Saint-Tropez has a dress code nobody writes down. It is relaxed but never sloppy, feminine but never fussy, and it changes through the day: a simple look for the morning market, something you can wear over swimwear at the beach, and a little more polish for dinner by the port. The good news is that one small, well-chosen wardrobe covers all of it.
Here is how we dress for a day on the Côte d'Azur, with pieces that pack flat and never need an iron.
Morning: the market and a coffee by the port
Mornings in Saint-Tropez are for wandering: the market on Place des Lices, the narrow streets of the old town, a coffee watching the boats. You want something easy to walk in that still looks put together.
Try a mini skirt with a simple top, such as the Bianca crinkled mini skirt with the Luna smocked crop top. Add flat leather sandals, a straw basket for your market finds and sunglasses, and you are done.
Midday: the beach club
The beach clubs along Pampelonne are where Saint-Tropez style is most relaxed and most considered at the same time. The trick is a piece that goes straight over your swimwear and still looks right at a long lunch table.
A skort is ideal: the Alaia ruffle skort looks like a flirty mini skirt but has shorts underneath, so you can step onto a boat or sit on the sand without thinking about it. Pair it with your bikini top, or with the Giselle flower tube top when lunch is served.
Golden hour: an aperitif in the old town
As the light softens, switch to something with a little more movement. A long ruffle skirt is the easiest way to look dressed up without trying. The Gabriela ruffle wrap skirt ties at the waist and flows to the ankle, and it pairs beautifully with the Elena off-shoulder rosette top for a matching set.
Evening: dinner by the port
Dinner in Saint-Tropez is late and long. A dress takes the guesswork out of it. The Sofia halter ruffle mini dress has an open back and a tiered skirt, and it works with gold jewellery and flat sandals or a low heel for the cobbles. If the evening breeze picks up, throw an undyed kimono over your shoulders.
Saint-Tropez style tips
- Keep the colours soft. Cream, white, blush and sky blue look right against the sea and the pastel facades.
- Choose fabrics that breathe. Summer afternoons are hot, and light cotton keeps you comfortable from lunch to dinner.
- Skip the heels on the cobbles. Flat sandals or espadrilles are what locals wear.
- Pack less. Crinkled cotton never needs ironing, so a few pieces that all match will carry you through a whole stay.
Shop the looks
Find every piece mentioned here in our best sellers, or browse skirts, tops and dresses. For a full packing list, read our guide to what to pack for a Mediterranean holiday.