I’m an American Writer in Paris, and These Are the 15 French Styles I Wear Every Summer — All Up to 70% Off
Prices start at $16 thanks to these Memorial Day deals.
Travel + Leisure / Marcus Millan
We may not celebrate Memorial Day in France, but it’s just as much of an excuse for the other Americans in Paris like myself to stock up on our summer wardrobe with online sale finds. This year’s weather has been slow to change, but now that spring is finally here and summer is quickly approaching, all I want to sport are flowy linen tops and trousers, retro-style sheaths with sleek sunnies, and tunics that double as both tops and beach cover-ups.
Whether you’re planning a trip for the Paris Olympics or just want to embody that French girl look for those summer trips to the Hamptons, Nantucket, or Martha’s Vineyard, this American writer in Paris narrowed down 15 of the must-have picks for your wardrobe this season — starting at just $16 at Amazon, J.Crew, Everlane, and more top retailers. From Jane Birkin-style shift dresses to the one-piece bathing suit everyone will be swooning over, these are the pieces to add to your shopping cart over Memorial Day Weekend.
Rocket Dog Plush Foam Sneakers
Amazon
$39
Buy on Amazon
This spring, I noticed that the typical white-as-chalk sneakers usually worn around Paris were being replaced with pastel hues. Fashion Week was definitely proof that this trend has made its way from athletic attire into street style, and one pair that combines both fashion and comfort is this on-sale, super-supportive find Rocket Dog. Machine-washable with plush foam designed for extra comfort, these California-inspired beauties are a stylish take on classic Vans. I plan to pair them with breezy white linen dresses and light-wash, high-waisted denim trousers with a simple white tee.
CnjxJcd Wide-leg High-waisted Linen Pants
Amazon
$30
Buy on Amazon
Athleisure is a trend that’s slow to start in Paris, but leave it to the French to have their own version of loungewear that’s appropriate for everywhere from the airport to a beach club. Case in point: these wide-leg cropped trousers. When I bought my first pair, they were part of my daily rotation, worn with a loose cotton tee around hotel rooms or to bed, over a bikini at the pool, and with a knit cardigan on long-haul flights (in full disclosure, they’ve even doubled as yoga pants when I forgot mine).
Pair them with espadrilles and you’re ready for a day strolling Sicily’s cobblestoned towns or shopping in Saint-Tropez’s La Ponche (old town). And if you happen to find yourself invited out for a boat day, all you need is a Breton striped shirt and you’ve nailed the nautical chic look.
Bluetime Leopard Print Pleated Maxi Skirt
Amazon
$29
Buy on Amazon
When Vogue France declared leopard print was making a comeback this year, I was skeptical. The French hardly wear color, let alone print (or a bold one at that). But then I started seeing the way women in Paris expertly paired the print in the form of lug-sole loafers or ballet flats, wide-leg trousers, or a silky camisole. Of course, designers like Jacquemus and Ganni helped revive the long-time-favorite print, but whatever the reason, I’m here for it — especially in summer.
This chiffon, pleated A-line maxi skirt at Amazon is the perfect pick for the upcoming season. Lightweight and breezy, it’s easy to pack or wear while traveling and can be dressed up or down. Throw on a pair of wedges and a crop top and you’re ready for a night out. When you're out by the water, sport it with a black bikini top and strappy sandals, and you have a look that’ll surely turn heads at a beach club.
J.Crew Claudia Linen Dress
J.Crew
$100
Buy on jcrew.com
This 1970s-style dress is serving Jane Birkin in Saint-Tropez vibes with its square neckline and gold, button-down front. In summer, when I want something that instantly looks structured and put together, this is the look that I envision. The face-framing neckline and shift-style silhouette make this dress a flattering fit for a curvier, shorter figure like mine. Pair it with gold or leather strappy sandals or espadrilles, a chunky gold bangle and hoop earrings, and a rattan basket bag and you’re ready for a boat day in the South of France or lunch on La Croisette in Cannes. For the finishing touch, tie a poppy print scarf around your neck, and voilà — you’ll be fitting right in with the French in no time.
The Drop Silky V-neck Midi Slip Dress
Amazon
$46
Buy on Amazon
The mystique of the LBD has somewhat faded. Instead, Parisians are gravitating toward that one versatile black dress that can shift with the seasons and be styled for practically any occasion. A silky, midi slip dress checks all the boxes — the lingerie-style look can be dressed up or down with sneakers and a denim jacket or worn with micro-kitten heels and a leather jacket or boyfriend blazer. Cinch it at the waist with an eye-catching buckled belt or wear it underneath a loose cardigan or knit sweater when you want something more casual on cooler days.
Here, the side slits are a nice touch that makes this style more versatile for a variety of body types. And, after you've tried it out in black, you can come back and grab this popular slip dress in one of its other 25 colors and prints — especially while they're all on sale.
Everlane Rigid '90s-Style Slouch Jeans
Everlane
$33
Buy on everlane.com
Casual chic is the backbone of the French wardrobe, but one piece the French have managed to make look cool is slouchy, light-wash denim. While this style veers more on the grunge side in the States, in Paris, it’s more feminine when worn with a fitted white T-shirt and tweed blazer, a pair of slingback heels, or leather loafer slides.
This vintage-inspired look from Everlane perfectly captures the look — and now at 70 percent off, it’s a deal too good to pass up for Memorial Day.
J.Crew Callie Leather Slide Sandals
J.Crew
$75
Buy on jcrew.com
In the summer, I tend to purchase one pair of sandals and wear them to death that season. For day-to-night, beach-to-bar footwear, these throw-on slides from J.Crew are the best I’ve come across yet — and they’re now on sale for nearly 45 percent off. The cushy soles ensure all-day comfort, whether I’m strolling through perched villages and markets in the South of France or running errands around town in Paris, and the oversized buckle strap nods to the styles currently in trend (and won’t cause instant blisters like thinner, strappier styles).
