14 Summer Buys For Instant French-Girl Cool

These summer buys from French fashion brands Sézane, Celine, Chloé and Balzac Paris will add zing to your look …

It’s been a while since we checked in on our favourite French fashion brands. Last time we did, they were embracing trench coats, loafers and suede cross-bodies for spring. Now that we’re in June, the mood is, favourably, more fun. Essentially: it’s all about summer dressing staples that are versatile but don’t feel like bland basics. (We don’t go to the French for minimalist fare, we look to them for effortless cool.)

No matter where you’re summering, a statement shirt always holds its own. Wear it now with Bermuda or boyfriend denim shorts by the sea and trade these up for white jeans and sandals on cloudy city days. See Balzac Paris for ruffled blouses and cool-girl label Marie Marot (think: the Parisian version of With Nothing Underneath) for tomboyish shirting. A sophisticated level up from perennial favourite Sézane, Soeur is a savvy go-to for statement accessories in the mid-range. We’ve spotted the brand’s woven leather ballet flats on fashion insiders with good taste. (We’ve also added its chilli red bucket hat to basket: chic.)

Speaking of Sézane, its statement scallop necklace adds an out-of-office flourish to vest tops, white shirts and even bikinis. Lastly, if you’ve bought into the hype of Chloé’s viral jelly heels then scratch the itch with a pair in rose pink. (Letters on a postcard if you manage to make these work IRL. Actually, send photos!) We can fully get on board with the styling of a ribbed top and high-waisted jeans with just the right width of flare – see below – as an aspirational, Left Bank kind of summer look. Look for pretty pointelle tops from H&M and Rylee + Cru (available at The Little Wooden Peg in Dun Laoghaire) to scratch that itch.