This Is the One Item I Guarantee Every French Woman Has in Her Closet RN

Whether it's "oui" or "non," I trust French women to tell it how it is when it comes to anything fashion. In the case of the slip dress, the answer is a loud and united "oui." I wanted to do a little experiment and find out which dress style all of the French women on my Instagram feed were depending on. Among baby-doll silhouettes and puff sleeves, I noticed that slip dresses were the one item that all of my favorite fashion people across the pond were leaning on.
I can't think of a more dependable item in my wardrobe than the classic slip dress. It literally has gone everywhere with me, from late nights to exciting trips with friends and even to bed! It's funny to think that the item that has become such a routine "out-and-about" piece for us was originally designed as nothing but a sleeping gown. Well, we can thank the '90s for changing that.
Spotted on cultural icons, from the experimental Kate Moss to the traditional Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, this dress was truly made for any woman. I'm sure you already have a slip dress or two in your closet, so this article will surely come in handy. Have a little scroll and you'll discover eight new ways to wear yours and a few new ones worth buying.
Straight Up
Wearing nothing but a slip dress never fails. This simple look will take you from casual date nights to extravagant weddings.
Shop the look:
This silhouette is so on-trend right now.
Silk on Silk
While most people opt for a cotton poplin button-down over their slip dress, why don't you try pairing yours with a silk one? The fabrics look so fabulous together.
Shop the look:
Summer Whites
Nothing wins me over faster than an all-white outfit. It's so chic and sophisticated and makes me miss summer! You have to try this out.
Shop the look:
Leather Weather
Polka dots are such a French-girl move, so if you're planning on wearing a slip dress, you might as well add the playful pattern to the mix. I love how good it looks with a leather jacket for a summer night.
Shop the look:
Cutouts Galore
If you already have a plethora of slip dresses in your closet, I bet you don't have this one. Adding cutouts is such a fun idea to give the classic silhouette a modern twist.
Shop the look:
Colorful Cutie
Introducing some brights into your closet is never a bad idea. Playing around with different combinations has become my hobby, and I highly suggest you do it too. Orange and pink are so good together.
Shop the look:
Summer in the South of France
I've never seen an outfit that screams South of France more than this one, and I'm obsessed. Let's just book our flights now, okay? But I am actually ordering this look for every single vacation.
Shop the look:
Business Casual
Get ready for the workweek in style. I love any opportunity to add a blazer to my look, and a slip dress is no exception. This is an easy way to guarantee an A+ on your look.
Shop the look:
This post was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.

Sierra Mayhew is a fashion editor at Who What Wear, bringing a decade of industry experience to the editorial team. Since joining in 2021, she has made her mark by blending luxury and accessible fashion, decoding runway trends, and curating must-have shopping lists. Before joining Who What Wear, Sierra sharpened her skills at Harper's Bazaar and Elle, with bylines in Bazaar.com and collaborated with iconic brands such as Gucci and Ferragamo. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Sierra translates editorial expertise into viral social content, making fashion engaging for a new generation. Her unique perspective is rooted in her love for travel, music, and discovering the hidden gems that make New York City a constant source of inspiration.
-
5 Shoe Color Trends All the Cool French Girls Are Wearing This Summer
No black shoes in sight.
-
Set Aside the Strapless Minidress—This Is the Trend to Choose If You Want to Look Elegant
French Riviera approved.
-
Parisian Style Means Chic—French Women Would Be So Into These 42 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Items
Effortless and elegant picks.
-
Sorry, Flats—These Anti-Trend Heels Are Every French Woman's Quiet Go-To for a Night Out in Paris
A classic choice.
-
If a French Woman Shopped the Amazon Prime Day Sale, She'd Instantly Add These 31 Chic Picks to Cart
Effortless and affordable? Yes, please.
-
If You Want to Look More French, This Is the #1 Pant Trend to Buy (Plus the Shoes to Wear With It)
As seen on an It girl in Paris.
-
Black Heels Are Fine, But in France, Everyone Knows This Shoe Color Looks Better With White Dresses
Spotted at Versailles.
-
I Just Got Back From Paris and Saw These 4 Summer Trends on the Chicest Women
French-girl summer.