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French fashion is well-known for its effortlessly chic and cool casual look. Even in the heat of summer, French women still manage to pull off that perfectly imperfect look that is so enviable. There must be something in the water, right? Well, not exactly! In reality, the stylish French woman has plenty of styling tricks up her sleeve to keep her looking cool, classic, and fashionable. In today’s post, I’ll be sharing some effortless ways to emulate that chic French summer style.
9 Effortless Ways To Get That French Girl Summer Style
1. Black blouse + straight-leg denim jeans
Shop similar: Top | Jeans | Basket Bag | Espadrilles
Although you won’t commonly find jeans as part of most summer wardrobes, a quick peek at Parisian influencers’ Instagram accounts will show that jeans are still a key part of French girl style.
To retain that cool and casual look, you’ll have a hard time going wrong with a pair of light wash, raw hem slim jeans. Wear these with a breezy, patterned top, low heels or espadrilles, and a wicker bag for an easy casual outfit.
2. Knit tank + cut-off denim shorts
Shop similar: Knit Tank | Cut-off Shorts | Sunglasses | Espadrilles
A loose white tank is a great way to give your look a laid-back, yet classic vibe, especially when paired with a vintage-style pair of cut-off shorts. If you like black, but feel like it’s too much for summer, you can also opt for black accessories. These classic shades and espadrilles dress up this outfit a bit while also adding great contrast.
3. White shirt + straight-leg jeans
Shop similar: White Top | Jeans | Sunglasses | Gold Hoops | Pumps | Basket Bag
For the most part, French girls are all about simplicity. This is especially true when it comes to accessories! Too many accessories can overwhelm your look, especially in the summer. The best solution is to stick with simplicity and opt for timeless gold jewelry and neutral accessories.
You can never go wrong with summer wardrobe staples like a basket bag, neutral pumps, and chic sunglasses, which will go a long way in giving you that chic, yet slightly rustic look that screams “South of France”.
4. Cropped cardigan + slip skirt
Shop similar: Cropped Cardigan | Slip Skirt | Straw Bag | Heeled Sandals
Along with having a small and versatile wardrobe, keeping your color palette neutral will help you create more cohesive outfits and make getting dressed way simpler overall. Brown, nude, tan, cream, white, and even blush always go together, so you don’t have to worry about what to mix and match.
This white slip skirt and cropped cardigan make for the perfect easy monochromatic look and look great when paired with other neutral accents, such as these strappy sandals. But don’t be afraid to add in a little color, if that’s your style!
5. Polka dot dress + neutral accessories
Shop similar: Dress | Sunglasses | Necklace | Basket Bag | Espadrilles
Although it’s usually best to keep things neutral, adding some pattern to your look is a great way to add a great summer feel. Simple florals and classic polka dots are considered seasonless patterns, meaning they can easily be transitioned into other seasons for years to come without ever going out of style.
For summer, try adding in at least one patterned skirt or dress to your summer wardrobe for a little flair. Below, you can see how French style icon Jeanne Damas styles this lovely piece.
6. Floral midi dress + straw tote + espadrilles
Shop similar: Floral Dress | Sunglasses | Necklace | Straw Bag | Espadrilles
Just like with patterns, adding a bit of color into your summer wardrobe is great to mix things up. A flowy midi dress is a summer staple; super comfortable and chic for those hot summer days and easy to throw on.
Accessorize with a straw tote and pair of espadrilles and you have yourself a winning outfit that looks like it’s right off the streets of Paris.
7. White tee + feminine skirt
Shop similar: White Tee | Floral Wrap Skirt | Straw Bag | Sunglasses | Heeled Sandals
The combination of casual and elegant styles is one that is well known in Parisian style. This floral wrap skirt gives the perfect amount of dressiness to a plain white tee, making for an ultra-comfortable and stylish outfit for the summer season.
8. White top + cut-off denim shorts
Shop similar: White Crop Top | Cut-off Shorts | Necklace | Basket Bag | Espadrilles
This outfit is another example of how great basic pieces can be combined to create tons of great outfits. You can never go wrong with denim cut-offs and a cropped feminine top like this one adds a fun and flirty feminine touch.
And, of course, you can’t forget the famous basket or woven bag! This is a key piece to creating fabulous French-inspired summer looks.
9. Silk slip dress + cropped cardigan
Shop similar: Silk Slip Dress | Cropped Cardigan | Gold Hoops | Straw Bag | Heeled Sandals
At the end of the day, many Parisian women will tell you that if you’re not feeling comfortable in what you’re wearing, it’s going to hard to pull off a chic summer outfit. It’s a good idea to go for natural fabrics like cotton, linen, silk, and lightweight wool, as these fabrics are breathable in hot weather.
One of my favorite comfortable, lightweight items is silk summer dresses. These slip dresses can be dressed up or down and styled in endless ways. Adding a cardigan over top is perfect for a bit of warmth on a cooler summer day and adds an interesting bit of texture to the look.
Although French style seems elusive and difficult to perfect, there are plenty of ways to pull off this chic summer look. By sticking to classic silhouettes, fabrics, and colors, and remembering that “less is more,” you’ll find that achieving a French girl summer style is easier than you may have thought!
For more French girl style inspiration, keep on reading!
Up next: 11 Ways to Nail a Classic French Style Clothing Look
