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Take one look at London-based fashion editor, stylist, and writer Emily Dawes' Instagram (@emilyjdawes), and you'll immediately get a sense of what her closet contains. Her knack for layering and command of mixing classics with seasonal trends is enviable—simultaneously, she makes it all look effortless.
Formerly a fashion editor at You Magazine and currently a freelance editor at Who What Wear UK, Emily is not only confident in her own style, she's also aware of every aspect of fashion—from fit to comfort to versatility, all of which remain paramount for packing and traveling around the world. That said, her line of work has taken her all over the globe—Los Angeles, the Maldives, and exquisitely English towns in the Cotswolds.
Her personal life is just as wanderlust-inducing; pre-pandemic, her travels included frequent stops in New York, weekends in Wales, quick trips to Paris and Amsterdam, and dreamy holidays in Ibiza and Cyprus. One of the places she's returned to again and again, though, is the South of France. In June 2019, Emily married her husband, John, in a picture-perfect French countryside ceremony—with a chateau, wicker baskets for her bridesmaids, and lots of linen. Following the wedding, the newlyweds and spent another two weeks basking in the sun of the country and the seaside. Needless to say, Emily had her French countryside wardrobe planned down to a T...
See what Emily packs for a holiday in France below.
Travel Style Q&A with Emily Dawes
My travel style is…
Classic and relaxed, mostly involving lots of light linen in neutral colors with some cute floral dresses added in for good measure.
My favorite destination
Provence and the Côte d'Azur. You just can’t beat the Mediterranean sunshine, exploring old town streets and visiting the market for croissants in the mornings, then stopping for fresh seafood and local rosé by the bright blue sea in the afternoon.
My dream trip
It would have to be a stay at Les Roches Rouges, which is my happy place, including a quick boat trip over to the Île Sainte-Marguerite for lunch at La Guérite. I’d end with a road trip through Provence, stopping off at the local vineyards and quaint little countryside towns like Cotignac. It’s heaven.
I can't go anywhere without…
A basket bag! One that is big enough to throw everything in for carry-on luggage, but also works perfectly for anything from beach days to market shopping when you get there. And of course, my sunscreen.
My tried-and-true travel outfit
If it’s short-haul, I’ll wear my comfiest pair of jeans from Arket or RE/DONE, a simple t-shirt and probably a versatile light jacket like this one from Everlane that works with most of my outfits when I’m there too. Then I’ll tie a thin cashmere jumper over my shoulders in case it gets chilly on the plane. If it’s long-haul I’ll switch the jeans out for my favorite joggers or Lululemon leggings.
My go-to travel bag
I always have an Away case in tow— the Bigger Carry-On or canvas Weekender for short trips and my Large suitcase for longer stays. They just fit so much in and are very hard-wearing!
My favorite shoes to travel in
Probably my Birkenstocks or Gucci loafers. Something you can slip on and off easily if needed but still super comfy. Plus, they both look great with jeans or joggers, depending on your travel style.
Favorite brands for travel-friendly clothing
Silk dresses like those from Réalisation Par are perfect for packing; they roll up so small and hardly crease. Plus, they work for both day and night. For elevated basics like tanks, t-shirts and linen pieces, I love Everlane and Arket. And you can’t beat Faithfull the Brand for effortless travel style that’s always on point.
What to Pack for Spring or Summer in the French Countryside
Floral Dresses
Nothing says French countryside better than a floaty floral dress. Comfy enough for exploring but dressy enough for lunch in the local town square.
The sun is strong anywhere away from the coast, even in spring, so a good sun hat will protect you all day—and look cute.
Basket Bag
For all your essentials, and those baguettes you picked up from la boulangerie.
Sunglasses
To finish off your look and add that certain french girl ‘je ne sais quoi’
Cute Sandals
A simple pair of leather sandals will complement all of your outfits, day or night, so you can minimize your packing load.
Linen Tops and Blouses
Light and breezy but perfect if you want to keep a bit more covered up.
Light Denim
Take one or two pairs of light-colored jeans or even a pair of denim shorts that you can wear with your linen tops on rotation.
Light Sweater
It’ll get chillier in the evenings and it can sometimes be breezy, so throw a thin knit over your shoulders in case you need to keep you warm.
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