Here's How French Women Are Wearing the Anti-Skinny-Jean Trend

We here at Who What Wear like to talk in great detail (and with much passion!) about our jeans. They are one of the hardest-working items in our wardrobes, after all. We've already touched upon the biggest jean trends we're all wearing for 2023, including '90s baggy styles and barrel cuts. Of course, with wider-leg styles coming back in general, it only makes sense that flares have returned.

Yes, friends, the '70s silhouette is back, and we've already spotted them on a host of street style leaders as well as on celebrities such as Katie Holmes. Thanks to designers like Balmain, Victoria Beckham and Ulla Johnson, leg-lengthening flares are set to be a staple part of our wardrobes this year. And we've noticed that fashionable French women, in particular, have been quick to jump on the trend.

The pinnacle of effortlessly chic, below we're sharing some of the cool ways French girls are wearing the anti–skinny-jean trend right now. Invest in one of the chic pairs below and you'll be wholly on-trend this season. 

1. TONAL BUTTON-DOWN

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(Image credit: @leasy_inparis)

Style Notes: The coolest way to wear the '70s bootcut silhouette year-round is with a simple blue button-down shirt. Et voilá.

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2. CUT OUT TOP

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(Image credit: @pomelokiwie)

Style Notes: Dominique's cut-out top and wide-leg jeans combination is perfect for a night out.

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3. Knitted POLO

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(Image credit: @vikilefevre)

Style Notes: A ensemble of off-white pieces is so very French. Try out a pair of white or cream flared jeans with a polo knit for a fresh take on the idea.

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4. FLORAL JACKET

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(Image credit: @estellechemouny)

Style Notes: Not all French women go down the minimalism route, you know. This colourful mash-up proves just how individual you can make a simple jeans-and-tee outfit, so don't feel restricted to true blues only.

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5. STRIPED JUMPER

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(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Style Notes: It's a big yes from us to flared jeans with a striped jumper, another Parisian classic. 

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6. WHITE SHIRT

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

Style Notes: It doesn't get more Parisian than a white shirt unbuttoned just so, but why not try it with a different kind of flare silhouette that's bunched at the ankle? Perfect for wearing with sneakers. 

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7. LEATHER COAT

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(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Style Notes: It's simple and it works: A coat, flared jeans, heeled boots and a minimalist bag is the kind of formula that you'll never tire of.

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8. DENIM BLOUSE

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(Image credit: @thedailydeb)

Style Notes: Double denim never fails to look chic, especially when it's in the same shade.

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9. BELTED BLAZER

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Style Notes: Slim flares and a belted blazer (with nothing underneath!) could well be our new favourite sassy combination for 2023. Throw in a tarte tatin and things are looking pretty French up in here.

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This piece originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S. and has since been updated.

Up next, The 9 New-In Pieces I'm Adding to My Wish List This Week

Judith Jones
Senior Fashion Market Editor

Judith is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear and has worked in fashion for nearly a decade. Judith started on the Shop Who What Wear team, creating content and managing a team of merchandisers for the Who What Wear shopping app. She later crossed over to the editorial team, where she shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands in her shopping-focused stories and social takeovers. She has become one of the top affiliate earners during her six plus years at Who What Wear. Before working in fashion, Judith was a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) and shared her passion for travel and food. She studied at the prestigious London Academy of Dramatic Arts as well as Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York. She later studied fashion merchandising and design, which laid the foundation for her career in fashion.


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