Outfit Diary: Paris & Provence
Including my detailed itinerary plus things I bought and loved.
This outfit diary is super overdue — life totally hijacked me the moment I got back from my trip. But honestly? The timing couldn’t be more perfect because I’ve been dying to relive every magical moment from France. I love recapping trips a few weeks later because you get to experience all those beautiful details again. It was one of those last-minute jaunts (as in ~3 weeks of planning) that just clicked into place beautifully — the perfect mix of thoughtful planning and “let’s see where this takes us” energy.
Packing for fickle spring weather and two different destination vibes proved to be an unexpectedly fun, creative challenge. Personal style really is like a muscle that needs regular workouts. Mine was basically in hibernation and desperately needed some serious training.
Separately, this past weekend was absolutely heartbreaking. Because of a donation/dry cleaning mix-up (ugh, still can’t believe it happened), I lost some of my most treasured, most-loved wardrobe staples. I wore so many of them on this trip, completely oblivious that it would be our final adventures together :(
So yeah, this whole recap has become something more. Like a love letter to those beautiful pieces that brought me so much joy. I really hope they find someone who’ll appreciate them just as much as I did.
Paris, day 1
LouLou de Saison leather car coat (pre-loved via Poshmark), Chava twill shirt similar, Khaite Abigail jeans, The Row loafers, Vintage Bottega hobo (via TRR), Matteau silk pareo worn as a scarf, Saint Laurent sunglasses
The odds worked in my favor, and I scored an early check-in at my hotel. There really is no better feeling than a hot shower after a transatlantic flight.
No sleep? No problem. I threw on my foolproof outfit formula — an oversized button-up, jeans, leather loafers (the 10K+ steps approved type), a great jacket, and some interesting accessories. Out the door in record time, racing against the jet lag that was slowly creeping in.
Little did I know this would be the last time I’d get to wear that perfect Chava oversized shirt — a heartbreaking casualty of the donation mishap.
The day’s adventure: Walked from my hotel straight to the Tuileries and spent a few blissful hours at my absolute favorite, Musee de L’Orangerie. Meandered through the 1st arrondissement and somehow ended up at The Row (lol). Honestly though, I was way more captivated by the art inside the store than the actual clothes (for the record, the clothes are stunning). Got gently scolded for snapping a pic, but it was worth it.
After my visit to the mothership, I made my way to the 6th to check out the Dries Van Noten store at Quai Malaquais. Closed, naturally — it was Easter Monday, and apparently lots of shops take Mondays off too.
Buly was right around the corner, complete with a line snaking down the street. Ugh, thanks TikTok. Things were moving along great until it started raining. Of course I didn’t have an umbrella, so I improvised with my trusty Matteau silk pareo as makeshift coverage. I finally got in and walked away with a gorgeous Mexican Tuberose soap and a monogrammed lip balm that made the wait totally worth it.
Afterward, I settled into a nearby bistro with a glass of Sancerre. Perfect for people-watching while I waited for Relais de L’Entrecôte to open for dinner. It rained again while I waited in line, but I didn’t lose my cool (despite running on zero sleep). I told myself, the rain is part of that Parisian charm.
It’s probably the most touristy thing you could possibly do for dinner in Paris, but I absolutely love it and try to go on every trip. After an elite meal of walnut salad drowning in that delicious mustard-y horseradish dressing that completely clears your sinuses, perfectly-cooked steak with the famous sauce, the crispiest fries, and a glass of red, I made my way back to my hotel. Completely crashed.
Paris, day 2
Mango trench coat, Khaite cashmere tee, Levi’s 501 90’s jean, Le Monde Beryl ballet flats, Ayllon Casati necklace, Dehanche belt, Vintage Bottega hobo (via TRR), Saint Laurent sunglasses, Agmes earrings, Dorsey bracelet
I love a monochromatic white look for spring. My Le Monde Beryl flats were surprisingly comfortable for walking around the city — it doesn’t have much support though, but I survived almost a full day of walking. My jeans needed a steam, but honestly, who has time for that?
First stop was Pharmacie du Forum Des Halles to stock up on French skincare essentials (my honest review on what’s worth in my next letter!) I made my way to the 10th, grabbed a pain au chocolat at Mamiche and waited for Thanx God I’m a VIP, an iconic vintage store to open. I picked up a vintage scarf that I ended up wearing almost every day for the rest of the trip.
Didn’t snap a pic but I changed into my other Chava shirt after dropping off my pharmacy haul at hotel. RIP :(
Walked over to Chez Janou for a late lunch where I had linguine with escargot and their famous chocolate mousse (it’s worth the hype). Spent some time dilly-dallying around Place des Vosges before heading back to the 6th to check out Marie-Hélène de Taillac for the coolest 22K gold jewelry (all handmade by artisans in India), Astier de Villatte for home goods and perfume, and finally made it to Dries where I snagged a pair of THE sneakers (last one in my size!) Crossed the Seine, walked past the Louvre, made a quick pitstop at La Bonne Brosse and picked up this beauty, then headed back to the hotel.
