Timeless, anti-trend, and polished—there are so many things I love about traditional French style. However, as classic as the Gallic girls can be, they also know the importance of balancing their forever staples with those slightly more modern trends to keep their outfits looking interesting. And as someone who’s getting just a little bit bored with my summer basics and hoping to add a contemporary edge to my outfits for 2026, I’ve spent hours scrolling on the Instagram pages of my favourite French influencers for inspiration.

My main takeaway? Summer 2026 is the season of subtle yet effective outfit trends that look fresh without feeling too out there. Focusing on a number of easy-to-style elements that feel as elevated as they are effortless, in true Parisian fashion, they perfectly strike the balance between looking fresh for 2026 and feeling timeless enough to last in your wardrobe for many years to come.

From vintage-inspired pieces making a comeback to bold accessories that are sure to make a statement, keep scrolling to discover five outfit trends French it girls are wearing in summer 2026.

5 Outfit Trends French It Girls Will Be Wearing Until Early Autumn

1. Satin Separates

Style notes: Linen and cotton are synonymous with summer, but polished French women know that satin clothing is just as versatile and looks even more put-together for those more formal warm-weather occasions. Expensive-looking, airy, and a world away from crinkly linen, satin separates can easily be taken from day to night by swapping out your sandals for low heels.

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2. Clearly Chic

Style notes: Hearing the word “sheer” might initially feel intimidating, but rest assured that Parisiennes are all about those romantically soft and billowing fabrics as opposed to the tighter, sexier mesh separates that dominated previously. This allows for easy layering in a way that will make your see-through separates feel much more wearable for everyday.

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3. Make a Statement

Style notes: Sometimes, all you need to dress up an outfit is a good accessory, and no one does this better than the French girls. Adding something as simple as a neutral scarf or chunky disc necklace can take an outfit from basic to elevated.

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4. Lace-Trim Everything

Style notes: If you keep up with current trends, it will come as no surprise that lace-trim separates are making their way back into the forefront of the minds of elegant Gallic girls. Once considered drab or even frumpy, lace-trim skirts, tops, and dresses are now one of the most sought-after fabrications of summer 2026.

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5. Vintage Revival

Style notes: If French it girls have taught me anything, it’s that summer 2026 is the season of vintage revival. From pretty lace insert blouses to statement-making balloon pants, the Gallic girls can’t seem to get enough of these throwback pieces this year.

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As the paragon of boho dressing, it should come as no surprise to see Sienna Miller master yet another floaty mini to combat the recent heatwave that’s been gripping London for the past week. Eschewing her favourite ethereal Chloé maxis, the actress stepped out in her old haunt of Portobello Road to celebrate the opening of Debute’s pop-up boutique.

Founded by sisters Jazzy De Lisser and Lola Bute, the brand fuses the daring silhouettes found along Ibiza coastlines with the ease and effortlessness of London style, making it like catnip for cool girls seeking flirty hemlines, sensual prints and beachy accents.

These are fitting adages for a woman who has made herself a devotee of lace trims, blissful eyelets and tiered skirts, so it wasn’t a major stretch of the imagination to see the mother-of-three out and about in their styles. What did pique interest, however, was the fact that her ensembles consisted of the cardinal pieces in a chic French woman’s summer wardrobe.

As a British It girl through and through, one always associates Miller’s style with the sartorial capital, be it through her penchant for tailored jeans and boxy blazers when off-duty in Marylebone, or her sumptuous knits and nap dresses when at home at Buckinghamshire cottage.

Still, for the outing, she looked every part Parisian in a dreamy broderie anglaise mini and T-bar sandals. She accented these pieces with a woven basket bag, too, which has long been the staple of style icons like Jane Birkin and Catherine Deneuve, further cementing her allegiance to the Côte d'Azur aesthetic.

This wasn’t a one-time occasion either. As posted on Debute’s Instagram, Miller also posed in a pretty red-and-white gingham dress, which looked as seamless in Notting Hill as it would in Provence. With Euro Summer on the horizon, we certainly can’t think of a better approach to dressing than reaching for pieces that would work well across both sides of the channel.

For pieces that are made to be worn on long market strolls, evenings by the coast and whilst sipping on a glass of crisp rosé, shop the best Sienna Miller-approved summer dresses and sandals.

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Over the past decade, living in France, I have attended what feels like 852 French weddings. I have been to more French weddings than any other type of social event in my life. Children’s birthday parties now come in a respectable second, though they’re nowhere near as competitive. Why so many? It’s not that I have an impossibly large social circle, though my husband does have an impressive number of first cousins. It’s that the French, with their passionate devotion to the separation of religion and state, often have two weddings per couple.

Before any religious ceremony can take place, couples are legally required to marry at their local mairie (city hall). Their forthcoming union is announced publicly on a noticeboard outside the building (to give anyone in the vicinity with just cause the chance to dispute the union), after which they may proceed with whatever religious celebration they choose (or not). For many couples, these become two entirely separate events: a civil wedding in the city, followed weeks or months later by a larger, countryside celebration.

Then there are the hen dos, which the French charmingly call "l’enterrement de vie de jeune fille"—literally, "the burial of the young woman’s life." (Men receive the same treatment.) That’s potentially three separate occasions requiring three separate outfits. More, if you’re the sort of person who likes an outfit change. As someone who loves weddings but also values efficiency, I’ve spent years taking notes. Somewhere around my 20th French wedding, I realised that French women approach wedding dressing quite differently from their English counterparts. Their goal isn’t perfection, but it’s endurance, because French weddings aren’t just photo ops; they’re marathons. Here are the lessons I’ve learned.

5 Style Tips for Dressing for a French Wedding

1. Comfort Always Wins

There is nothing—and I mean nothing—worse than spending 12 hours trapped inside an uncomfortable outfit. The biggest mistake wedding guests make is dressing for the arrival rather than the event itself. French weddings routinely begin in the afternoon and continue until the small hours. There may be a church ceremony (a Catholic mass can be two hours long), a cocktail hour, dinner, speeches, dancing, late-night food and then more dancing. Then, the next day, there’s the poolside brunch (giant afterparty).

You need to survive all of it. I’d personally rather feel fantastic than spend an entire day wondering whether a strapless bra is slipping south. Likewise, I’d rather dance properly in a sturdy mid-heel (or flat!) than spend the evening perched on stilettos before inevitably changing into emergency flats. French women have mastered this calculation. Rather than packing trainers for later, they simply start with shoes they can actually wear.

2. French Women Treat Dress Codes More Casually Than You’d Think

Like many wedding cultures, there is one universally understood rule: don’t wear white. Beyond that, things become surprisingly murky. You may be surprised to learn that despite Parisian women’s well-documented devotion to black, it isn’t typically the colour of choice at French weddings. Given its association with mourning, this makes a certain amount of sense, I suppose. The rule that truly baffled me, however, concerned red. I only learned of it recently whilst wearing a bright red dress to a wedding.

A fellow guest informed me that red supposedly signals that you are the groom’s mistress. Yes, you read that correctly. This felt like useful information that perhaps could have been shared before the ceremony. Apparently, it’s an old superstition that still circulates in certain circles. Meanwhile, red remains a traditional bridal colour throughout much of India and Pakistan, associated with prosperity, joy and marriage itself. So yeah, personally, I’m not buying it. In fact, I wore another red dress to a Paris civil wedding last week.

3. Weddings Are the One Time French Women Fully Embrace Colour

Every French wedding gives me a slight The Wizard of Oz moment. The same women who spend most of the year dressed in navy, black, camel and cream suddenly emerge wearing fuchsia, emerald green, tomato red, saffron yellow and combinations that, on paper, have absolutely no business working together. And yet they do.

French wedding style is often less about matching and more about intentional contrast: pink with red, lilac with burgundy, bright florals against tailored outerwear. The result feels joyful rather than precious. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve arrived questioning a colour combination only to spend the rest of the day wondering why I don’t wear it myself. Personally, pink and red remain my favourite pairing.

