What to Wear in Nice in Summer

From my obsession with dressing and looking like Brigitte Bardot as a teen to my everlasting love of French style, there’s just something so effortlessly chic about the French Riviera and it’s a destination I have always been drawn to. For my own visit, Nice seemed the perfect place to stay. Not as expensive as its more famous counterparts, it was a stunning location to have as a base before exploring other parts of the coast.

Safe to say, I was beyond excited to plan my French Riviera-worthy outfits so join me as I walk you through my top choices of what to wear in Nice in the summer.

The Colour Palette

As you know, I’m all about a colour scheme, so for a trip to the Côte d’Azur, blues and whites were the only answer. It’s such a classic combination to go for if you’re stuck for ideas of how to look French Riviera-ready. Think elevated basics: lightweight linens, crisp whites, and fresh stripes. For accompanying tones, I was crushing over splashes of ochre and tan, weaving in wooden accessories for an overall put-together aesthetic.

The best thing about opting for a timeless palette is that the pieces you choose to invest in for your trip look just as classic year after year.

For Days Exploring Nice

Linen Top & Striped Midi Skirt

There’s nothing worse than being in such a sophisticated location as the French Riviera when it’s 800 degrees outside and you just want to look your very best but humid hair, sweaty skin, and ever-expanding thighs are saying otherwise. Did I make it sound like I’m speaking from personal experience? Good, because I am. 

As a fashion-obsessed girlie, I envy those Instagram-perfect shots of influencers looking impeccable in perfectly put-together outfits under the burning sun. In reality, sometimes all I can stand to wear is loose shorts and a t-shirt over a bikini with no makeup and my hair on top of my head. And whilst that’s perfectly acceptable in some locations, when it comes to the Côte d’Azur, it simply won’t do.

Enter linen and midi skirts: your Nice best friends. Linen is a fantastic lightweight material that always looks effortlessly sophisticated and doesn’t cling, no matter how warm it gets, and midi skirts, particularly the floaty A-line kind, look the part while providing freedom for your legs.

Top tip: suffer from uncomfortable thigh rubbing? Pack a pair of anti-chafe shorts to eliminate any chafing so you can go about your day wearing any skirt or dress you like in comfort!

For Days at the Beach

The Swimwear

Despite having a near-death experience on the pebbly beach of Nice (I wish I was joking – it’s safe to say for the remainder of my trip, I stuck to sun loungers), I ensured my swimwear remained perfect even if my dignity did not. A day spent at a French Riviera beach was the perfect excuse for me to wear my lemon-adorned bikinis – and trust me, there are many – because when in Rome and all that. When life gives you lemons, head to the South of France and wear them on your swimwear, flip flops, and floppy hat is what I say!

For Evenings in Nice

The Floaty Dress

Now as the sun begins to set but the heat seems to soar, what do you wear for an evening in Nice? As they are during the day, floaty dresses and skirts take you through to evenings in Nice. Keeping you cool yet chic, they’re the perfect pieces for the evening, especially in the hot months of July and August. 

This dress was actually an amazing find on a Spanish market. Markets are the perfect way to find hidden gems especially if, like me, you love to find original pieces that you know no one else will be wearing when you get home. As much as I love my high-street favourites, there’s nothing more frustrating than going out and seeing someone wearing your exact Zara blazer at the exact same time as you.

As mentioned earlier, elevating your Nice colour palette beyond the classic blues and whites is super easy. Clean, rich colours such as ochre and tan bring an extra element to your looks, particularly for an evening filled with escargots, nighttime wandering, and sunset spritzes.

My chosen accessories were very similar to those in my The Little White Dress post, however, this time I opted for this stunning wooden slatted bag from Zara. The wooden accents complimented the ochre tones so well and really added to that overall polished Riviera feel – it’s giving luxe Yacht fashion. 

The Striped Jumpsuit

Another failsafe hot summer’s evening fit is a linen jumpsuit. With its lightweight material and chafe-avoidance properties, it’s a fantastic option for an evening spent discovering the endless streets of Nice and hopping from bar to bar. Once again, you’ll notice the wooden accents integrated throughout my look. From that Zara bag to wooden platform heels, these interspersions of wood feel like the final touch to achieving the old-money aesthetic.

Outfits for a Summer in the South of France

Although it may seem impossible to exude the effortless sophistication of French Riviera fashion with just a small carry-on or the prospect of 30-degree heat, I hope this guide to what to wear in Nice in summer has proven that it really isn’t all too hard. What it all boils down to is investing in simple pieces in classic tones that look just as good on the Côte d’Azur as they do during summers spent at home.

Take a look at my other guides for more holiday outfit inspiration.

Check out my daily looks and shop my outfits!