Last year, a Birkin bag named after Jane Birkin sold at auction for a cool $9.9 million. That price shows just how much style icon status she gave to what is basically a practical, well-loved leather tote. But while her style is still hugely influential, most of Birkin’s fans—who aren’t big on makeup—are more likely to be multi-talented creatives than, say, investment bankers with millions to spare. So owning a Birkin bag ourselves remains a distant dream (unless you have a secret deal with the Hermès sales team). Luckily, for those of us with great taste but not much cash, there’s now a much cheaper way to dress like the world’s most enviably French fringe-lover: the Jane Birkin dress.

Vogue’s Favorite Birkin-Style Dresses

– The LBD – Éterne ribbed mini dress, $215, NET-A-PORTER
– The Cult-Favorite – Cou Cou Intimates The Rina dress, $98, COU COU INTIMATES
– The Striped Style – Miu Miu striped mini dress, $2,200, MIU MIU
– The Ribbed Pick – James Perse ribbed mini dress, $325, NET-A-PORTER

Basically, the Jane Birkin dress is an elevated shift dress with short sleeves. It brings to mind lazy days on the French Riviera, even if the closest you’ll get to a European summer is a cheap lemon soda from the corner store. But if you search for one online, you’ll quickly get buried under tight, body-hugging dresses that belong in a 2012 New Look fitting room, not the breezy, carefree staple Birkin made famous. (Trust me, I’ve spent hours on Vinted searching for “mini dress long-sleeve black.”)

Jane Birkin in 1969.
Keystone-France/Getty Images

There’s a lot to love about wearing only dresses in summer. After all, who wants to bother matching different pieces of clothing when you’re already busy complaining about the heat and reapplying concealer that keeps sliding off? Even better—though maybe not as urgent as those early 2000s women’s magazines made it seem—the Jane Birkin dress easily goes from day to night. Whether you wear it with sensible ballet flats or sky-high heels, it works just as well for a morning coffee run as it does for a last-minute dinner.

Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images

Of course, the eternal It-girl left plenty of looks to admire—even Bella Hadid and Olivia Rodrigo aren’t immune to the Birkin effect. But if you’re ready to move past her more familiar crochet dresses, vintage jeans, and Petit Bateau T-shirts, the ‘60s smock dress is a great place to start. The key, I think, is finding something loose enough that you don’t look like a reality TV star or someone stumbling out of a trendy LA spot in the 2010s, but not so flowy that you resemble a trash bag caught in a strong wind. With its subtly tailored ‘60s shape, a hem that skims the thigh, and three-quarter-length sleeves, this dress does it all. And trust me: in this simple mini, anywhere can feel like Saint-Tropez.

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– Cou Cou Intimates – The Rina dress, $98, COU COU INTIMATES
– Éterne – ribbed mini dress, $215, NET-A-PORTER
– Bond-Eye – Adley mini dress, $175, FWRD
– The Park – Elizabeth mini dress, $425, NET-A-PORTER
– James Perse – ribbed mini dress, $325, NET-A-PORTER
– Miu Miu – striped mini dress, $2,200, MIU MIU

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about the resurgence of Jane Birkins favorite 1960s dress style

Beginner Questions

Q What is the Jane Birkin dress everyone is talking about
A Its a simple short sleeveless shift dress usually made of cotton or linen The key features are a low scoop neck a high hemline and a loose straight shape Its the kind of dress she wore all the time in the late 1960s

Q Why is this dress suddenly coming back into style for summer
A The 1960s mod look is trending again and people love the easy effortless vibe Its also perfect for summer because its lightweight breathable and doesnt require much styling

Q Is this dress flattering for different body types
A Yes Because its loose and straight its very forgiving It skims the body without clinging so it works well for petite tall slim and curvy figures The short hemline also helps elongate the legs

Q Where can I find a dress like this
A Look for shift dress Aline mini dress or 60s mod dress at stores like Zara HM Mango and vintage shops Any simple sleeveless mini dress in a solid color or small print will work

Advanced Questions

Q What makes Jane Birkins specific 1960s dress different from a regular shift dress
A The authentic Birkin style has a very specific low wide scoop neckline and a slightly higher hemline Its also usually made from a stiffer fabric like linen or heavy cotton not a stretchy knit

Q How should I style this dress to look modern not like a costume
A Keep it simple Wear it with flat leather sandals a woven basket bag and minimal jewelry Avoid heavy 60s accessories like gogo boots or plastic earrings The key is effortless

Q What are the common problems with this silhouette