4. Don't Try Too Hard

One thing I consistently notice at French weddings is that women rarely look as though they’re trying too hard. That doesn’t mean they dress conservatively, quite the opposite. But French wedding dressing tends to favour suggestions, like a beautifully cut back, an incredible fabric, a dramatic sleeve or a perfectly tailored silhouette. Another not-trying-too-hard facet I’ve noted over the years is that with all the weddings to keep up with, my Parisian friends are spending less on these outfits than you might think.

There is no shame whatsoever in a dress from the high street or a French mid-level brand, in fact, and a perfect vintage find is one’s crowning glory. That or an excellent rotation of "tradesies" with one’s similarly fashion-minded friends. "You wear the shoes, I will wear that dress, then we swap." So yes, it’s definitely not a spending competition. To the contrary, pulling it all off for less is to be admired, even envied.

5. Low-Key Beauty Rules at Every Age

If there is one consistent French wedding beauty rule, it’s this: nobody wants to look overdone. Over-60 French women particularly excel at this. I am always amazed by the level of embracing one’s flaws and highlighting one’s natural features. The women whose beauty routines I want to snatch most throughout the marathon are rarely the ones with the most elaborate updos or the most complicated makeup.

Plus, if you haven’t gone for hair and makeup that’s too elaborate, it’s much less likely to look like it’s come apart at the seams after hours of wild dancing. Instead, hair tends to look soft and touchable. Makeup enhances rather than transforms. The irony, of course, is that achieving this level of apparent effortlessness often requires considerable effort. But that’s a different story for a different day. Oh, and if you’re like me, don’t forget to wear waterproof mascara—I'm not jaded yet!

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When the weather is hot and merely the idea of pulling clothes out of your wardrobe makes you sweaty, it's time to refer to the always-reliable French-girl summer outfit formulas. These helpful combinations come together for any occasion this season has in store for you, from dinners to days in the office.

When you have a formula running as the undercurrent, it's all the easier to infuse creativity into your outfits. You can worry less about the foundational pieces and main components and focus primarily on how to make these work for your schedule and personal style preferences. Not to mention, French women have essentially founded and perfected the idea of a timeless formula, so there's no better portion of the fashion set to turn to for ideas that are most often impermeable to the trend cycle.

These formulas come in handy for other reasons, too, not just when it's too hot to think about getting dressed. They bring comfort amid the stress and bag restrictions when you're packing Euro holiday looks, offering simple but stylish ideas to take you from the arrivals gate to your final dinner. Each equation also provides a framework to have in the back of your mind and implement to ensure you're making the most of each item in your summer capsule wardrobe.

I also want to point out just how easy these are to edit. The bones of the listed formulas are strong but adjustable. If you find you'd rather wear cotton trousers over linen, it will still work the same. Perhaps you'd prefer mesh flat over a pointed-toe option; that's not a problem either. The magic lies in the adaptability.

If you're hopeful for a more effortless method of summer dressing, the following five French-girl formulas have your back.

5 Chic French-Girl Summer 2026 Outfit Formulas

1. Pleated Top + Linen Trousers + Almond-Toe Ballet Flats = Chic Summer Uniform

Style Notes: One of the best ways to dodge decision overwhelm is by having a summer uniform, and French women always have a knack for creating options that feel far from basic or boring. With three simple pieces, you can create a look that works for a long list of this season's occasions and activities. A pleated top, classic linen trousers and almond-toe ballet flats are an effortless combination, regardless of the specific cut, silhouette or colour you choose for each item.

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2. Silk Top + Silk Trousers + Heeled Sandals = Dinner Date Outfit

Style Notes: Nothing creates a sleek outfit like a matching silk set. Co-ords are a dependable option you can turn to when you're after nicer attire for a dinner date (or similar). A minimalist approach always results in an expensive-looking outfit, as proven by Paris-based stylist Sylvie Mus. Black accessories contrast so nicely against a cream-coloured silk set, and together produce a timeless outfit you could wear this summer, last summer or next year.

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3. Maxi Dress + Statement Necklace + Heeled Flip-Flops = On-Holiday Look

Style Notes: I will always admire how easily French women can elevate a summer staple. A piece as simple as a maxi dress becomes infinitely more chic with heeled sandals and a pendant necklace. What I like best about this formula is how you can shift it depending on your plans. A long day of walking on holiday? Trade the necklace for a sun hat and the sandals for trainers. Off for a beach day? Opt for flat flip-flops instead of heeled and a sundress that dries quickly to wear over your swimsuit.

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4. High-Neck Top + Pleated Trousers + Pointed-Toe Flats = Stylish Office Outfit

Style Notes: Dressing for the office and summer can feel at odds with one another. You want to look professional, but it's hard to rely on pieces like blazers or long shift dresses without sweltering. I appreciate this work-friendly formula from dentist and fashion creator Ilirida Krasniqi, which combines a high-neck but sleeveless top (the slight caps over the shoulders are useful for more formal environments), pleated trousers and pointed-toe flats for a look that doesn't feel too heavy but is work-ready. The addition of a light-coloured tote is also ideal for summer days.

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5. Embroidered Top + Sports Shorts + Flip-Flops = Mini Beach Break

Style Notes: Even French women's most casual looks have a stylish air about them. Case in point is this formula that's perfect for beach days or even those lounging at home, trying to stay cool during a heatwave. A lightweight embroidered top and vibrant sports shorts are an unlikely duo that makes for a super fun pairing. Add flip-flops (and a spacious woven handbag), and you're all set for staying cool on the sunniest days.

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When thinking of chic French fashion, Amazon might not be the first place that comes to mind. So when I discovered that one of my most stylish French friends—a woman whose wardrobe consists almost entirely of timeless tailoring, pretty dresses and effortlessly polished basics—was an Amazon obsessive, my interest was immediately piqued.

As it turns out, she's not alone. Whilst French women are known for investing in forever pieces, they're equally adept at uncovering affordable finds that look far more expensive than their price tags suggest. In fact, Amazon has quietly become a destination for elevated wardrobe staples, from linen shirts and relaxed tailoring to minimalist sandals, elegant blouses and understated jewellery; all the pieces that form the foundation of that coveted French-girl aesthetic.

With Amazon Prime Day 2026 officially underway, there's never been a better time to shop these hidden gems. From pretty dresses and straight-leg jeans to sweet ballet flats and expensive-looking accessories, I've taken inspiration from the French approach to dressing and focused on versatile, elegant pieces that will work hard in your wardrobe long after the sale ends. And then, of course, there are the Amazon beauty finds. Amazon is also a treasure trove of French pharmacy favourites, from cult skincare staples to the effortless beauty essentials French women swear by.

Below, I've rounded up the Amazon fashion finds that my French friend would genuinely wear—and, naturally, several have already made their way into my basket.

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To travel well is to travel in style. To the most discerning amongst us, this typically means tweaking your wardrobe to the sights and shades of whatever destination you’re visiting. This summer, my itinerary includes a few weekend getaway trips to Paris and Marseille. Despite these locations offering two varying iterations of France’s enchantment, these mini breaks are a perfect way to immerse myself in the local style and bustling culture of these cities. My dilemma, however, lies in what to pack for these trips. Enter, my edit of the best French summer staples.

As a place, Paris is made unique by its Haussmann architecture, legendary bistros like Brasserie Lipp and streetside bars that sling St-Germain spritz amidst the hum of the city. On the other hand, Marseille’s proximity to the glamour of the Côte d’Azur, yet slightly grungy reputation, makes it both sun-kissed and gritty, even if long alfresco lunches at gorgeous establishments like Tuba Club are on the agenda.

With distinct approaches to fashion—not to mention the added pressure of feeling like I need to blend in with my surroundings when on holiday—the contents of my luggage have become my paramount concern of late. Whilst I’m there, I want to feel like I’m emulating the je ne sais quoi of French women with my wardrobe, rather than just looking like I’ve copied a stereotypical ensemble that will immediately identify me as a tourist.

