European hot summer style - YouLookFab Forum

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European hot summer style

Janet

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As I prepare to leave for France in a couple of weeks (going to Paris for a couple of days with two friends and then continuing to Provence for a week-long artist retreat — my treat to myself to celebrate the big upcoming birthday!), I have been enjoying the latest posts from the Sartorialist (Scott Schuman). Here’s the IG link: https://www.instagram.com/p/DL.....FzNm5zNg==

I’m copying some of the photos I particularly liked here for those who are not on IG.

Loose fits, distinctive footwear to amp up ladylike dresses, using bold jewelry with simple solid neutral pieces, matched sets… lots here to like!

I’ll be keeping my France travel capsule pretty light since we will mostly be in very casual art-making mode, and for our outings in Arles and St Remy it will be very hot. But these pics are inspiring to me for dressing at home as well as away.

How about you? What’s inspiring you this season? Apologies to the southern hemisphere forum participants who are now bundling up as we are stripping down, LOL!

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25 replies

Latest reply was from Lynne

Irina

Veteran

I think Angie bought the white dress in #3 last year? I tried it, too (if it’s the same Zara dress).

One of our best trips was to the south of France. It was wonderful!
Glad you are going to Provence!
For my upcoming big birthday I initially planned a trip to Vienna but changed my mind. We booked a trip to south of Spain plus a few days in Madrid. We are going at the end of September.

I’m heavily into black and white, all black and all white outfits this summer. We’ll, when I will finally wear my summer clothes
For vacations though, I’m adding a couple of pieces in color. My wardrobe is full of black, obviously but I’m still looking for a few white pieces.

These are pieces in color that I have and will consider for my vacation capsule of white and black.

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LJP

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European women just look so much better than we do , don’t they ? There is an inherent style that doesn’t look fussy and structured and too thought out . Mind you , all we see as viewers of photos are the people looking particularly good so who knows if it’s representative of a lot of women . Anyways , your trip sounds great and I’m sure you’ll find some fabulous pieces while you’re there !

cat2

Veteran

Love these. Real shoes, usually one interesting clothing item per outfit, and a really personal jewelry collection.

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Sounds like a wonderful trip. Love the floaty items here as in 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7. I'm not usually into floaty but these have some structure to them or they are paired with more structured pieces. Bold jewellery pieces add to the drama, and interesting shoes. This is what I am aiming for currently but still a work in progress. I have a new-ish terracotta floaty knee length tunic/dress button through that I wore today, first with denim joggers and, as it warmed up as a dress. I am going to try it with my two linen pants and see how it works out. These pics help! Also enjoying my big resin, wood and brass bangles from years ago. They feel fresh after many years of no wearing. I can see so many of your pieces, clothes and jewellery, working to achieve this look.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Lise, I'm not usually into "floaty" either, as I always feel I need a bit of structure and edge, but I can see how they bring those elements into outfits that still have the floaty thing too. I'm learning!

I'm also getting more comfortable with surrendering the waist than I used to be, but maybe that's partly because my waist is not what it once was, LOL.

I also find it interesting to see how hair styling choices play into these style photos as well. I never put my hair up (except for when I'm working out) because the layers make that so hard to do, but I'm really appreciating how a simple change of loose vs. pulled back can change the vibe.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

WOW, Janet! What a special and delightful way to mark your milestone birthday! Excited, and happy for you - AND you will inspire people in Paris with your style!

We used to live in France and know it quite well. What impresses me most about French style, is how older people dress - all genders included.

Irina, good memory! My Zara dress is a little longer in the sleeve. See Find.

Embroidered Midi Dress

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

Irina, that trip sounds wonderful! I think I'll be flying into Madrid this fall, to launch my big Camino de Santiago adventure. I have a friend who just moved there, and she is loving it! You and I will be there close to the same time, but I'll be heading to St Jean Pied de Port pretty soon after arrival in Madrid.

Lisa, it does seem that way about European women and their style, doesn't it? Truth is, though, when I'm there, I see plenty of unremarkable style as well. I guess since these were all taken in proximity to fashion events, and by a photographer who is looking for good style, it makes it look even more fabulous. I suspect he could do the same in NYC or Chicago or LA too.:-)

pirouette

Veteran

As a European woman I can safely say most of us don’t look like those pictures. I spend a lot of time in Southern France as my sister has lived there for many years. Even in Cannes where she lives people are not dressed up but tend to wear jeans and trainers and tee shirts switching to shorts in summer. But they do look stylish as they wear what suits them not what’s trending and they own their own style.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a fantastic trip!

Dee

Veteran

Always interesting to see the style vibe in other countries even if it's just inspirational. Your trip sounds just marvelous.
I was visiting some family in Kingston Ontario this weekend, it's a true university town. The young folks there seemed to be heavily into boho, thrift shops and vintage. Lots of linen and cotton along with plenty of handmade bags and other accessories. I certainly enjoyed the creativity and the uniqueness of their styles when compared to all the sameness that you sometimes get with the major fashion retailers.

Lisa

Veteran

Sounds like a fun trip and what a lovely way to celebrate a milestone birthday!

I'm inspired by all the linen I see every year in summer collections. I have an upcoming trip to Europe in early fall when it will still be quite hot, and I've purchased a few linen pants to experiment with since I am not a dress gal and I will need coverage when visiting religious sites. There's something very appealing about being covered with breathable and flowy fabrics in the heat (instead of my usual graphic tees and shorts combination).

