I'm a Brit Living in Paris—6 Anti-Trend Shoes French Women Are Wearing With Skirts This Summer

One of my frequently asked questions is "which shoes should I wear with skirts and dresses" and I have to admit, most of my references when it comes to answering this come from French women. Admittedly, they've fine-tuned many sleek, yet easy-wearing pairings from suiting to jeans and tops, however, there's just something about their ability to make the best of shoe and skirt outfits. There's a catalogue of classic shoes championed by French women, including perennial loafers, ballet flats, canvas trainers, and heeled sandals. Likewise are the styles of skirts they enjoy. Recurring favourites include pelmet denim skirts, leather and slip skirts, least forgetting the motifs and for the summer you're guaranteed to see leopard print, botanical prints and gingham in excess. There's somewhat of an archival reference so when summer rolls around sightings of leather mini skirts with bare pins and sandals, or denim raw hem skirts with trainers, or mules. The options are aplenty, so if you're hoping for inspiration when it comes to skirt and shoe pairings, you've come to the right place.

1. Leather Skirt + Heeled Sandals

Style Notes: French women have inherited leather skirts — from mini to maxi lengths. Although we're in the midst of summer, the temperatures haven't yet risen enough for leather skirts to be long forgotten. Pair leather skirts with camisoles and lightweight knits as per Sylvie's look.

Shop the Look:

Whistles

Josie Wrap Leather Skirt

£299

Head straight to Whistles, if you're looking for quality leather pieces on the high street.

Bobbies

Olivia

£180

Timeless sandals you can wear from day to night.

2. Full Skirt + Kitten Heels

Style Notes: Full skirted silhouettes made a resurgence last year and the more classic iterations are celebrated amongst French women. Offset the dramatic circle shaping with refined footwear.

Shop the Look:

Albaray

Black Woven Mix Full Skirt

£65

Pair this full skirt with a taught top top. The waist panel is too chic to go unnoticed.

MANGO

Leather Heeled Slingback Shoes With Buckles

£110

The crossover detail adds a contemporary finish.

3. Denim Pelmet Skirt + Loafers

Style Notes: I rarely wear minis, however, come summer Pelmet denim skirts are my go-to. You can wear them with anything from a loose-fitting skirt to a T-shirt. The shoe options are endless—from heeled pumps to sandals.

Shop the Look:

Reformation

Nina Denim Mini Skirt

£148

You'll needn't worry about a denim mini skirt again.

TOD'S

Embellished Two-Tone Leather Loafers

£640

The contrasting toe cap loans a hint of androgyny.

4. Linen Skirt + Slider Sandals

Style Notes: Column skirts and slider sandals make an outfit formula that will withstand the test of time. Add a fitted camisole and loose overshirt to complete the nonchalant summer look.

Shop the Look:

Abercrombie & Fitch

Linen-Blend Column Maxi Skirt

£60

Don't sleep on Abercrombie & Fitch's reasonable priced linen pieces this summer.

ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS

Desmos Cutout Leather Slides

£155

An easy-to-style, sleek and accessible sandal.

5. Black Mini Skirt + Heeled Pumps

Style Notes: You can't deny the noughties influence here but perhaps the most charming style element is the choice of Mary-janes and pop of red. Everything is intentional, from the clashing reds to the white t-shirt overlay.

Shop the Look:

Reformation

Veranda Linen Skirt

£98

No matter the season, this will become a wardrobe staple.

MANOLO BLAHNIK

Aspro 30 Patent-Leather Pumps

£595

This lacquered red shoe will add a playful element to any outfit.

6. Leopard Print Mini Skirt + Mary Janes

Style Notes: This is a quintisentially French outift. Note the refined elements with the jazzy motif. It feels effortless but everything is intentional.

Shop the Look:

NANUSHKA

Baruba - Printed Cotton-Voile Wrap Mini Skirt - Leopard

£225

Leopard print is indeed a neutral.

Sézane

Soline Mary Janes

£175

The Soline Mary Jane will never go out of style.