Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and The Velvet Edit August 2026: The Art of Slowing Down
If July is about settling into summer, August is about surrendering to it. Across much of France, life slows to a different rhythm. Schools remain closed, factories shut down for the entire month, local businesses hang handwritten notices on their doors, neighbours disappear for weeks at a time, and Paris quietly hands itself over to visitors while many Parisians head for the coast, the countryside, or simply somewhere a little slower.
August has its own rhythm. A slower, softer pace that invites us to embrace an unhurried summer — one built around simple pleasures, long lunches, and the freedom to do a little less.
It is one of the reasons I have always loved life in France. Every August, the country quietly reminds us that rest is not a reward for being busy, but an essential part of living well. August is not seen as a month to fill, but a month to enjoy: to pause, to breathe, to spend long afternoons with family and friends, linger over meals that stretch into the evening, and remember that sometimes doing less allows us to appreciate far more.
This month’s theme is simply: The Art of Slowing Down.
The Art of Slowing Down
Not a season of constant activity or endless checklists, but a gentle reminder that rest is not something we have to earn. Sometimes it is simply part of living well.
In keeping with that tradition, The Velvet Runway will also be slowing down this month. There are just a few new stories to share, alongside some favourite guides from the archives, before I take a short August break and return a little later in September.
The Velvet Edit August 2026: The Art of Slowing Down
1. The Lifestyle Edit: The Art of the August Holiday
Every summer, France embraces one of its oldest traditions: taking August off.
This month’s feature explores why that tradition still matters today, how it has shaped French culture, and what it can teach us about creating more space for rest, family, and everyday pleasures.
Along the way, we’ll also explore Where the French Really Go on Holiday — a quieter side of France shaped by atmosphere, local traditions, and quieter summer escapes, and why slowing down is often the greatest luxury of all.
If you’d like to explore this way of living further, you may enjoy The Art of French Living, along with my Wellness & Intentional Living Guides, where I share more inspiration drawn from lifestyle, travel, and everyday elegance in France.
2. The Style Edit: Effortless French Summer Style
August isn’t the month for reinventing your wardrobe. As summer settles into its gentlest rhythm, getting dressed should feel just as easy.
It’s about returning to the timeless pieces that make summer dressing feel effortless—linen, natural fibres, comfortable sandals, and those simple combinations that never seem to date.
This month’s Style Edit explores five timeless outfit formulas inspired by the effortless approach of French women. Built around versatile wardrobe staples and worn on repeat, these combinations remove decision fatigue and leave more time to enjoy the simple pleasures of August.
If you’re travelling this month, or simply enjoying slower days closer to home, you can also find inspiration in the French Summer Capsule Wardrobe, and the French Riviera Style edit.
Because slowing down isn’t only about how we spend our days. Sometimes it begins with making getting dressed beautifully uncomplicated.
If you’d like to explore French Style further, you may also enjoy my French Style Secrets, where I share more inspiration drawn from French lifestyle, travel, and everyday elegance.
3. The Velvet Beauty Edit August 2026: Minimal Summer Skincare
Summer beauty becomes even simpler in August.
Light textures, healthy skin, minimal makeup, and trusted French pharmacy favourites often feel far more appealing than complicated routines.
This month I’m revisiting some of my favourite summer beauty guides, including minimal skincare, glowing summer skin, effortless makeup, and the French pharmacy products that have become everyday staples for so many French women. We are also sharing some of the best French pharmacy sunscreens, grouped according to what you might actually be looking for — whether that’s an everyday SPF, shine control, a lightweight texture, a little extra skincare, or something that works beautifully under makeup.
Because often the best summer beauty rituals are the ones we can actually maintain with ease.
If you are interested in discovering more about French Pharmacy products and beauty routines you might also enjoy our French Pharmacy Guide.and our guide to Clean and Conscious Beauty.
4. The Paris Edit: Paris in August
August transforms Paris in unexpected ways.
