March 12th, 2010 
A reader of my blog recently pondered the question of what to pack when visiting the most fashionable city in the world: Paris. Parisian style is world renown, so wondering what to pack for a first-time visit is a totally legitimate concern. Who wants to be caught looking like the classic American tourist? Not moi, that’s for sure.
After some research of my own, I learned that these two things are de rigeur:
- No white runners/sneakers/trainers. Reebok, Asics, Nike—honey, just. Don’t. Do. It. If you can actually run a marathon or work out in them, they are athletic shoes, and they scream CLUELESS AMERICAN TOURIST like nothing else.
- Scarf required.
Gentle Souls Iso Bop by Kenneth Cole, $195
So what do you pack for days of walking/touring if you can’t take your trainers? Kenneth Cole has an amazing range of flats that are super-stylish, but also padded like a sneaker. The 925 Technology and Gentle Souls collections fit the bill perfectly. Be sure you break them in before your trip.
I also had a little help from a Europe-based friend and blogger who has been to Paris and has her finger on the pulse of European fashion. (Thank you Tex of Fashion Butter.) Here is her perspective and suggestions for a chic week in Paris:
Paris: Amazing city! It’s been a few years since I have visited, but I can tell you all about what kind of everyday fashion I have seen on the streets of Europe in general (I have traveled and lived her for the past year, including a trip to the South of France).
I would suggest:
- A pair of flat leather boots.
- Skinny jeans or slim cut pants. Tucked into boots or worn with stilettos.
- Long tops worn under short jackets. Lots of play with proportion here.
- Pile on the layers—the more the better. And don’t leave the hotel without a scarf on!
- Lots of jewelry. Don’t be afraid to wear everything you own at once. Europe is a fun place to experiment with your look.
- A large handbag. Louis Vuitton if at all possible! The French adore their LVs. I think eight out of ten women carry them in that country. I was lucky enough to have one to carry during my trip there—I felt like a local.
When in doubt, the biggest difference between American and European street fashion is silhouette. American clothes are cut so roomy, while the Europeans prefer a much slimmer, tailored cut.
To those of you lucky enough to be visiting Paris in spring—or any other time—bon voyage! Please show those Parisian women that we American ladies are also magnifique!
So glad you mentioned the white sneakers. An absolute no-no. There are so many comfortable shoes that fit the city scene.
A.D.H~
Thanks for your comment. I agree: these days there are so many comfortable and stylish options for touring that there is virtually no excuse. Lucky for us, the technology and design of footwear have come a long way.
Well, having visited Paris often including 6 weeks in France and Spain last year, I can state categorically that French and other Europeans – women and men – love their jeans. They are de rigueur. This time of year, sweaters are often worn with a scarf casually thrown around the neck. Men may wear a shirt over jeans with a casual sports coat again with a scarf draped over their shoulders – not around their necks.
The French do, in fact, wear athletic shoes, but not all white ones; they are very commonly worn. I am speaking of the majority of French whom you will see on the Left Bank or in and about museums – not the few who aspire to wear haute couture. I advise my friends to dress down when visiting Europe.
Please do NOT wear lots of jewelry: the French certainly don’t. They are very subtle in their use of accents. France is not Brazil! Besides pick-pockets are a real threat and one doesn’t want to tempt them with either jewelry or a Louis Vuitton purse. Don’t take your expensive jewelry and purses to Europe unless you’re not planning on be out amongst the people!
A good friend of mine – in spite of my warnings – had her cash, wallet, passport, and airline tickets in a large purse which was snatched off her shoulder while she was looking at a map of Paris – a dead give-a-way that she was a tourist. Leave your passport, tickets, most of your cash and all but one credit card ( or a debt card for ATM use) in the safe in your room.
Joe~
That’s sound advice. Thanks for your perspective!
I had the extreme good fortune of living in paris for 2 years (married a frenchy). Here is what I would like to add. Ideally having an individual style is key, if you look like you walked out of the gap or banana republic you are a dead giveaway. Young and Old frenchies LOVE Abercrombie so if you where it you are golden, whenever our french friends and family visit it is the first place they shop. Suggestions to blend – if you are not on a tight budget ( euro is at 1.35 last time I looked) Go to Kookai or Naf NAf and buy something totally trendy, they are not too expensive and will have knockoffs of some of the higher priced lines. HAve fun and don;t forget to get some macaroons & hot chocolate at LaDuree they are not the macaroons american style in fact they have nothing in common with ours at all and come in a dazzling assortment of flavors, rose etc…
If you are hip go to Hotel Costes for tea time and if you love Chinese – Mirama, 17 rue st. jacques near Notre Dame – order the nouilles sautee au crevette soup – there is NO atmosphere and a line out the door, you’ll be cramped and sitting practically at your neighbors table but you’ll be eating the BEST soup to grace this earth along with almost everyone else in the place.
This place is visited by anyone and everyone in Paris and the famous (politicians are as famous as rock stars) do not have big heads unless they are rappers!
HAVE FUN mostly but dress the way you feel best and don’t smile too much they will peg you in a second for an “optimiste” americaine!
Dee~
Thanks for the awesome tips! One day I’m going to put them to good use, I just know it. I appreciate the time you took to comment.
PS: Paris might be the one city where I’d fit in perfectly, wardrobe aside. I’ve had many a person tell me to smile in the past…I’m just not one of those walk-around-with-a-big-smile-on-your-face kind of girls.
Dear Joe the Traveler,
I really appreciate your advice, but I think it’s not nice of you stereotype the Brazilian women, because you probably are being based on the fact that most attracts tourists to there: the insane carnaval, and just one famous person, Carmen Miranda – Come on! What she’d worn was just her costume, not a real thing.
Well, I’ll consider your advise anyway.
Happy Easter!
How about packing for spring time (like the second half of April)? What do you suggest? I’ve heard the it’s rainning and nice out there.
Ana—
Thanks for giving us your perspective. I heard from my friend who just went to Paris that there were LOADS of women with designer bags. I mean, it is the birthplace of Hermés, LV, and Chanel, after all. So I suppose the best thing to do is to have your wits about you and don’t pull out your map in public. No matter what country you are from.
Tiana~
Check out my blog for an update on what my friend said when she visited Paris a couple weeks ago. I would say that between the comments and info here, and her comments, I’d pack similar items, but in a lighter weight. Lots of layers. Also, check out Garance Doré’s blog…she’s a Frenchie and has taken loads of pictures there. See what the ladies are wearing from real-life photos.
Bon voyage!
http://www.garancedore.fr/en
http://www.gritandglamour.com/2010/03/26/paris-au-printemps/
Thank you for this article very enlightening.
good day
This blog and all the comments have been so wonderfully helpful! I’m leaving for Paris in a week for 6 days and now feel confident in what to pack. Sadly I will be bringing running shoes (I have been cursed with very flat feet and therefore need the support) but luckily mine are not at all bright and white! Also I plan on packing them in my backpack and wearing cute flats and sandals until my feet get tired. I love, love, love scarves (wear them daily with just about everything) so I’m glad to see that they’re a necessity (and stylish!).
Just wanted to say thanks, I’ve been googling and this page was by far the most helpful!