Pro shopping tip: take advantage of the VAT refund as a tourist. Purchases over 100 Euro qualify — bring your passport when you shop and ask for a form. It was quick and easy filing the forms at the airport (they have kiosks), but give yourself plenty of time just in case. I got my refund a few days later (I chose credit back to my card vs cash).
Paris, day 3
Mango trench coat, J.Crew cashmere v-neck sweater, Leset Margo tee, Khaite Abigail jeans, The Row loafers, Dehanche belt, Vintage Bottega hobo (via TRR), The Row Sidney sunglasses, Vintage silk scarf from Thanx God I’m a VIP
And on the third day, she started wearing silk scarves (lol). Of course, I immediately wore my new old silk scarf — it was the perfect personality piece to add to my neutral city outfits. Rain was on the forecast, so I borrowed an umbrella from my hotel this time around. Finally learning from my mistakes!
This was hands down the best day in the city because I got to hang with
and the whole day! We met up at Rue de Nil and chatted over coffee and croissants. Then we made our way to the Louise Carmen boutique in Passage du Grand Cerf, a gorgeous historic passage dating back to 1825. Sarah and Ofelia waited patiently as I customized my dream leather journal.We meandered through the Marais and popped into a few shops — Lou Lou de Saison was divine. Grabbed lunch at Marché des Enfants Rouges, then espresso and cookies at Merci.
Headed back to the hotel where I took a much-needed nap. For my last night in Paris, I decided to see the Eiffel Tower at night from Bir-Hakeim bridge (hot tip thanks to
), then ended with late dinner at Le Petit Marché (another fave I try to hit up). The perfect way to close out my time in the city.
Travel day: Paris to Provence
Mango trench coat, Donni cardigan, J.Crew satin pants, Dries Van Noten sneakers, Longchamp duffle bag (it’s been my travel buddy for 10+ years), P.S. I don’t love Away luggage, tbh (something always breaks immediately like zippers, buttons, etc.)
My go-to travel uniform: silky elastic pants, sneakers, and a sweater layered over a tee. I feel comfortable and presentable at the same time — the perfect balance for long travel days.
Met up with my partner at Gare de Lyon (he was working in London while I was in Paris) and we hopped on an easy and scenic high-speed train to Aix-en-Provence. It was under 4 hours! I absolutely love taking TGV — stands for Train à Grande Vitesse, and I can’t help but say teh jeh veh teh jeh veh teh jeh veh in my head every time.
Pro tip: You can rent a car right at the Aix TGV station, which is absolutely essential if you want to explore the Provence region properly. Highly recommend! The French are incredibly respectful drivers — it was so easy to navigate the region by car without any stress.
Provence, night 1
Yaitte button-up shirt, J. Crew satin pants, A.Emery leather flip flops, Ayllon leather pouch
We stayed put at our hotel for the evening after a long travel day. Jet lag hit me like a brick wall — I went down hard as soon as we got settled in the room. I woke up refreshed, and ready to explore the property just in time for happy hour. I wanted to stay in the comfy and polished lane, so I threw on an easy striped shirt, satin pants, and leather flops. This Ayllon leather pouch assumed the role of miss personality for the evening.
This hotel is so beautiful in real life that AI could never replicate it (I hope…) At one point during our stay, we realized it felt more like we were staying at someone’s private chateau than an actual hotel. The charm was just unreal. If you ever find yourself in Provence, you absolutely must experience Le Pigonnet — it’s magical.
Provence, day 1
Mango trench coat, Zara slip dress RIP :( , Dries Van Noten sneakers, Eliou bag charm, Dorsey necklace (gifted), Dorsey earrings (gifted), basket from Cape Cod
I’ve been wearing this Zara slip dress for about five years now — it’s one of those pieces that just makes me feel amazing every single time. I’ve worn it to dinners, lunches, work, happy hour, you name it. I’m glad I got to wear it to this gorgeous lunch in Provence for what turned out to be the last time. At least it went out on a high note.
Booking a long lunch at La Bastide de Marie on our first day in Provence was the best move, thanks to a solid rec from a Love List reader. If you’re looking to treat yourself to a very nice meal while in the region, this would be my number one pick every single time. After lunch, you must walk through the property to see the vineyards and wine cave. I’d gladly fly back to France tomorrow for another meal at this place.
After lunch, we drove to the village of Ménerbes. It looks like something straight out of a classic fairy tale — total Beauty and the Beast vibes. The charm is on another level.
Made our way to Abbaye de Sénanque afterward, which was pretty cool (the gift shop is surprisingly good). Then we explored Gordes, another charming village with a castle and absolutely unreal cliff views. Every turn felt like a postcard.
Provence, day 2
Doen dress, Dries Van Noten sneakers, basket from Aix market, Eliou bag charm
This is one of my favorite Doen dresses of all time. I wore it non-stop for two summers in a row and was so looking forward to bringing it back this season. :(
I learned on this trip that one of the best ways to explore a new city on foot is through a food tour — especially in a place like Aix. There are so many markets to discover, and it was incredibly helpful to have a local guide us through it all. There’s the vintage flea market right on Cours Mirabeau, cheese, meat and flower stands scattered throughout various plazas, and food vendors galore. We spent the morning walking and munching our way through Aix without once looking at Google Maps. It was the best!