So, to ensure I’m stocked with the chicest French fashion staples, I’ve turned to some trusted fashion destinations to pick up a few essentials. What you won’t find is an edit of Breton-stripe tops, cigarette trousers and ballet pumps. These are far too conventional and, in all truth, not quite aligned with the actual ensembles I see French women wear daily. Instead, you’ll see polished basics, flirty neutrals and sophisticated essentials that can work from Le Marias to Saint-Victor. Best of all, these are pieces that will channel the essence of a French woman’s style, irrespective of whether you’re actually visiting there.

Live out your Jean-Luc Godard fantasy with these stylish pieces, below.

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Timeless, polished, and expensive-looking—there are so many things I love about French style. And whilst the Gallic girls’ polished approach to cold-weather dressing will never go unappreciated by me, it's spring and summer where they really stand out. So, with a new season fast approaching, my top priority is curating a summer capsule that’s versatile, easy to style, and can be mixed and matched for a range of occasions. With that in mind, I decided to take inspiration from the elegant Parisiennes I follow on Instagram.

Now, if you’re more of a pared-back dresser like me, never fear. Whilst there are a number of niche microtrends popping off for summer 2026, in true French-girl fashion, the summer staples I’ve spotted remain just as anti-trend as they do elevated. I mean, it’s all well and good to follow the latest fad, but the truth is that looking put-together will always be difficult if you don't have the key basics in place. I’m talking the type of staples that solve my daily "what do I wear?" panic sessions, as well as look expensive regardless of price point.

And luckily for you, I’ve rounded them up below so that you, too, can channel your inner elegant Parisienne this summer. From timeless tank tops to elegant black dresses, here are the seven anti-trend basics you'll find in every French it girl's summer wardrobe.

7 Basics You'll Find In Every Elegant French Women's Summer Wardrobe

1. Scoop-Neck Tank Top

Style notes: It doesn't get more classic than a tank top in summer. But instead of the high-neck racer silhouettes I usually reach for, I’ll be taking a cue from elegant French girls and opting for scoop-neck iterations that feel relaxed and effortless. It’s the perfect warm-weather staple to throw on with linen trousers, midi skirts and denim shorts alike.

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2. Cotton Skirt

Style notes: Anti-trend, elegant and extremely versatile, a white cotton skirt is one of the hardest-working basics in a French woman’s summer capsule. Whether you prefer mini, knee-length, midi or maxi, you’ll reach for this breezy style for any and every occasion.

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3. Minimal Flip-Flops

Style notes: It’s rather hard to believe that flip-flops were considered tacky just a few years ago. However, if you talk to any elegant French women in 2026, they’ll tell you that this minimal sandal style is here to stay.

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4. Black Dress

Style notes: Nothing makes summer dressing easier than a throw-on dress, and the simplest way to ensure you look put-together is by opting for a neutral hue such as black. It’s a versatile shade that looks expensive no matter the price point you decide to invest in.

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5. Cord Necklace

Style notes: It’s official: cord necklaces are back in 2026. But gone are the days when they were considered “gaudy, and instead, lie a myriad of sleeker, minimal options that chic Gallic dressers rely on every summer.

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6. White Linen

Style notes: Linen season is here! And despite the fear of spillages on my commute to and from the office, I can't help but be inspired by the amount of chic white linen separates I’ve been spotting on French it girls lately.

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7. Raffia Tote

Style notes: I didn’t think that anyone could love their raffia totes more than us London girls, but the Parisian fashion set might just have us beat. Whether it be for a sun-soaked getaway or the office, polished French women will be relying on this roomy bag style from now until early autumn.

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The phrase "dated French fashion trends" sounds like an oxymoronic phrase. We often turn to the French as style luminaries and pull from their seasonal shopping lists. Their trends are more often than not timeless or at least hold a longevity that many other micro trends don't.

That said, no one is completely immune to the fashion industry's rapid changes. Though, for clarification, I want to stress that a "dated" trend doesn't necessarily mean it's on the back shelf of your wardrobe for good. Nor is it inarguably passé to wear. It might mean something more seasonally apt is stepping in for the moment, or a trend with similar energy has emerged as a slightly more relevant option for the current state of summer fashion.

This is something French women excel at—knowing when it is the right time to substitute something in their wardrobe for a more contemporary style or investing in a timeless silhouette from the outset. So, when it comes to the fashion trends French women are swerving this summer, consider this a gentle guide.

Examples? French tastemakers and stylists are thoughtfully replacing last summer's hot pants, bloomers and micro shorts with longer Bermuda shorts and those inspired by surf culture's board shorts. Rather than an influx of bubble hems, there's been a move to bring lace-trim pieces through from spring.

There are also creative alternatives to your usual seasonal staples. They're trading out straight-leg linen trousers for balloon silhouettes, and autumn's stirrup leggings are getting the capri treatment for warmer days. In lieu of ruffles and peasant blouses, I've spotted French women wearing the globally-beloved tassel trend and broderie anglaise tops.

Curious about other swaps? Scroll for 6 dated summer trends French women are pausing, and the 6 they're wearing instead.

6 Dated French Fashion Trends to Swap This Summer

1. Pause: Micro Shorts

Wear: Board Short Bermudas

Style Notes: I have French fashion creators to thank for the board short and Bermuda renaissance. My rash-guard-wearing and board-short-obsessed younger self would never have believed this style would see the light of day, but I'm so glad it's back—and in cuts and fabrics that feel relevant for both strolls along the boardwalk and dinners out. A white cotton pair, like those worn by Paris-based art director and model Salomé Mory, brings a sense of elegance that isn't always expected from shorts such as these. With a black top and accessories, it's a minimalist's dream in terms of summer outfits.

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2. Pause: Bubble Hems

Wear: Lace Trim

Style Notes: Bubble hems are fun and pretty, but there's been a move toward sleeker styles in 2026. Volume is coming through balloon trousers, broderie blouses and slouchy bags—all part of this year's summer starter pack—but the rest? Svelte and minimal. That's why the lace-trim trend is so prevalent. It's not overbearing and looks gorgeous at the bottom of silk tops or skirts and on trouser hemlines. Lace is subtle yet noticeable, and slots in neatly with the other romantic and boho trends that are big this year.

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3. Pause: Straight-Leg Linen Trousers

Wear: Balloon Trousers

Style Notes: No, straight-leg trousers will never lose their appeal. However, balloon trousers are here to give your linen pants an upgrade. This shape has smoothly transferred from the autumnal balloon jeans that were everywhere last year to a suitable summer trend made of linen. Paris-based creator Franny Fyne styled hers into a tonal outfit in colours and materials that only further the warm-weather aesthetic, from crisp cotton to butter-yellow leather.

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4. Pause: Ruffles

Wear: Tassels

Style Notes: When discussing trends that transcend borders, tassels are one. From Los Angeles to New York to London to Paris, tassels are front and centre this summer, and like the lace trim trend, they're undeniably sleek. You also won't feel stuck for ideas. Tassel trousers are part of summer's biggest trouser trends, tasselled belts and scarves are an easy accessory to wrap around and tassel bags and pendant necklaces make it a breeze to finish any look.

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5. Pause: Peasant Blouses

Wear: Broderie Anglaise Tops

Style Notes: Boho-inspired peasant blouses appeared for spring, but French women are slowly shifting into a different (yet equally as romantic) summer counterpart. Broderie anglaise dresses, tops and trousers are all present. This delicate fabric gives whimsy to summer outfits, but because the needlework is so subtle, I anticipate this specific look to remain timeless for years to come.

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6. Pause: Stirrup Leggings

Wear: Capri Leggings

Style Notes: It's more than possible to wear leggings during summer—it's just a matter of finding the right styles. One such option beloved by French women are capris. They're the shorter, more seasonally relevant version of stirrup leggings that work just as perfectly with flats and trainers as they do with kitten heels and chic sandals. Add a lace-trim scarf or tassel belt and you get two trends in one outfit.

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As a shopping editor with years of experience hunting down the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, my friends often call on me for fashion advice. Whilst the weather takes a quick interlude from the high temperatures, I found myself daydreaming of warm days in the South of France, and evidently, I'm not alone. My best friend texted me to ask for help building her summer wardrobe, but with one precise demand: to create a French Riviera-worthy wardrobe on a budget. Luckily for her, I'd already found a series of refined pieces at Zara and H&M.

