Maybe she's born with it, maybe she's French — or maybe she just knows where to shop to look très chic. (H&M, Gap, Uniqlo, Amazon)((H&M, Gap, Uniqlo, Amazon))
Ever dreamed of shopping at the gorgeous boutiques in Paris' Marais district but been brought back down to earth by your budget? Hoping to capture that effortlessly cool French style aesthetic, only to realize you don't know where to start? If you answered yes — or oui — to either of those questions, you have landed in the right place.
I recently took a deep dive into the feeds of my favorite French fashion influencers, noting five must-have summer trends. Then I did what any selfless style writer would do, and I found those same trends for less. Think romantic boho blouses, billowy tiered maxi skirts and more — including some incredibly chic structured pieces — that'll grant you the je-ne-sais-quoi style clout you've been craving without giving your bank account a "mon dieu!" moment.
Related: These are the 9 style trends everyone in Paris is wearing this spring
While we Americans love to chill in our cozy loungewear sets, our friends in Paris know how to elevate the matching-outfit game with a touch more sophistication. Instead of comfy sweats, they opt for dynamic duos made from light-yet-structured fabrics in trendy silhouettes that feel fresh, urbane and never, ever frumpy. These sleek sets are a fantastic fashion formula for summer, but they also allow for endless mix-and-match possibilities with other pieces in your closet.
Suiting is having a fashion moment right now, but the last thing anyone wants to wear is a heavy pantsuit when the weather warms up. Why not take a cool tip from some haute femmes and grab yourself an airy linen vest? Style it with matching shorts for a polished look or wide-leg jeans for an edgier ensemble. Or go full fashion-forward and pair it with another trend on this list — a sunny, tiered maxi skirt — for a hip and modern androgynous vibe.
A classic white T-shirt or comfy button-down are key pieces in any wardrobe. But, if you're hoping to spice things up this season, why not take a free-spirited page from the Francophile stylebook and add some romantic boho blouses to the rotation? These softly structured, often-textured tops feature charming details like bows, ruffles and smocking that, when paired with a simple pair of jeans or tailored bottoms, can transform an outfit into something that feels curated and purposeful.
French women know that once the weather gets hot and sticky, it's time to break out those natural-fiber MVPs, linen and cotton, to look and feel effortlessly crisp and cool. These dresses are chic on their own, but on chillier evenings can be styled with a layer — an oversized cardigan, say, or a tailored blazer — to add texture and structure (and warmth, of course). Solid white is a Parisienne classic, but a subtle print can add a touch of femininity for those who lean more ladylike.
Tiered dresses and maxi skirts all over social media lately, and I'd bet a buck to a beignet that the trend originated on the streets of Paris. These flirty bottoms balance romantic femininity and a touch of drama — all that billowy fabric! — with a laid-back vibe. Styling-wise, a tiered maxi represents peak versatility. Pair one with combat boots and a leather tank for a punk-rock edge. Or go more casual with a simple white tee, denim jacket and your favorite flat sandals.
