I Spend Every Summer in the South of France—These Are the 15 Effortlessly Chic Styles I Always Pack, From $30

Travel + Leisure

a day ago

When I first moved to Nice nearly 15 years ago, my vision of the Riviera was Grace Kelly glam. I packed two massive suitcases full of pieces that made sense in my hometown of Miami (mini dresses, stilettos) but instantly looked out of place on the French Riviera. Don't get me wrong—the South of France is one of the most glamorous spots on the globe. In addition to summering there every year, I've gone to galas in Monaco, drinking champagne next to Justin Bieber, and attended a 500-person dinner party on the fourth of July where Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett serenaded the off-the-runway Chanel-clad crowd.
The French practically invented the concept of quiet luxury, so you'll see far fewer labels (apart from the stylish strip of shops on La Croisette in Cannes) in the Riviera. What I quickly learned, though, is comfort is key, especially in summer when days can be sweltering and there's not an air-conditioned space in sight. Of course, the French know how to make anything look stylish with the right silhouette or accessories, so a few simple basics like breezy linen pants, a perfect little white dress, and a pair of classic espadrilles will go a long way in your suitcase if you're headed to the South of France.
Sézane may be a Parisian label, but the looks capture the South of France's breezy, effortlessly chic style. I recently added this embroidered dress to my spring wardrobe and have worn it consistently since everywhere from wine tasting in the Luberon at Domaine de Fontenille to Monte-Carlo during the Grand Prix.
On breezier days, I throw on another new staple piece from Sézane, the suede oversized Will jacket, and a pair of patent lug-sole loafers, while on warm sunny days in Provence, it's perfect with a pair of slide sandals and a stack of chunky gold bangles to add a little shine. Don a pair of wedges and a raffia clutch, and Sézane's Elvina dress doubles as an evening look for dinner in a charming hilltop town like Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
Flip-flops are an instant giveaway that you're a tourist on the Riviera. At the beach, the French go two directions—casual espadrilles or sophisticated sandal slides. I'm a fan of the latter, since they're versatile enough to go from a day of sightseeing to a nicer dinner and evening out. The downside: they're often hard to break in and don't provide enough support. This pair from Kenneth Cole, however, offers the best of both—they're stylish and have a slight block heel to give you some height, yet the cushioned footbed ensures you'll be comfortable during a full day of strolling around.
Tanks in France are never too tight or revealing. Women prefer looser fits that can easily be layered or tucked into pants or a skirt. The neckline of this gorgeous tank is flattering on almost any figure, and the silhouette will make any ensemble look instantly pulled together. I'm a huge fan of this moss green shade, especially in summer, since it pairs nicely with cream-colored pants or a white midi-skirt. 'A must in your wardrobe,' one shopper wrote, adding they're already planning to get more colors—and I'm already thinking I'll do the same.
I love a poppy coral color in summer to break up my mostly neutral wardrobe, and this tiered maxi dress at Quince is one of the most eye-catching I've come across this season. The perfect transition piece from day to night, this dress is both comfortable and still elevated thanks to the smocked waistband and voluminous three-tiered skirt. The coral shade would pair beautifully with mahogany-colored thick-strapped leather sandals or heels, or you could dress it down for a day of sightseeing with leather-lined espadrilles or white Superga sneakers.
Tailored pants can be tricky for me, since I'm on the short side. But this linen pair from Madewell comes in a petite size, meaning appropriate ankle-bearing length for my 5-foot-1 frame. What's great about these pull-on linen pants is that they're super comfortable yet look styled thanks to the shape of the curved barrel leg. They're the epitome of South of France chic and would look just as fashionable with a simple tee as a flouncy transparent blouse.
When I was living in Nice, a denim dress like this one from Madewell became my staple in summer. Easy to throw on and look pulled together, it's the perfect piece for the South of France. For a morning strolling through the main market in the Cours Saleya, I bring a classic Provençal-style basket bag and wear leather slides, while in the nearby medieval villages like Èze, I trade out sandals for Keds sneakers to have more support on the slippery cobbled streets. I sometimes even wear my denim dress as a swimsuit cover-up, rolling it up and keeping it in my beach bag.