When Zara and H&M launched their summer collections, I was immediately transported to the Côte D'Azur. The languid silhouettes, breezy textures, and refined details all embody the relaxed attitude of French dressers in the summer. At Who What Wear UK, we often look to our French friends for style inspiration due to their innate way of looking polished whilst relying on staple summer buys which can be restyled for endless outfits. Trust me, I've lived in the South of France and spent countless summers studying their effortless ease, and now I've curated a sophisticated edit which will exude French refinement whether you're jetsetting this summer or simply strolling through the city.

The best part about embracing French style is that it depends on simple pieces that can hold their place in your wardrobe for years. Think a breezy linen shirt, wide-leg trousers and timeless basket bags that will outlast moving trends, but also feel incredibly considered. Silhouette sets the great pieces apart from the good, with long-line shorts over mini cut-offs, sweeping maxi and midi dresses, and of course, relaxed fits for added comfort on the warmest days. Below, you'll find 12 pieces I sent directly to my best friend, as well as a few extras that will complement any refined French wardrobe.

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Despite the downpours and sudden drop in temperature (in true British form), blue skies and warmer weather will make their return again. As such, I refuse to revert back to knitwear and my Birkenstocks are firmly staying as a part of my everyday uniform, so when summer does kick things up a notch, I'll be ready for anything.

Elevating all of my usual summer looks is my top priority this year, and gone are the days of buying endless fast fashion pieces that won't even last the year. As I get older I’m taking a more conscious approach to shopping, and I'm looking to really fine tune my wardrobe to maximise the hardest working pieces, and my first stop for inspiration was of course, the French fashion set.

French women possess the ability to make even the simplest of looks feel fresh, polished and considered. Everything they wear just looks so effortlessly chic which is why I often turn to them when I’m in somewhat of a styling rut.

From statement printed dresses to a classic broderie anglaise embroidery, these are the five Parisian-approved summer outfit trends for 2026.

1. Statement Printed Dress + Ballet Flats

Style Notes: Summer is the prime season for people to start getting experimental with their wardrobes. Once reserved for neutrals and minimalistic pieces, the sunniest season is now the time we start injecting prints and colours into our looks, and this pairing from Ellie Delphine is a masterclass in balancing fashion with function.

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2. Striped Shirt + White Trousers + Flats

Style Notes: Summer whites are a beloved favourite for a reason, and whether it's a plain cotton, light linen or, like Anne-Laure, a broderie anglaise embroidered pair, there’s no going wrong with white trousers. Pair with a timeless striped shirt and a mule, and it’s a failsafe summer look.

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3. Strapless Dress + Mesh Ballet Flats

Style Notes: A strapless dress perfectly balances elegance and ease for a chic summer look, and the mesh ballet flats give this a more daytime appropriate finish, perfect for those balmy days spent lounging al fresco.

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4. Broderie Anglaise Mini Dress + Woven Bag

Style Notes: A Broderie anglaise mini dress is a style I’ll always have in my wardrobe and revert back to year on year. Paired with sandals and a woven bag, whether it’s raffia, leather or suede, it’s an instantly effortless look that is made all the more interesting by adding a pop of colour.

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5. Linen Top + Light Shorts + Heeled Mules

Style Notes: When it comes to peak summer, light, airy fabrics are key—think linen, hemp, or cotton. I love how Julie has opted for a brighter pair of shorts paired with a neutral toned top and a contrasting mule for a colourful combo that's sure to invite compliments.

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Navigating the summer season whilst looking expensive is a feat that French people make look easy. When I lived in France, I realised that the locals had an innate way of looking chic and effortless on any given day, and I was immediately desperate to replicate this French way of dressing. I then spent my days analysing the stylish women around me, noting the staple pieces they rely on and the bolder pieces they embrace when the weather heats up. Soon, I found myself curating a cheatsheet for French-inspired breezy dressing. And now, I've found all the components of an elegant French wardrobe in Zara's new summer collection.

There's an art to looking effortlessly chic on the warmest days, and if anyone has the secret, it's French dressers. Looking closely, you'll notice that they depend upon certain staples to act as the foundations of their summer capsule wardrobes (think throw-on mini dresses, timeless sandals and linen two-pieces), which exude that French Riviera feel, even when sourced on the high street. Another aspect that leans into this instantly elevated feel is fabrication. Looking to breezy linens and airy cottons not only brings a touch of respite to the warmest days, but also looks intrinsically put-together.

Right now, Zara's summer collection has all the pieces required to emulate an expensive-looking French wardrobe on a budget. The high street hero is leaning into languid silhouettes, which are primed for the summer days, easy dresses that look instantly polished with a simple sandal in tow and relaxed trousers that can be styled up for day or night. Whilst most people assume that French dressers only stick to neutrals, the joyful summer days call for an infusion of colour, but all the shades have a rich tone to them. Think bold red accessories, deep cherry hues applied to classic silhouettes for a timeless feel and reworked denim for the warmer months. The overarching feel of ease comes from the softened silhouettes of wide-leg shorts, loose dresses and slouchy bags. Now, let's get straight into the chicest French-inspired summer buys at Zara right now.

Shop the Chicest French-Inspired Summer Buys at Zara

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Between the heavy thunder, spurts of showers and sudden drop in temperature here in the UK, it might seem a little out of place to be talking about summer. But the good news is that it’s soon set to heat up again here in the UK. With this in mind, there’s nothing more important to me right now than sorting out the summer capsule wardrobe that I’ll be relying on until early autumn. My top priority? Curating a seasonal capsule that’s versatile, easy to style, and that can be mixed and matched for a range of different occasions. And with this criterion, there’s no other place to look for inspiration than with the French fashion set, of course.

The Gallic girls just have a way of making everything look effortlessly chic, and as a born and raised Londoner, I’m not all ashamed to say that I look to them for inspiration more often than not. And for summer 2026, they’re relying on elevated takes on classic summer basics that feel equally as fresh as they do timeless. And luckily for you, I’ve rounded them up below so that you, too, can channel your inner Parisienne this summer.

From elegant midaxi dresses to sleek minimal flip-flops, here are the seven French-girl-approved staples I’m adding to my capsule wardrobe in summer 2026.

1. Scoop-Neck Blouse

Style notes: If you’re a regular reader of Who What Wear, then it will come as no surprise that a blouse is one of our most-relied-upon warm-weather staples, and the Gallic girls adore them just as much as we do! For summer 2026, it’s all about pretty scoop-neck silhouettes that elongate the neck and accentuate the collarbones. Très élégant!

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2. Tailored Linen Trousers

Style notes: I love my classic drawstring linen trousers come summertime; however, they can often feel a bit too relaxed for more formal occasions such as the office. So, for summer 2026, I’ll be taking cues from polished Parisiennes who are turning to tailored linen silhouettes that look and feel slightly more put together.

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3. Minimal Flip-Flops

Style notes: It’s hard to believe that flip-flops were considered dated and tacky just a mere few years ago. But if you talk to any French it girl, they’ll tell you that this pared-back sandal style is here to stay. However, instead of being relied upon solely as rubbery “beach shoes” like before, there now lies a myriad of sleeker, minimal leather and suede options that chic Gallic dressers rely on every summer.

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4. Midaxi Dress

Style notes: Sitting halfway between a classic midi and more formal maxi silhouette, midaxi dresses will perfectly balance ease and elegance this summer. They remain long enough to look slightly more polished than your average short dress, but still allow enough space to show off your statement sandals.

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5. Oval Sunglasses

Style notes: It wouldn’t be a summer round-up without a sunglass style of some sort, and for 2026, stylish French people are turning to flattering oval shapes championed by the likes of French fashion house, Celine. However, never fear if you don’t fancy breaking the bank this summer, because this chic silhouette looks expensive at any and every price point.

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6. Asymmetric Midi Skirt

Style notes: Midi skirts are a warm-weather wardrobe staple. But when classic a-line silhouettes start to feel too samey, why not take a cue from cool French dressers who are turning to elevated asymmetrical iterations? This flowy skirt style helps to elongate the legs and can also be taken from day to night with ease.

