The days following Bastille Day mark the unofficial start of summer in France. City-dwellers and even countryside residents pack up their bags and head to la plage (the beach)! Whether it’s the beaches of Brittany, St. Tropez or Biarritz, les femmes françaises are itching to get their toes in the sand – and of course they do it in style.
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Read on to get an idea of the kind of fashion you’ll find in France by la mer (the sea) and click the images to shop the products!
Beach Dresses
Easy and breezy, beach dresses abound on the shores of France. Cool-girl French brand Sézane has plenty of cute and comfortable options that can take you from beach to dinner seamlessly.
Swimsuit Coverups
For a little coverage from the sun while still wearing a swimsuit, a versatile coverup is key. J.Crew has a lot of models and styles of coverups with many options that match their swimsuits too!
Easy Button-Down Shirt
Perhaps the most classic French go-to for beach fashion is a loose and simple button-down shirt worn open or slightly buttoned with a swimsuit underneath. Eileen Fisher is the queen of simple silhouettes, and they offer plenty of options using comfortable and sustainable materials.
Summer Sandals
The key to proper footwear on the beach is comfortability. Sandals that slip on and off are ideal, but the classic wedge espadrille look is also very popular in summer in France. English brand Seasalt Cornwall has plenty of great sandal options just across the pond that ship worldwide.
Stylish Swimsuits
Even if getting in the water isn’t typically your cup of tea, it’s better to be prepared – just in case! You never know how the sparkly Mediterranean Sea or vast Atlantic waters will tempt you.
Trendy Sun Hats
Always heeding caution as proper skincare is a priority for French women, a little extra shade for the face is never a bad idea. Bucket hat silhouettes are “in” this summer, and you will find no shortage of options on the market.
Seaside Jewelry
This summer on the MFCH Boutique we are thrilled to be working with the gorgeous French jewelry brand Labelle. Perfect for layering, their jewelry is also fresh water resistant – making it a perfect shiny and stress-free accessory for a summer day by the lake.
Mix and match their necklaces, bracelets, and earrings for an effortless French beach girl look.
Practical Beach Bag
Requiring a myriad of materials to pass a perfect day at the plage, a good and sturdy bag is essential. Also on the MFCH Boutique, we offer a few different options which are great for carrying towels and larger items as well as isothermal lunch bags in multiple sizes to keep your seaside snacks and drinks fresh.
For more of a fashion statement that doubles as a practical beach companion, woven straw bags are all the rage here in Europe and the style is certainly spreading worldwide.
Fashionable Essentials
The final few essentials to pass the day with comfort and class are a pretty beach towel, a unique hand fan, and fashionable sunglasses! Pack everything in a sturdy, stylish beach bag and you’re French seaside ready.
Allons à la plage!
Read next: Packing for the French Riviera
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