The Cool Dresses French Girls Always Wear

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Have you noticed the one thing all French girls are wearing this summer? It’s not a striped boater top or a trench coat or even ballet flats. It’s a cool dress style that you might not have associated with Parisians before—but it turns out you should. Breezy floral wrap dresses are in practically every French girl’s closet (and suitcase). Which styles make the cut? Ahead, we’re breaking down what to look for.

First, find a playful print. Anything from polka dots to simple vintage florals works. You can’t go wrong by sticking to a neutral color palette, including red, white, or navy. Next, the dress should have a sleeve, whether it’s long, short, or cap. Bonus points if the neckline is finished with flirty ruffles. As for styling it, try some layered gold necklaces, espadrilles, and a woven basket bag. Now, don’t be surprised if you’re mistaken for a Parisian on your summer trip to the Côte d’Azur.

Keep reading to see how French girls are styling these cool dresses, and then shop our favorite styles from Réalisation Par, Rouje, Reformation, and more.

Associate Director, Special Projects

Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.