Some mornings you end up with half your wardrobe on the bed before you find anything you want to put on. The problem isn’t a lack of options; it’s a lack of clothes that feel right: colour, comfort and pieces that lift your mood without shouting. If that sounds familiar, here’s what holds up this season, category by category — and what you should expect to pay.

Beige leather ballet flats with tiny studs, worn with linen trousers
Soft leather ballet flats, from sand to pavement

The towelling set, as long as the cut is right

You’ve almost certainly seen the towelling set in the shops: the much-talked-about 'terry' is back. The difference is that it no longer needs to look like a luxury pyjama. The version that works now is a cropped top with straight-cut bottoms in a single colour, easy to wear over swimwear, under an open jacket or on its own. Keep the layering simple: towelling brings texture, so everything else should stay quiet.

The real test isn’t the label; it’s the density of the knit. A thick towelling holds its shape and drapes properly, while a thin jersey will bag at the knees after a couple of washes. Check this before you buy: it’s the difference between a wardrobe piece you’ll still be wearing in three summers and something you keep for the odd weekend. Many brands sell top and bottoms separately, precisely so you can avoid a full head-to-toe look and adjust the proportions to suit you.

Coral printed silk-jersey wrap dress worn in a bright corridor
The wrap dress, coral print with a tied waist
Petit Bateau sea-green two-piece swimsuit worn by a pool
The Petit Bateau swimsuit, simple and bright in the sun

Towelling doesn’t like the tumble dryer, and that is exactly what separates a set that lasts three summers from a stopgap pyjama.

Poppy Valentine leather bag carried on the shoulder with a cream towelling set
Poppy Valentine leather, worn with the softness of towelling

Swimwear that keeps things simple

With swimwear, the rule hasn’t changed: a simple cut, a colour that flatters you, and you’re done. A basic bikini still offers the best balance of fit and price for summer. Sea greens, corals and dusty pinks are everywhere at the moment, but nothing beats trying something on — changing-room lighting is worth more than any filter.

Sculptural gold earrings worn with a coral swimsuit
The gold shine that lifts a plain swimsuit

Treat your two-piece as a wardrobe basic. Choose a shape you know you can wear, two or three colours that work together, and you’ll get several summers out of it. French swim and lingerie labels remain a reliable bet here, especially for high-waisted bottoms that flatter the silhouette.

Young woman in a green Zadig&Voltaire two-piece swimsuit by a sunny pool
The Zadig&Voltaire swimsuit, simple cut and deep green by the water
Hand wearing an ASOS gold ring, coral Pop Nail Glam polish and a bottle resting on a towel
The ASOS gold ring and coral polish that wake up a manicure

Jewellery and accessories that do the heavy lifting

This is where pleasure is instant and the budget can be tiny. A slightly chunky ring, a long pendant that falls at the neckline, gold hoop earrings: one small move can change an outfit for very little. Costume jewellery has improved a lot in terms of finish, but watch out for alloys that go dark after a few weeks. On plated pieces, look for the plating thickness: the thinner it is, the faster the gold finish will wear.

Woman wearing a printed Milly top and a fine gold chain in a bright interior
The Milly top, worn with a fine gold chain that brightens the neckline
Summer fashion and beauty edit

For me, a long pendant is still the piece I most like wearing in summer. Over an open blouse or a swimsuit, it pulls a whole look together without looking overdone.

Small tan leather flap bag with a visible rider emblem, carried by hand
The tan leather of the Rodéo bag, carried by hand over a sand trench
Small floral print blouse worn open over a white top
A small floral print blouse worn open over a white top
Gold hoop earrings and a sculptural ring on a travertine dish
Gold hoops and a sculptural ring on a travertine dish are enough to change everything

Beauty, from satin body oil to a little shimmer

For a summer evening, shimmering body oil is still the reliable choice. Its texture gives legs and shoulders a satin finish, sets off a tan and smells like the season. Formulas are finer than they were ten years ago, so they’re less sticky — a real improvement in this type of product. Spray from about 20 cm, then smooth in with your hands, and keep it away from the face, where skin is thinner.

Beige canvas and leather bag carried on the arm beside a golden body oil
The natural leather of the bag, carried in the morning light

If you want shimmer, choose fine gold particles: you’ll get a satin effect rather than full disco-ball. In practice, an oil applied to slightly damp skin lasts better than a glaze put on perfectly dry skin. As for the formula, check the ingredients list: the presence of plant oils (coconut, sweet almond, jojoba) doesn’t guarantee that a product is free from silicones or synthetic fragrance. These ingredients can sit in the same formula, so read the INCI list. Refillable formats and glass bottles are becoming more common, and several organic brands now offer refills — a point in favour of the packaging, which outlasts the product.

Coral printed wrap dress worn while holding a bottle of summer fragrance mist
The printed wrap dress, worn with a summer fragrance mist
Oiled legs and Tory Burch flip-flops with a gold emblem by a pool
Tory Burch flip-flops, worn near the water with satin-finish skin

Shoes and bags where comfort comes first

Flip-flops come back every summer, with more detailed straps and gold hardware. What matters isn’t the design but the sole: it shouldn’t slip, and the toe post shouldn’t cut between your toes. A budget pair can work perfectly well if the foam is dense; a sole that’s too rigid, on the other hand, will leave you with blisters. For regular wear, a leather or cork sole will breathe better than plastic.

Gold ASOS pendants worn over a white dress with a tote and comfortable sandals
The gold pendant, worn even on a market run

For bags, a tote remains hard to beat, whether for the beach or the market. Woven canvas and coated fabrics are easy to wipe clean, which matters when you’re carrying sunscreen and wet towels. An organic cotton or recycled-canvas tote, made in Europe where the label says so, is still a credible alternative to imported styles.

Juicy Couture canvas tote carried by hand with comfortable flat sandals
The Juicy Couture canvas tote, light and practical for the market

Budget guide

UK prices vary by retailer. As a rough guide:

  • Two-piece swimsuit: around £20-80. The price rises with support, cut (high waist, underwiring) and where it is made. High-street and sportswear brands at the lower end; French swim labels and specialist online shops above.
  • Towelling set: around £35-130. Fabric density and where it is made explain the gap. Online, concept stores, sportswear brands.
  • Costume jewellery: around £10-35 per piece. Plating and finish make the difference. Online jewellers, fashion e-shops, markets.
  • Shimmering body oil: around £18-40 per bottle. Prices are fairly stable in beauty halls and department stores, often matched by larger retailers and online. Organic versions tend to sit around £18-30.
  • Flip-flops and ballet flats: around £18-100. Leather, the insole and the brand carry most of the cost. Shoe shops, specialist online shops, larger retailers for simple styles.
  • Tote: around £18-100. Material (canvas, leather, coated fabric) and finish. Markets, fashion e-shops, accessible brands.

Sources

  • Institut français de la mode (IFM) — publications on the French clothing market.
  • Fédération des entreprises de la beauté (FEBEA) — public data on the French cosmetics market.
  • ADEME — recommendations on textile care and extending the life of clothes.
  • Vogue France, fashion section — seasonal trends.