Dreaming of longer days, shaded terraces and clothes that don't cling to the skin? Welcome to the club. Except the coat hasn't quite made it back to the cupboard yet. And yet this is the moment when spring/summer collections are revealed, online and at presentations, with pieces due in store in spring. And we're slowly starting to picture a lighter wardrobe.

At Les Petites, this season digs into what has always made the house's signature: refined fabrics, clean cuts, a feminine allure that doesn't need to try too hard. Worth keeping in mind before you rush to the shops!

A fluid silhouette, fabrics that make all the difference

The house's strong point was always fabric — and this season is no exception. Silk, linen, thick cotton: that's where the collection really speaks, far more than in fashion gimmicks. The drape of silk, its fluid feel, the way it catches the light — that's what separates an evening dress from a simple combination.

Powder-pink evening dress with fine straps, worn three-quarter view in soft light

The statement piece of the season? A long silk dress, belted high at the waist and fluid through the skirt. What a drape! A cut that moves effortlessly through the seasons, worn to the office with a light jacket or in the evening with a slim sandal. We picture it with flat gladiator sandals and hair pulled back — the antithesis of an over-styled head-to-toe look.

Then come the evening dresses: a powder-pink dress, a belted blouse doing dress duty, a fluid washed-linen dress. The common thread? Natural fabrics, waists defined without being tight, fine straps you can adjust to the millimetre. A subtle print replaces the sweet-shop colours of previous seasons, but the silhouette itself hasn't budged an inch!

The tops: textures and colours

For day, the collection focuses on soft shades and fabrics that move with the body. A cotton-poplin shirt, roomy and slightly creased; a silk-and-linen cami with a tie to knot casually; a thick-cotton T-shirt, cut straight to last; a voile blouse, shaped to open up the neckline. Nothing spectacular at first glance, and that's exactly where it wins.

Poplin overshirt open over a silk-and-linen cami, layering in the wardrobe

These are the pieces that wear best over time: three textures, three looks, one wardrobe! And we love the layering game — an open overshirt on top, a long fine-knit cardigan, a belt that defines the waist without squeezing. Enough to build a capsule wardrobe that feels like yours, without looking like you've stepped straight out of a catalogue head-to-toe look.

Linen: the most contemporary piece

The high-waisted washed-linen shorts remain the most contemporary piece in the wardrobe. Linen is meant to be worn creased: that's its nature, not a flaw! Styled with a flat sandal and a canvas bag, it does all the heavy lifting of a basic you'll keep for ten years. Same logic for the long linen skirt, or the linen shirt worn as a dress — two good reasons never to overlook it again.

One detail, though — and it matters: washed linen creases, so forget the idea of a flawless outfit an hour in. It's a wardrobe for days that move, not for a meeting that has to stay pristine from start to finish. At that price, you might as well know before you buy.

Another tip if you track these pieces down: check the composition first, as it tells you a lot about care. Silk should be ironed inside out on a low heat; linen usually takes a higher temperature, often with a little moisture, to smooth out creases. Refined fabrics that ask for a little attention — and repay it generously!

High-waisted washed-linen shorts, creased, with flat sandals and a canvas tote worn in the sun
The crinkled linen of the high-waisted shorts, worn with flat sandals and a tote

The move that changes everything in the fitting room. Pinch the fabric between two fingers, then let go: it should fall straight again, without stiffness or awkward creases. If the fabric feels cardboardy or springs back, the cut won't save you. And before you buy, turn the piece inside out — seams, hems, lining: that's where real wear shows.

Budget

How much should you budget to build a spring/summer wardrobe inspired by this look? It all depends on the fabric, the cut and where you shop. Expect to pay around £20–£50 for a cotton or linen T-shirt or cami at a high-street chain or basics retailer; £50–£110 for a shirt or blouse in a natural fabric at a multi-brand boutique; £100–£250 for a fluid silk or washed-linen dress at a designer boutique; and £45–£100 for high-waisted linen shorts or a skirt.

Second-hand remains the gentlest option on the wallet: in second-hand shops or on resale platforms, linen and silk pieces often turn up for between £15 and £50, provided you check the wear and composition. The higher prices come mainly from the finish — lining, topstitching, buttons, European manufacturing.

This is a season that isn't trying to convert you to a head-to-toe look: it offers pieces that slip into what you already wear, and that will stay with you for several summers if you take the time to check the fabric before the colour of the moment. Style-wise, the proposition is simple — fewer gimmicks, more drape, and a look that doesn't need to shout to be noticed!