What to Wear in the South of France

Growing up, my summers were spent in Les Issambres, a charming town near Saint-Tropez. Mornings began with a boat trip to Saint-Tropez for coffee and shopping, afternoons were spent lounging on Les Issambres beach, and evenings took us back to Saint-Tropez for dinner. Nowadays, even though I prefer the more peaceful, exotic Balearic Islands, I enjoy returning to vacation in the South of France whenever possible, especially to explore the small villages and hidden gems of Provence. So, whether you’re dreaming of a summer on the Côte d’Azur or planning a Mediterranean or Provençal getaway and need packing inspiration, I’m here to guide you ;).

Even on vacation, I prioritize chic, effortlessly smart looks. My holiday wardrobe steers clear of the “girly” aesthetic—floral dresses and shorts aren’t for me. Given my pear-shaped figure, I find that shorts (yes, even high-waisted ones) and maxi-long dresses don’t do my silhouette any favors. Similarly, slide sandals, including the much-adored Hermès Oran, are not my preference; they neither offer comfort nor flatter my feet. Instead, my go-to items include oversized linen shirts, short shirt dresses, wedge espadrilles, and silky pants. My style can be described as chic, smart-casual with a nod to nautical and coastal aesthetics, favoring bright palettes (think crisp whites, azure blues, rich tans), light fabrics (linen, silk, raffia, and cotton), and chic yet comfortable pieces.

Moreover, I’m a proponent of traveling light, often with just a carry-on, by choosing versatile items that can be mixed and matched to create multiple outfits. This is why, in this capsule, you’ll only find about ten pieces. So, here’s my definitive packing list for le Sud, designed to keep you effortlessly chic from dawn until dusk. I hope you like it!

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1. A versatile and chic dress like this beautiful Sandro asymmetrical fringed dress, which is perfect for exploring the city or for a chic soirée on the beach.
2. A chic straw fedora — I love the Parisian milliner Maison Michel! This summer, opt for this lovely straw fedora.
3. A chic pair of sunglasses — Chloé Gayia sunglasses.
4. An oversized, crisp white linen shirt that can be paired with pants or as a cover-up — Massimo Dutti linen oversized blouse (I love Massimo Dutti’s linen shirts and purchase a few of them every year).
5. An oversized blue azure shirt — Anine Bing Maxine shirt.
6. A chic one-piece swimsuit — A one-piece swimsuit like this Eres Asia swimsuit offers remarkable versatility, doubling as a bodysuit when paired with linen or silk pants. This ensemble is ideal for transitioning from a day of exploring the city to a relaxing afternoon at the beach.
7. As I prefer traveling light, I usually carry only one bag when I go on vacation. This bag needs to be versatile enough to serve as a beach bag, a daytime bag, and an evening bag. This season, I love this Sandro Toile de Jouy tote bag (lately, I have a passion for the Toile de Jouy, but this will be for a future post).
8. Silk pants — Like these Matteau straight-leg pants. Very comfortable and airy, these pants can be worn over your swimsuit to go to the beach or with a button-up shirt and wedge espadrilles for a chic Riviera soirée.
9. A pair of linen pants that can be converted into a halterneck jumpsuit — Farm Rio convertible wide-leg pants.
10. A pair of wedge espadrilles — I recently purchased these Chiara 80 wedge espadrilles by Castaner for a wedding in Sevilla, and I’m glad I did. Despite the high wedge, they’re still very comfortable!
11. A pair of chic strappy leather sandals — Chloé leather sandals.
12. Last summer, I purchased this pair of Victory of Samothrace sandals by Ancient Greek, which I wore on repeat all season long.

3 Chic Outfits for the South of France

What to Leave Behind

There are several items you might want to exclude from your South of France packing list. For instance, while leggings are comfortable for travel, the warm climate, especially during late spring and summer, makes them less ideal for wearing once you arrive. They’re better suited for your travel days or if you’re planning to exercise on your trip. Similarly, I found that wearing jeans in Nice during the summer was unbearably hot, so I’d suggest bringing jeans only for travel. I’d also recommend skipping Crocs and flip-flops; personally, I don’t find them particularly elegant ;). Moreover, overly short shorts may not be the best choice for every occasion in the region.

Et voilà! I hope my South of France packing list proves useful. Whether you’re planning a trip to the Côte d’Azur this summer or simply enjoying this read from afar, I wish you beautiful adventures. Bon voyage!