5 Chic French Women Told Me These Are the Only 2025 Trends They Actually Care About

It might surprise you how many times in a week the words "what would a French woman do?" sneak into my thoughts. An example: I'm hosting at the weekend and I can't think what to make for dinner. What would a French woman do? I have a wedding and want to look chic at it but also not be freezing for the entire duration. What would a French woman do? Indeed, I have long admired the French way of approaching, well, just about anything. I try to avoid making sweeping statements, but I can't help myself - these people exude a chicness that I want to emulate every way I can.
Now, we're in the throws of 2025, much of my work day is spent analysing and looking for new trends that I think you, our dear Who What Wear reader, should know about. So, naturally, I wound up thinking about the 2025 fashion trends French people will wear. This piqued my interest. Instead of waiting to see what they choose, I thought I'd ask them directly. I asked five very stylish French influencers which 2025 fashion trends they're most interested in this year. As expected, they gave some very acute answers.
So, if you have also been wondering which French fashion trends will bubble up in 2025, scroll for some real French women's actual opinions on the subject.
The 2025 Fashion Trends French Women Are Actually Excited to Wear
Salome Mory
1. Balletcore
"I know it's not new, but I do like how designers are interpreting the ballet trend this season," says Salome Mory. "I still love ballet flats and wrap tops - I also enjoy adding a little grunge twist to keep [the trend] from feeling too sweet. Try a leather jacket layered over the top."
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I would style this ethereal dress with a pair of kitten heels for a formal occasion, or dress down with a chunky neutral knit for daytime wear.
2. East-West Bags
"Practical, fun, chic and so 2025 - I really want to try the East-West bag trend this year," says Mory.
While Alaïa's Le Teckel kickstarted the look, it's Prada's suede bag that has my (and just about every other fashion editor I know's) attention.
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The Prada Medium Suede Handbag ticks a number of trends all in one: the East-West bag trend, suede bags, as well as chocolate brown tones we are wearing head to toe.
It may be slightly smaller in size than the Marshmallow Satchel, but it is perfectly sized to house your essentials and them some. I love the long top handle straps that will fit over your shoulder even when you wear a plush fur jacket.
Andrea Mun
3. Bag Charms
"For 2025, one trend I’m especially excited about and I think French women will absolutely embrace is the bag charm trend," says Andrea Mun. "It’s such a clever and playful way to add personality to any bag, and it’s quickly becoming a staple in every fashion lover’s accessory collection. In Paris, where understated elegance is key, these little accessories are the perfect way to express individuality without being too loud. They add a fun, unexpected twist to classic bags, and that’s what makes them so appealing."
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Anne-Laure Mais
4. Fringing
"The trend I know I'll be wearing in 2025 is fringe - in all the ways you can think of," says Anne-Laure Mais. "Yes, fringed jackets, but also suede fringe shoes - there are so many ways to wear it now, but it still feels nostalgic. I like [that it is] coming back - it reminds me of [what I used to wear in] high school."
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This premium boot is a welcome alternative to the traditional cowboy boots.
5. Sheer Skirts
"I have always loved transparent clothing and there was so much of it on the runway for spring," says Mais. "For me I'll be wearing an organza skirt - it's [visually] really interesting styled with a big sweater or blazer over the top."
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Anne-Victoire Lefevre
6. Animal Print
"Animal prints are hard to ignore right now, and why would you want to?" says Anne-Victoire Lefevre.
"I’m obsessed with animal prints; leopard, yes, but also zebra or cow. They feel brand new for 2025."
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7. Brown Leather
"Like everyone else, I've really loved wearing tonal brown leather this winter, and since it's still very cold in Paris right now, I'll keep wearing it as long as I can," says Lefevre.
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Tamara Mory
8. Tailoring
"After years of oversized tailoring being so popular, and having worn them for so long, I'm liking the more tailored pieces that have started to come through," says Tamara Mory.
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9. Boat Shoes
"I wear trainers a lot, but boat shoes are a little bit neater looking, whilst still being comfortable. I've loved seeing this trend in Paris," says Mory.
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From the pinched edging hugging the round toe, the lace up detail around the ankle and tie fastening, to the chunky block heel, these boat shoes boast all the stylistic features for a traditional boat shoe. Made from soft calf leather Aeyde's boat shoes are durable and stylish.

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s Deputy Editor and has over fourteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and authoritative content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, talent interviews self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their search and keyword planning, works closely with the fashion and beauty team on strategy and continues to pen many of her own articles. Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine's contributed to publications including Grazia, InStyle Marie Claire, Elle and Look, amongst others.