Of all the seasons, it’s springtime when France really roars to life. The verdant and sprawling hills of Aix-en-Provence awaken with bustling markets in its village centres. The charming and crystalline coastline of the Côte d'Azur slants itself towards the sun as its beaches and charming towns burst to life. In the capital, Paris, sparkles with a reverie experienced nowhere else. (They don’t call it the City of Lights for nothing.)
Though it’s not just the landscape that delivers. On a sartorial note, the fashion that you’ll encounter all across the country is some of the most serotonin-inducing and joy-sparking that you’ll find. Think of those in Biarritz wearing Mattieu Blazy’s buoyant oversized shirts that he presented in collaboration with Charvet for his debut collection for Chanel, or the idlers who stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries in Jonathan Anderson’s shrunken bar jackets or tiered skirts for Dior as proof of this statement.
In fact, I’d contend that this time of year is where French fashion derives most of its clichés. In a heartbeat, locals are desperate to shed their winter layers and slip into something lighter, leading to an increase in shorter hemlines, flirty silhouettes and dreamier footwear that have come to define its inhabitants. That is to say, however, there are certain stylistic stereotypes that no longer resonate.
Whilst berets, red lips and Breton stripes may have once been the defining uniform, these days, these tropes lean more Emily in Paris than bona fide Parisienne. They might be archetypal, sure, but they’re also relics of a bygone era that have since become a little antiquated.
So, what are French women actually wearing now, if not these pieces? The modern silhouette is one of simplicity and refinement, like Camille Rowe wandering through Haute Couture week in a pair of straight-leg jeans or Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu wearing a simple off-the-shoulder Saint Laurent dress whilst in Cannes.
Though the point still stands that France is at its chicest in spring, some fashion trends certainly don’t live up to this description. Consider this your modern guide to the new modern classics. Scroll through to discover all the spring fashion trends French girls have deemed dated for spring.
5 Spring Fashion Trends French Girls Have Deemed “Dated” in 2026
1. Passing On: Breton Stripes
1. Wearing Instead: Peasant Tops
Style Notes: Jean Seberg might’ve made a compelling case for them in Jean-Luc Godard’s French New Wave classic Breathless, as did Jean Paul Gaultier when he brought them to the mainstream with his La Marinière collection for his eponymous fashion house. However, in 2026, these nautical stripes can’t help but feel a little out of place.
If Parisians are wearing stripes at all, they prefer something chic and vertical like a pinstripe, especially when rendered in a chic button-down format. However, if you’re looking for a blouse to wear that’s owned and endorsed by nearly every French girl, you’d certainly find luck in peasant tops. Billowy, ethereal and slightly vintage-inspired, you’ll see everywhere from Champ de Mars to Montparnasse.
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Dreamy and nostalgic are two adjectives that have come to define much of Dôen's designs and are assuredly captured in this piece.
With billowing proportions and intricate embroidery, this shape will pair so well with transitional spring-to-summer trousers like bloomers and balloon trousers.
With an elasticated neckline that allows the sleeve to gracefully hang off your shoulder.
2. Passing On: Pointed-Toe Slingbacks
2. Wearing Instead: Lace-Up Ballet Flats
Style Notes: After storming the runway at the Palais d'Iéna for Miu Miu’s autumn/winter 2023, pointed-toe slingbacks had become the shoe du jour for those who liked their style staples a little subversive. (There’s nothing more antithetical to the prim and polished two-toned Chanel slingbacks beloved the world over than a pair that quite literally buckled your foot in.)
Yet, it’s the credo of the French to never get too absorbed into the trend cycle, which is why when this style reached fever pitch, they were the first to abandon it for something fresher. Lace-up ballet flats are indeed another riff on a timeless style, but also one that leans towards more mundane styling, especially with the delicate options from Chloé, Repetto and Sœur on show.
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Available in this rich-looking chocolate brown, a balmy tomato red and saccharine pastel pink, I'm predicting this affordable style will be everywhere come June.
For a pair with a bit more prep and polish, try this style from & Other Stories.
Of course, this blush pink style by Chemena Kamali for Chloé is quite endearing, too.
3. Passing On: Oversized Basket Bags
3. Wearing Instead: Suede Carry-Alls
Style Notes: Though once her trademark, there came a time when even Jane Birkin knew it was time to level up her humble basket bag. (As the story goes, she was sitting next to Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight in 1981 and, after the contents of her purse went spilling through the aircraft, they worked on the sketch for a sturdy but sophisticated leather bag with locks to hold a woman's belongings.)
Now, over three decades later, French girls are once again trading in their raffia totes for something with more structure. Suede has become a favourite of late, with styles like Manu Atelier’s Le Cambon 35 becoming the must-have carry-all.
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With a structured top-handle and supple exterior, this style perfectly balances utility and aesthetics.
This trapeze shape is so similar to styles I've spotted at The Row, Celine and Coach.
A bowling bag might not be a phrase that resonates with Parisians, but this luxe version from DeMellier certainly does.
4. Passing On: Gingham Checks
4. Wearing Instead: Polka Dots
Style Notes: A print you’ll never find on either the patrons or even the tables of iconic French culinary institutions like Brasserie Lipp, gingham has safely been relegated to the exclusive use on picnic blankets and place settings. Instead, the pattern that has piqued the most interest is polka dots.
A staple since the mid-century, it famously played a starring role in the rise of French film and fashion by appearing in the 1962 drama Cléo from 5 to 7. Belgian-born creative director of Saint Laurent, Anthony Vaccarello, even drew inspiration from the movie for the maison’s Le 5 À 7 bag, which is also rendered in a supple suede. Who knew a humble spot had such staying power?
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Simple but effective, this sweet mini really looks it best when styled with high-octane footwear and subtle, albeit statement-making accessories.
A feature of Faithfull's new summer collection Cadaqués, this pair of polka-dot capris adds charm to any ensemble.
For the classicists amongst us, this sweet satin style from Reformation will be sure to tug on heartstrings.
5. Passing On: Skinny Jeans
5. Wearing Instead: Slip Skirts
Style Notes: Though nostalgia might paint a picture of chic women running through Paris wearing skinny jeans so tight they appeared almost sprayed on and wedge trainers so tall you couldn’t bear to think how they’d climb up through the streets of Montmartre without severely straining your ankle, that’s not quite the case anymore.
This is especially true when it comes to the former style, with skinny jeans now assuredly a relic of the 2000s. Instead, you’ll find French women looking for more romantic pieces, like the simple slip skirt. Appropriate for both the bar and the boudoir, this silhouette is both glamorous and graceful.
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From the knee-high boots to the sleeveless turtleneck, this entire outfit is so chic.
You'll find this skirt hanging up in the wardrobes of Dakota Johnson, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.
Slate grey is a colour you'll often see associated with French girls.