Free People Venus Tunic
Free People
$100
Buy on freepeople.com
Whether I’m planning a sailing trip in Croatia, a villa getaway in Greece, or spending a long weekend in Provence, a lightweight knit is a suitcase staple — preferably if it's slouchy and oversized, like this discounted tunic from Free People. Easy to throw on with a pair of shorts, hiking or workout gear, a bathing suit after a morning dip, or over a linen dress on a breezy evening, this layer is one that transcends the seasons.
This wide, scoop neckline and ribbed knit hems make it look tailored like some of the trendier pieces you’ll find at Sandro or Maje — but at a fraction of the price. The subtle lilac trim is also a nice touch that sets this apart from a simple pullover. With nearly a thousand likes and now finally on sale, this is a no-brainer for my shopping cart this season.
Minibee Linen Blouse
Amazon
$32
Buy on Amazon
The transition from spring to summer can be such an unpredictable time weather-wise in Paris. Today alone felt like it flip-flopped between nearly all four seasons, with temps dipping into the low 50s and raining before the sun came out and it was a balmy 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if it may be on the chillier side, a chunky knit or chambray shirt just feels too heavy for this time of year — which is why this oversized linen-blend blouse is the perfect stand-in.
Machine-washable and intended to look wrinkled, it doesn't require pressing or dry cleaning while traveling. The tunic look is great over skinny jeans or tapered white trousers, or you can wear it as a nightshirt or cover-up over a bathing suit at the beach.
Everlane The Easy Shorts
Everlane
$44
Buy on everlane.com
Growing up, denim shorts were always my summer go-tos, but if you glance around the street styles in Paris, you’ll notice denim is reserved for jeans. Instead, you’ll see tailored, high-waisted shorts in textures like tweed or more laid-back fabrics such as linen or cotton. What I love about this pair from Everlane (on sale for $44 right now) is that the breathable, cotton twill fabric and pull-on waistband make it an easy and comfortable pick for everyday wear (plus great to pack for summer beach getaways). But it will still look structured enough to pair with a tailored button-down top, matching cream-colored sweater (ideal for breezy boat days), or even a cropped tee.
Charmo Ruched Strappy One-piece Swimsuit
Amazon
$29
Buy on Amazon
In Miami, my swimwear tends to lean on the Brazilian side (tiny, print-splattered string bikinis), but in France, you’ll find the opposite (just take a glance at the designer swimwear in any Eres shop). If you’re not sunbathing on the beach, you’re sporting something more practical, like this one-piece from Charmo that could easily double as a bodysuit.
The design is flattering in so many ways: the spaghetti straps are adjustable, so you don’t have to worry about them sliding off your shoulders; the compression in the front smooths everything out so you’ll look fantastic in photos; and the ruching design embraces curves instead of accentuating them.
Furtalk Foldable UPF 50+ Straw Sun Hat
Amazon
$20
Buy on Amazon
As I’m writing this piece, I’m packing for a trip to Monaco for Grand Prix weekend, a seven-hour journey from Paris that will require three trains — the first of which leaves at the unearthly hour of 6 a.m., before cafés even open their doors. Since I’ll be rolling and pulling my carry-on up and down steps and running through railway stations to catch my connecting train, the less I have to carry, the better. I have far too many friends who have forgotten a hat on a plane or in an airport while traveling, but this packable straw hat from Furtalk is the ideal solution.
Offering UPF 50+ sun protection, the foldable hat can easily be stuffed into a backpack or beach tote and will look as good as new when it’s opened up. Soft and breathable, it comes in two sizes to help you find your perfect fit, and the ribbon detail perfectly effortlessly keeps you on-trend with the coquette bow fashion aesthetic.
Sojos Hexagonal Mirrored Sunglasses
Amazon
$16
Buy on Amazon
Recently, during a long layover, I spent a good hour trying on sunglasses at duty-free shops in Doha, Qatar, en route to Cape Town. While my sunnies style has always been more ‘90s or cat-eye, I found myself gravitating toward these bohemian hexagonal frames that are staples of summer music festivals. My best friend has a few different designer versions that are far out of my budget (as were the ones I tried on in duty-free), but then I came across these at Amazon.
Ultra lightweight and durable with polarized HD lenses that filter out glare and UV rays, these near-designer lookalikes boast a $16 price tag in honor of the holiday weekend, and they'll make a great pair for all of my upcoming trips.
Madewell Knotted Stud Earrings
Madewell
$24
Buy on madewell.com
When I’m traveling, I don’t bring much in terms of jewelry for fear of it getting lost or stolen. But I do like to have at least one statement piece to add that finishing touch to an outfit — and these Bottega Veneta-inspired knot earrings are my pick for the summer. The gold-plated studs are nickel-safe, so they’re suitable for sensitive skin like mine. Large enough to stand out without weighing down your ear, these medium-sized earrings can be worn casually during the day with a flowy skirt or jeans or out for date night with a more fitted dress and heels. I can’t wait to sport them on my summer girls’ getaway to Montenegro.
Novum Square Wicker Woven Purse
Amazon
$47
Buy on Amazon
Rattan is practically the signifier of summer, but oftentimes, it can lean on the side of souvenir shop kitschy. This handmade-in-Bali bag works with local communities to support the craft of weaving utilizing natural materials and genuine leather. The opposite of fast fashion, this lightweight summer bag is designed to last and will have you feeling like you just returned from an exotic locale even if you don’t have the chance to slip away somewhere so far this summer. Though it's not on sale, I think that its $47 price is a deal in itself once you factor in the craftsmanship, versatility, and sheer stylishness of it.
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