St Tropez is the Mediterranean's most established glamour destination. The beaches are soft sand, the restaurants are expensive, and the crowd knows what good swimwear looks like. If Capri is old-money Italian, St Tropez is new-money French with a rose in hand.

The St Tropez colour palette

• Cream and white: the yacht default. Works in every setting.
• Coral pink: rose-adjacent, photographs beautifully in the afternoon light.
• Chocolate and camel: the boat-deck favourite, sophisticated, never wrong.
• Deep green: unexpected but elegant, works in pine-shaded beach clubs.

Pampelonne beach clubs

Club 55, Nikki Beach, La Plage des Jumeaux, La Reserve a la Plage. The standard of dress at these places is higher than Tulum or even Mykonos. Plain triangle bikinis look under-done.

The Concha Shell Bikini fits Pampelonne perfectly. 147 hand-stitched shell sequins read as jewellery, which is the right register for a Club 55 lunch. The Cream and Pink colourways are the two most Pampelonne-appropriate shades.

Yacht days

Almost every St Tropez trip includes at least one yacht day, whether a charter from Port Grimaud or a friend's boat. On a yacht, your bikini has to:

• Stay put through sitting, diving, and climbing ladders.
• Not show sheerness when wet.
• Photograph well because it will be photographed.
• Work with a white linen shirt thrown over for lunch.

Double-layered Lycra matters here. The Concha Shell is made from it. The adjustable ties hold up to boat movement. Chocolate and Cream both read well against wooden decks.

Old Port evenings

Dinner at Le Club 55, Sénéquier, La Ponche. The dress code is elevated-casual. A Concha Shell top worn with tailored trousers and heels is a legitimate dinner outfit in St Tropez. Pair with gold jewellery and minimal makeup.

What to avoid in St Tropez

• Fast-fashion labels. The crowd spots them.
• Neon colours. Clashes with the Mediterranean palette.
• Bikinis that go sheer when wet. An instant tell.
• Anything with visible logos unless the brand is recognisable at the level of Hermès or Chanel.

A sample St Tropez capsule

1. Concha Shell Set in Cream (Club 55, evening top)
2. Concha Shell Set in Pink (yacht day, afternoon photos)
3. Concha Shell Set in Chocolate (wooden-deck yacht, sophisticated lunch)
4. Siren Swimsuit (for the day you want the clean French silhouette)
5. White linen shirt, straw tote, gold jewellery

Shop the edit: Concha Shell Bikinis

Common questions

What is the dress code at Club 55? Elevated beach. Not formal, but clearly expensive. A plain bikini is under-dressed; a textured or embellished set fits.

What colours work best on Pampelonne beach? Cream, pink, chocolate, and camel. The soft sand and pine-dotted beach clubs suit warm tones.

Can I wear a bikini top as evening wear in St Tropez? Yes, paired with tailored trousers, a maxi skirt, or under a linen shirt. The crowd does this regularly.

Are St Tropez beaches crowded? Pampelonne is busy in July and August. June and September are quieter with the same weather.