{"id":2714,"date":"2021-04-15T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-15T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefrench.com\/?p=2714"},"modified":"2025-01-19T19:15:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T00:15:10","slug":"jeans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thefrench.com\/jeans\/","title":{"rendered":"The French Style Jeans You Need in Your Wardrobe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jeans \u2013 this American wardrobe staple is absolutely beloved by the French. Most French women consider a good collection of blue jeans a wardrobe essential<\/a>. But what types of jeans do French women own?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s true that over the years, the jeans that are in style have totally changed. Throughout my lifetime, we’ve gone from hip-hugger bell-bottom jeans to skinny jeans, and finally to straight-leg jeans which are the most “in” right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

France tends to be ahead of the curve when it comes to changes in style, so I always peek at what the French are wearing to know about the upcoming trends. You can stay up to date on French girl style<\/a> too by subscribing to my email newsletter at the bottom of this post! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of French Style Jeans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk about the current types of jeans in just about every French girl\u2019s closet these days! High-waisted, straight-leg jeans are the most popular jeans in Paris today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are tight around the hips and waist, lift the butt, remain fitted through the upper thighs, and then begin to taper out from the leg as they go down. There is ample room around the ankle. The edge could be left raw or sewn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popular French Jean Washes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But what about the jeans wash?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French girls wear all types of jeans washes, but the most common colors you\u2019ll see are generally neutral or blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to choosing a wash, be sure to pick one that is evenly colored<\/strong> throughout the pants. Slight variations in the darkness of the wash are ok, but generally speaking, the jeans should be just one hue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in the day, jeans that were more faded in the center of the pant leg and darker around the seams were in style, but that\u2019s no longer the case. Keep the design and color simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

White<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"White<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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White jeans are great for creating spring and summer outfits. These neutral jeans are best paired with a contrasting color or beige.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best selection of white jeans is found during the spring and summer months so keep an eye out for them during this time of year! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try the Re\/Done Stove Pipe Jeans<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Off-White, Cream, Ivory, or Beige<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Cream<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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A good pair of ivory jeans can come in handy for many occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While this color is typically seen in spring and summer, I love wearing my beige jeans during the winter with a white puffer coat! It’s a great way to lift your mood instead of wearing gloomy black all the time when it’s cold out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tu Es Mon Tresor Emerald high-rise straight-leg jeans<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reformation Cynthia High Rise Straight Jeans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Light Blue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Light<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Light blue jeans are perfect for spring and summer. They pair well with pastel colors and white tops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

AGOLDE ’90s Pinch High Waist Straight Leg Jean<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reformation Cynthia High Rise Straight Cropped Jeans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Medium Blue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Medium<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Medium blue is the most standard wash that jeans come in. I think these look best with black. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A.P.C. Rudie Jean<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acne Mece High-rise Straight Leg Jeans<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dark Blue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Dark<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Dark blue jeans can be worn on a night out or to work. They are still navy, so I would only pair them with other dark blues, white, or black. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Levi’s High Waist Straight Leg Jean<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dark Gray<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Dark<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Dark gray jeans are nearly black but have less of a dramatic look to them. They are actually a faded black color which makes your outfit less dark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try the AGOLDE ’90s Pinch High Waist Straight Leg Organic Cotton Jeans<\/a> or Sandro Straight-cut jeans with raw edges<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Black<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\"Black<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Solid black jeans can give you a very sleek look. They can be dressed up or down depending on how you style them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

& Other Stories Keeper Cut Straight Jean<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

One pair of each of these washes will give you a good basic jean wardrobe foundation for creating French style outfits every day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

French Style Jean Cuts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do French girls wear jean cuts that aren’t<\/em> straight-leg? Yes! Here are the main jean cuts you’ll see on the streets of Paris. I own a few of these but they aren’t a big priority for my French wardrobe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vintage Levi’s 501s Jeans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many French women consider vintage Levi\u2019s 501 jeans<\/a> as the best pair of jeans to own. For this reason, they’re also the most difficult to find! I own three pairs myself yet each time I bought them, I wasn’t intentionally looking for them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Straight-Leg Jeans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Straight-leg jeans are the perfect jean style when vintage Levi’s aren\u2019t available or you just want a new pair of jeans without the hassle of hunting for a 501.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cropped Jeans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When the temperatures warm up, cropped straight jeans are the go-to cut for French girls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wide Leg Jeans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wide-leg jeans are popping up everywhere lately. This is definitely the anti-skinny jean so it doesn’t surprise me that we\u2019re swinging the pendulum to this side! Try the Tot\u00eame Flair high-rise wide-leg jeans<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-Waisted Flared Jeans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For an ultra-90s look, go with high-rise flared jeans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black Skinny Jeans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Skinny jeans are not in style in France but the exception to this rule is a simple solid black pair of black skinny jeans which are exclusively worn under knee-high boots<\/a> (the cut must be skinny so they don’t bunch up around the knee). The Anine Bing Jagger jean<\/a> is perfect for this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Shop For Jeans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A question I get very often on Instagram is: Where do you shop for jeans?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of my friends buy their jeans at vintage shops, but of course, that\u2019s not very convenient when you need a pair sooner rather than later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for jeans to buy now, then here are the brands I recommend with flattering cuts: <\/p>\n\n\n\n