What is it about French women that makes them so chic? The perfect combination of effortless and polished, we wanted to get some of that style for ourself. We found 3 pants, bottoms, and shoes to mix and match in different ways, for tons of outfits that embody the elusive French summer style. Bon appetit!
Let’s start with the bottoms, because they really are the key to nailing the French look. You need a pair of straight cut, dark wash jeans. Ideally a little cropped at the ankle to show off your shoes. I love this J.Crew pair or Frame’s cult-favorite Le Sleek straight jeans. You also need a maxi skirt for when you’re feeling a little more femme. I love Jenni Kayne’s cotton skirt which has a bit of texture. Quince’s poplin version feels like a cool breeze on a hot day.
Up top, you’re going to need some Breton stripes. Or any stripe, really. I love Alex Mill’s long sleeve, chunkier striped tee or their skinnier-stripe blue and white short sleeve version. Or you could go for the perfect summer weight cotton navy sweater from Vineyard Vines.
It doesn’t get much easier in summer than a slinky silk slip dress. I love the rich midnight blue hue of this Vince dress. It skims the body without clinging to it, and the A-line skirt is so flattering.
Finally, a few accessories that add a certain je ne sais quoi to any outfit. A pair of retro-inspired cat-eye sunglasses are a must-have for sunny days, like these tortoiseshell Celine sunnies. A textured, wicker tote that fits everything from a farmer’s market haul to a beach towel. And it wouldn’t be French style without a beautiful blue silk scarf, tied around your head, neck, or even the handle of your bag.
Mix and match to your heart’s delight with the rest of our French summer style edit:
All of our recommendations are curated by Susan & the In The Groove editorial team. In some, but not all cases, we receive a small commission for leading you to what, how, and where to buy all this wonderful stuff.
