While French women aren't afraid to try new trends or challenge the clichés that are often attached to the French aesthetic, there's no denying that they wear trend-proof pieces particularly well. Classic items that don't date year-on-year and that come in handy when styling the more statement clothes in their wardrobe. French women have helped me better understand the need for solid basics, pieces that work hard and can be worn with a multitude of outfits. And this is undoubtedly the case when it comes to their footwear selection.
As a confessed Francophile, I'm always looking for new ways to bestow my own looks with some Gallic charm. On the cusp of spring, I was particularly interested in finding out which spring shoes French girls are most likely to wear. It's a tricky time to make footwear decisions—one minute it's raining, and the next it's glorious blue skies, so I'm always looking for inspiration and guidance when selecting shoes between seasons.
In the name of research, I scrolled through dozens of profiles belonging to fashionable French influencers, and after looking at the imagery I amassed during this deep dive, I realised that eight specific shoe styles kept cropping up, some of which I expected, but others? Total curveballs. With everything from classic flats to their go-to details, keep scrolling to see the French-girl spring shoes influencers love to wear.
See the 2024 Shoe Trends French Women Rely On Come Spring:
1. MARY JANES
Style Notes: French women have long been fans of Mary Janes — particularly flat styles in fabrications such as velvet and satin.
Shop the Look:
This cream pair will go with so many spring outfits.
Fancy flats to wear with wedding guest outfits.
2. WOVEN TEXTURES
Style Notes: No one appreciates woven leather detailing quite like French women, who gravitate towards shoes featuring intricate finishes as soon as temperatures begin to rise.
Shop the Look:
Slingbacks are very on-trend this year.
Stick to classic colours to increase your wear.
3. CHUNKY SANDALS
Style Notes: No shoe style has been quite so prevalent over the past few years as chunky-strap flat sandals. It’s easy to assume French women would have swerved this trend, as stereotypes dictate they typically prefer their sandals to be more delicate, but I saw so many pairs—especially those with thick Velcro straps—whilst doing my research.
Shop the Look:
Style these like Marissa Cox above.
Not a fan of ankle straps? A pair of chunky sliders will do the trick.
4. CLASSIC CLOGS
Style Notes: Clogs typically make a small comeback each spring. Although many of us find them to be divisive, French women, generally speaking, have a sweet spot for them.
Shop the Look:
Stick to neutral or "classic” colourways if you’re worried about the longevity of your clogs.
The scalloped edge makes for a very chic update.
5. CONVERSE TRAINERS
Style Notes: If you thought French women didn’t wear trainers, think again! Aside from chunky New Balance trainers, the kicks French women are most likely to wear in spring are Converse high-tops. I put this down to their chic, often-monochromatic colour palette and having the ideal dose of nostalgia.
Shop the Look:
If in doubt, you can’t go wrong with a black pair.
However, to give your outfits a fresher feel, I recommend this brown pair.
6. ESPADRILLES
Style Notes: Okay, so I know espadrilles may seem like a French fashion cliché, but they are on the feet of almost all French women come spring. Despite the fact that the shoes hail from Spain, French women have adopted the style as their own, wearing them with everything from floaty dresses and skirts to vintage denim.
Shop the Look:
A classic black pair.
Platforms without the tie-up straps feel equally chic.
7. KITTEN-HEEL MULES
Style Notes: Although French women do wear high heels, I’m finding that more and more of the influencers I follow are opting for kitten heels to give their looks polish—specifically kitten-heel mules.
Shop the Look:
I’ve had these Manolo Blahnik shoes on my wish list for the longest time.
You don’t need to opt for black—why not try this on-trend red option?
8. BALLET FLATS
Style Notes: This is perhaps the biggest French style cliché of them all (aside from berets and Breton stripes that is). I was surprised to learn just how many French women wear ballet flats. It's one of the first things they reach for once boot season is over, and they tend to stick to traditional colours for a grown-up take.
Shop the Look:
A classic streamlined silhouette.
The square toe on this pair gives it a modern twist.
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