I recently travelled to the south of France for a wedding that turned into a road trip along the Cote D'Azur. I know, hideous!

While making the journey with a toddler had its challenges, I wasn't going to miss the chance to gallivant around Saint-Tropez with a baguette in my basket-bag and some of the world's best boutiques to peruse.VWatch: Leigh Campbell explains the Wrong Shoe Theory. Post continues below.

Did I spend 70 per cent of my vacation entertaining a small person and trying not to resort to the iPad while I shotted my morning espresso? Yes. Did I do much shopping? Not at all, with the dollar at 50 cents to the euro.

Instead, I focused on window shopping and people watching. Turns out those little terrace cafés with the chairs facing out make the perfect vantage point for style-spotting.

While the runways shed light on what we'll be wearing in the future, the European summer holiday period is a chance to preview the trends we'll see on our shores come springtime, and how real women are wearing them.

And if Paris is where the trends start, the South of France is where fashion goes to relax. It's the most effortless of effortless style and I saw my fair share of it!

Here are the five trends worth knowing about.

Studded bags.

Everywhere I looked, cool women were carrying handbags embellished with metal rivets and studs — from large sacks to crossbody styles. French luxury brand Isabel Marant is known for its cult leather bags with silver-stud accents, but options were on the racks at Zara and Mango too.

If you need more evidence, arbiter of good taste Alexa Chung carried hers around on holiday in the Amalfi Coast last month.

Women with studded bags in Nice. Image: Supplied.

Alexa Chung carries a studded suede bag while on holiday in Italy. Image: Instagram/@alexachung

Polka dots.

If you've been following Kylie and Kendall Jenner on their adventures in Saint-Tropez of late, you might've spotted the sister duo wearing black and white polka dot pieces — from Kylie's matching bra and capri pants to Kendall's minidress. Kylie even captioned her outfit post 'A polka dot summer'.

The classic print makes sense for the French Riviera, evoking old-world glamour and I saw plenty of it in the upscale boutiques and consignment shops offering pre-loved designer pieces. It's definitely this season's answer to animal print.

Kylie Jenner in Saint-Tropez. Image: Instagram/@kyliejenner.

Kendall Jenner with Kylie in Saint-Tropez. Image: Instagram/@kyliejenner.

New York influencer Arielle Charnas wears polka dots in Saint-Tropez. Image: Instagram/@ariellecharnas,

The Copenhagen effect.

If last summer was all about channelling Italian glamour (think ocean-inspired prints and coral jewellery), then this year Scandinavia is having its moment — specifically that inimitable Copenhagen street-style vibe.

Chic ladies of every age were wearing oversized cotton separates like blouses, shirting and striped pants and accessorising in eclectic ways. The look seems thrown-together, but is actually quietly considered.

Influencer Jessie Bush in Provence. Image: Instagram/jessiebush

Cotton separates at a market stall in Saint-Tropez. Image: Supplied.

Grece Ghanem wears matching cotton shirting and shorts. Image: Instagram/@greceghanem.

Thongs.

Sandals will always have their place, but minimal thongs are without a doubt the shoe of the summer (even Kylie's a convert!). The most stylish women were teaming barely-there flip-flops with beachwear right through to eveningwear — like low-back halter dresses and slinky satin separates.

A much more practical choice than heels for those cobblestone streets.

In Antibes, a stylish woman dresses down her outfit with white thongs. Image: Supplied.

Sofia Grainge wears thongs while on holiday in the South of France. Image: Instagram/@sofiagrainge.

Hair accessories.

One styling trick I saw often was teaming a simple summer outfit with a statement hair accessory, like an oversized scrunchie, headscarf or ribbon. This might be one of the most accessible ways to tap into French style, and I reckon it's about to be big here.

I bought a handmade green linen scrunchie from a market and I haven't stopped wearing it since.

Wearing my scrunchie and a bandana picked up at a market in Antibes. Image: Supplied.

Influencer Grece Ghanem trawls the markets in Nice. Image: Instagram/@greceghanem

Shop the story.

Call It Spring Sparklina Studded Bag, $119.

Image: Supplied.

Perfect Stranger Polka Wish Maxi Skirt, $100.

Image: Supplied.

NA-KD Pinstriped Tie Detail Denim Shirt, now $109.95.

Image: Supplied.

Rubi Blake Jelly Flip, $20.

Image: Supplied.

NOMAD The Label Jumbo Linen Scrunchie, $9.95.

Image: Supplied.

Poppy Lissiman Butter Bandana Scarf, $35.

Image: Supplied.

Feature image: Supplied; Instagram/@greceghanem.

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