When They're Not Wearing Jeans, People in Paris Wear These 5 Staples
We study French-girl style in depth here at Who What Wear, and if there is one thing I've learned, it's that jeans—predominantly vintage-inspired, straight-leg pairs—are practically a second skin to Parisians. While they still wear jeans extensively in the summer, the French also gravitate toward a handful of stylish staples to keep them looking effortlessly cool as the temps rise.
If you love Parisian style as much as we do, take a peek below to see the jean alternatives French people rely on throughout the summer. Plus, get inspired on how to style these staples. Of course, I also included plenty of shopping picks to help you get the look.
Floral Dresses
The French love pretty floral dresses. Once temperatures warm up, you'll likely spot a stylish Parisian sporting a slip-style silhouette or a short-sleeve minidress with a pair of flat sandals, wedges, or mules.
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Minimalist Miniskirts
Whether styled with a tank, tee, or button-down, the French fashion set has an affinity for sleek, minimalist miniskirts. They'll wear them throughout the summer and tend to style them with ballet flats, flat sandals, or kitten heels.
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Denim Shorts
Okay, so the French won't get rid of their denim that easily. In the summer, they'll swap their straight-leg jeans for a pair of high-waisted vintage-inspired denim shorts, which they may style with a button-down shirt or blazer in the city to add a polished touch.
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Silky Slip Dresses
Simple silky slip dresses are a dress style practically every French woman wears in summer. They're easy to style for both day and night. Whether you opt for a vintage-inspired one with lace trim or a simple midi silhouette, the versatile dress always looks chic.
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Loose Tailored Trousers
Loose or relaxed tailored trousers are a year-round favorite for the French fashion set. In summer, you'll see lighter tones and fabrics paired with tees, tank tops, and sandals.
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Next, 8 Dress Trends French Women Always Reach for in Summer

Judith Jones is the associate shopping director at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for over a decade. She specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.
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