Sal

Veteran

I love these snaps - and funnily enough I think it is in line with your style in warm weather. Lots of midi lengths, lots of bold jewelry, interesting sandals etc..

It's hard to talk about stylish and unstylish nations without generalising a lot - and potentially being offensive. And obviously street style snaps are of the most stylish people.....

What an exciting trip for you!!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sounds like a fantastic trip, Janet! What a great idea for your big birthday!

I love those inspirational pics. Fab style!

Aurore

Veteran

Oh wow, this sounds like a great trip and (as a French lady), I hope you'll enjoy France!

With regards to the outfits in the photos, I second pirouette : not all women you'll see in France will be dressed like that. However, I'm pretty confidend that some of them will be.

To me, not all outfits appear to cater to the same context / places though (but that's just a personal feeling) :

- #1-3-5-6 and 8 absolutely look like what many women do wear in my area (the rather chic countryside a few dozen kilometers away from Paris) to go to the restaurant, or even simply for a downtown trip. #1 is essentially my MIL's summer uniform in Fontainebleau : flowy midi skirts, espadrille wedges, interesting tops.

- #2 is more boho to my eye and I would associate it with Southern France. By the way, you should see this beautiful golden ochre colour a lot in Provence, especially on traditional fabrics.

- #4 looks trendier and more "new money" to me, and I would associate it with a more glamour setting. But perhaps that's because I was raised to keep jewelry understated.

- #7 and #9 scream "Parisian" fashionista to me - fashionable and original. I have not really seen people dressed like that around here.

RobinF

Veteran

Sounds like a great trip! And planning the clothes is half the fun!

I love seeing European fashion, very aspirational.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Aurore and pirouette, yes! Your observations sound true to what I have seen in Europe, although my experiences tend to have been either in big cities (Paris, Vienna, etc) or in outdoorsy or tourist- and hiking-driven places (the Swiss Alps, the towns along the Rhine, etc). I’m traveling with someone who has spent a lot of time over 40+ years there, and she wears a uniform of loose black pieces, comfortable shoes, statement jewelry, and pretty patterned small scarves tied at the neck, and she travels with just a carry-on, so I’m taking some cues from her!

Olive Green

Veteran

Wow, went down the Sartorialist rabbit hole there, such great ideas! You would look great in many of them, Janet. You seem tall? And floaty is a great look.
This summer I ditched my linen and am wearing crisper, heavier cotton shirts, and heavier weight tshirts. Denim jorts, an instant workhorse.

Murph11

Veteran

Living vicariously thru you, Janet! I'll be celebrating the same big birthday later this year and need to plan a trip as well. I'm loving your inspiration!

Style Fan

Veteran

Sounds like a wonderful trip! Your inspirations inspire me. I have a big birthday coming up soon. We are planning a trip somewhere for a few days.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

That sounds like it's going to be a fabulous trip. I have a good friend from Aix who says it has been unbearably hot there lately. You may want to plan to be in siesta mode in the heat of the afternoons even if you're in France And of course the French are not big on a/c

As to European summer style, I think it depends on whether you're in city or village. The styles I see this summer that look the most intentional all seem to involve wide trousers and narrower tops. For sure there are a lot of people not making much effort, but I think there is a difference between the lowest baseline in Europe (where you will not see people in manky athletic clothes in the street) and the US.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Lisa, yes! We will very likely do early morning and evening photo walks, with the middle of the day spent at the house we are renting for the week — our leader has gotten us a wonderful big place in St Remy with two swimming pools (which we will also be using for photo work) and AC! I will be packing light and floaty for our outings for the photo festival and market explorations in Aix and other villages. And of course semi-mucky clothes for when we go into lavender fields and the water to experience the horses in Carmague. I’ll have a few days to explore on my own on the way back to Paris too. Comfort and versatility will be key. We will have access to laundry at the house too, which is nice in that much heat!

I bought a very inexpensive tan drawstring-waist long midi skirt at the Rack last week — not a typical color for me, and it’s a viscose blend, I think, but it looks a bit linen-like and is very loose, light, and floaty. It’s going to be 100 degrees again here today, so I’m going to put it on and walk around our yard today to see if it passes the breezy test. Paired with a simple white sleeveless shirt or tee I think it might work for me. I’m also thinking about a pair of brown linen blend elastic-waist trousers I tried last week at a local boutique. They felt good and could also possibly work. I may go back there for those. Most of my bottoms are black, and I fear that may just feel too hot in these temps, even if the fabric is very lightweight.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

They are great photos. But didn’t he become famous in New York? So the most interesting street style in New York would have women (and men) looking as good as this?
Hope you have a fabulous birthday trip.

Bijou

Veteran

Janet these are wonderful style inspiration for hot weather. I would encourage you to not wear black in 100C temps as anything that absorbs the heat will feel hotter.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Bijou, yes! It doesn’t look like it will be as extreme there as it has been here (this heat wave has been unusually brutal), and they don’t have as much humidity there, but I don’t do heat well, so I’m planning accordingly. I have a pair of lightweight wicking type fabric light grey pants that are very comfortable in the heat and good for travel — I’ll take those. And I bought an inexpensive lightweight tan maxi skirt last week to try out. Here’s a very bad pic I took quickly when I was trying it on, LOL. My tuck is off-center and I’m making a bad chin face, but the skirt is not bad! When I tried it with a lightweight white cotton shirt, the vibe did seem to fit in with these pics.

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Lynne

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Janet, you'd rock all of these looks! 1, 2, 8, and 9 especially!