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7. Woven Tote

Style notes: Whether it’s raffia, leather or suede, the French girls just adore their woven tote bags throughout the warmer months. An easy way to add texture to an outfit, this expensive-looking bag style can be styled in a myriad of ways.

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If you live in the UK, then you’ll be fully aware of the above 30°C temperatures we’ve been experiencing recently. And between balmy bank holidays and overly sweaty commutes to work, I’ve quickly come to a realisation; I own way too many jeans and long trousers, and not nearly enough shorts. But after scouring the runways to find the shorts trends that will dominate summer 2026, and later investing in a few pairs of my own, I was still left with a dilemma: how do I style them?

And with elevating my summer outfit rotations as a top priority this month, there was only one place to look for inspiration. The French fashion girls, of course, and after a quick scroll on my Instagram feed, my saved folder was very quickly filled with a myriad of shorts outfits that feel equally as fresh as they do timeless. But to make things easier for you, I’ve decided to narrow my edit down to the five chicest shorts outfits that I’ll be copying from now until early autumn. And in true Gallic-girl fashion, each outfit remains classic, endlessly versatile, and expensive-looking.

Keep scrolling to see five effortlessly elegant ways in which French it girls are styling their shorts for summer 2026. Then take a browse at how to shop the look for yourself.

1. Relaxed Shirt + Bermuda Shorts + Mules

Style Notes: A cooler (no pun intended!) alternative to the myriad of tailored trouser styles that I reach for throughout the chillier months, Bermuda shorts can be dressed up or down with ease. For the office, I’ll be taking notes from the outfit above and pairing it with a smart button-up and sleek mules.

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2. T-Shirt + Denim Shorts + Flip-Flops

Style Notes: The best thing about denim shorts? They can be styled with everything that jeans can. For those more formal days, a timeless white tee and playful jelly flip-flops are a simple but fail-proof combo to reach for. Then, finish off the look with a large raffia tote, a bag style the French girls know all too well.

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3. Waistcoat + Tailored Shorts + Slingback Flats

Style Notes: The best alternative to the blazers you used to dress up your outfits is the lighter but no less elegant waistcoat. To make the outfit feel even more polished, opt for a pair of tailored shorts and easy slingback flats for a look that can be worn for both the office and a summer dinner date alike.

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4. Blouse + Colourful Shorts + Kitten Heels

Style Notes: Blouse season is here! And to stop my pretty white blouses from feeling too boring or same-y, I’ll be turning to shorts and heels in playful pops of colour, and keep the rest of my outfit tonal so it doesn’t feel too out-there for a minimalist like myself.

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5. Lightweight Knit + Satin Shorts + Strappy Sandals

Style Notes: Once considered rather drab or even frumpy, lace-trim is now one of the it details of summer 2026. It’s versatile, classic and most importantly, looks (and feels!) cool throughout the warmer weather. On those slightly chillier summer days, I’ll be styling it with a knitted Henley top and strappy flat sandals.

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Denim skirts are set to make a comeback for summer 2026, but as with any wardrobe staple, the secret to making them feel current in the new season lies in the styling—particularly the shoe pairing. Stepping out in a distinctly French-girl-approved style that wasn't a ballet flat, Kate Moss just demonstrated the elegant alternative that makes a denim skirt look coolest.

The foundation of the look already had me ready to put pen to paper. Choosing a light-wash denim skirt in a trending knee-length silhouette, Moss paired it with a tonal jacket in a blue hue just a few shades deeper than the skirt itself. With Loewe's Large Amazona 180 bag (£3,900) tucked under her arm and a tiny dog in tow, the model's outfit was already off to an imitably cool start.

Then, in a styling move that even further elevated her outfit, Kate bypassed predictable ballet flats, instead opting for a much more elevated strappy heel. Between the delicate straps, the cage the front of the foot, the elegant slingback detailing and the poised, understated heel that subtly elevates, this shoe trend offers a timeless alternative to the flip-flop heels trend that's otherwise taking over. Timeless, feminine and unfussy, this is the French-girl-approved alternative I would recommend instead.

Whilst ballet flats remain a staple, Moss's styling serves as a timely reminder that a pretty heel is still well worth a place in your summer rotation. Read on to shop my edit of the best French-girl-inspired strappy heels below.

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To me, the French girl aesthetic is less about copying specific trends and exact styles, but rather emulating the forever timeless mindset about getting dressed. It's selecting pieces that will last you for years rather than months and styling yourself in a way that feels authentic to yourself, effortless and repeatable no matter what decade it is. When it comes to French girl summer jean outfits, the story is the same.

Whether it's skirts, shorts, dresses or yes, jeans, French girl summer outfits serve as a great starting point for developing your own seasonal wardrobe. Here, we're solely shining a spotlight on jeans and celebrating just how well French women predict and personalise denim trends, including during the warmest months of all.

This summer, a selection of cuts, leg shapes, rises and colours is emerging as covetable go-tos for women across the Channel. Parisian women are rotating between stovepipe jeans, barrel-leg jeans and white denim. In the South of France, light-wash denim is key, and low-rise jeans are also making a clear comeback, according to Gallic tastes. Each of the trending styles works well with the summer tops and footwear you likely have already on hand, from romantic, off-the-shoulder blouses and silk camisoles to minimalist flip-flops and heeled sandals. As a whole, these outfits are the perfect foundations for building on top of.

Though I'm a strong proponent for cultivating your personal style (and truly taking the personal part to heart), I find nothing more helpful than sourcing inspiration for a new season. And French women will always inspire. If you're motivated to update your denim collection for summer, these are the 6 key French girl summer jeans outfits to wear in 2026.

6 French Girl Summer Jean Outfits to Wear in 2026

1. Low-Rise Jeans + Minimalist Camisole

Style Notes: Yes, you've heard it here first—and no less, from a millennial. Though I'm of the age group where most of us deeply covet our high-waisted jeans, I'm tempted by the thought of wearing low-rise jeans this season. If we're honest, jeans can be tricky to wear when it's hot, so the less fabric encroaching on my space, the better. With a simple camisole and heels you have a classic look for this summer and the next.

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2. Stovepipe Jeans + Open-Back Top

Style Notes: When discussing French girl denim trends, I would be remiss to forget stovepipe or cigarette jeans. This particular silhouette has skyrocketed in popularity, and now Londoners and New Yorkers are incorporating the style, too. And speaking of millennial trends, stovepipe jeans really are the answer to those of us still holding out hope that skinny jeans may come back—though they're really suitable for anyone after jeans that are a little more tailored than relaxed, baggier styles. With an open-back top and casual (but also extremely trendy) flip-flops, you get a look that's set for summer.

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3. Frayed-Hem Jeans + Silk Top

Style Notes: Jeans are no longer merely a casual part of your wardrobe; they're easy to dress up. However, if you'd like to embrace that more laidback aspect, frayed-hem jeans are worth reaching for. That doesn't mean they won't look sophisticated. When you contrast this distressed finish with the sheen of a silk top, as Paris-based stylist Sylvie Mus has done, you create a perfectly balanced outfit.

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4. Light-Wash Jeans + Off-the-Shoulder Top

Style Notes: I've noticed interest being pulled in two directions when it comes to denim colours this summer. There is a push for dark indigo shades (a great alternative to black this season), but there is also a movement toward light-wash jeans in the most whimsical faded blue colours—especially so down in the South of France. When you're by the sea, lighter hues and softened jean material are musts, and they look so pretty with a bright white top that falls off the shoulders.

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5. White Wide-Leg Jeans + Button-Down Shirt

Style Notes: No summer wardrobe is complete—no matter the year—without some form of white jeans folded up and waiting. Vibrant whites in a wide-leg silhouette is the look de saison for French women in 2026. Complete it with a button-down top in another pastel hue or opt for a monochromatic look with a matching white shirt. Any style of shoes will do, too, whether you fancy heeled sandals, flip-flops or trending summer trainers.

