9 Timeless and Elegant Outfit Formulas French Women Will Rely on This Year
We talk a lot about French style. But it’s understandable when French women appear to dress so well. With Instagram, we’ve been able to see easily the kinds of outfits that these women go back to over and over. So why wouldn’t we take a moment to do a deep dive into the timeless French outfits we always spot? Think of this as your ultimate guide to French dressing and the outfits French women love.
Below, I’ve found nine classic ensembles that I always spot. Whether it’s a trench coat styled with classic slingbacks or a pair of jeans, a white tee and a blazer, there are just some outfits that French women will never stop wearing. Keep scrolling for the looks that will take you through the summer season and beyond.
1. Trench Coat + Slingbacks
Style Notes: Summer is finally here, but with the unpredictable European weather, Parisians are bona fide experts in layering. Keep it classic with a neutral trench coat and a pair of slingbacks.
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Trench coats are about as classically French as it gets.
We're seeing so many chic maxi skirts out there right now, but this & Other Stories style might just be our favourite.
A classic black slingback will never go out of style.
2. Cropped Cardigan + Tailored Trousers
Style Notes: One of my personal favourites, this outfit looks best when the cardigan skims the top of your trousers. Très chic.
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3. Breton + Skirt
Style Notes: The Breton is of course a French classic. It might seem a little cliché, but the striped top never fails to look jolie. For summer, opt for a short-sleeve iteration and add a long skirt or jeans for the full French look.
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This short-sleeve stripe tee is a French summer staple.
I love to opt for navy or dark denim tones when black just feels a bit too heavy.
4. Double Denim
Style Notes: A perhaps surprising contender, double denim is absolutely a timeless French outfit. Look to styles in similar washes to ensure it's as cool as possible.
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This is a great example of how minimal details can make a piece more polished.
5. Bandeau + White Skirt + Sandals
Style Notes: French woman master summer dressing. Case in point—Marissa's look. Pair a bandeau with a-line skirts and flats. It's the perfect mix of dressed up and casual. Simply add a cardigan when the weather drops again for extra cosiness.
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You can also use this to elevate your white shirt and jeans combo.
6. Slip Dress + Heeled Mules
Style Notes: You don't need much to make a slip dress look great. Just add mules and a cute bag. In the cooler summer evenings, layer a chunky cardigan or blazer on top.
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7. Blazer + White Tee + Jeans
Style Notes: The ultimate everyday French outfit has to be a plain white T-shirt under a blazer with jeans.
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8. White Blouse + Blue Jeans
Style Notes: Ever since Jane Birkin wore her iteration of this look, we've been hooked and have seen practically every French influencer wearing this outfit.
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These versatile flared jeans can be dressed up or down this summer.
9. Button-Up Shirt + Jorts + Woven Tote
Style Notes: When the weather gets warm, French women immediately turn to this timeless combo: A classic button-up and denim shorts. For an even more elegant take on this outfit, they opt for denim shorts in longer lengths and lighter colours such as white, cream or ecru.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, 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 SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.
Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.
Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.
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