Some neighbourhoods become wonderfully peaceful, favourite cafés close for their annual holidays, and the city feels both quieter and more relaxed than at almost any other time of year.
This month I’ll be sharing A Local’s Guide to Paris in August alongside more inspiration from In and Around Paris.
If you’re interested in learning more about The City of Light, you can discover more areas of the city in my Paris guides.
5. The French Gastronomy Edit
No French summer feels complete without simple food enjoyed well.
This month’s French Food Letter explores the letter J, celebrating classics such as the humble jambon-beurre (nothing says August quite like a jambon-beurre eaten on a bench somewhere) and the regional stories that continue our journey through French gastronomy.
Because understanding France often begins around the table.
If you’re interested in discovering more about French food culture you might also enjoy our guide to French food and way of life.
6. The August Edit
This month’s edit is intentionally small. Just a handful of carefully chosen pieces inspired by slower mornings, lighter packing, and the quiet elegance of summer lived simply.
A slow morning coffee, effortless summer dressing, a favourite basket for market days, a notebook for holiday memories, a fragrance that captures the season, and a candle to bring that feeling home.
Because the art of French summer living is not about having more—it is about choosing a few beautiful things that make everyday moments feel special.
- a beautiful coffee cup for slow mornings
- an effortless summer dress
- a timeless basket for market days and beach walks
- a notebook for capturing holiday memories
- a fragrance inspired by summer gardens, citrus or the Mediterranean
- a candle to recreate the feeling of long summer evenings at home
Final Thoughts on
The Velvet Edit August 2026: The Art of Slowing Down
Perhaps the greatest lesson August offers is that life doesn’t always have to move at full speed. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are the quietest ones.
- a long lunch with friends
- reading a favourite book in the shade
- an evening walk to round off the day.
- another swim,
- a relaxed evening apéritif, or
- one more conversation around the dinner table.
So wherever this month finds you, I hope it offers a little space to slow down and enjoy the season exactly as it is.
I’ll be taking a short summer break too, starting in mid-August and returning later in September as we gently begin the transition towards autumn—not with urgency, but with the same slower rhythm that August leaves behind.
Until then, I wish you a beautiful end to the summer.
You can also explore previous editions of The Velvet Edit here, where I share seasonal inspiration for style, beauty, travel, wellness, and slower living throughout the year.
Enjoyed This Month’s Edit?
Continue Exploring with The Velvet Guide to France
Subscribe to The Velvet Guide to France — a monthly collection exploring France through its destinations, food and the pleasures of travelling well.
Each issue brings together French Travel Gems, French Food, a featured destination and a featured recipe, beautifully designed to be enjoyed at your leisure and kept as part of the collection.
A note on links : This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and choose to purchase a product I’ve recommended, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. You can use this link to see all my picks across style, beauty, wellness, home decor and more.
I love this reminder that rest isn’t something we have to earn! August really is the perfect time to slow down and savor the simple things. The idea of simplifying everything from our schedules to our wardrobes feels so refreshing.
Thank you, Laura. I’m so glad that the reminder resonated with you. I have just returned after a 3 week break and feel refreshed but am easing into the return slowly xo
Yes to slowing things down! Summer is almost over so this post reminded me to savor what is left.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
It looks as though you have had a wonderful summer so far, and yes to savoring what is left xo
Julia, this post made me smile! This summer has felt very on-the-go for me and I am feeling all sorts of behind on everything, but this is such a good reminder to slow down where I can and take things just one step at a time. My brain likes to do 31564 things at once, of course, haha. Everything about France that you share seems so intentional, very simple and delightful my dear friend – we need more of that here in Ohio! 🙂
Wishing you a fantastic rest of your week, as well as your upcoming break too!!
Make Life Marvelous
Thank you, Ashley. My brain is the same as yours, and I have to make a conscious effort to slow down. But, it’s worth it when you do. I think the saying is “slow down to speed up”, and it definitely makes sense.