23 French Girl Style Outfits You Can Wear on Repeat

France has been a fashion capital globally since before the United States was born. Parisians, and French girls in general, have long perfected the art of looking elegant while still, in some way, not fully put together. There is a balance between natural beauty and refined, polished, well-kept pieces in your wardrobe.

Parisians also don’t have as much closet space in general as Americans, which has led to a refinement of their wardrobes long before a capsule wardrobe had a name. There’s a little bit more money being put into fewer items rather than quantity. By taking a closer look at this aesthetic, we can see how to keep any outfit feeling elevated and fashionable with just a few specific details.

1. Breton Top, Straight Jeans, and a Camel Trench

Starting with the Breton top, this stripe is classically French and refined. In the U.S., it feels like you’re going on a sailing trip, somewhat of a crossover with the clean girl aesthetic here. Straight jeans are comfortable and ready for any outing, while the camel trench is a classic piece that feels European. It feels like you could be stepping out in London or Stockholm.

The black ballet flat adds a little bit of depth and modernity, along with the woven tote that she has. It feels down-to-earth but also polished. Her jacket is crisp, the collar is structured, and there’s not a wrinkle in sight.

2. Black Turtleneck, Ivory Jeans, and Loafers

The simplicity of this outfit, with the bold move of the ivory jeans, is what makes it feel slightly French girl. We have the loafers, which are a sophisticated move combined with the relaxed aspect of the jean.

In general, it’s a pared-down outfit. However, a bright pop of color shows that you’re not afraid to make a bold move.

3. White Button-Down, Dark Denim, and a Navy Blazer

French people love navy, and they love their denim. A straight, structured denim like this is a good move with a structured white collar and the structured blazer that she’s wearing. It feels natural, and the dark blue and the brown leather combine well together.

The color palette reads easily with her walking through the park or going out in the city. It doesn’t feel uncomfortable in any way while still feeling polished and somewhat professional on top.

4. Navy Cardigan, Ecru Trousers, and Brown Loafers

Again, we have the navy showing up. Underneath, we have a clean white t-shirt. If you’re going for French girl style, a crisp white shirt is one of the best ways to go. A t-shirt is not the first thing to grab when trying for French girl style, however white is a great one. Maybe a maroon or a burgundy would also work, rather than a graphic tee.

The leather loafers are pairing well. French people love a hard-working, well-loved, good quality item like a leather loafer, which will stand years of use. The cardigan adds warmth where the t-shirt feels more breathable. She looks chic and fresh while not being too distinctive. This is a classic, timeless pairing in each individual piece she’s chosen.

5. Cardigan Worn as a Top with Wide-Leg Trousers

Again, we have a simple silhouette. The trousers are not too fitted, which adds to the easygoing nature of this outfit. It feels relaxed while definitely still polished and put together.

The cardigan as a top is good for weather that may be in between, or a more temperate climate like in France. She looks warm while still being able to sit in an office all day long. The heels have a great pointed toe, which feels more fashion forward than maybe a rounded toe.

6. Black Mini Dress, Sheer Tights, and a Long Coat

The black mini dress pairs well with the more oversized, longer coat, which allows for more coverage depending on where you’re going throughout the night. A sheer tight is a classic, and one of the first things I’m excited to pull out when the weather gets colder.

A ballet flat is a great option with this and feels on trend for this year. You could also switch it out for a heel, a boot, or even an open-toed shoe.

7. Cream Sweater, Black Cigarette Pants, and Ballet Flats

The cream sweater, with the also warm-colored brown bag, feels classic, while the ballet flats and the cigarette pants are a good combination. The cigarette style pant paired with the ballet flat feels distinctively French. It feels like Repetto.

Without many accessories here, her red lip is also distinctively French. That’s another way to add interest to your outfit without doing full glam in your makeup. It’s interesting without trying hard in any way.

