I am off to St.Tropez in the middle of March for a couple of weeks. I shall be exploring the markets as usual and reporting back on what I find especially the new styles from my favourite scarf stalls.
In the meantime, I have had a request from a reader to suggest items that I would recommend for a Spring break in France. This is becoming increasingly difficult as the seasons seem to be a bit topsy turvy. Certainly here in London it has been unseasonably warm. The trees and plants are coming into bud which is causing me to experience hayfever very strange as it does not normally arrive till about April.
Back to my suggestions for a travel wardrobe. You can see a couple of the previous ones I collated here and here. My advice, as usual, is layers and more layers. I have based my choices around a simple colourway of navy and cream with tan accessories. If you have warm colouring you could easily substitute this colourway for browns and beiges very popular this season.
Details of above:
Water resistant navy rain jacket JohnLewis&partners / stone shirt Baukjen / Denim tie waist jacket &otherstories / Breton jumper Hopefashionuk / Print midi skirt Baukjen / Cream top Baukjen / Straight leg jeans JohnLewis&partners / Navy roll cuff tee Baukjen / The power
I would definitely advise taking a light raincoat or jacket. If you are not a jeans fan you could substitute another pair of lightweight trousers instead of the jeans I have shown. I have included a pair of HopefashionUK foundation trousers. Their foundation pieces are ideal for travelling. I find them very comfortable, they don’t crease and take up very little space in a suitcase. Tee shirts and tops make great layering pieces and the lightweight denim jacket is a versatile fabric for this time of year. I have added a skirt as it can be dressed up or down. Wear with a sweater during the day and add jewellery for an evening look.
This is just the basics you can add your favourite extras depending on where you will be staying, what activities you will be participating in and whether you will be attending more formal events.
I pack everything in travel cubes. It makes life so much easier as you can separate your underwear tops etc or even create outfits in separate cubes for when you arrive if you are super organised.
Josephine, I love your styling as usual. Packing cubes are so great. I even got my husband on board. Thanks for your blog. Watching the snow and thinking of St. Tropez.
Hi Josephine – I live in New Zealand and will be travelling to France for a month in April, so the capsule wardrobe suggestions are very timely. My question is, since I will be in Europe for a month what would I need to add to this list?
Hi Lin
That is a really difficult question as I don’t know what activities or social occasions you will be participating in. Also if you are happy to re-wear your items and have access to washing facilities. Some people can exist on a very small capsule wardrobe with the addition of accessories such as scarves and jewellery. I would definitely advise adding as many of these as possible as they are light and easy to pack.
St. Tropez and the markets… Not having been to St. Tropez I’d never heard of the markets. I can see I’m missing a lot! Great wardrobe choices!
I love this travel wardrobe and can’t wait to see the gorgeous scarves.
One of the best pieces of advice I read recently was to allow 6°C each side of average temperatures for wherever you are travelling. It makes sense, especially in transitional seasons.
Thanks for that Angela. Very useful piece of advice.
I really like your selection . We are in our favourite Scottish Highlands whilst you are in St Tropez so my packing will be a little different – we agree about the raincoat though .
Thanks Josephine, just wanted I wanted, I do have a few Hope pieces that are great but at 5ft 2ins I feel I do not suit not suit ankle grazer. mARION