Summer style begins long before you get dressed. It starts with opening the French doors, cutting flowers from the garden, setting a pretty table just because, and lingering over lunch instead of rushing to the next thing. I adore a beautiful outfit and this embroidered Hunter Bell set paired with my favorite Eric Javits hat feels made for warm afternoons because it reflects the lifestyle I love most. The real luxury isn’t the clothes themselves, but everything that surrounds them….a slower pace, fresh flowers, bare feet on the patio, a crisp glass of white wine, good conversation and Amos and Archie, who insists on joining every gathering. These are the little rituals that make summer feel endlessly chic.

When I think about the season, these are the things I want to remember long after the clothes are tucked away. Summer reminds me to slow down, savor the ordinary, and make room for the little rituals that bring joy.

Here are ten little rituals that make summer feel endlessly chic to me.

Fresh flowers from the garden.

Setting the table beautifully…even for two.

Wearing linen, cotton, and beautiful embroidery that move with the breeze.

A fabulous sun hat that’s equal parts glamour and practicality.

Bare feet on a warm brick terrace.

A chilled glass of crisp Sancerre in the late afternoon.

Dining outdoors whenever the weather allows.

Oversized sunglasses that make every errand feel glamorous.

Unhurried afternoons with nowhere else to be.

Making ordinary moments feel like special occasions.

I knew the moment I slipped into this Hunter Bell set at one of my favorite local boutiques that it was coming home with me. There’s something about the embroidery and silhouette that feels both timeless and unexpected. It makes me dream of wandering through a charming town in Mexico, yet it’s equally at home for an al fresco lunch in the courtyard.

The pull-on pleated pants with their drawstring waist are wonderfully comfortable, while the slightly cropped button-front top gives the look just the right amount of polish. It’s one of those rare outfits that feels effortlessly chic and beautifully elevated, without sacrificing comfort. And the fabulous brimmed hat with white grosgrain ribbon from Eric Javits couldn’t be more perfect with this look, adding both style and practicality for a sunny afternoon outdoors. It’s one of those rare outfits that feels effortlessly chic and beautifully elevated, without sacrificing comfort…a combination I’ll choose every time.

The French have a beautiful phrase, l’art de vivre…the art of living. To me, summer is the perfect season to embrace it. It’s found in lingering over lunch, gathering flowers from the garden, sharing a glass of wine with friends, or simply sitting outside a little longer than planned. These small rituals remind me that true style is never just about what we wear…it’s about how we choose to live. And to me, that’s what will always be the chicest thing of all.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this post as much as I’m enjoying my summer afternoons! I’m off to the farmer’s market now…have a wonderful day!

~XOXO Suzanne