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6. Barrel-Leg Jeans + One-Shoulder Top

Style Notes: As far as denim silhouettes go, the barrel-leg jean is one shape that has held on for quite some time now. With more volume than straight-leg styles but in a more interesting cut than a standard wide-leg, it makes sense that French women are looking to this jean style for summer outfits. Paris-born and Portland-based content creator Claire Most wore hers with a form-fitting cobalt blue top that contrasts nicely with the chic dark indigo colour of her jeans and their relaxed shape.

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I’ve been street style spotting, in search of chic summer outfits I can turn to for the rest of the season, and it didn’t take long before images of Kaia Gerber started flooding my mood board, and with them came the elegant three-piece outfit formula I'm inspired to recreate on repeat until autumn arrives.

Beginning with the perfect base, Kaia layered a chic, ever-so-slightly sheer blouse into her look. The slightly cropped, sleeveless design was finished with delicate lace detailing throughout, tapping into the romantic blouse trend that’s been taking over this summer.

In another chic move, she paired the feminine top with relaxed low-rise jeans. Sitting neatly on the hips and skimming the tops of her shoes, the straight-leg denim brought an easy, undone energy that balanced the softness of the lace blouse perfectly.

To finish, Kaia leaned into one of fashion’s most enduring French-girl staples: black ballet flats. Polished yet practical, the timeless shoe added enough elegance to elevate the laid-back denim while complementing the delicate feel of the blouse.

As ever, I’m taking notes from the model’s L.A.-meets-Paris approach to summer dressing. Keep scrolling to shop the prettiest blouses, relaxed jeans and chic ballet flats to wear all season long.

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Like many, my style is heavily inspired by the chic Europeans I follow, from Paris to Stockholm. Their directional looks (such as the above outfits) are effortless and modern, often made up of elevated basics. For pants specifically, it's not skinny jeans I'm seeing as much right now (although, I know they're rising in popularity again, and if that's your thing, go for it), but rather four other types of trouser trends.

These styles are cool and certainly are key to creating some of the most fashionable European looks I have saved on Instagram. Below, you'll find visual inspiration showcasing the pants in question (great styling inspiration) along with shopping recommendations in case you want to add one or all of the picks to your wardrobe for spring and summer.

The Trouser Trends Chic Europeans Wear

1. Drawstring Pants

Style Notes: I feel like I can't scroll through Instagram lately without seeing cool outfits featuring loose, drawstring pants. There's a certain ease to them that works with everything from a simple tee to a blouse, and European women are wearing them on repeat at home or away for summer.

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2. Satin Pants

Style Notes: Silk pants are chic. Period. They're also a great alternative to a skirt or a standard pair of tailored wool trousers. Believe me—if you're looking for an option that says 'I made an effort but not too much', satin pants will add elegance to your outfit without sacrificing comfort.

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3. Capri Pants or Pedal Pushers

Style Notes: Yes, it's the season for capri pants or pedal pushers—especially styled with flip-flops! I love this outfit with the trench coat, it manages to make what used to be a '90s throwback suddenly feel so much more grown up. Now this is how to style cropped trousers...

4. Relaxed White Jeans

Style Notes: There are a variety of stylish denim trends that Europeans wear, but it's the relaxed cuts in white or cream that I'm most into for a fresh vibe. Blue jeans are forever and colour trends may come and go, but when it comes to timelessness and seasonal styling, it's hard to beat cream for polish and versatility alone.

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Summer is fast approaching here in the UK. But to be honest, it didn’t really hit me until this week, when the temperature really started to rise, that we’re well into the warm-weather season. Whilst I’m sure to get my wear out of forever staples, think classic linen button-ups and timeless midi skirts, I’ve also officially started my hunt for the elevated yet elegant trends to add to my summer capsule wardrobe. And although the street style here in London provides me with plenty of inspiration, I’ll also be looking to other well-known fashion destinations for guidance this season.

Now, as a self-proclaimed minimalist, I’m not looking for anything that feels too out there or that’s unlikely to stand the test of time in my wardrobe. But instead, I went on the hunt for 5 summer trends from 5 different fashion capitals, all of which feel just as fresh for 2026 as they are classic, timeless, and, most importantly, wearable.

From elevated takes on the classic raffia tote to the standout trouser silhouette that's making a comeback in 2026, keep scrolling to discover which summer trend is set to dominate in each fashion capital of the world this season.

5 Chic Summer Fashion Trends I'll Be Copying From Each City

1. Paris, France

Two-Tone Midi Dresses

Style Notes: If you’re more of a pared-back dresser like me and therefore unlikely to branch out from your neutral palette, then the Parisian girls have the perfect trend to try this summer. Enter the two-tone midi dress. This trend feels more elevated than your typical one-coloured midi style, but remains neutral enough to be versatile, timeless and easy to style. Not to mention, it will look expensive and intentional at any price point you opt for. Très chic!

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2. London, England

Red & Black Flip-Flops

Style Notes: If you’re a regular reader of Who What Wear, you’ll know just how much we swear by a flip-flop in summer. But for 2026, London fashion people are giving this classic sandal a cool update in the form of red and black iterations. Starting back in 2025 with the viral pair of two-toned Dune flip-flops from The Row, the trend took off almost immediately. In true Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen-nature, these are, of course, impossible to find these days; but other luxury and high-street brands have taken a cue from the stylish pair and created their own iterations that can be shopped below.

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3. New York, New York

Drummer Tops

Style Notes: Dressy enough to add a sense of polish to casual denim but with just the right amount of relaxed edge to feel effortless, stylish New Yorkers are using drummer tops as a trusty staple that will see them through from now until early autumn. This versatile top style can also be worn as a jacket on chillier summer days, but looks undeniably elegant when worn on its own with jeans, trousers and skirts alike. Me personally? I’ll be opting for a darker colour, such as black or chocolate brown, that I can reach for no matter the season.

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4. Oslo, Norway

Linen Balloon Trousers

Style Notes: If you prefer to stick to the minimal side of dressing, then the phrase "balloon trousers" might seem rather daunting. However, trust me when I say that the styles taking off in summer 2026 are anything but. Adopted by the forever elegant Scandi fashion set, the balloon pants dominating the trouser market this year are all focused on romantically soft and billowing linen silhouettes in pared-back colours as opposed to the neon, overly dramatic styles that dominated the 1980s.

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5. Copenhagen, Denmark

Raffia Fringe Bags

Style Notes: From Paris to London, we Euro girls adore our raffia bags in summer. But for 2026, I noticed that the Copenhagen fashion set has its eyes on a much more elevated take on the style. Enter the fringe raffia tote. This eye-catching summer handbag trend is an easy way to add texture to an outfit, not to mention it's a fail-proof way to earn compliments this season. Of course, there are plenty of luxury styles that you can invest in, but the high street has a selection that, to me, looks just as expensive.

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Though Isabelle Huppert’s public appearances are few and far between, you can count on the fact that every time the star steps out, she will be doing so in an ensemble worth unpacking. As a bastion of French film and fashion, the actress has spent decades honing her meticulously tailored and deliciously subversive wardrobe, challenging every expectation for what you’d think a stylish Parisian septuagenarian would wear. (Skin-tight leather pencil skirts! Skinny jeans! Sensual lace dresses!)

This week, whilst attending the annual Cannes Film Festival, Huppert doubled down on this unexpected approach by wearing the most archetypal travel uniform to the Nice Côte d'Azur. Though you’d rarely catch her in something so banal as straight leg jeans and an oat-colour car coat, since her appointment as a Balenciaga brand ambassador, she’s adopted former creative director Denma’s approach to high-low dressing, meaning this luxurious take on everyday attire is newly within her wheelhouse.

For her flight, Huppert travelled in dark-wash flared jeans, a matching denim jacket, and an elongated, lightweight coat. She completed the look by carrying Balenciaga’s City Bag in a moody teal, a pair of the brand’s chunky Jet trainers and oversized sunglasses. These staples unequivocally make up the foundations of a French woman’s sartorial arsenal, and with Euro Summer on the horizon, we’re bound to see this outfit template replicated as more travel plans are made. Call it a rebellious take on Riviera dressing or the most quintessential Terminal One attire, but this look is certainly noteworthy. Polished, poised and Parisian-approved, shop the staples to replicate this look ahead.