8. Denim Shirt, White Jeans, and Tan Sandals

The denim shirt and the white jeans pair well together, which is sometimes a hard combination to make, combining two different denim colors. Since the shirt on top is a little bit lighter weight than the thicker white denim on the bottom, the outfit makes sense. It feels light enough to wear in the summertime by the beach, walking around Italy.

A woven bag is a great addition to any summer or even early fall outfit, especially if you’re going to a market, a farmer’s market, or a flea market. The little leather sandals are a great nude here. You almost don’t feel them at all, which makes the outfit feel slightly more minimalist even.

9. Navy Sweater, Pleated Midi Skirt, and Ankle Boots

A pleated midi skirt like this is a great addition in the fall. It’s not a flimsy material like a satin or a silk. It definitely looks lined, like something that will block wind where the wind is hitting the skirt, while still having enough volume that it’s breathable underneath.

It’s a good length that hits below her calf, allowing her to wear an ankle boot, or even a longer boot that would be hidden under the skirt. The light brown and the navy go great together. It’s sometimes harder to combine navy and gray, but this is an example that works.

10. White Tee, Black Jeans, and a Tweed Jacket

The cut of these jeans works so nicely with the small heel and the pointed toe. It looks intentional, professional, and elegant while still having an everyday feel.

Her jacket looks like it could be worn to the office or even to a dinner. The Chanel-esque simplicity will always be timeless, and a basic clean white tee underneath is effortlessly French girl.

11. Trench Coat, Black Knit Dress, and Loafers

Here we have another long knit dress, which is great for temperate but still colder French mornings, or shoulder seasons like fall and spring, where you want to be warm underneath but still able to remove enough clothing to cool down during the warmer parts of the day. A basic trench like this is a great way to do that without adding too many elements to your outfit.

12. Striped Sweater, Black Trousers, and Red Flats

Here we have another Breton striped sweater, which adds interest without adding too much to think about. The especially interesting part here comes from the red pop. Black, white, and red is a great color combination.

White, navy, and red would be maybe a little bit more in-your-face French, so I like the way she’s using black instead of navy here, which is what my first inclination would be.

13. Polka Dot Blouse, Black Jeans, and Low Heels

All black is such an easy color combination, and one that I return to very often, especially in winter and fall. It usually looks chic, but it can be somewhat boring if you don’t throw in some interest in texture or pattern.

Here we have the light, romantic material of her blouse, which also has the polka dot that gives it a daintier feel, a structured denim, and then a low heel with the leather. Those three different textures combine to keep the outfit engaging.

14. Silk Blouse, Vintage-Wash Jeans, and Slingbacks

A silk button-up blouse like this is a great staple to have in your closet, one that I’m actually looking for right now. What I’ve found difficult is getting the sizing right with silk blouses. You definitely don’t want anything too tight with a material as delicate as silk. With any pulling at the back, you’ll find the seams start tearing, even if it’s bigger than another shirt would be.

This is a good fit that she has. It doesn’t look too baggy while still draping well on her. It’s tucked in the front, which with a bigger shirt is sometimes a necessity. She has a higher waist here, which works with a tuck in since the silk won’t be adding too much volume to the waistband after being tucked in. Little slingbacks like this with jeans is such a great combination.

15. Floral Midi Dress with a Cropped Cardigan

This is French girl in a more romantic way than we’ve seen above, and it’s just as effortless. Midi and maxi dresses strike me as more French than a mini dress, which feels a little bit more athletic than what I’d think of as French girl style.

You can be walking around all day in a midi dress like this. You can go to the park and nothing is moving around in a too-revealing way. The sweater is nice to have for extra warmth during weather that might be changing when you’re walking around in the city all day long.

16. Cream Cable Sweater, Denim Midi Skirt, and Tall Boots

Here we see again the play of natural, hard-working fibers. We have a suede bag, leather riding boots, the denim skirt, and the cream sweater, which we could assume is a wool sweater, with maybe a light t-shirt layered underneath. No jacket in sight, and the wool sweater probably keeps the warmth well enough in this situation.

