6 Summer Dresses that French Women Always Wear
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The moment warm weather arrives, my mind goes straight to summer style. And maybe it’s because I live in France, but in my eyes, no one does effortless summer dressing quite like French women.
From Paris to Provence, there’s one warm-weather staple you’ll see everywhere: summer dresses. Whether it’s a floaty linen midi or a floral-printed mini, French women rely on a curated rotation of dresses that can take them all over l’Hexagone (and beyond).
Gone are the wrap and tea dresses you might typically associate with Parisian women. The new wave of French summer style is fresher, cooler and still oh-so-chic, and I’ve spotted all of the latest styles that you need to know about.
Whether you’re strolling the banks of the Seine in Paris or basking on the beaches of the Côte d’Azur, here are the six French summer dresses to wear this season.
1. Striped Dress
With the nautical trend making waves this summer, stripes are everywhere right now, including on dresses. The Breton tee is a French classic, but given a longer hemline, it becomes the perfect dress for summer.
Take inspiration from Anne-Laure Mais who pairs her striped t-shirt dress with ballet flats, a woven tote and an oversized belt—an easy formula for cool-girl French style this summer. To keep things ultra-casual, swap the ballerines for strappy sandals, or go the other way with espadrilles and a raffia clutch.
I know I’ll be sporting plenty of stripes on my trip to Bretagne this summer, and a striped dress is at the top of my packing list. Shop some of my top contenders below.
2. White Dress
There's a reason the white dress is a summer staple: its versatility is unmatched. The most stylish of French women know how to take a simple white dress and transform it from casual to chic with just a few tweaks.
A crisp white linen dress is the very essence of a French summer, whether you’re in the city or countryside. I can’t imagine anything more effortlessly chic. Choose one with a flowy silhouette that’s easy and breezy. For a casual daytime look, pair it with a basket bag and woven sandals. As the sun sets, elevate the outfit with heeled sandals and a colorful clutch.
For garden parties or summer soirées, a white midi dress with clean lines and a cinched waist is quietly elegant. Even if you're not wandering the parks of Paris like Emmanuelle Koffi, you can still channel that Parisian vibe by styling your white dress with pointed toe mules and a chic shoulder bag.
If you’re a fan of the little black dress, consider the white dress its summer counterpart. Though, you might want to save it for every occasion except a summer wedding.
For my warm-toned gals, you can still get away with wearing white by opting for hues like ecru, ivory and cream that are more flattering for your skin tone. I’ve curated a mix of white dresses for every skin tone below.
3. Slip Dress
Photo credit: @wendyswan
The slip dress was made for elevated summer dressing. Whether you're headed to a rooftop soirée or an al fresco dinner, this summer dress moves from day to night with ease.
When choosing the perfect slip dress for summer, I recommend prioritizing quality fabrics. Silk can really elevate your average slip dress over polyester fabrics done in a satin weave.
Beyond the fabric, consider the silhouette. A little tailoring can make all the difference. Choose a cut that complements your shape—whether that’s a fluid, straight-line design or something that subtly skims your curves.
As for color, summer is the time to try out bolder hues like butter yellow (the trendiest shade of the season), spicy reds or bright blues. Of course, you can never go wrong with the classics: black and ivory remain effortlessly chic.
In the look above, French style muse Wendy Swan wears her chocolate brown slip dress with Chanel ballet flats and a woven shoulder bag for a look that’s polished yet unfussy. This is exactly what to wear for a day of boutique-hopping or crêpes and café at Carette.
4. Floral Dress
Photo credit: @sabinasocol
No French summer wardrobe is complete without a floral summer dress, whether it’s a mini, maxi or something in between. It may be a bit of a cliché, but florals always make their return this time of year, both in nature and French fashion.
When you don’t want to overthink your outfit, the floral dress is the perfect throw-on-and-go piece for sunny days. Wear it on the weekend with ballet flats, then toss it in your suitcase with a pair of strappy sandals for vacation. Either way, it’s feminine with that signature French insouciance.
Case in point: French it-girl Sabina Socol wears this sunshine-yellow mini floral dress with nude sandals, simple accessories, and tousled hair for a look that’s not too styled, just simple and sweet.
When it comes to printed summer dresses, I always go back to the three R’s for French-girl florals: Reformation, Rouje, and Réalisation Par. Below, I’ve rounded up a few floral favorites that are sure to brighten up your wardrobe this season.
5. Shirt Dress
The shirt dress is the definition of chic-meets-comfort, so it’s no surprise it’s a mainstay in every French girl’s summer wardrobe. Borrowing from the clean lines of a classic men’s button-down, this dress strikes the perfect balance between tailored and relaxed.
It’s my favorite for days when I want to look pulled together without trying too hard. The shirt dress always makes me feel instantly polished, even if I decide to pair it with flip-flops and a beach bag.
Take a cue from Jeanne Damas, who wears a sleeveless shirt dress with bright red sandals for a vintage vibe. It’s minimal, yet anything but boring.
A white button-down shirt dress in cotton or linen is a perennial favorite and is perfect for the office with a blazer and heels or weekend errands with ballet flats and a basket bag.
I’m partial to a mini shirt dress for hot days, but midi lengths offer extra coverage and a refined silhouette that works beautifully for work or travel (especially if your summer plans include a trip to the French Riviera.)
6. Crochet Dress
Maybe it’s the Jane Birkin effect, but come summer, French women inevitably slip into crochet. Breezy and easy, the crochet dress is a staple from the beaches of Brittany to the shores of the Côte d’Azur.
It hugs in all the right places without ever feeling too fussy, making it the ideal throw-on piece for not-too-hot, not-too-cold summer days when the weather can’t quite make up its mind. From crochet minis to curve-skimming maxis, crochet and knit dresses are more versatile than you’d think. A sleeveless or short-sleeve style in a lightweight cotton blend is perfect for warm afternoons, while a slightly thicker knit transitions beautifully into cooler evenings. You can even wear it as a beach cover-up, which looks incredibly elegant over a swimsuit.
Look to fashionable Frenchies like Anne-Victoire Lefevre who keeps things chic and simple with a neutral crochet dress and fisherman sandals. All you need is a pair of sleek sunnies and a woven bag for minimalist summer dressing à la française.
With these six French summer dresses in your wardrobe, you’ll have a go-to look for every sunny-day occasion, whether you’re off to the office, lounging seaside, or enjoying apéro on a terrace.
Which summer dress is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.