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As a born and raised Londoner, I’m not ashamed to admit that I look to the French fashion girls for outfit inspiration more often than not. Whether they’re chilling out down in the south of France or rushing around the busy city of Paris with a coffee in hand, they just have a way of making everything look expensive. So on my most recent trip to the city, I made sure to pay extra attention to the fashion staples that the most polished Parisians were wearing.

And naturally, the second I was back here in the UK, I decided to turn to the high street to search for the French-coded buys I’ll be adding to my capsule wardrobe this summer. Almost immediately, my basket was filled with a myriad of French-it-girl-inspired items that are stylish, easy to style and, most importantly, look way more expensive than their high street price tags. My personal advice on mastering the art of Gallic dressing? Focus on elevated silhouettes in versatile hues that manage to seamlessly balance both on-trend appeal and a timeless aesthetic. But if you’re looking for a quick way to dress like an elegant French girl this summer, then luckily for you, I’ve rounded up 27 of the chicest French-girl-approved high-street shopping picks to add to your basket this summer.

Happy shopping!

27 French-Girl-Approved High-Street Shopping Picks

The spring-to-summer wardrobe transition is one of the most exciting. But I also can't help but feel a little pressure as I try to sort out the aesthetic I'm after as each year comes and goes. I digitally traipse back and forth between websites, adding things to my cart, then promptly close my tabs before scrounging through my hangers and closet drawers trying to determine what's still working.

Admittedly, I'm indecisive, and when it comes to putting together a summer wardrobe, or at the very least bolstering my current one. Fortunately, French women's fashion sense often already embodies many of the details I look for in a summer capsule. It's that perfect balance they always strike that's casual but elevated, effortless but sophisticated. Their approach to summer fashion trends is no different, save for lighter materials and a slightly more laidback aesthetic. I find looking to those who call this place home the perfect starting point too cutting out the noise

So what are the summer French fashion trends for 2026? There's a wide-ranging mix. What's most notable is how wearable they are, and just how easy it is to adjust and mould a trend to fit your own style or plans for the next few months. Silk scarves are back in, for instance, and function as outfit chameleons, serving as belts, tops and bag charms. Polka-dots and lace trim are also French women's top choices this summer—and these offer plenty of ways for styling too.

There are ample options that play into the wider global trend-scape as well, including red-and-black flip-flops and bohemian embroidered tops that reflect what we've seen in cities like London, Los Angeles, New York and Paris. So, if you're curating your own summer wardrobe now, these French fashion trends will make it come together so much more effortlessly.

6 Summer French Fashion Trends for 2026

1. Silk Scarves

Style Notes: Silk scarves are everywhere this season. We spotted them at Paris Fashion Week on both the runways (looking at you Chloé and Saint Laurent) and on attendees. Just when I thought there weren't any more creative ways of wearing them after neck ties, bag accessories and hair bandanas, French women have offered another option—tying silk scarves around their waists or as low-slung belts. It's an easy way to instantly differentiate outfits, which is very useful when you want to add dimension to a tried-and-tested look.

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2. Embroidered Tops

Style Notes: It's no secret that bohemian aesthetics are back in the fashion narrative. As a season, summer is a perfect time of year for trying out these looks, including stylish embroidery tops. Close cousins with anglaise broderie blouses and peasant tops, this particular style gives texture and colour to your outfits. Parisienne influencer Lena Farl embraced the look fully, which has echoes of retro '70s styles, including flare jeans, bandanas and suede shoes.

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3. Polka-Dots

Style Notes: Polka-dots are the playful pattern trend that no one saw coming this year, except for maybe French women. Although they're eye-catching, there is something about the repetition of these circles that feels supremely elegant, as proven by the number of dresses, jackets, skirts and blazers I've seen on my feed as of late. They look pretty with capris, skirts and shorts, and combining different sizes of polka-dots creates a chic but maximal statement.

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4. Lace-Trim Slip Skirts

Style Notes: Summer 2026 is all about romantic fabrics, and joining silk, embroidery and polka-dots is lace-trim. French women have been opting for lace-trim slip skirts to make the most of elegant hemlines. They give a pretty touch to any ensemble, but I love how French architect and creator Julie Sergent Ferreri paired hers with a matching lace-trim camisole.

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5. Capris

Style Notes: Yes, they're back for another season. Capris may be a slightly controversial trouser trend, but they're so easy to style when you refer to the abundance of chic French capri outfits out there. Paris-based stylist Sylvie Mus created an outfit perfect for any minimalist wardrobe, colour-blocking white capris with a sleek black camisole and black mules.

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6. Red-and-Black Flip-Flops

Style Notes: Red-and-black flip-flops have transcended local trends this summer. This specific colour combination is a global favourite, including for French women. There is something about the vibrancy of red mixed with the grounding nature of black that gives this footwear serious appeal for summer wear. They're a go-to for all outfits, whether you want to make a little black dress feel more casual or need the perfect shoes for cotton trousers.

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There's no season quite like summer. Beach holidays, al fresco Aperol spritzes, what's not to like? As we edge towards hotter, sunnier days, I find myself on the hunt for wardrobe inspiration, and if there's one source I return to every single year, it's the streets of Paris.

No one does warm-weather style quite like French women. They somehow manage to make the simplest outfit combinations look impossibly chic. With their unique way of curating timeless classics or vintage pieces and mixing them with modern trends, their outfits always look seamless.

This year, I've noticed certain micro-trends expanding into full-fledged seasonal must-haves. Jelly shoes, lace-hem satin shorts and pillbox hats all seem to be growing in popularity, but if you were hesitant about trying any of them, I've found some very well-dressed women who have given them the French touch, styling them in a chic, grown-up way that makes them look less like trends and more like wardrobe staples.

And as for the summer classics such as broderie anglaise dresses, polka dot skirts, bohemian tops and mini dresses, look to these women for inspiration on how to reinvent them in ways that make them feel relevant and new again.

So if you're looking to upgrade your summer wardrobe, I've compiled an edit of five French-inspired outfit combinations I'll be copying this season. Read on to find out more.

5 French Girl Summer Outfits for 2026

1. Broderie Anglaise Dress + Jelly Sandals + Straw Bag

Style Notes: Broderie anglaise dresses are a classic that appear every summer. Their intricate detail and subtle texture make them a minimal effort, maximum impact piece that simply requires accessorizing. Straw bags and broderie are a winning combination, but if you're looking to add a touch of interest, don't sleep on jelly shoes. The Row's iterations from 2024 are the inspiration behind the current woven styles we're seeing everywhere, and they feel more grown-up and serious than the versions from our childhood. Choose red for a pop of colour.

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2. Cropped Vest + Polkadot Skirt + Ballet Flats

Style Notes: Anyone who tells you polkadots are dead this season has clearly had their eyes closed. Not only are they everywhere, as is custom for this time of year, but they've expanded far beyond the standard monochrome. Butter yellow and brown or brown and cobalt blue are the trending colour combinations for summer, and in skirt form they carry a vintage air. Keep everything else really simple and streamlined so as not to overwhelm. A simple vest top and ballet flats will help the skirt to take centre stage.

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3. Broderie Blouse + Straight Jeans + Heeled Ballet Flats

Style Notes: Another broderie option for summer is the blouse. They come in a variety of silhouettes, from cropped and puff sleeved to vest-like and billowing, but all carry a bohemian charm. Lean into that and pair with a maxi skirt or ground the femininity with a pair of vintage wash straight-leg jeans for a contrast that feels cool and chic.

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4. Cardigan + Lace Shorts + Slingbacks

Style Notes: Lace-hem satin shorts are the latest product of the lingerie-as-outerwear trend that we see rear its head as temperatures climb, but this one seems to have stuck more than most. It's still sensual and feminine but feels less risqué than corsets and sheer slip dresses and has a versatility than can be worked into your current wardrobe. A less-is-more approach is best when styling these. A thin cashmere cardigan keeps the softeness but contrasts in texture, while slingback heels prevent the look from falling into loungewear territory.

