I Asked My Chic French Friend for Her Favourite Pretty Blouses—9 Elegant Styles She Sent Over

If there’s one item that every chic French woman seems to own come spring, it’s a pretty blouse. Worn with straight-leg jeans and ballet flats now, and with shorts and sandals later in the summer, the blouse is the ultimate “nice top” that makes even the simplest outfits feel more elegant. After scrolling through what felt like hundreds of options, I kept coming back to the same three brands: COS, Sézane and Reformation.

Starting with Sézane, the Paris-based brand has naturally mastered the art of the perfect blouse. From ruffled, slightly bohemian styles to sheer, dressier options, the blouses are the kind of pieces that instantly make a jeans outfit look more polished. COS, on the other hand, offers a more minimal and structured take on the blouse, with oversized silhouettes, boxier fits and fabrics that hold their shape beautifully. And then there’s Reformation, which brings a slightly more playful, vintage-inspired feel to the blouse category, with polka dots, gingham and soft, feminine silhouettes.

If you’re looking for the perfect blouse to wear with jeans, linen trousers or tailored shorts this spring and summer, these are the brands I’d start with. Keep scrolling to shop the best COS, Sézane and Reformation blouses, plus a few more favourites.