I was 17 when I first traveled to France. I still remember the planning, packing and finally flying into Paris and catching my first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower through the airplane window. A few years prior, my Francophile passion was ignited in middle school. I was required to take an elective course where throughout the school year, three languages were taught: Japanese, Spanish and French, and it goes without saying, I immediately took to the French section. As a result, I couldn’t wait to sign up for it in high school and when I did, I poured hours into studying it and nerd alert, conjugated verbs for fun. I listened to French music, watched French movies, covered my bedroom walls with any French word or pictures I could find and generally gravitated towards what I assumed channeled that French je ne sais quoi.

When I was a junior in high school, my mom brought home some brochures on summer study abroad programs through our local university, Oregon State. While I was too young to partake, an exception was made, partly because I was enrolled in French 101 at OSU, although still in high school. My mom attended with me and we both enrolled in a month-long program in Angers. Long story short, that month was so impactful, my sophomore year in college I studied abroad in Lyon for a full year through the University of Oregon and extended my stay to pursue an internship at a newspaper, Le Progrès. That was yet again such a profound time for me, I went on to become a high school French teacher and while it’s been many years since I’ve taught French, my Francophile fervor never left me.

Our upcoming trip to Paris and Provence elicits a palpable joy and my whole family is echoing that same sentiment. As someone who loves travel and fashion, I’ve always excitedly curated our wardrobes when planning for trips, making an effort for us to look as much like locals as possible, other than the, ahem, camera hanging from my neck. I let our itinerary guide the outfits and attempt to ensure comfort, confidence and looking effortlessly chic are the end result.

Planning:

I joke that while my everyday wardrobe naturally looks to Paris and Provence as my muse, it makes it that much easier to plan for a trip like this, especially during my preferred summer months. So, packing for Paris and Provence during the warmest time of year, when ensembles naturally entail an organically elevated, yet laid back vibe, are done with enjoyment.

Wardrobe:

Cotton and linen are key for their breathability as both Paris and Provence will be hot. This fabric is reflected in every choice I’ve selected. I generally gravitate towards a neutral palate, but during summer I appreciate pops of color and this is apparent in a couple of dresses. I’m bringing four to be exact, (this one, one similar to this, this one, and this one) but lean into shorts and skirts (this one and this one)that can be worn multiple ways with different tops (this, this and this are some examples) as there are more outfit options with this approach. I always bring a couple pairs of pants – white denim and ecru chinos, as well as a sweater and a couple of light jackets for those cooler evenings.

Shoes:

Once I plan the outfits, I focus on shoes and always bring a sturdy, comfy and neutral pair of sandals (similar pair). I try to find a balance between smart, yet casual, but that doesn’t sacrifice the ability to handle miles of exploring. I also bring a comfortable pair of neutral sneakers, which have also been broken in, to avoid torn up feet on the trip. I throw in a couple of dressier sandals: espadrilles (as I find they are synonymous with southern France) and gold strappy ones, for a nice dinner or two.

Accessories:

I keep traveling with accessories pretty minimal.  Coinciding with my wardrobe, I’m bringing one silk scarf and one twilly, both of which can be styled with multiple outfits. Then of course the necessary hat and sunglasses for sun protection, but a good pair of sunnies will always elevate an outfit and I can’t forget a couple of my favorite belts. For my jewelry, I wear the same delicate pieces I wear every day as I love how they seamlessly pair with everything. The only items I may switch between are a navy leather bracelet and my usual stack of bangles, as well as a pair of diamond or gold hoops.

Handbags:

I love a good handbag and the Longchamp bag I carry is a workhorse, and I always feel very safe wearing it around Paris and on the metro. I also enjoy wearing my summer raffia bags that each match with every outfit and between all of them have the option of wearing them crossbody (similar) or on the shoulder. I can’t forget my purple raffia clutch that is originally from Provence, gifted by an old French friend, but who I knew as expats in Australia. Needless to say, this clutch holds a lot of meaning.

I admittedly tend to overpack in the instance a sudden change in weather occurs and as much as I plan outfits for specific activities, I like the flexibility to change my mind. The beauty of bringing a few interchangeable tops and bottoms is that it caters to my indecisiveness. Regardless, as I put the final touches on what makes my suitcase’s cut, I’m excited to wear each and every item. My choices reflect my personal style, of which we all have our own signature approach.

Most importantly, I’m ecstatic for the memories that will be made, food shared, and time spent with my family. We look forward to seeing old friends, embracing new and old sites and venturing on new experiences. Travel is such a beautiful gift and is something my family deeply values and prioritizes.