As you read me I just come back from 4 days in Ardèche.

My friends where making “le pont” (the bridge). Which means taking an additional day off. When bank holiday happen on a thursday, you take the friday off.

Have a look…

Saint Maurice d’Ibie. Photo: François Barbier

Just the kind of place where you chill with you friends and give up being elegant right?

Which I sort of did.

But not entirely.

At least for the aesthetic pleasure of not looking ugly in front of such a beautiful background ^^

It is “art de vivre” I think. As well as having nice food or a well decorated house.

Here are some easy tricks to look (quite) stylish even though you are far away from any town and you do not want to be bothered with outfit composition.

I/ What kind of clothes?

1. Pack nice clothes

If this is not the day you are going to walk in the brambles and climb mountainous paths, there is no reason to dress in sporty fabrics or spoiled clothes.

Natural fabrics such as linen and cotton are perfect. Viscose can be nice too.

2. Yet comfortable

Nothing too tight or cinched. Hey! It is holidays!

Except if the fabric is super stretchy.

3. And practical

Clothes you can put on in no time when getting dressed.

II/What clothes?

1. Dresses

Dresses are perfect for any activities.

Except those that include brambles.

There is no reason not going for a walk in a dress.

Plus they are the easiest piece of clothes to put on.

No need to thing about a pairing or any complicated thing like that.

Choose them in a light, natural fabric with a comfortable cut.

– Short dresses

Some short dresses I love:

– Jean dress

– Striped dress

– Orange sundress

If those dresses are too short for you, prefer midi dresses that are just as easy to walk with.

Etsy

Marine Vacht

The Sartorialist

– Long dresses

Rather for evening or chilling times.

Some long dresses I love:

– Long floral wrap dress

– Boho white oversize dress

Liv Tyler

2. Shorts

Ok, there is a tiny problem with short dresses: they can be trouble to sit with.

Short are easier to deal with for that reason.

My favorites?

The cutout jeans in short or longer version. They are very versatile

If they do not contain any stretch they might not be the most comfortable though.

The short skirt can also be a clever choice

Shorts I love:

– Rust color jean shorts

– Kaki short skirt

Honestlywtf

3. Pants

If you do not feel like showing your legs or if the weather gets cold, pants will be useful.

Jeans are great cause they are not fragile and if they contain the right amount of stretch, they are just as comfortable as leggings.

Pants I love:

– Beige chino pants

– any jeans

Jazzabelles diary

4. Skirts

Just like dresses: easy to wear, can be long or short but, you have to find a top, so a bit less easy.

Same, choose comfortable fabrics and cut and you are good to go!

5. Tops

Pack a few T-shirts, they are very easy to wear, comfortable and will complete skirts, shorts and pants outfits.

You could also opt for more sophisticated pieces like cotton lace boho tops, sleeveless or long sleeved shirts, camis, etc.

Some tops I love:

– Chambray shirt  (wear with rolled sleeves)

– Shorts sleeve denim shirt

– Simple tank top

6. Sweaters, cardigans

It gets chilly sometimes.

Pack coton or wool sweaters or cardigans that you can throw on top of your outfits.

Sweater and cardigans I love:

– Oversize cotton sweater

– Colored cardigan

Stella Tenant Vogue Paris 1996

7. Outerwear

Pack a raincoat. You’ll be happy to have it. And there are some stylish ones.

Check the brands K-way or Petit Bateau for instance.

A cotton jacket such as a military jacket can also be a nice alternative to the cardigan.

K-way

8. Shoes

A pair of flat sandals and a pair of cotton sneakers, are all you need!

You could also opt for clogs. They are very comfortable and easy to walk with.

Shoes I love:

– Natural leather sandals

– Snake printed leather sandals

– “liberty” printed cotton sneakers

Bosabo found on waitandsee

9. Hat and or sunglasses

Do not forget them if you go in the sun 🙂

Hats will also instantly make your moment look more romantic.

For the countryside, my favourites are straw hats.

Pay attention that they are made of real straw or paper but no synthetic fabric.

Some hats I love:

– Small hat

– Wide brimmed hat

Brigitte Bardot

10. Scarves

Bring one cotton or linen scarf for colder days and evenings

III/ How to style all that?

Good thing, everything goes with everything!

Well, except for a few colors and prints of course.

The aim is too loose no time to dress in the morning.

Last tip, stay true to yourself. Do not disguise as a Little house character if you are more of a minimalist girl.

All the aforementioned clothes can be picked in any style!

And do not play “countryside girl” while actually being dressed like a girl in the city for dresses like a girl of the country but actually ends up looking ridiculous in the country cause people can tell she is just faking it.

Get what I mean? Click there for visual explanations.

Lalalala… Running in the flowers…

And you? Do you love to take a break in the countryside?