Holiday Dress for France next week

[Awittyfool]

Off to France for half term. Down south so it will be warmer but not hot. Think it might rain too. We’re near a beach so it’s a relaxed vibe rather than city break.
All the dresses that fit me are sensible teacher ones that require nice thick tights or white thin beach dresses for hot summer sun.

What style would work well for this time of year please? I’m a fat 14, straight up and down and 5ft 4.

I am going to the shops first thing tomorrow ( also run out of deodorant.contact lens fluid and my only black bra has the wire sticking out tonight).Grrr.

I was in Cyprus in July and Mostly wore this of an evening when it was around 20 degrees. I never froze or got too hot wearing it

https://sorelleuk.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/angelica-disc-dress-rose-gold

Are you thinking day or evening wear OP? Generally this time of year it can be quite warm in the day time but quite chilly in the evening .

Thanks @Supportyourlocal ! I love it but thinking more day or day to night. Its very casual there - no clubs.

I literally can't think of a style. Maybe I'll just have to do all separates.

Would something like this work?

Emerson dress

I bought it recently and like that you can dress it up or down.

Think the key will be layers if you go for dresses (e.g. always put a cardigan and lightweight scarf in your bag for the colder evenings). If you really feel the cold, add leggings to that list (like this if wearing a maxi dress).

When in France, one can't go far wrong channeling ones inner Chanel...

Think like a French woman. A nice black dress that can be dressed up or down. Lightweight cardigans/jumpers, Bretton stripes, white t-shirt, big hats, shades. A capsule wardrobe is your holiday friend.

That Emerson dress is gorgeous!!!

@stardust777 yes that’s not bad actually. I like the pleating round the top. Looks a bit different without being too much. Thank you.

@Seaside3 Agree. It’s just such an odd time of year. Its very much Autumn over there but just that bit warmer and sunnier. My legs have pretty much lost their tan too.

Thanks I will rummage in tk Maxx tomorrow.

You're welcome. I managed to get an additional discount when I bought it (I signed up as a new customer) so might be worth checking if there are any deals/promo codes about if you buy it.

I'm in Bordeaux. It's raining cats and dogs this week and it's suddenly definitely autumn. Bring layers. People are in trousers and jeans - too cool for bare legs, not cold enough for tights, although teenagers are wearing both. if you're on the atlantic coast, don't forget windbreakers

Even very far down the south in France this week looks like 16/17 degrees at most in the evening so I think you will be better off with jeans, sandals and a nice top or perhaps a long skirt and t shirt with a light cardigan/jacket.

As most are saying layers are the key. I only lurk on style threads to get ideas so not going to suggest clothes in particular. Not sure where you are going but at the moment around Bandol area it is very changeable.
Some rain, cold in the mornings and evenings but often lovely in the day ( think 20 degrees around). I was at the coast yesterday and lucky to have layers so down to a t shirt and regretted forgetting my sunglasses. Evenings will be colder and restaurants now don’t have outside heating so make sure something warm for the evenings and you maybe able to eat outside.

Emerson dress above lovely but as said with a cardigan etc. And maybe jeans and layers as Gin suggests. Sandals should be ok with some kind of shoe/trainer as well. My friends were shocked I was wearing sandals the other day but that was a bit inland and my feet are never cold.
have a lovely time.

I’m in France now (La Rochelle SW). It’s chilly in evenings, and raining today. Yesterday was lovely sunshine. Think nice early autumn in UK rather than summer.

Is it?

It's bloody freezing and hammering it down today.

Nobody is going to care what you wear, we all just wear normal clothes here. I've got a jumper and heavy socks on today.

She cares. That's why she started a thread. She didn't ask for dresses to impress you or anyone else is the south of france. Her request was specifically considering weather-

What style would work well for this time of year please?

Nobody is going to care what you wear, we all just wear normal clothes here.
@AlisonDonut

The OP is travelling to the south of France from the UK with her clothes in a suitcase - so she wants to make sure that her 'normal clothes' are suitable for the climate when she gets there . It can be difficult to plan at this time of year when you expect it to be warmer than in the UK but not as warm as if you travelled in the summer . I can recall being in northern Italy many years ago (before we all had 'weather apps') and expecting to wear a light cardigan on top of my summer dress . Completely unprepared for how cold it would be early morning and in the evening . Hence it's a good idea to ask the question.

Really what is the point of replying like
this other than some sort of superiority complex?

This is OP’s holiday wardrobe, and we’re on the S&B board. Maybe it’s not the right place for you if you have nothing useful to
say.

Well, if the OP brings loads of floaty shite then she's going to be freezing her arse off.

This thread appears in Active, and I saw someone potentially freezing their arse off. I can tell you honestly, it is thick jumpers and fluffy socks weather here.

Here, in the south of France. Where the OP is potentially going to freeze her arse off next week.

Yes, the weather is shite.

That's my point.

stop being obtuse

Nobody is going to care what you wear, we all just wear normal clothes here.

what does that have to do with the weather? rude and unhelpful

I'm in Northern Spain. The east coast is still quite warm You might need a Cardi or jacket at night but beware it can change at any moment so be prepared

Actually I agree with @AlisonDonut - it's bloody wet and the forecast in SW France is dreadful. Anything floaty or swishy just isn't going to cut it. Layers, trousers, socks...

If you're going to the Med coast, same advice applies but higher daytime temperatures.

How about some culottes with a few different tops and a nice jacket?

@Awittyfool what do you call ‘down south’?

Are we talking round the Med, Marseille/nice area, the SW towards Bordeaux or rather still the Med but towards Spain?

The weather will be massively different in all of those areas and therefore how you’ll dress too.

Fwiw I think @AlisonDonut has a point.

Some areas in the ‘South of France’ ARE cold.
Marseille is around 20oC next week but with some rain and some wind. The ‘locals’ will be wearing hats and jumpers.
The OP might prefer something lighter but it is something to consider.

I'm right by the sea in the South of France. The weather is awful at the moment, with high winds, rain, and storms. Schools were shut down in the entire region last Friday due to severe weather warnings. I assure you, nobody is wearing thin white beach dresses.

I would recommend a pair of thin but dark-colored trousers, jeans, one thin & 1 thicker jacket, a couple of shirts and a shawl that goes with them.