No One Wears Denim Like a French Girl—7 Chic Outfits I'm Unashamedly Copying

Denim is at the heart of so many excellent looks but, if you ask me, no one wears the fabrication quite like French women. Here are seven recent looks that I think prove my point.

A selection of French content creators wearing denim outfits
(Image credit:Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK)
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There’s something about French style that always manages to feel both timeless and current. And while we often associate Parisian fashion and brands with blazers, ballet flats and beautifully cut basics, one piece remains quietly essential to the French capsule wardrobe: denim.

I’ve always admired how French women wear jeans. They never feel overthought or trend-chasing, yet the styling still looks intentional; the length of the leg always perfect with whichever shoe they've selected while the wash is authentically '90s looking. And that's just jeans—French women embrace denim (and denim trends) in more forms than anyone else I see, whether it's a shirt, skirt or dress. And though their preferences may shift slightly with the seasons, but the outfits themselves remain rooted in simplicity and polish.

Lately, along with the cooler weather, I’ve found myself gravitating toward the kinds of denim looks I see worn on the streets of Paris: straight-leg jeans with billowing shirts, dark denim with classic cover-ups and even maxi skirts softened with Adidas trainers. They’re outfits that look great now but don’t feel tied to any specific moment—something French women seem to have a particular knack for.

Below, I’ve pulled together some of the most effortlessly chic denim outfits inspired by how French women are wearing theirs right now. Whether you're looking to freshen up your everyday uniform or just want to see how denim is being styled in one of the world's most stylish countries, scroll on.

7 French-Girl Denim Outfits to Try

1. Denim Shirt + Jeans + Slingbacks

@lenafarl wears blue straight-leg jeans with a blue denim shirt and burgundy slingbacks

(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Style Notes: A classic pair of blue jeans will work hard in any wardrobe, but the French seem to enjoy wearing them with, well, even more denim. It might have the nickname of Canadian Tuxedo (I'm half Canadian and can confirm I am not offended by this association) but, really, credit ought to go to stylish French girls for making it look so elevated.

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2. Denim Dungarees + Long-Sleeve Top + Crossbody Bag

@annelauremais wears denim dungarees with a white long-sleeve top and a Dior crossbody bag

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Style Notes: Though it might seem unexpected, especially when you think of the glossy clichés surrounding French style, but denim dungarees are a regular sighting on the most stylish streets in Paris. Elevate them with sleek accessories (that Dior bag being the dream accoutrement).

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3. Lace Blouse + Denim Miniskirt + Pointed-Toe Shoes

@salome.mory wears a denim miniskirt with a white lace Victoriana blouse

(Image credit: @salome.mory)

Style Notes: When they're not wearing jeans or trousers, chances are you'll find French women in a skirt. Although they aren't quite as widely popular as they once were, Parisians have never turned their backs on denim miniskirts. I enjoy how they look paired with more elevated pieces, such as a high-neck lace blouse and black pointed shoes.

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4. Denim Jacket + Midi Skirt + Shoulder Bag

@annelauremais wears a denim jacket with a tan skirt and black slingback sandals

(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Style Notes: It's coming into jacket season and, like clockwork, French girls are reinstating denim jackets into their outfit rotations. Look for a slouchy style for that throw-on appeal the French are recognised for. This is also a great piece to consider buying second hand as you can easily pivot on sizing.

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5. Cropped Jeans + Silk Camisole + Mules

@sylviemus_ wears cropped blue wide-leg jeans with a silk camisole and mules

(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Style Notes: Cropped jeans might have taken a back seat to puddle styles lately but French women still wear them in droves. In fact, I think they look much more elegant as they don't drag on the floor or soak up the moisture in a downpour.

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6. Denim Maxi Skirt + T-Shirt + Trainers

@leasy_inparis wears a denim maxi skirt with trainers, a white T-shirt and a navy jumper knotted round her neck

(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

Style Notes: See? Denim skirts really are core to the French aesthetic. This time, I'm interested in how a denim maxi, which could look quite restricting to wear, has been given a casual payoff with a loose-fit white T-shirt, a navy knit knotted around the shoulders and a pair of Adidas trainers on foot.

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7. Cropped Trench Coat + Jeans + Loafers

@emmanuellek_ wears dark blue jeans with a cropped trench coat, white socks and burgundy loafers

(Image credit: @emmanuellek_)

Style Notes: It's my opinion—and apparently the opinion of many, many French women—that no shoe style looks better with jeans than loafers. While any colour works, burgundy pairs feel fresh for the season ahead. In terms of what you wear up top, I'll be replicating this look with a cute cropped trench.

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Maxine Eggenberger
Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger isBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK’s Deputy Editor and has over fourteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and authoritative content forBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, talent interviews self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their search and keyword planning, works closely with the fashion and beauty team on strategy and continues to pen many of her own articles. Prior toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK, Maxine's contributed to publications including Grazia, InStyle Marie Claire, Elle and Look, amongst others.

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