Before anything else, I’m a jeans person, meaning there’s some form of denim in my outfit at least five days a week. Whilst denim itself is the constant, the wash, silhouette and styling details shift with the seasons, and right now, I’m reaching for cropped jeans more than any other.

Sleek and polished, ankle-grazing jeans have become my summer go-to. And the shoe trend I’ve found complements them best? French women’s favourite ballet flats.

Comfortable and considered but not fussy or overstyled, this pairing embodies the effortless approach to dressing that French women do so well.

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By revealing just a sliver of ankle, cropped jeans bring a lightness to denim that feels particularly well-suited to summer. Meanwhile, ballet flats offer all the polish of a smarter shoe whilst remaining just as comfortable as your favourite trainers. They’re also an elegant alternative to sandals, making them ideal for days when you want a little more coverage.

There’s a reason the chicest French women continue to return to this combination year after year. Scroll on to shop the best cropped jeans and ballet flats to recreate the look for yourself.

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