6 French-Girl Wedding Outfits We're Taking Inspiration From

When we find ourselves in a style rut, we can always rely on French women to help us out of it. With an effortless approach to styling and the ability to make even the most basic of pieces look premium, they're constantly inspiring us with their wares. So we got to thinking, How do French women tackle what's arguably the hardest occasion to dress for in the summer? Naturally, we're talking about weddings.

Deciding on a wedding guest outfit is never easy—even after years spent writing on the subject, we too find it overwhelming. So we turned to six of our favourite French women to see how they dress for summer nuptials. From breezy dresses and quintessential accessories to the hue we Brits are often too tentative to wear, keep scrolling to see what French women wear to summer weddings, and then shop the outfits for yourself.

1. Classic Prints

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(Image credit: @juliesfi)

Style Notes: Classic style doesn’t have to be predictable. This blue-and-white printed dress is reminiscent of the motif found on a porcelain plate, with the colourway ensuring it looks totally timeless. Prints like this are always in style—Reformation has its fair share this year. 

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2. Bold Colours

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(Image credit: @vikilefevre)

Style Notes: French women are known for their relaxed style, even on more formal occasions. For summertime nuptials, make like Anne and opt for a simple but effective colour-block dress with minimal accoutrements.

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3. Chic Co-Ords

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Style Notes: Well-chosen separates and co-ordinated pieces also make for a chic alternative to wedding guest attire. Even crop tops can work and look especially chic worn with high-waist, longline skirts.

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4. Elegant All-in-Ones

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

Style Notes: Jumpsuits are often overlooked on the wedding guest circuit but not by French girls. A cool alternative to a maxi dress, let the accessories add the drama. 

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5. Sleek Suiting

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(Image credit: @thevisuelofgrace)

Style Notes: French style is often understated, so why not try classic suiting? Add a stylish touch with an architectural cut-out top underneath and pops of gold jewellery to finish.

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6. Little Black Dresses

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(Image credit: @annelauremais)

Style Notes: While many of us Brits will avoid wearing black to weddings, French girls see no problem in wearing the hue to nuptials. Anne-Laure gives her off-the-shoulder style a playful spin with multicoloured sandals and an effortless half-up, half-down hairdo.

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This piece was published at an earlier date and has since been updated. 

Next up, the biggest autumn/winter 2023 fashion trends to know. 

Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s deputy editor and has over thirteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and elevated style content specifically for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, 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 SEO strategy and keyword planning, works closely with the beauty team on content initiatives, represents the brand at industry events, and regularly contributes to social media, including her own Who What Wear UK TikTok franchise, French Style Fridays. Previously, Maxine appeared on ITV's This Morning in her own fashion segment and has interviewed countless celebrities—everyone from Victoria Beckham to Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o.

Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine’s career began when, after completing her first-ever internship at Look magazine, she was offered a position on the brand's fashion desk. She accepted, leaving university a year early in the process. Her passion and natural talent for writing and styling meant she swiftly rose through the ranks to become the title's fashion news and commercial content editor, with a stint as InStyle.co.uk’s fashion and beauty writer along the way. She later served as Look’s acting Editor in Chief, overseeing both print and digital, before embarking on a successful freelance career, working with Grazia, The Pool, and Marie Claire amongst others.

Maxine is based remotely from her countryside home near Edinburgh where she spends her downtime renovating her house, walking her dogs, hosting friends and trying to master the art of making Old Fashioned cocktails.