6 Simple Swim Trends French Girls Have Been Wearing for Ages
As purveyors of timeless style, French women tend to stick with the silhouettes they know and wear them on repeat. That's not to say that they're opposed to newer trends, but the classics really resonate with them. Whether it's the basics they repeat or the accessories that elevate their outfits, French style has remained consistent over the years, and we can't help but be inspired by it.
With swimwear season in full swing, it's the perfect time to review which swim trends our Parisian friends are committed to. After comparing the Instagram feeds of our favorite stylish French women, we noticed six styles they always come back to, and shocker, they're all simple and chic. Whether it's the bikini trend they turn to each summer or the one statement style they'd consider to be a neutral, keep reading to discover (and shop) them all.
Black One-Piece Suits
When French women opt for a sultrier swimsuit, they do so with silhouettes that are still quite timeless, like a plunging one-piece suit.
Scoop-neck one-pieces are pretty much trend-proof. Adding one to your closet is always a good idea since they never really go out of style.
Classic Stripes
Nothing screams "summer in the South of France" quite like nautical stripes, which lend a classic and preppy feel to any beach look.
Shop the matching Bapetya Bikini Bottoms ($50).
Minimalistic Triangle Bikinis
French women aren't totally immune to modern swim trends. Case in point: their love for barely-there triangle bikinis, especially in earthy tones.
The simple styles double as cool bra tops.
Shop the matching Bikini Briefs ($145).
Animal Print
They make a strong case for animal print as a neutral, which is why you'll find all manner of zebra and leopard prints in their swimwear collections.
To balance out the statement-making prints, they'll typically opt for a swimsuit in a simple cut.
Shop the matching Byron Bikini Bottoms ($82).
Underwire Tops
Underwire lends a retro feel to one-pieces and bikinis alike and aligns well with the classic style French girls are known for.
An underwire bikini top doubles as a cool bra top.
High-Waisted Bottoms
High-waisted bikinis automatically feel classic in an elegant way, something our French friends inherently know.
You'll find them styling theirs underneath a big button-down shirt by the beach or pool.
Up next, I Can't Say No to a Swimwear Sale—These 34 Revolve Picks Are Doing It for Me
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.
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