All of these fibers are natural and long lasting, as long as they’re cared for well. French girl style is all about having quality over quantity and taking care of it well. She’s not creased or wrinkled, and there’s no lint on her.

17. Monochrome Black with a Silk Scarf

Here we have a very simple silhouette, elegant and professional but not without personality, thanks to the addition of the silk scarf. She also has a dainty leather watch on her left wrist, which serves a purpose while also adding a little bit of feminine flair to an otherwise androgynous outfit.

Her sweater has almost a boat neck, which pairs well with the addition of the silk scarf. We could imagine a cooler day where this scarf also serves a purpose in keeping her neck warm.

18. Camel Coat, Black Sweater, and Straight Jeans

This is the French girl equivalent of throwing on your sweatpants and sweatshirt, or leggings, to run out to the grocery store. It’s a straight jean, because French girls cannot wear leggings unless they’re actually going to work out.

She has jeans, easy-to-put-on boots that don’t mismatch the outfit, and then a neutral coat with a neutral bag.

19. White Shirt Dress with a Black Belt

This is a great summertime option. I like that she added a belt, because this is a great way to level up any outfit, and it’s often forgotten, by myself included.

I’ve also seen recently girls adding belts to midi or maxi skirts, just at the waistband, which is cute. Like in this situation, an otherwise shapeless dress is all of a sudden two times more feminine and pulled together than it otherwise would be.

20. Black Leather Jacket, Striped Tee, and Cropped Jeans

I love that her jeans crop naturally above the ankle. If you’re not feeling like making the decision with an ankle boot of where to have the jean drop, the crop makes that decision for you. The striped tee is a classic, a pattern that’s not too in-your-face, easy to throw on, and easy to dress up or down.

A leather jacket like this is a good option. She could even go for a baggier leather jacket. The one she’s wearing is good for warmer weather, but a baggier, looser one, even another color like a brown or a suede, would be great if it’s cooler weather.

21. Beige Blazer, Black Slip Dress, and Flat Sandals

The slip dress and the linen blazer are an unexpected combination, but definitely pulled together with the little woven clutch that she’s holding.

If we were to imagine this outfit without the blazer and the clutch, it would feel way more modern and summery, almost in a club night-out way. Whereas with the blazer and the clutch, it feels like vacation, sitting by the sea, eating dinner, and it still makes sense despite the contradicting fabrics and materials.

22. Slip Skirt, Fine Knit Sweater, and Mary Janes

Mary janes are one of my favorite shoes. I especially love when the strap is over the arch of the foot, like she has here. It’s also seen with the ankle strap, which I know some people prefer, but I love it over the arch of the foot. Especially if you’re going for French girl style, this feels very much like a nod to Madeline almost.

The slip skirt is always a good option, especially for a dinner out. I love this color, and that she’s wearing it with a sweater, because if this were sitting in my closet I might pass it off as a summer or before-Labor-Day piece since it’s a lighter color, but she’s definitely making it work for colder weather in this situation.

23. Black Blazer, White Tank, and Blue Jeans

This looks so fashionable without any of the pieces being a statement in any way. A white tank and normal straight blue jeans with a loafer. This would look great with or without the blazer. It would look youthful without the blazer, and with the blazer it looks mature, almost like she could wear it to the office, maybe if it was a Friday.

Even if your office reads very casual and has a relaxed atmosphere, blue jeans should be thought about carefully before wearing to work. If she were to wear something like this to work, throwing on another layer, maybe a semi-transparent silk or satin blouse over the tank, would give it a more professional feel. But this outfit as is, for a day in the park, is perfect.

Wardrobe Staples From This Post

A few staples that make most of these looks work.

• Steve Madden Double-Breasted Trench Coat. The layer that makes jeans and a tee look like an outfit.
• Levi’s Ribcage Straight Jeans. A high rise and a straight leg that work with loafers, boots, and sneakers alike.
• CUSHIONAIRE Leather Penny Loafers. Real leather that breaks in instead of breaking down.