Pro tip: Market days in Aix are Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. If you want to hit up other villages for their markets, plan accordingly! Gordes is Tuesdays, Saint-Rémy is Wednesdays, Ménerbes is Thursdays. They typically run from 8am-1pm.
Madewell cardigan, Doen lace cami, J.Crew satin pants, A.Emery leather flip flops, Ayllon leather pouch
This is the look for a delicious dinner at Il Était Une Fois right in the heart of Aix. I really leaned into scarves on this trip, and I’m not mad about it at all. I love pieces that can be repurposed into so many different things — like my old Matteau silk pareo. It gave my look a splash of modern boho.
Provence, day 3
Mango trench, Jenni Kayne cardigan, Donni rib tank, Frame jetset capri, A.Emery leather flip flops, basket bag from Aix market, Eliou bag charm
This was the vibe for a day trip to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. It was a cool, drizzly morning so I layered a cardi over my tank but took it off as soon as the sun came out. I’m already planning to recreate this outfit for summer with a Flore Flore tank, an elevated pair of capris, a cool necklace, and my trench (because I live in SF and layers are everything).
Our first stop was the historic Saint-Paul-de-Mausole, the monastery/asylum where Van Gogh painted some of his most iconic work. It was mind-blowing to see the specific spots on the property that inspired his paintings — the mountains, olive trees, fields, and yes, Starry Night (no big deal). If you’re an art history nerd, it’s absolutely worth experiencing in person.
A word of caution though: the asylum itself gives off major creepy vibes (it’s old AF), and some of the displayed medieval facilities and techniques that were used to “treat” mentally ill patients are pretty disturbing. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
The charm of Saint-Rémy is next level though. It’s definitely my favorite out of all the Provençal villages we explored. The perfectly-paved streets, idyllic storefronts, and that timeless beauty everywhere you look — it felt like stepping into a dream.
Mango trench, J.Crew cashmere v-neck sweater, Leset Margo tee, AGOLDE jeans (similar wash), Dehanche belt, Le Monde Beryl ballet flats, The Row 90’s bag, vintage silk scarf
An easy look for dinner featuring a silk scarf and a trench! I obviously wore both pieces non-stop on my trip but never got sick of them. When something works this well, why mess with it?
Provence, day 4
Toteme dress (skirt version), Le Monde Beryl ballet flats, Jenni Kayne cardigan, Juju Vera necklace, Clare V bag
We took a day trip to the coast on our last full day in the South of France. The weather was perfect for my favorite silk maxi and a light layer.
Hot tip: the drive from Aix to Cassis, a fishing port town just on the edge of the Côte d’Azur, is a whopping 30 minutes. Cassis is known for its stunning pebbled beaches and dramatic calanques (those gorgeous limestone cliffs) — it’s so worth the quick drive!
We stumbled upon Plage du Bestouan, a beach close to the town center that was absolutely stunning. There’s an exceptional panoramic view of Cap Canaille from the beach. I can’t imagine how the beaches further into the calanques could be any more beautiful — though fair warning, hiking is required to reach those! The village of Cassis is pretty charming too, and the restaurants are known for exceptional seafood, Provençal style.
By Malene Birger top (similar top in linen), J.Crew satin pants, A.Emery leather flip flops, Juju Vera earrings, Vintage minaudiere (via Gimi Rarity)
We ventured back to Aix for our final dinner on the property. But first, we strolled through and wandered in the gardens, soaking in every last bit of beauty and charm we could. I wanted to dress up for our last night and had been dying to wear this By Malene Birger top I scored on Bessette. My Juju earrings and vintage minaudière added just the right touch of glam and personality — loved how it all came together.
Provence, Day 5 and travel day to Paris
T-shirt from a cafe in Saint-Rémy, Levi’s 501 90’s jean, Le Monde Beryl ballet flats, Dehanche belt, vintage silk scarf
We had the morning to kill before our afternoon train back to Paris, so we paid our final visit to the Aix markets. I scored a unique vintage Guerlain perfume decanter for 30 euros, and turquoise and carnelian beads for 8 euros each. Not bad at all — the perfect little treasures to remember the trip by.
I made a quick pitstop at Longchamp to buy one of their iconic foldable travel bags because I ran out of luggage space (don’t ask me for packing advice) — definitely didn’t want to deal with those overweight fees! And because I had a serious case of scarf fever, I picked up a silk twilly in a limited edition print to wear as another memento. I was also planning to wear it as a headband this summer. Sadly, it was also a donation casualty.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for coming along on this recap! Our time in Provence was so special — I now consider it one of the places I’d happily come back to every year without getting sick of it. If you’re going this summer, let me know if you end up trying any of my recs. xx
Until next time!
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Angela, my heart hurts for your lost pieces. I'm manifesting that they somehow make their way back to you. Your trip (and outfits) looked incredible and I love that you had a special day out with Ofelia and Sarah.
Loveeeee all of these outfits and this play by play is giving me serious France envy!! So very sorry about your clothing mix up. I can only imagine how devastating! There could be no better last hoorah for these chic pieces than France!