Kristen Stewart Is Nailing the Art of Heatwave Dressing in Biarritz
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Kristen Stewart is no stranger to hitting a film festival red carpet as a lead actor (see her perfect Cannes wardrobe just a few months ago) or award-winning director (as she did at the Deauville American Film Festival last year), but at the 2026 Biarritz Film Festival, things looked a little different for the star: She is also serving as the president of the jury. Over the past week, Stewart has been attending various screenings and ceremonies as part of her prestigious title to judge the competition—and better yet, she’s been bringing a perfect summer wardrobe along with her too. Filled, of course, with plenty of Chanel.
France has been hit with a record-breaking heatwave this week (the fashion crowd has been doing its very best in Paris), but Stewart has not been letting the scorching temperatures dampen her Biarritz festival style. In fact, it’s been quite the contrary. She and go-to stylist Tara Swennen have been leaning into easy, unfussy designs that feel appropriate for the weather, yet still that very Kirsten Stewart kind of cool. No heavy gowns or covered-up suits here.
She first kicked things off at the opening ceremony last week, where she sported a casual-cool evening look. She chose a black, off-the-shoulder thin-knit dress with stripes of red and cream—paired with matching bike shorts underneath, via Chanel, and a sleek pair of black penny loafers. It’s precisely the kind of look you want to wear on a scorching summer knit—covered up without being too covered up, and still feels easy-breezy.
She first kicked things off at the opening ceremony last week, where she sported a casual-cool evening look. She chose a black, off-the-shoulder thin-knit dress with stripes of red and cream—paired with matching bike shorts underneath, via Chanel, and a sleek pair of black penny loafers. It’s precisely the kind of look you want to wear on a scorching summer knit—covered up without being too covered up, and still feels easy-breezy.
For the festival’s “Nouvelles Vagues” category yesterday—a section of the festival devoted to champion emerging filmmakers—Stewart switched things up by slipping into a classic Chanel gray-and-black tweed skirt suit. While such a heavy fabric may not be so synonymous with hot-weather dressing, Stewart made it summery by pairing it with a black, ab-bearing Chanel bra top underneath. The unbuttoned jacket and high leg slit also made the look feel just a little more effortless. Skin-baring, but still chic.
Stewart’s approach to heatwave dressing in Biarritz is all about taking your wardrobe’s dressier or formal pieces—skirt suits, knit dresses—and making them feel a little more lithe and airy. Besides being free of heavy summer layers, her jury-member looks also serve as a much cooler counterpart to a film festival’s traditional assortment of gowns and suits. That’s simply the K.Stew way—to do things her way. And we love her for it.
This article was originally published on Vogue.com.
Frequently Asked Question
Kristen Stewart is serving as the jury president for the 2026 Biarritz Film Festival, reviewing competing cinematic entries while showcasing a highly curated summer wardrobe.
Kristen Stewart works with her long-time stylist Tara Swennen to curate her distinctive, effortless red carpet appearances and specialized film festival wardrobes across Europe.
Kristen Stewart adapted a heavy Chanel tweed skirt suit for a summer heatwave by pairing it with an ab-bearing bra top, unbuttoned jacket, and high leg slit.
Kristen Stewart wore a casual-cool Chanel outfit consisting of a striped, off-the-shoulder thin-knit dress paired with matching bike shorts and classic black penny loafers.
Kristen Stewart’s summer style focuses on modifying structured or formal pieces into breathable, airy silhouettes, offering a modern alternative to traditional, heavy evening gowns.