The 7 Essentials in My French Summer Wardrobe

With summer just around the corner, I wanted to share the seven essentials that define my French wardrobe this summer. As I mentioned in my previous post, I aim to maintain a chic and smart style even on the hottest days, especially for city wear. Personally, I don’t really like to wear dresses and skirts in the summer, reserving them for vacations or beach outings. I gravitate towards classic styles, which some might call “boring,” but I find them timeless :). These pieces are not only incredibly comfortable but also effortlessly chic, suitable for any occasion without appearing overdone. On particularly hot days, I often choose slightly oversized linen shirts paired with wide-leg linen pants and a pair of strappy leather sandals. This combination is perfect for navigating the warm streets of Paris or Bordeaux.

Of course, the most important aspect of fashion is wearing what makes you feel comfortable and confident. So, feel free to express your style in the way that suits you best! For those seeking a bit of inspiration, I’ve compiled a list of summer essentials that are either already part of my wardrobe or on my shopping list for this season. I hope this guide sparks some ideas and helps you elevate your summer style. Bon shopping!

This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. I only feature products I truly love and personally select. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Merci!

1. Oversized Shirts

The oversized shirt is one of my favorite pieces to wear year-round, especially in summer. It’s a staple in my wardrobe. Contrary to what you might think, it’s not too warm for summer. I usually choose a lightweight, breathable fabric like linen or a cotton blend and roll up the sleeves. The relaxed fit and breathable material make it perfect for staying stylish on hot summer days.

If you’re looking for high-quality linen shirts at an affordable price, I recommend Massimo Dutti’s linen collection. I always find a few “pépites” (gems), like this linen striped shirt in blue, to add to my collection before summer hits. Pair it with these beige linen wide-leg suit trousers with darts and chic Chloé Rebecca leather sandals for a complete look. For oversized cotton shirts, I recommend Sézane’s Max shirt. I already have a few of them in my wardrobe, and I love to wear them!

2. Ecru Denim

This season, I am absolutely captivated by ecru denim! Specifically, I adore the long, wide-leg style featured in Chloé’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection. This design has the remarkable ability to elongate the legs, even when paired with flat shoes like chic sneakers or strappy leather sandals. As someone with a pear-shaped body, I find that wide-leg denim makes my hips appear smaller compared to straight-leg jeans, which is why I love this shape.

On my wish list, this season is the new J.Crew sailor denim in ecru. I admire its cut: slim through the hip and thigh, with a wide leg. I also love this Agolde Dame high-rise wide-leg denim. Although not in ecru, another favorite of mine is the wide-leg high-waist jeans by Massimo Dutti, which are my go-to for travel.

3. Pleated Linen Wide-Leg Trousers

I’m a huge fan of pleated linen wide-leg pants for summer! They are incredibly comfortable and versatile. You can wear them to the office with an oversized shirt, on weekends with a white blouse, or to the beach with a one-piece swimsuit. Like my linen oversized shirts, most of my linen pants come from Massimo Dutti. This summer, my favorites are in light colors like beige, ecru, and light grey. I have these beautiful grey flowing trousers with darts and this matching linen wrap top on my wishlist. I’m considering wearing them to another wedding this summer in Corsica.

4. White Cropped Jacket

Since the beginning of spring, I’ve been planning to shop for a cropped jacket in ecru or white. A few styles have caught my eye, including Sandro’s tweed jacket and their cropped tweed jacket with beaded trims, Rosaé’s Le Hippolyte jacket, and J.Crew’s tweed lady jacket. Even in summer, a chic jacket is essential for instantly elevating your outfit, even if you’re wearing the most basic pieces, such as jeans and a tee. I believe a jacket like this is a great investment, perfect for summer soirées or early mornings when the temperatures are cooler.

5. Mesh Ballet Flats

This season, I have a “coup de coeur” (a favorite) for the emerging trend of mesh ballet flats! Khaite was one of the first to introduce this design with their Marcy crystal-embellished mesh ballet flats, followed by other brands. Now, they’re available in various iterations, including summer-ready floral embroidery. I absolutely adore these Magda Butrym embroidered mesh ballet flats, which are on my shopping list this season.

6. Strappy Leather Sandals

I absolutely love wearing flat, strappy leather sandals in summer, even in the city! I usually pair mine with pleated linen wide-leg trousers or ecru wide-leg denim. These sandals are super versatile and perfect for vacations and beach outings as well. One of my favorite brands is Ancient Greek Sandals; last year, I purchased these stunning Victory of Samothrace sandals, which I wore all summer. For a chic summer look in the city, I recommend these beautiful Chloé Rebecca leather sandals.

7. Straw Bag

I love updating the style of my bag according to the season. While I adore wearing a classic leather cross-body bag or a chic tote year-round, I like to switch things up in the summer. Recently, I discovered this Santorini basket bag by DeMellier, and I absolutely love it! If you prefer a canvas bag for this summer, I highly recommend the très chic Midi New York bag (in pre-order). One bag that has been on my wishlist for quite some time is Polène’s Yké bag in the textured tan edition. I’m certain it will be a wonderful addition to my summer wardrobe (yes, I’m trying to rationalize my emotional desire to shop for a new bag) ;)!

I’d love to hear your thoughts on these summer wardrobe essentials! Feel free to leave a comment below, share your opinions, or follow me on Instagram or Pinterest for more fashion inspiration. Merci!