The South of France Carry-On Edit: 7 Statement Pieces for Last-Minute Plans
Hey, you.
If you just landed here—hi, I’m Kate Blondet. This is where travel plans meet outfit plans. You know that moment when you book a trip and immediately think, what am I gonna wear? That’s what we do here.
I’m not into capsule wardrobes or pretending a white shirt works everywhere. I like statement pieces, dressing for the vibe, and making outfits part of the story. But I also shop smart—fewer panic buys, more actually love it pieces.
I live in Dubai, so winter is staycation season. But summer? I’m out for two months, three suitcases deep. Still, I get that most people go for short trips, carry-ons, and spontaneous plans (I used to be that person too!). One moment you’re in the calm beach setting of Gigi in St. Tropez, the next your new friends are dragging you to a Casa Amor party in Ramatuelle with a headliner you can’t miss—or to a spontaneous wine tasting in Provence with a crowd that looks straight out of a Saint Laurent campaign.
When you only have a carry-on, your wardrobe better handle both château charm and beach-club fallout.
This isn’t a full checklist. It’s more like your personal carry-on packing edit: a curated lineup of standout pieces that work across vibes, settings, and surprise invitations. Pack your linen shorts and classic shirt—we’re here to talk about what makes the look—and yes, I’ll be sharing some personal stories along the way. Hope, you’ll enjoy.
1.The “Oops, I Ended Up Clubbing” Dress
I think everyone’s had that moment—when your plans take a completely unexpected turn. You know, the kind where you’re just heading out for a quiet dinner... and somehow end up dancing on a table.
Well, my story at 20 was even wilder. It was my first trip to St. Tropez. The plan? A chill beach day at Nikki Beach (I know—not exactly the best choice for that intention, haha), then move on to our hotel in Cannes. But the universe—or, let’s be honest, that one new friend—had other ideas.
Fast-forward a few hours, and I’m dancing in a T-shirt, no makeup, salt-drenched beach hair, and a VIP Room St. Tropez baseball cap in the middle of the most exclusive club. Somehow, the chaos worked. Everyone assumed I was a celebrity. (Ah, youth—you really can get away with anything.)
It was one of those unforgettable nights, and I wouldn’t change a thing. But now that I’m slightly older and slightly wiser, I like to keep the spontaneity—just with a little more preparation. Translation: the outfit needs to work for every angle of the vacation story.
Like that line in the song—“Pas besoin de costume à St. Tropez”—sure, maybe it doesn’t matter what you wear, because, well, you’re already in St. Tropez. But with that kind of ambiance? You absolutely need a killer look.
That’s why I always pack a day-to-night dress—something that works for the beach, dinner, and wherever the night decides to take you. Last summer, it was a white Area dress I wore for a sunset dinner and a stroll through St. Tropez... and yes, totally unexpectedly (okay, maybe I had a hunch), I ended up dancing in it too.
I put together a selection of this year’s finds that hit that sweet spot—a dress that looks like you didn’t try too hard, but still has just the right amount of fanciness,.
2. Styled Like a White Lotus Guest, Minus the Drama
Even if your vacation plans revolve around beach clubs and parties (no judgment, used to be same for me when I was single), you still need that one piece that screams fashion editor meets White Lotus character—a look that’s bold, on-trend, and elegant all at once. The kind that turns heads, but for the right reasons. It’s what you wear for a dreamy dinner date or a quiet escape to a château when you need a break from the buzzy crowd—but still want to look like you belong in the campaign.
Last summer, that dress for me was a green mid length Farm Rio piece. It blended perfectly with the ambiance of Château de Théoule, where we stayed. (You can read the full guide here.)
3.The “Little Black Dress” of the Beach Club
Living in Dubai means I’ve collected more swimsuits than I care to count—let’s just say there’s one for every kind of beach day. But what you really need is the swimsuit equivalent of a little black dress: something chic, elegant, and adaptable to any setting.
Mine is from Cult Gaia—a black one-piece with a silhouette that could easily pass for a strapless bustier. I usually style it with a black linen midi skirt (so it reads like a dress) or with white linen trousers for a clean, pulled-together look. It’s my go-to for beach days that call for a bit more polish. And when I want to add a pop of color, I’ll throw on a vibrant pareo or tie an Hermès silk scarf at the waist.
4. The Sandals That Can Handle a Plot Twist
When I’m on vacation, I’m a flats girl. After enough glam nights and sky-high heels in Dubai, Europe is my time to breathe—style-wise and shoe-wise. From day to night, it’s all about comfort that still looks put-together.
That said, I’m not telling you to leave the heels at home. Pack a pair if you must (never say never), but if we’re talking about spontaneous plans and long cobblestone strolls turning into late dinners—fancy flat sandals are the real essentials.
So I curated a selection of pairs that pass the vibe check: chic enough for a terrace dinner, comfortable enough for a last-minute detour.
5. The Beach Bag That Says “I Have Plans Later”
I’m sure you already have a big beach bag that could fit your entire life. But let’s be real—most of the time, it’s half empty. If you’re spending your days at beach clubs, you probably don’t even need to bring a towel.
What you do need is a small, bold beach bag—the kind that looks just as good at a beach party as it does sitting next to you at dinner.
6. The Suit For When You’re Pretending Not To know He’s a Prince
And what if you’re channeling your inner Blair Waldorf—casually passing through a gallery when the Prince of Monaco (currently in his “just a regular guy” era) accidentally bumps into you? Hope you packed a beach look that can handle that kind of plot twist.
Enter: the suspiciously simple swimsuit. Bright, flattering, and with just the right amount of attitude—something that works on a public beach but still says main character energy. The kind you wear when you’ve swapped your Birkin for Birkens, grabbed a hot dog on the go, gotten sand in your hair—and still ended up at the yacht after-party.
Because when a royal is involved (and yes, you definitely didn’t Google him under the towel), your off-duty look needs to hold its own. Who knows—you might end up in the tabloids wearing it.
Oh, and one more thing—this is France. And at the public beach your bikini can be borderline illegal. It’s practically cultural appreciation.
7. The Hat That Owns Both City Streets and Beach Clubs
When I first visited the South of France, my friend—whose parents own a villa there and are regulars—told me that to truly blend into the vibe, I needed a diva hat, something that screams "hiding from paparazzi." He even lent me his mom’s wide-brimmed hat. And let me tell you, I definitely felt like a diva... but honestly, that hat was made more for observing people with a champagne flute in hand than for exploring cities or having fun. Maybe in 20 years, though.
So, in these still-youthful days, I’ve swapped the diva hat for a bucket hat in raffia—it’s glamorous yet laid-back, making it perfect for a city stroll or a day at the beach club. Mine’s from Jacquemus. Nevertheless, I think hats are incredibly personal, so go for whatever suits you best. But here’s a selection of my favorites—maybe one of them will be your perfect match. Who knows?
Enjoyed the read? I’d love to hear from you too. Find me on Instagram @kateblondet—drop me a message, always happy to connect.
