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Close your eyes and picture the chicest French person you follow on Instagram. What is she wearing? Perhaps a breezy button-up and a luxe silk headscarf, or maybe a printed dress and flip-flops. French-girl style, after all, is in a class of its own. The good news? A plane ticket to Paris isn’t required to channel the look—all you need is a handful of très chic summer staples.
French women tend to favor timeless, foolproof wardrobe basics over fleeting internet trends. They also have a knack for mixing various prints, colors, and textures—a skill that truly shines during the warmer months. Sure, they know their way around layering knits (and coats!), but few things are more stylish than seeing a French girl strolling down the street in an airy day dress and of-the-moment flats.
With temperatures on the rise, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the summer trends taking Paris by storm. So far, we’ve narrowed it down to seven must-have French-girl staples—all of which you’ll find below alongside tips on how to style each silhouette.
The Formula: Printed Dress + Flip-Flops + Cardigan
No one loves a printed dress quite like the Parisian fashion set. And it’s easy to see why the look has become a wardrobe hallmark—it does all the heavy lifting. This summer, expect patterns like florals and polka dots to dominate the streets. Style your printed number with flip-flops and a cardigan for a French girl–approved finish.
Shop Printed Dresses
The Sadie
Lison Dress
Bianca Silk Dress Es
Amorette Dress
The Formula: Silk Headscarf + Neutral Dress
Silk headscarves may be trending in New York and Los Angeles this season, but Parisian women have long been ahead of the curve. As the French style set has consistently proven, nothing elevates a look quite like a printed headscarf. Let the accent do all the talking by pairing it with a neutral dress—preferably a strapless silhouette that screams summer.
Shop Silk Headscarves
Rae Black Stripe Silk Scarf Top
Solar Groove Scarf
Polka-Dot Silk Scarf
Silk Scarf
The Formula: Striped Button-Up + Bikini Top + Lace Skirt
When in doubt, reach for a striped button-up—it’s a mantra Parisian women have long lived by. Layer the breezy top over a bikini in the summer, or wear it fully buttoned to the office. A lace-adorned skirt adds a touch of romance to the ensemble.
Shop Striped Button-Ups
The Easy Shirt
Eli Oversized Shirt
English Factory Striped Buttondown Shirt
The Everyday Shirt in Breezy-Cotton
The Formula: Woven Flats + Minidress + Long Coat
Woven flats emerged as a leading footwear trend last summer, and they’re poised for a resurgence this year, at least in Paris. For a playful spin, opt for jelly flats; for something more polished, try a netted style (like the Staud pair below). The shoes infuse a simple minidress-and-trench-coat combo with personality, as exhibited above.
Shop Woven Flats
Jam Jelly Flats
Alba Ballet Flat | Tan Netting
Braided Ballet Flats
Grove Flat
The Formula: White Tee + Printed Skirt + Kitten Heels
As mentioned, women in Paris don’t stray far from their basics. One go-to in their wardrobes? A classic white tee. Whether styled with a printed skirt or casual jeans, it’s always a reliable choice. To elevate the look, slip into a pair of kitten heels.
Shop White Tees
Laura T-Shirt
Perfect-Fit Crewneck T-Shirt
Tee Rex
Crew Neck Tee
The Formula: Sporty Shorts + Simple Tank + Slingback Pumps
There’s something so cool about sporty shorts, and Parisian women seem to agree. The French-girl way to wear the bottoms? With a simple tank, slingback pumps, and a leather bag.
Shop Sporty Shorts
Firebird Classic Shorts
Sunrise Shorts
Court Rival High-Rise Short 3″
Karolyn Short
The Formula: Fringe Necklace + Classic Button-Up
Long fringe necklaces practically blew up overnight last summer. And per French women, the accent isn’t going anywhere in the coming months. Follow their lead and layer the piece over a pared-back button-up or tee.
Shop Fringe Necklaces
Dolores Tassel Necklace
Éze Necklace
Celine Necklace
Solstice Knot Tassel Necklace