9 Tops French Women Are Wearing With Their Jeans This Spring

Even those of us who work in fashion find ourselves in a style rut from time to time. And where is the first place we turn for inspiration in such situations? You guessed it: The French capital.

You might be tired of the constant praise we direct at Parisians, but there's a reason they're held up as beacons of classic, trend-defying style. Just think of the icons; Françoise Hardy, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin. Each exudes an effortless attitude in their every look, from the perfectly tousled hair that falls just-right, down to the practical footwear they favour over sky-high heels. Whether a pretty midi dress or a fuss-free jeans outfit is on the cards, Gallic girls know how to make even the simplest outfits feel enviably cool and unapologetically feminine. 

Speaking of jeans, in the midst of the seasonal shift we've been thinking ahead to which tops we should pair with our staple denim once the temperature rises. And we knew just where to look for ideas. Scroll on to see the spring-ready tops the French fashion set will be wearing with denim for the foreseeable.

1. Waistcoat

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(Image credit: @lenafarl)

Style Notes: Tailored waistcoats aren't just intended for three-piece suits—Léna shows just how cool they look with relaxed denim.

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2. Sweetheart Top

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(Image credit: @tamaramory)

Style Notes: Sweetheart-neck tops captured our hearts in 2023, and they feel like a fun, feminine option to work into your spring jeans outfits.

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3. Short-Sleeved Knit

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(Image credit: @juliesfi)

Style Notes: No need to stash all your knitwear away just yet. Cropped, short-sleeve designs are perfect for the transitional period and look super sweet with high-waisted jeans.

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4. Racerback Tank

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(Image credit: @sylviemus_)

Style Notes: An oldie but a goodie. It's always worth having a few tank tops in your wardrobe for those days when you need a quick outfit fix.

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5. Denim Shirt

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(Image credit: @frannfyne)

Style Notes: Denim-on-denim is slowly but steadily doing the rounds on Instagram, and even those of us who were initially sceptical (myself included) are now into it.

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6. Vintage Blouse

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(Image credit: @sabinasocol)

Style Notes: French girls love a unique vintage find, and you'll often spot them pairing their retro floral blouses with '90s Levi's.

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7. White Shirt

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(Image credit: @camillecharriere)

Style Notes: There are few items a white button-down won't work with, but there's something so chic about the simple combination of a crisp cotton shirt and blue jeans.

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8. Baby Tee

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

Style Notes: Y2K enthusiasts, this one is for you. Shrunken tees tap into the revived noughties trend, but in a subtle enough way that Parisians are on board.

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9. Cotton Blouse

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(Image credit: @saraloura)

Style Notes: The mood we're aiming for this spring/summer? Easy, breezy. And there's no better way to achieve this than with a loose-fitting cotton blouse in an uplifting springtime print.

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Next Up: 5 Simple Spring Trends French Girls Are Loving in 2023

Freelance Fashion Editor

Bébhinn Campbell is an Edinburgh-based fashion and lifestyle writer. After receiving an Audrey Hepburn box set for her 10th birthday and subsequently swooning over the actor’s wardrobe, Bébhinn felt pretty confident she wanted a career that involved clothes. She started her first blog at age 14—the title was a pun, but we’ll leave it at that—and went on to intern at print and digital publications in Berlin and London, including Dazed & Confused and Indie magazine


A job at a fashion startup took Bébhinn from Ireland to Scotland in 2019, where she now works as a freelance journalist and copywriter covering everything from travel and interiors to styling advice. As a contributor for Who What Wear, Bébhinn always keeps her eyes peeled for emerging trends and looks worth writing about. She prides herself on her ability to cut through the noise and identify solid investment buys, exciting new brands and updated takes on classic designs. 


While she still loves Audrey Hepburn films, these days, Bébhinn’s sartorial taste sits closer to Annie Hall’s and Alexa Chung’s. In her spare time, she’s likely cooing over cute dogs on rescue websites, playing folk songs on her guitar and browsing bookshops for new additions to her already-overpacked shelves.