We are already at the end of April, and even if the temperatures here in Amsterdam don’t quite feel like summer yet, many of you have been writing to me to say that warmer days have already set in where you are, and that getting dressed can quickly become more complicated than expected.
Because once the season shifts, everything changes. The pieces that worked in spring start to feel too heavy, outfits can feel slightly off, and in the morning, getting dressed often turns into a series of trials… without any real sense of ease. So what should you wear in summer to stay chic, feel comfortable, and remain polished, especially in the city, and even in the heat?
Rather than adding more options, I wanted to return to the essentials. In this article, I’m sharing the 8 pieces French women wear summer after summer, the ones I personally rely on each season, and that form the foundation of a wardrobe that is simple, coherent, and easy to wear day after day. Pieces that work together, adapt to different moments of the day, and that you naturally reach for again and again, without having to overthink it.
And if you’ve ever felt like your outfits suddenly stop working as soon as the temperature rises, I explore this idea more deeply in my latest Edit Privé, where I explain what changes, and share the simple French method I rely on to stay polished and composed, even in the heat.
This article is unsponsored. If you choose to buy something through my links, I may earn a small commission, always at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love and use myself. Merci.
1. The Relaxed Linen Shirt
The linen shirt is, without a doubt, the piece I reach for the most as soon as the temperature rises. It’s one of the rare pieces that brings structure to an outfit without ever feeling heavy. I’ve always liked its slightly undone nature, the way it softens a silhouette while still keeping it composed.
On a typical summer day, I wear it half-tucked into high-waisted linen trousers or long shorts for a look that feels put-together without trying too much. For more contrast, I’ll pair an oversized version with ecru denim. And on holiday, I almost always wear it open over a swimsuit, it’s the simplest cover-up, and the one I come back to every year.
2. The White Cotton Blouse
A white cotton blouse feels like a natural step up from a simple T-shirt. Whether in lace or light embroidery, it adds texture and light to an outfit without making it feel overdressed. I always keep one or two in my summer wardrobe, they feel feminine and refined, yet remain just as easy to wear. I usually pair mine with straight-leg denim or linen trousers, and keep everything else simple. It’s the kind of piece that makes an outfit feel considered, without needing much else.
3. The Wide-Leg Linen Trousers
If you want to escape the restriction of jeans in warm weather without sacrificing elegance, wide-leg linen trousers are an easy solution. They create movement while maintaining a clean, fluid line, and never feel too heavy despite their volume. I wear mine constantly in summer. I tend to pair them with very simple pieces (a tank top, a blouse, or a linen shirt) slightly tucked in to define the waist, and let the silhouette do the rest.
4. The Light Summer Denim
Summer doesn’t mean giving up on denim, it simply means choosing lighter tones. Ecru or washed blue denim brings just enough structure to balance softer pieces like linen or cotton blouses. I often think of it as the piece that holds everything together. When an outfit feels slightly too soft or undefined, a pair of ecru jeans usually brings it back into balance.
5. The Summer Dress
For a long time, summer dresses never quite felt like me. I didn’t feel entirely at ease in them, as though they belonged to a version of myself I couldn’t fully recognise. It was only last year that I found the kind of dress I truly enjoy wearing: something more elegant, often midi or long, in linen or a fluid fabric that falls naturally.
I tend to gravitate towards simple, warm tones (olive green, ochre, soft brown) colours that enhance the skin and feel naturally summery while remaining refined. The right summer dress, I’ve come to realise, isn’t about being more dressed up, but about finding a shape and a fabric that feel like you, something you can wear without a second thought.
6. The Woven Straw Bag
More than just a holiday accessory, a woven straw bag is something I wear just as much in the city. It instantly adds texture and a sense of season to an outfit, making even simple looks feel more relaxed. Lately, I’ve been drawn to the Justine basket bag from Sézane, with its raffia embroidery, a piece I can easily see myself carrying both in the city and on holiday.
7. The Classic Ballet Flats
For days that call for a bit more structure, or when you don’t quite feel like wearing open shoes, ballet flats are an easy alternative. They bring a quiet sense of balance to a summer outfit. Last summer, I wore a woven leather pair from Margaux almost every day, including on holiday. They were incredibly comfortable, and kept the look polished without ever feeling too formal.
8. The Minimal Strappy Leather Sandals
In summer, I always gravitate towards shoes that allow the silhouette to breathe. A pair of minimal, strappy leather sandals feels light, almost invisible, and naturally elongates the leg. Whether I’m in the city or by the coast, they are often my first choice. The key, for me, is to keep them simple, the more understated the design, the more elegant the result.
