Earlier in the year, I took the plunge and crossed a long-cherished goal off my bucket list: I spent an entire month in the south of France. I packed up my laptop and a breezy capsule wardrobe, boarded my EasyJet flight and took off on my working holiday of dreams in the idyllic Riviera.
In between sipping rosé on my balcony and cooling off in the Mediterranean Sea, I snapped into fashion writer-mode and paid attention to what the locals were wearing. And let me tell you, it wouldn't take a keen-eyed, clothes-obsessed tourist like myself to notice the sheer volume of elegant coastal outfits on display.
Côte d'Azur style differs slightly from the Parisian aesthetic we know and love; not least because it's usually several degrees warmer there. You can expect the familiar streamlined and trend-averse approach to dressing, but you're likely to spot brighter palettes and lighter fabrics the further south you go. In general, ensembles are geared more towards a relaxed seaside culture than a busy urban lifestyle. Crisp whites, azure blues and rich tan accents characterised many of the looks I mentally filed for inspiration, with basket bags, silk scarves and cat-eye sunnies out in full force.
By my fourth week there, certain sartorial patterns had emerged, and I realised I was seeing some of the same formulas on repeat. After digging around on Instagram, I found five looks that capture the distinctive south of France style I'll be trying to re-create for the rest of the summer.
Keep scrolling to see the effortless outfit combinations that grabbed my attention over and over again.
1. Black Dress + Sandals + Basket Bag
Style Notes: For Nice locals, a leisurely stroll down the promenade is occasion enough for a pretty maxi dress. I noticed these were often styled with simple sandals and a classic basket bag in a chic example of high-low dressing, which the French are infamous for.
Shop the Look:
The neckline is so flattering.
Matching your shoes to your bag is still cool, if you ask me.
Influencers are flocking to this basket bag brand.
2. White Linen Co-Ord + Bikini + Sunglasses
Style Notes: Linen co-ords are a summer essential no matter where you are in the world, but they feel especially chic in the context of the Côte d’Azur. Adopt the confidence of the French and opt for white-on-white—you won’t catch Riviera residents worrying about coffee spills.
Shop the Look:
This would also look so sweet with denim shorts.
This colour palette feels really expensive.
Comfortable and chic.
These will elevate every outfit.
3. Waistcoat + A-Line Skirt + Basket Bag
Style Notes: I came away from France with fresh ideas for how to wear my tailoring. Rather than teaming my clean-cut waistcoat with classic wide-leg trousers, I'll be trying out this sophisticated waistcoat-and-flowy-skirt combo.
Shop the Look:
I love a fitted waistcoat.
Reformation makes the best a-line skirts on the high street. Period.
Obsessed.
These genuinely look designer.
4. Oxford Shirt + Denim Shorts
Style Notes: South of France fashion is rich with UK influences, and as such, Oxford shirts are easy to spot in this part of the country. Where Brits would be quick to pair a classic shirt with longer jeans, here you'll find locals styling theirs with shorter, lighter denim iterations.
Shop the Look:
You could also chuck this on over a bikini on beach days.
One of Agolde bestselling shorts—and for good reason.
I love the shape of these.
7. Blouse + Mini Skirt + Mary-Janes
Style Notes: Spending time in France made me appreciate the value of high-quality and timeless basics. While I spotted plenty of key SS25 trends on my travels, I was pleasantly surprised by how many eye-catching outfits included classic blouses and Mary-Janes.
Shop the Look:
This is so romantic. It would be easy to dress up for a date night, too.
If you're seeking new basics for summer, look no further than this high-street hero.
It doesn't get more French than this.
Introducing your new everyday bag.
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