The 5 Key Pieces To A French Woman’s Summer Wardrobe

Is there anywhere better than Paris? I don’t think so. Bob and I are celebrating our anniversary in the City of Lights, and it’s every bit as romantic, beautiful, and delicious as I had hoped. You know what else hasn’t changed? Fantastic French summer style. The women here are still chic and effortlessly elegant. I pout together a list of essential wardrobe pieces to help you get the French look for yourself. Au revoir! 

Crisp Shirt

Ok, so maybe it doesn’t have to be freshly starched and crisp. A rumpled, lived-in button-down has a certain just rolled out of bed sex appeal the French are certainly known for. J.Crew’s relaxed fit shirt is great, AYR’s striped button-down is cheery, or Banana Republic’s tailored shirt for a more classic spin. 

Option: you can swap out shirt for the classic Breton t-shirt. We’re talking boatneck, three-quarters sleeve, stripes, the real deal. 

Flared Denim 

Something about a flared denim pair of jeans, whether they’re extra-long or cropped, feels especially Parisian. All the better to show off your shoes with! It’s a little femme, a little flirty, and all the way chic. 

For an ankle-skimming pair, try the Weekender by Mother Denim, Paige Denim’s aptly-named Collette, or AYR’s the Pop. To crank up the drama, go for more of a wide-leg. We love Veronica Beard’s slouchy Taylor jean, Joe’s Jeans’ Hi Honey dark wash dream jeans, and Banana Republic’s figure skimming, precise flares. 

Blazer

A perfect tailored blazer adds a punch of sophistication to any outfit, especially when it also does double duty as a jacket during these weird in-between months. It’s about finding the right one for you, whether you go for a more cropped fit, a long and lean version, or maybe something with flashy gold buttons for a hardware upgrade. 

Block Heel

While French women kick around in ballet flats all day long, they also love a good heeled sandal. A classic block heel in black is comfortable but still dressy, and unlike a stiletto, you’ll be able to walk on all those beautiful cobblestone streets. Or, go a little retro-inspired in a cute but still sexy kitten heel. 

Market Tote

Whether you’re carrying fresh seasonal flowers or your computer charger, a straw market bag can carry everything you need. Embellish a little bit with pearls or a big bow, or go for more of a Birkin-inspired basket bag. 

Shop the 5 key pieces to French summer style below:

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.