8 Dress Trends French Women Always Reach For in the Summer

Ah, dresses and French style. Two subjects I love to talk about. With summer fast approaching, dresses have been on my mind. Whether worn for work, an upcoming vacation, or wedding season, dresses are the one item I'll be wearing on repeat this season. Since I'm an avid fan of the French aesthetic and forever inspired by their effortlessly chic style, I did a deep dive into the dress styles French women always reach for during the warmer months, hoping it will inform my own summertime frock selection (and perhaps yours too!).

Keep scrolling to see eight dress trends that get the overall French stamp of approval. From silky slip dresses to pretty floral prints, get inspired by these classic and stylish dresses below.

Silky Slips

Simple silky slip dresses are a dress style practically every French woman wears in summer. They're easy to style for both day and night. Whether you opt for a vintage-inspired one with lace trim or a simple midi silhouette, the versatile dress always looks chic.

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Pretty Floral Prints

The French love pretty floral dresses. Whether you go for a slip-style silhouette or a long sleeve mini, these options exude the effortlessly chic aesthetic the French are known for.

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Crochet

Once summer rolls around, the French are all about Jane Birkin-inspired crochet and open-knit dresses, especially when it comes to vacation dressing. Opt for versatile neutral colors to keep the look polished.

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Breezy White Dresses

There's no better go-to for summer than a breezy white dress. They're easy, sophisticated, and elegant. I consistently see simple, clean silhouettes in midi lengths on the French fashion set. All you need to add is a pair of espadrilles, mules, or slides, along with a raffia bag and voilà!

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Pretty Back Details

One dress detail I've noticed while immersing myself in French style is their adoration for alluring open-back dresses and delicate tie details, which of course, lends itself perfectly to the warmer temps.

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Little Black Dresses

The little black dress is a go-to staple that feels at home on the streets of Paris, with its stylish residents leaning into the pared-back aesthetic of the piece. 

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Knitted

Knitted dresses are considered a year-round staple for the French. In summer, they lean into sleeveless silhouettes and will opt for colorful hues and stripes alongside classic black and white. 

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Tea Dresses

Tea dresses are something French women always have in their outfit rotations. Worn with knee-high boots in fall and sandals or espadrilles in summer, it's a chic and versatile piece you can easily throw-on-and go.

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