Navigating the summer season whilst looking expensive is a feat that French people make look easy. When I lived in France, I realised that the locals had an innate way of looking chic and effortless on any given day, and I was immediately desperate to replicate this French way of dressing. I then spent my days analysing the stylish women around me, noting the staple pieces they rely on and the bolder pieces they embrace when the weather heats up. Soon, I found myself curating a cheatsheet for French-inspired breezy dressing. And now, I’ve found all the components of an elegant French wardrobe in Zara’s new summer collection.

There’s an art to looking effortlessly chic on the warmest days, and if anyone has the secret, it’s French dressers. Looking closely, you’ll notice that they depend upon certain staples to act as the foundations of their summer capsule wardrobes (think throw-on mini dresses, timeless sandals and linen two-pieces), which exude that French Riviera feel, even when sourced on the high street. Another aspect that leans into this instantly elevated feel is fabrication. Looking to breezy linens and airy cottons not only brings a touch of respite to the warmest days, but also looks intrinsically put-together.