My Best Friend Asked for A Rich-Looking French Summer Wardrobe—12 Zara and H&M Buys I Sent Back

I scrolled through hundreds of new-in buys at Zara and H&M to find the chic French summer buys that will sell out first.

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H&M, Zara French summer buys
(Image credit: Who What Wear UK)

As a shopping editor with years of experience hunting down the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, my friends often call on me for fashion advice. Whilst the weather takes a quick interlude from the high temperatures, I found myself daydreaming of warm days in the South of France, and evidently, I'm not alone. My best friend texted me to ask for help building her summer wardrobe, but with one precise demand: to create a French Riviera-worthy wardrobe on a budget. Luckily for her, I'd already found a series of refined pieces at Zara and H&M.

Woman wears blue blouse, white skirt and blue heels

Julie wears the H&M Broderie Anglaise Cotton Blouse (£18)

(Image credit: @juliesfi)

When Zara and H&M launched their summer collections, I was immediately transported to the Côte D'Azur. The languid silhouettes, breezy textures, and refined details all embody the relaxed attitude of French dressers in the summer. At Who What Wear UK, we often look to our French friends for style inspiration due to their innate way of looking polished whilst relying on staple summer buys which can be restyled for endless outfits. Trust me, I've lived in the South of France and spent countless summers studying their effortless ease, and now I've curated a sophisticated edit which will exude French refinement whether you're jetsetting this summer or simply strolling through the city.

The best part about embracing French style is that it depends on simple pieces that can hold their place in your wardrobe for years. Think a breezy linen shirt, wide-leg trousers and timeless basket bags that will outlast moving trends, but also feel incredibly considered. Silhouette sets the great pieces apart from the good, with long-line shorts over mini cut-offs, sweeping maxi and midi dresses, and of course, relaxed fits for added comfort on the warmest days. Below, you'll find 12 pieces I sent directly to my best friend, as well as a few extras that will complement any refined French wardrobe.

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Florrie Alexander
Florrie Alexander
Shopping Editor

Florrie embarked on her fashion journey whilst studying in Aix-en-Provence, she began to write her dissertation on the history of fashion and landed her first role at Harper’s Bazaar. Following this, she interned for various publications including Elle, Grazia and Marie Claire before joining the fashion team at Conde Nast Traveller. There, she contributed to international photoshoots, styled pages and covers, and produced engaging digital content. Over eight years of fashion industry experience, Florrie has honed her skills from styling e-commerce photoshoots to personal shopping. Florrie first joined Who What Wear UK as a freelancer before becoming the Commerce Writer. Now, as the Shopping Editor, she monitors current trends, new-in styles, wardrobe heroes and how best to style them.