josep55

I'm 57 and my girlfirend is 55. I've been to Paris several times and generally know what to wear as a man to blend in or at least not stand out. My girlfriend however, has never been and is a little anxious about what to wear.
I can give some advise on what I saw while there, but I really don't know what is in or not in women's ware. We'll be thre 8 days. Any thoughts....?

Neopolitan

The same thing she'd wear at home if she doesn't want to stand out?

crefloors

I'm going in Nov. and am wearing the same things I wore in Coopenhagen, and Stockholm, and in London, and Paris my other trip. Well, the same TYPE of things. I have a medium weight long black wool coat. I'm taking two pair of black knit pants and one long black knit skirt. Taking a pair of boots with a medium heel..like an inch and a half or two inch maybe and a pair of black micro fiber wedge heeled shoes. All my tops are knit of some kind..black, beige and a couple of dark purple...and that's the basics. I don't feel a need to list socks, gloves etc. But that's how I'm dressing..I felt fine that way three years ago, last year, and will feel fine again.

crefloors

I also wanted to say that I just try to dress appropriately for my age, I take things that don't wrinkle easily and pack well. I don't care what the "Grannies" are wearing in Paris (I'm a couple of years older than your girlfriend)..I'm not Parisianne, I'm American, and frankly I think I dress quite nicely and I feel good when I go out.

Margo_Chester

Depending on when you are going, I would suggest dark pants and a skirt that can be worn several times along with cashmere sweaters - they are light weight, warm, and always look great. I prefer shorter jackets but other often suggest a 3/4 length coat. Make sure she has comfortable shoes/boots for walking and if it's Autumn toss in a pair of leather gloves. My best advice is to throw eveything you want to take in a suitcase and then take out at least half of it - you won't need it and will never miss it. Have a wonderful time on your trip!

W9London

What to wear depends largely on when you're going to be in Paris. The most important thing is, wear something comfortable, especially COMFORTABLE SHOES. Though a pair of white tennis shoes would clearly fit into American stereotype, especially with a track suit. Bring a wool scarf or shawl if your lady friend will be there in autumn/winter. It's a lightweight way to dress-up and keep warm at the same time.

Christina

When are you going? It makes a huge difference, as while a cashmere sweater might be nice, you wouldn't take it in July.

Basically, she should dress the way she would to go to a large, cosmopolitan US city, such as New York City. Tell her to dress as if she were going there, as that is about the same climate, also. Other than that, I really think it isn't that hard to dress not to stand out, if you dress in good taste. The only obvious thing I would say would make you stand out, would be big ugly white athletic shoes. I once saw an American tourist in Paris who was wearing baggy blue jeans, big ugly white tennis shoes and a very casual ordinary short-sleeved cotton Tshirt, the jeans were belted with a large leather belt at the waist. She looked terrible and really stuck out, because she was about 65-70 years old. You can't dress that way at that age in Paris and look nice. Younger people might wear stylish blue jeans and Tshirt and PUmas or something, and they will look okay, but this look was right off the farm or something.

suze

My method- I pick my favorite 4 or 5 coordinated outfits from my regular clothes, choosing fabrics that pack nicely, and that are appropriate for the weather I'm traveling to. I guess my more upscale casual is how I'd put it. With a couple pair of sandals, shoes, or boots (again we don't know your month of travel) that look good but are comfortable. And classic looking outer wear of some sort (if it's fall or winter).

ImitationOfChrist

Oh, come on now. You want a leading fashion maven like me to put a wardrobe together for your main squeeze and you don't give me any stats????? How tall, shape, size, bust, short/long legs, coloring, etc? What time of year are you going?

I needs stats in order to perform my magic.

djkbooks

Here's what I pack for Paris (and, I no longer pack "outfits&quot: Black slacks, black skirt, white dressy tees, white or ivory blouse or camisole, cable cardigan in my favorite color, nice leather belt, twin sweater set (in another favorite color), raincoat (I prefer black 3/4 with hood, which precludes the need to haul an umbrella all about).

Depending on the time of year, the black bottoms will be microfiber, cotton/poly, or wool or a combination.

For cooler weather, I add a black blazer which fits under the raincoat.

I wear a pair of black slides on the plane and pack a comfortable pair of black flats.

If we'll be doing some dressier dining, I add a blouse or camisole or sweater with a bit of embroidery/beading and a pair of comfortable black pumps or strappy heels.

ImitationOfChrist

Many people DO NOT look good in black or white, including myself. I can't wear white at all because of my colouring; it makes me look like Casper the Friendly Ghost.

I don't think it is good advice to tell people to wear black. It doesn't go with everything if you don't have the right hair and skin.

I know what I am talking about.

Trinny of Fodor's.

L84SKY

I'll have to agree with IoChrist on this one. Not everyone should wear black especially near the face. Dark pants and skirts with tops in flattering colors is the ticket.
When I see people wearing layers upon layers of black I start thinking they should either mix in some leather and chains or just get a purple mohawk. It's just too much of a good thing.

The main thing for the gf is to wear well cut clothes that fit well and that she's comfortable in. Hopefully, that is just what she has at home.

Maybe she should check into the countless threads about this topic right here on Fodor's.

Neopolitan

Not to rub it in, but my first post which probably seemed abrupt to some seems to be the consensus that everyone has. I just made it a whole lot simpler.

crefloors

OK...so here's the question of the day. I'm in Copenhagen this winter over New Years. Lots of people of several nationalities in our hotel over the holiday. I have my black wool coat that I was peeling lint off every morning so I'd be spiffy. So, why is my coat covered in lint and junk about mid morning, but the Italian couple have not ONE speck of anything on their black coats, even when both wearing scarves!!!!! They both look like they stepped off the pages of Vogue AND they were wearing the dreaded JEANS!!! I don't get it, it's not fair I tell you, and just realize there is NOTHING YOU CAN DO, you will NOT look like THEM!!!!!

ImitationOfChrist

Buy a lint brush; get rid of the dog; use Head & Shoulders.

LoveItaly

LOL Crefloors, you don't have to explain to me, I understand what you are saying perfectly! My friends will run into their bedrooms to change so we can go to the market, lunch whatever. Ten minutes later they come out looking like a fashion plate. How DO they DO that? Even "Nonna" sitting in the living room watching TV or reading a book or staring into space looks soooo elegant. And they do not have a quarter of the clothes, shoes etc. that the average American woman has. Well obviously quality over quanity but really, why don't they ever get lint, a food stain a scuffed shoe etc.

crefloors

Had the lint brush, the dog is at home, and I don't have dandruf..so, to me it will always be one of lifes mysteries. LOL

E_M

Along the same lines, how come the Italians dressed in white linen this summer in Rome and Florence didn't have a spec of dirt on them? AND they were riding motorcycles???

Black and white combos can easily be brown and cream, or navy and white, or navy and cream, or gray and white...just a dark and light neutral combo.

SeaUrchin

Crefloors I am right there with you, lint and all. It is one of the mysteries of life.

Bigal

Neoplitan said it all in a nice brief commentary. If you aren't happy the way you dress in any city (American or otherwise) it won't help to be different in Paris.