There’s a certain kind of summer style you spot immediately along the promenades of Cannes, the marinas of Antibes, or the sun-drenched steps of Positano. It’s polished but never fussy, elegant without trying too hard, and somehow always perfectly suited to the moment, whether that’s a long lunch by the water or an evening stroll as the sun sets. The good news? You don’t need a yacht or a couture budget to capture that same effortless “high society” summer aesthetic. In this article, we show you how to get high-society style from some of our favorite high-street brands.
First some tips
Below, you’ll find a high-society style capsule for summer – but before we get to that, a few important pointers.
Fabric
It all starts with fabric. This look lives and breathes through natural materials – linen, cotton, silk blends, pieces that move with the body and feel as good as they look. A simple linen dress or tailored trousers instantly elevate your outfit, especially in a palette of soft neutrals, ivory, navy, tan, and crisp white. These tones do much of the work for you, creating a clean, expensive-looking base that always feels very put-together.
Your silhouettes
Silhouettes are equally important, and we focus heavily on them to suit you in our body shapes series. Nothing too tight, nothing too complicated, just beautifully cut pieces that skim the body. Think wide-leg trousers, midi dresses, softly tailored shorts, and relaxed button-down shirts. The secret is in the ease: everything looks considered, but nothing looks overworked. It’s the kind of dressing that suggests you’ve had these pieces forever, even if you’re picking them up this week, ready for your vacation.
Your accessories
Accessories are where you can really channel that Riviera mood. A structured straw or woven bag, oversized sunglasses, and simple leather sandals go a long way. Jewelry stays refined but impactful, with gold tones and sculptural shapes. It’s less about quantity and more about choosing a few things that feel elevated.
Your shoes
Footwear should feel both chic and practical. Sleek sandals, espadrilles, or low block heels strike the right balance, polished enough for lunch, comfortable enough for wandering cobbled streets. Avoid anything too heavy or overly sporty; this is about lightness and refinement.
Don’t try too hard
And perhaps the most important element: restraint. High society summer style isn’t about showing everything at once. It’s about editing. Clean lines, a cohesive color palette, and just one or two standout pieces. The result is a look that feels calm, confident, and quietly luxurious, like you belong exactly where you are, even if it’s just your local café pretending, for a moment, to be the Côte d’Azur.
Where to get the high society look
If you love the high-society look but want to create it on a purse-friendly or mid-range budget, take a look at these options.
Also, don’t forget to check out our earlier articles on Italian style French fashion, classic style, and Eurochic dressing for more inspiration.
High society style
Okay, let’s get to it with a capsule that is perfect for giving your summer vacation that chic, high-society feel.
tops
Start with tops, choosing a color palette that goes together so you can easily create plenty of different outfits during the summer. Neutrals work beautifully, but we’ve also been inspired to add a pop of yellow thanks to Alice + Olivia. Button-down shirts will go with everything from your long pants to shorts, or you can wear them over your bathing suit as a cover-up. Tank tops are a perfect option for keeping cool – you can always pop a little cardigan or jacket over the top.
Alice + Olivia Willa Print Silk Button-Up Shirt – Eileen Fisher Linen Sheen Halter Neck Top – Open Edit Square Neck Sleeveless Linen Blend Top – Alice + Olivia Monique Cowl Neck Camisole
Open Edit Square Neck Sleeveless Linen Blend Top – Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Wide Leg Pant – Sam Edelman Bambi Playa Slide Sandal – SoftWalk Ankle Strap Sandal – Kate Spade New York Halo Woven Mini Bucket Bag – Matr Boomie Chameli Leaf Drop Earrings
jackets
Jackets and cardigans are where that high-society polish really comes into play, adding just the right amount of structure to an otherwise relaxed summer look. Think lightweight blazers thrown over linen or cotton pieces, or softly tailored waistcoats that feel refined without being too formal. Ladylike jackets, especially those with subtle fringe or textured trim, add a touch of elegance that feels distinctly Riviera. It’s all about layering in a way that looks considered yet easy, as though you’ve simply added one perfect piece and everything else fell into place.
Eileen Fisher Heavy Organic Linen Angled Jacket – J.Crew Lenore Taffeta Gingham Lady Blazer – L’AGENCE Sylvia Metallic Blazer – Open Edit The Icon Vest
L’AGENCE Sylvia Metallic Blazer – Alice + Olivia Monique Cowl Neck Camisole – Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Shorts – Sam Edelman Bay Slide Sandal – MANGO Contrast Canvas & Faux Leather Shopper Bag – Alexis Bittar Crumpled Drop Earrings – AllSaints Multilayer Faux Pearl & Chain Bracelet
Pants and shorts
Pants in this look are all about ease with a tailored edge. Linen is the obvious choice, breathable, elegant, and perfectly in tune with warm-weather dressing, especially in wide-leg cuts that move beautifully as you walk. Soft prints can work just as well, adding interest without losing that polished feel, particularly when paired with a simple top. And for more relaxed moments, linen shorts offer the same refined ease, especially when slightly tailored and worn with a crisp shirt, a lightweight knit, or even your blazer. It’s that balance of comfort and quiet sophistication that defines the whole look.
Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Wide Leg Pant – Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Curved Trouser – Alice + Olivia Ojai Print Palazzo Pants – Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Shorts
Eileen Fisher Heavy Organic Linen Angled Jacket – Eileen Fisher Linen Sheen Halter Neck Top – Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Curved Trouser – Sam Edelman Bria Woven Loafer – OLD TREND Iris Large Leather Carryall Tote – Nordstrom Pavé Inside Out Hoop Earrings – Eileen Fisher Hand-Dyed Organic Silk Scarf
Dresses and skirts
A simple linen shift dress is the ultimate go-to, easy to wear during the day and just as easy to elevate with a change of accessories for evening. Button-down dresses add a touch more structure while still feeling relaxed and versatile. Skirts work beautifully too, especially when styled as part of a co-ord with a matching top for that put-together feel. Stripes are a natural fit here too – classic, fresh, and subtly nodding to that coastal, high-society aesthetic.
Modenaire Knit Short Sleeve Midi Dress – Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Easy Dress – J.Crew Patch-pocket Gingham Cotton Madras Midi Skirt – Open Edit Linen Blend Column Maxi Skirt
Modenaire Knit Short Sleeve Midi Dress – Sam Edelman Bambi Playa Slide Sandal – MANGO Contrast Canvas & Faux Leather Shopper Bag – Alexis Bittar Crumpled Drop Earrings – AllSaints Multilayer Faux Pearl & Chain Bracelet
shoes
Shoes in this look are all about understated luxury with comfort built in. Think simple leather slides with that refined, Hermés-inspired feel. Rattan or woven slides add a softer, more textural touch that works perfectly by the coast, while woven loafers are ideal for sightseeing, polished enough for lunch but comfortable enough for a full day on your feet. And for a little height, wedge heels strike the perfect balance, elegant, stable, and easy to wear from day into evening.
Sam Edelman Bay Slide Sandal – Sam Edelman Bambi Playa Slide Sandal – SoftWalk Ankle Strap Sandal – Sam Edelman Bria Woven Loafer
Alice + Olivia Willa Print Silk Button-Up Shirt – Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Shorts – Sam Edelman Bambi Playa Slide Sandal – Kate Spade New York Halo Woven Mini Bucket Bag – Nordstrom Pavé Inside Out Hoop Earrings
accessories
Don’t forget your accessories to really bring your look together and add that final layer of polish. An oversized hat is both practical and chic, offering sun protection while elevating your outfit, paired with classic sunglasses for that effortless, pulled-together feel. A roomy bag is essential for daytime, something that can carry everything you need while still looking refined, while a smaller, more structured bag works perfectly for evening essentials. The key is to keep everything cohesive by matching your accessories to your capsule color palette, so each piece feels like a seamless part of the whole.
OLD TREND Iris Large Leather Carryall Tote – MANGO Contrast Canvas & Faux Leather Shopper Bag – Kate Spade New York Halo Woven Mini Bucket Bag – Matr Boomie Chameli Leaf Drop Earrings – Alexis Bittar Crumpled Drop Earrings – Nordstrom Pavé Inside Out Hoop Earrings – AllSaints Multilayer Faux Pearl & Chain Bracelet – Oliver Peoples x Roger Federer Mr. Federer Cat Eye Sunglasses – Mar Y Sol for Eileen Fisher Raffia Sun Hat – Eileen Fisher Hand-Dyed Organic Silk Scarf
Eileen Fisher Linen Sheen Halter Neck Top – Alice + Olivia Ojai Print Palazzo Pants – Sam Edelman Bay Slide Sandal – Sam Edelman Bambi Playa Slide Sandal – SoftWalk Ankle Strap Sandal – Sam Edelman Bria Woven Loafer – MANGO Contrast Canvas & Faux Leather Shopper Bag – Alexis Bittar Crumpled Drop Earrings – Oliver Peoples x Roger Federer Mr. Federer Cat Eye Sunglasses – Mar Y Sol for Eileen Fisher Raffia Sun Hat
Your high society capsule
Below, you can see your high-society style all in one capsule. Perfect to elevate your vacation wear.
Continue reading:
- Styles we would buy on repeat – and how to wear them
- How to wear bold colors this season
- How to wear texture this spring
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