How To Style Your Tennis Shoes Like A French Girl This Summer

French women have a very different mentality about fashion than American women have. It’s much more focused on the basics, there’s usually fewer (but individually more expensive pieces), and there’s way less activewear.

Many French women actually do go to the gym, but there isn’t this open discussion and culture surrounding fitness like there is in the USA. Instead, a French woman would change into her exercise clothes at the gym. But just because you don’t see French women wearing yoga pants sets and sneakers while out and about doesn’t mean they don’t wear tennis shoes. Because they do. They actually wear tennis shoes a lot! The difference is all in how they wear them. 

French women are very good at mixing dressier and more casual items together to create that effortlessly chic look. It’s a great way to make sure you never look like you tried too hard. After all, the French girl look is all about spending time to look like you didn’t spend tons of time on your appearance. Ironic, isn’t it? But if you want the effortlessly chic look that is so sought after, that’s how you can achieve it.

So instead of running out the door in your tennis shoes and yoga pants this summer, take a look at how French girls are wearing sneakers so you can up your style game this season.

Feminine Ways To Style Your Tennies

With Your Summer Dress

What should you wear your tennis shoes with this summer? Obviously the perfect summer dress. This is one of the easiest ways to dress up your tennis shoes. It’s great for occasions where you don’t want to be overdressed, but don’t want to look overly casual either. Think lunch with friends or a barbeque where you’re not sure what everyone will be wearing. 

Go Playful with a Skirt

Skirts are a must for the French girl look. So on days when you’ll be doing lots of walking, try wearing a skirt with sneakers instead of heels or flats. 

Pair Them with a Monochrome Set

One way to instantly look chicer is to wear your tennis shoes as part of a monochromatic look. White is perfect for summer, but any neutral color will work. So see if you can put together any all black or white outfits with what you already own. Then just add your favorite tennis shoes.

Go Casual in Jeans

Nothing captures the essence of je ne sais quoi in French girl style quite like an elegantly styled pair of jeans. Pair a pair of good denim jeans with a nice tee or a beautiful sweater for the perfect laidback but stylish summer look.

Pair Them with Bike Shorts

You can take a play out of Princess Diana’s book like Parisian influencer Leia Sfez and wear your sneakers with some bike shorts this summer. Try pairing them with a sparkly blazer for a more high low, and especially French, look. 

Cute French Girl Tennis Shoes 

But the kind of tennis shoe you’re wearing matters almost as much as what you wear it with. Here are some cute options to wear all summer long. 

Veja V-12 Sneakers in Extra White/Cyprus

These are some classic French girl sneakers. Guess where the company is headquartered? Paris, of course. So for the original French girl tennis shoe, you have to grab yourself Veja sneakers. Buy Now - $150

Veja V-12 Sneakers in Extra White/Sable

And even more wearable are the same shoes but in an all-white and cream shade. Buy Now - $140

New Balance 990v5 in Grey/Castlerock

Yes, even French girls got on the dad sneaker trend. And these New Balance shoes in grey are a perfect way to hop on if it's one you’ve been interested in trying out. These are perfect for a bike shorts look. And a great thing about this pair is they’re made in the United States. Buy Now - $184.95

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Core High Tops

If Camille Charierre says that Converse sneakers are cool, you can count me in. These are definitely a less common choice among French girl influencers, but if you like the look and your closet has a darker color palette, then these are a great option. Buy Now - $59.95

Reebok Club Memt Sneaker

Every girl needs a cute white sneaker she can wear with just about everything and this pair from Reebok fit the bill perfectly. They’re subtle but will stand out ever so slightly in the sea of white Vans that all the Cali girls wear. Buy Now - $59.99

Nike Air Max 90

If you want a take on the dad sneaker that’s not quite so chunky, then these shoes are the perfect in-between. They look like something you might see a cheerleader wear (case in point, they were used in Olivia Rodrigo’s “good 4 u” music video). Buy Now - $120

Closing Thoughts

Everyone wants to have some of that French girl sensibility in their wardrobe, and learning how to wear chic outfits with your tennis shoes is a really great place to start. 

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