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5. Mini Dress + Ballet Flats + Pillbox Hat

Style Notes: Mini dresses don't have to be reserved for eveningwear. Styles that offer a looser silhoutte and crew-neck can work as an elegant daytime look. Keep accessories streamlined and smart to prevent the outfit from feeling too casual. Ballet flats with a point or luxurious texture will elevate, as will vintage-style accessories such as chain-strap bags and pillbox hats (a huge accessory trend for summer).

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Ask any fashion editor for their spring wardrobe staples and I'm almost certain that light cotton will make an appearance. Layered up Oxford shirts, jersey tees, long skirts and more recently, capri leggings—if its easy to pull on and go, its going to score highly, but for our stylish sisters on the other side of the channel, there's an even smarter option.

Linen pieces aren't exactly new, but what we often tend to hold back for high summer is already cropping up in French wardrobes up and down the Riviera. Granted, the weather in Europe tends to be a little more forgiving this time of year, but with this month already gearing up to a mini heatwave in the UK, we're seriously interested in how French women are making linen outfits feel chic in 2026.

As the proud owner of not one, not two, but three pairs of wide-leg linen trousers, I know personally just how comfortable and easy they can be, but on the days I want to switch up the silhouette, I turn to French women for pointers on styling up linen outfits. From cute dresses to stylish separates, Franco-fashion insiders are experts in making linen feel right for spring and not just summer, and there are five trends in particular that curious Brits that learn from too.

Wondering what to wear over the next few months and beyond? Keep scrolling to see the French girl linen trends perfect for spring 2026.

1. Baby Doll Dresses

Style Notes: Remember 2023's "coastal grandmother" trend? 2024's Nap Dress? Or 2025's cottagecore? Every year we revert back to comforting nostalgia, and pretty spring trends serve as a palate cleanser after a dark and dreary winter. This year nightie-inspired baby doll and puff sleeve dresses have been huge, and the style lends itself perfectly to white linen, ballet flats and bandanas.

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2. Mini Shorts

Style Notes: Tired of linen trousers? No, me neither, but when it gets really warm you might want to consider linen shorts too. Often seen in the form of longer, knee-length grazing culottes, French women are wearing short shorts (made even smaller by rolling over the waistband), but forget pairing them with casual sandals, these feel even more chic with an unexpected smart shoe.

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3. Maxi Dresses

Style Notes: Not a fan of mini dresses and micro shorts? Sweeping maxis look so elegant in linen, and they just so happen to be the kind of elegant instant outfit that requires very little styling to be at its best. Keep accessories pared-back and simple like Ellie Delphine [pictured above] to let the dress do all of the talking.

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4. Nonchalant Shirting

Style Notes: Less of a trend and more of a styling hack, the one way I noticed linen shirts bring worn by France's best dressed is with plenty of nonchalant energy. Oversized, unironed and with the sleeves rolled up, this laissez-faire approach to dressing transforms the linen shirt from stuffy to stylish while looking like you just rolled out of bed. Well, that's one way to deal with linen creases.

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5. Boho Tops

Style Notes: Love it or loathe it, the return of boho has brought with it a lot of the key pieces we thought we'd left in the noughties. If you didn't buy any studded belts, bug-eye sunglasses, or wedges this season, its likely its because you were busy looking at ruffled blouses instead, and French women are updating theirs for 2026 by toughening them up with denim and distressed boots in the place of long skirts and sandals

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Having lived in the South of France, I'm well acquainted with the French way of dressing. Every time I go back, I find myself inspired once more to bring the innately elegant way of dressing into my wardrobe, and that's exactly what happened as soon as I returned from my latest trip. The sunny days of spring and summer call for a balance of ease and polish, a harmony that comes naturally to Gallic dressers. From sun-clad streets of Paris to beachside strolls in Saint Tropez, I've studied the way that French women achieve their refined summer looks. Now, I’ve put together a sleek French-inspired summer capsule entirely from Zara's new-in buys.

Instead of following trends or leaning into rising styles, the chicest French dressers tend to stick to a capsule of staple buys every year. Light jeans are paired with delicate embroidered blouses, easy linen co-ords bring a put-together feeling even when just strolling to the local patisserie, and wafting dresses are thrown on with simple sandals, all with a basket bag to finish. They're the kinds of pieces that can be mixed and matched easily to create a series of sleek summer looks, and I've found so many elegant options at Zara right now.

The trick to getting the French look on the high street is to focus on three simple themes: silhouette, shade and texture. When done right, these details can make an affordable piece look incredibly expensive and, with a minimalist edge, emulate the timeless aesthetic that French dressers are known for. With the weather heating up, it's time to start building our warm-weather capsule wardrobes, and these pieces will instantly bring a touch of French charm to spring and summer dressing.

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Of all the seasons, it’s springtime when France really roars to life. The verdant and sprawling hills of Aix-en-Provence awaken with bustling markets in its village centres. The charming and crystalline coastline of the Côte d'Azur slants itself towards the sun as its beaches and charming towns burst to life. In the capital, Paris, sparkles with a reverie experienced nowhere else. (They don’t call it the City of Lights for nothing.)

Though it’s not just the landscape that delivers. On a sartorial note, the fashion that you’ll encounter all across the country is some of the most serotonin-inducing and joy-sparking that you’ll find. Think of those in Biarritz wearing Mattieu Blazy’s buoyant oversized shirts that he presented in collaboration with Charvet for his debut collection for Chanel, or the idlers who stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries in Jonathan Anderson’s shrunken bar jackets or tiered skirts for Dior as proof of this statement.

In fact, I’d contend that this time of year is where French fashion derives most of its clichés. In a heartbeat, locals are desperate to shed their winter layers and slip into something lighter, leading to an increase in shorter hemlines, flirty silhouettes and dreamier footwear that have come to define its inhabitants. That is to say, however, there are certain stylistic stereotypes that no longer resonate.

Whilst berets, red lips and Breton stripes may have once been the defining uniform, these days, these tropes lean more Emily in Paris than bona fide Parisienne. They might be archetypal, sure, but they’re also relics of a bygone era that have since become a little antiquated.

So, what are French women actually wearing now, if not these pieces? The modern silhouette is one of simplicity and refinement, like Camille Rowe wandering through Haute Couture week in a pair of straight-leg jeans or Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu wearing a simple off-the-shoulder Saint Laurent dress whilst in Cannes.

Though the point still stands that France is at its chicest in spring, some fashion trends certainly don’t live up to this description. Consider this your modern guide to the new modern classics. Scroll through to discover all the spring fashion trends French girls have deemed dated for spring.

5 Spring Fashion Trends French Girls Have Deemed “Dated” in 2026

1. Passing On: Breton Stripes

1. Wearing Instead: Peasant Tops

Style Notes: Jean Seberg might’ve made a compelling case for them in Jean-Luc Godard’s French New Wave classic Breathless, as did Jean Paul Gaultier when he brought them to the mainstream with his La Marinière collection for his eponymous fashion house. However, in 2026, these nautical stripes can’t help but feel a little out of place.

If Parisians are wearing stripes at all, they prefer something chic and vertical like a pinstripe, especially when rendered in a chic button-down format. However, if you’re looking for a blouse to wear that’s owned and endorsed by nearly every French girl, you’d certainly find luck in peasant tops. Billowy, ethereal and slightly vintage-inspired, you’ll see everywhere from Champ de Mars to Montparnasse.

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2. Passing On: Pointed-Toe Slingbacks

2. Wearing Instead: Lace-Up Ballet Flats

Style Notes: After storming the runway at the Palais d'Iéna for Miu Miu’s autumn/winter 2023, pointed-toe slingbacks had become the shoe du jour for those who liked their style staples a little subversive. (There’s nothing more antithetical to the prim and polished two-toned Chanel slingbacks beloved the world over than a pair that quite literally buckled your foot in.)

Yet, it’s the credo of the French to never get too absorbed into the trend cycle, which is why when this style reached fever pitch, they were the first to abandon it for something fresher. Lace-up ballet flats are indeed another riff on a timeless style, but also one that leans towards more mundane styling, especially with the delicate options from Chloé, Repetto and Sœur on show.

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