the look for less: st. tropez style.

When I received this image in an email from Style.com, I couldn’t help but slightly obsess over this woman’s perfectly chic understated elegance. Her name is Agnès, and she is a French TV presenter.

And guess where she is, pretties?

That’s right – our favorite dream vacay spot – St. Tropez.

So naturally, I thought this was a perfect follow-up to last week’s Fantasy Friday. Because let’s face it – most of us aren’t in any position to be purchasing any pieces from that collection of perfection by the great Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton. Yes, this particular outfit is absolutely toned down from last week’s stunners, but that’s exactly what I love about it. I am a huge proponent of neutrals, and I think wearing them together instantly makes you look put together and gives even a casual ensemble like this a hit of glamour.

It’s also a perfect palette on which to add all of those super-bright nail polishes and lipsticks of summer. I would love to give this look a dose of coral lipstick (read about my favorite one *ever* purchased during my last trip drugstoring). And just imagine the shoe potential here…

Now, Mademoiselle Agnès’ look is definitely upwards of $2,000 – while our Look for Less comes in at under $300. The leather shorts were the only semi-pricey item – and that’s because they’re real leather. Believe me, $198 for leather shorts is still a hefty discount – most of them started at around $500. I’m dying for a pair, but I’ll likely have to leave my online-shopping comfort zone to do it – they look like an item that requires a try-on.

{white ruffled blouse}   /   Shown: Arden B $44   /   More: Banana Republic $69, LOFT $44

{black leather shorts}   /   Shown: Kitson $198   /   More: ASOS $93

{straw tote with neutral detailing}   Shown: Newport News $24   /  More:  Endless $57, Kitson $98

{aviators}   Shown: ASOS $16   /   More: Marc by Marc Jacobs $98, Endless $70