The style in the South of France shifts from androgynous to soft and feminine, heavy on embroidery and eyelet trim. While some of these looks can cost hundreds at shops in Saint-Tropez, this shirt from J.Crew is almost identical to what you'd find on the French Riviera. Slightly cropped, this crochet top looks great with everything from a high-waisted skirt or shorts to a bathing suit and linen pants.
Pastels are big in the South of France, but as someone who is typically on the safe side, peach and mint tones are the most you'll see me in. However, I've been loving the butter yellow trend this year, and this pale yellow shift dress from Everlane is the perfect shade for summer. The retro silhouette reminds me of Jane Birkin and drapes in the right places. Perfect for an afternoon of museum hopping around spots like Musée Picasso in Antibes or Musée National Marc Chagall in Nice, you can quickly elevate the look for evening with a pair of slingback flats or wedges.
This Seafolly bathing suit is a splurge, but this is a swimsuit you can wear year after year and never get tired of. The sweetheart neckline and underwire support give it a corset-like feel that's sexy yet still sophisticated. The pattern is versatile and can pair with breezy linen pants or denim shorts, or, my favorite way to wear a one-piece swimsuit, as a bodysuit.
At a beach club like Byblos Beach in Ramatuelle, near Saint-Tropez, I'd wear it with a button-down linen top (buttons open, of course) and a pair of crochet pants with raffia wedges, and voilà—I'm ready to go from la plage to the beach club's boho-chic restaurant.
At beach clubs in the South of France, a cover-up is just as much about fashion as swimwear itself. I prefer to have more coverage than just a sarong and love the fact that these J.Crew daffodil-patterned pants can double as a set with the matching bandeau bikini top. The poppy print looks similar to styles from brands like Farm Rio and Zimmermann—yet they're a fraction of the price, and now on sale, nearly 25 percent off. They may be breezy and designed for the beach, yet they're fashionable enough to sport through town when paired with a white linen button-down top or thin knit tank.
Straw is synonymous with summertime, especially in the South of France, where you'll find baskets at every shop. While I love the classic market baskets for shopping, I prefer a more structured tote as a purse. This hand-woven shoulder bag at Amazon is the ideal size, since it's large enough to hold a Turkish towel for the beach and a bikini, yet won't feel like it's weighing you down. What I love most is that it's packable and can be used both as a personal item on a plane or stuffed in a suitcase and never lose its shape.
You'll notice that unless you're on the beach, most locals in the South of France don't wear anything short or tight—and this includes denim shorts. Instead, go for a vintage-inspired fit with a mid-length hem and baggy cut like these classics from Levi's. Great to wear with a tucked-in button-down linen top or simple tee, they're an easy basic to throw into your suitcase and sport during the day or over a bikini at the beach. They could even transition into evening at a casual restaurant in Nice, like iconic La Merenda, when paired with block heels or wedges.
In the summer, I practically live in linen since it's lightweight and breathable—the key to surviving scorching summer days (especially when many places in the South of France don't have air-conditioning). Wide-leg linen pants are one of the best investments you can make for the season, since they can double as loungewear, beachwear, or even airport attire for long-haul flights (much chicer than leggings). This European-inspired pair from Quince is now more than half off, and while the elastic waistband and relaxed fit give it a pajama-like feel, it looks much more elevated—and expensive.
Aviators are classics, but skip the metal frame in summer and opt for something more playful, like this oversized pair from Free People. The retro style looks much more expensive than it is and will definitely make a statement, whether you're wearing them while lounging at the new Jacquemus Beach Club at the Monte-Carlo Beach Club or dining seaside at Nammos Cannes. Plus, the price point makes them an easy addition for your summer rotation, and you won't have to worry too much if you lose them.
The quickest way to stand out as a tourist is by wearing an oversized floppy hat. The idea may seem glamorous, but the French are all about subtlety. Instead, sport a wide-brim Panama hat like this Amazon-loved one, which you can fold and carry in your beach bag. Not only does it have UPF 50+ sun protection, it even comes with a detachable chin strap, so no need to worry about it blowing away on a boat day around Cannes's Lérins Islands.
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