European Summer Vacation Outfit Inspo

Bonjour 👋🏻 My mom and I just got back from an incredible trip to the south of France; we had the best time! This trip was basically a year in the making and had been on my mom’s bucket list for a long time. She and my Dad talked about wanting to do a Viking river cruise together, but unfortunately, it wasn’t something that came to fruition before he passed away 4 years ago. So, my mom and I decided it would be really fun to do this trip together and we knew my Dad would be there in spirit with us! Our trip started in Nice which is a beautiful city in the south of France that sits right on the Mediterranean Sea. From there we headed to Avignon and began our cruise up the Rhône river through quaint little towns throughout Provence. It sadly wasn’t the season for the lavender blooms just yet (this is what I immediately think of when I hear Provence!), but there was no shortage of incredible scenery!

I’m working on a separate blog post where I’ll share all the details of our trip in case you’re interested to learn more about the river cruise or the places we visited in France, but today’s post is all about fashion! I’m so excited to show you what I wore on our European adventure and I hope it gives you some ideas if you have any vacations (European or not!) coming up this summer. If you see an outfit you love just click the image to get the details and shop!

A Capsule Wardrobe Is Key

I was very adamant about packing versatile pieces that I could easily mix and match while on our trip. For me, this meant neutral tops in a variety of styles and textures (bodysuits, crop tops, crochet knits, and cotton tanks), denim in different silhouettes and washes (shorts, skirts, full length and cropped jeans), and an assortment of sandals and sneakers to account for sunny and rainy days. This is my favorite way to pack for long trips because it feels like I have a mini closet with me and I can decide what I feel like wearing when I wake up vs having pre-planned outfits that I have to wear on specific days. I was able to fit everything in my large Away suitcase which worked out perfectly! Here’s an Instagram reel I posted that gives you a closer look at what I packed.

Summer Dresses Are A Must

It’s not a proper summer vacation in my book without packing several dresses! I love bringing a variety of styles and colors with me so I have multiple options depending on the situation/occasion. For this trip I packed a floral mini dress from Reformation (first photo above - similar here) which is one of my go-to brands for effortless summer dresses. I instantly feel like a million bucks when I put one on! I also brought a couple of midi dresses that I wore with sneakers for some of our walking tours through little towns and a black dress for one of the cocktail events on the cruise. I ended up wearing all 4 dresses that I brought with me which was a win! You also can’t go wrong with packing a denim jacket - the ultimate classic layering piece that pairs with just about everything.

Linen IS YOUR BFF

If you’re going anywhere warm or tropical this summer you should definitely bring something linen with you! It’s so breathable and comfortable and packs so well. Yes, I know the fabric is known to wrinkle the second you move in it but that’s kinda the beauty of it! It gives this “lived-in chic” vibe and it’s going to help keep you cool when you’re out in the sun. I got this pair from Reformation a couple years ago and they have been my companion on previous trips to warmer climates like Santa Fe and Rome; I can’t recommend them enough! I also have to say it was so fun wearing my beloved Poléne bag around France, especially since the brand is based in Paris!

I hope these tips help whether you’re gearing up for a vacation or you’re just ready to refresh your summer wardrobe! You can save your favorites or shop these items in my LTK 🫶🏻 If you’re heading somewhere fun please let me know so I can live vicariously through you! Xoxo