Your French Riviera Style Guide, for When You Can't Buy Chanel Everything

Whatever the decade, style on the French Riviera has remained almost the same since the 1950s. The Breton stripes, cropped trousers, basket bags and straw boaters that Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Jane Birkin wore to Cannes still remain the unofficial dress code. But how should you re-create the look if you don't have the budget for head-to-toe Chanel and Hermès like Princess Grace of Monaco?

Grace Kelly in the Riviera in the 1950s. 

Thanks to the likes of Jeanne Damas, Camille Charrière and Marta Cygan, we have an endless source of Instagram pictures to show how the French girls are doing holiday dressing right now. Scroll to see the eight essentials to perfect holiday dressing.

1. The Wrap Blouse

Style Notes: Grace Kelly often wore little white blouses when yachting in Cannes in the 50s. Decades later, a white cover-up is still ever so elegant. When in doubt, make like Jeanne Damas by wearing Rouje.

2. The Straw Boater

Style Notes: When it comes to accessories, it's all about raffia. To look like you've just stepped off a yacht in the St. Tropez marina, opt for a wide-brim straw hat (preferably with a blue-and-white ribbon tied around the brim like Aimee Song's).

Related: I've Just Found 11 Spring Outfits You'll Want to Wear This Weekend

3. Espadrilles

Style Notes: Espadrilles are a French-girl staple. They're also incredibly easy to walk in, so you can move about the beach effortlessly.

4. Basket Bag

Style Notes: If there's one item that sums up the French Riviera look, it's the Jane Birkin basket bag. There is no shortage of basket bags on the high street right now, but if you're looking for a more authentic Birkin version, then head to Etsy.

5. Striped Sundress

Style Notes: We all know that stripes are a Riviera signature, but it isn't just about Breton tees. Striped long sundresses are also a key component of any French girl's holiday wardrobe. Take, for example, Camille Charrière and her red-and-white striped Gül Hürgel dress.

6. Red Floral Prints

When it comes to colours, our favourite French influencers keep showing us the power of red. A red floral-printed dress is at the heart of any Riviera suitcase.

7. Kick-Flare Jeans

Style Notes: These are a 2018 French essential that we (once again) have Jeanne Damas to thank for, as her Rouje Swan jeans have become a key buy to get the Parisian holiday look.

8. Breton Stripes

You don't need to be told that Breton stripes are a Riviera classic. Here Doina proves that they still look just as chic in the South of France as they did decades ago.

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This post was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.