My Spring Outfits

French women often turn to this cute jean and shoe pairing, now I am too. Keep scrolling to shop.

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women wear white jeans and white flat shoes
(Image credit: @annelauremais, @salome.mory, @vikilefevre)
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With spring arriving, my wardrobe full of classics felt like it was needing an injection of freshness, and while scrolling through my feed recently I came across a ridiculously easy yet ridiculously chic jeans and shoe pairing being championed by one of the most stylish French women I know: Anne-Laure Mais.

The pairing in question? White jeans with white flat shoes. Yes, it's that simple—simple, but effective. I feel like I usually see white or ecru denim paired with black or tan shoes, which of course works. But going slightly rogue with a matching tonal shoe made the classic spring denim feel much more intentional. A white heel may well have felt a little tacky, but the flats gave the whole look a really cool, relaxed finish. I love that she kept the rest of the look monochrome too, with a black funnel-neck Free People jacket and black accessories. Très chic.

Woman wears white jeans and white flat ballet pumps

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Woman wears white jeans with white flats

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Woman wears white jeans outfit with white ballet flat shoes

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Once I spotted the look I dug a little deeper and realised it was a combo that other polished French women I follow have turned to before—so, now I'm hooked. The best part is that I (as you might) already own both a great pair of white denim jeans and some white ballet flats that I'm going to try wearing together immediately.

Are there any rules with this look, I hear you ask? No, not really! From my research it clearly works best with a classic spring shoe like a soft ballet flat, loafer or trainer, and a flash of skin (even if its sheathed in sheer tights like Anne-Laure) is always nice to break up the matching colours. Both bright crisp whites and creamy off-whites seem to work well, and you can either match your shades or contrast them to create a nice tonal effect. As with all tonal dressing, it's also nice to play with texture, so I've got my eye on these H&M woven flats to try and I love the idea of these high shine loafers too.

If you're with me, I've shared some of my French-girl outfit inspiration below, and also linked the best white jeans and white flat shoes on the market right now (in my expert opinion). Happy spring dressing, everyone...

Chic Inspiration From French Women Wearing White Jeans With White Flats:

Woman wears white jeans + white flat shoes

(Image credit: @vikilefevre)

White jeans outfit

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Woman wears white jeans and denim jacket look with white flat shoes

(Image credit: @salome.mory)

a selfie of a woman's feet wearing white jeans and white flat shoes

(Image credit: @salome.mory)

woman wears cream shoes with white jeans at a french cafe

(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Shop the Best White Jeans

Shop the Best White Flat Shoes

Emily Dawes
Emily Dawes
Senior Shopping Editor

Emily Dawes is an editor, stylist and writer with over 12 years in the industry. Known for impeccable taste, our readers trust her advice, especially in her column, expensive-looking high street buys. Working for Who What Wear UK since 2020, Emily has been a contributing editor, branded content editor and affiliate editor. Now, as senior shopping editor, she leads the e-commerce content strategy. After obtaining a BA in English and American Studies from Nottingham University, Emily landed at The Mail on Sunday’s YOU. As the magazine’s fashion editor, she travelled the globe to style and direct fashion editorials and celebrity cover shoots. As a freelancer, she has styled Grazia cover shoots, developed brand marketing and content plans and worked with VIP clients including Elizabeth Day.