http://boomerinas.com/2012/04/paris-street-style-for-women-over-50/

http://www.thesartorialist.com/photos/on-the-street-sunday-on-st-germain-paris/

Hi Suzabella1,

First, let me welcome you to Fodor’s and congratulate you on maintaining your girlish figure – many of us of the same vintage might not be able to say the same.

Your wardrobe choices sound fine – but going to Paris in not a fashion show. You will look great, especially in a long skirt.

Where are you staying? What are your interests? Shopping, I am sure. Museums, gardens, cuisine, walks, historical sites, musical presentations, churches? You will find excellent advice in these pages, along with many other threads about “what to wear” in Paris.

Enjoy your stay…

To Golden Autum: Nice to hear about the red shoes. Maybe I'll Pack mine.

To Latedaytraveler, Thank you for your welcome and congratulations. I know it's not a fashion show, but I would like to blend in. I'm just trying to figure out what I have and what I may need to supplement. I usually get way ahead of myself when traveling. I think it's the excitement. My interests are mostly shopping for gifts to take home. I might pick up a scarf or 2. I love museums, gardens, historical sites and definitely musical presentations. I just stumbled upon this site and am glad I did. Will definitely take the longish skirt particularly since it's reversible. I'm just starting to learn about Paris. Never thought I'd go, but my husband is the one who wants to go. Now that I am learning so much about it I'm really looking forward to it.

This really started as a trip to Slovenia to touch bace with my roots. My grandparent were born there and came to the U.S.. in the 1900's. Hope to track down some relatives.

Every time I go to Paris, I notice one thing - the scarves. In summer they are light and floaty, in winter they are plush and bold. They're worn by young and old - and they all look great. You can't go wrong if you have a couple of scarves for 'accessorising'. Another thing that is good for summer of you don't like jeans are simple white or black loose-leg linen pants. Lightweight and comfy for travelling.

> I've read enough about Paris to know that a lot of the blacks and grays I have are appropriate.

Just curious but why such a fixation on black? I understand black clothes can be easier in many ways but it's nothing compulsory. You want to blend in but I have read here or somewhere " Women in black are mostly American trouists " ;-

Cue one of kerouac's photo essays:
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=paris&thread=3653

I think your wardrobe sounds marvellous, I too always bring a skirt or sundress or two for hot weather, I don't do shorts for city touring ( would be different if I was going to Hawaii) .

I think wearing dark colors for bottoms ( I like black, but navy or brown would work too) makes good sense , especially for travel. In Paris I am often sitting on benches, metro seats, grass even , and it is grimy , wearing white pants would be useless as you could only wear them once..fine if you live there and can change daily but for someone like me who travels out of a small suitcase it only makes sense to wear my dark base color.

As for why wear black..
Black is always chic, in any big cosmopolitian city, ever heard of the "little black dress",, theres a reason its popular.Its not just Paris, and it most certainly is not just American tourists.. But as I said, any dark color that a person likes and uses to build a wardrobe around makes sense to me.

Again scarves!!! You can do so much with them and everyone wears them. At 71 how are your arms? Are you comortable in sleeveless or short sleeve tees? I just got LLBean cat. and they have a new elbow length tee which looks very nice. I have a similar one from Chicos and am very sorry I didn't get a couple more. They look dressier than ss tees and are very versatile. Capri length pants are also very good for city wear if long ones seem too hot. Don't know about a dress but a gauzy skirt would be fine. I was 3 weeks with just a carry one and my 1 skirt was black with tiny multi colored flowers, a Von Furstenburg jersy and had tees in each flower color. Worked wonderfully in Paris, Rome, Athens and Dubrov. Linen wrinkles but linen pants are very chic, cool and comfortable..Not white or light ones, however. You are not going to be in a fashion show and you will gasp at some outfits you see. Heels??? Ankles twist very easily on European streets..

A few people above have hit on the key item of clothing. You are naked without a scarf. See http://tinyurl.com/n4r9xd. Even in the summer, in Paris and Rome, wear a scarf.

I wold definitely not have any sort of wool - way too hot. You may get temperate temps but it can also be high 80s or even 90s - and you would be sweltering.

In summer I usually being lightweight cotton knits, noncrushable linen and silk (pant or skirt outfit) for going out in the evenings.

Partly your dress will depend on how you travel - we do one special dinner in each city and always have a nice sit down dinner in a real restaurant - and often do ballet or concerts in the evening - so some nicer outfits are important.

If your trip is more casual that's fine - and you don;t need to be all black and grey - I would just avoid bright pastels - and any brights except for small accent pieces. (NOt a problem since all this is the way I dress at home anyway.)

But do be prepared for possible very high temps, as well as rain - which I have had on every trip to europe - except in southern Spain.

spaarne - that link you posted is absolutely hilarious! It's brightened up the grey day here somewhat.

A few of the choicer quotes;

"Europeans seeing you briefly for the first time will judge you completely by your appearance and will behave accordingly."

"Levi's and other brands of denim jeans became fashionable in Europe in the 1990's."

"Levi's are now TOLERATED in many cafés and restaurants during the day." [emphasis mine]

"Leather jackets are fairly popular in Europe, especially in Spain. "

It's incredible! It's almost good enough to have been written by a Fodorite...

What you have described of your wardrobe sounds fine. Make sure you have layers. And scarves. And comfortable shoes.

We have been in Paris in May when the temps were in the 90s and when they were in the 50s. And both in one trip! That's why layers. I would take your short rain jacket as it will be more versatile for the two parts of your trip.

Thanks for all your suggestions. Maybe darker wide leg linen pants would be good. I wouldn't want capris as the ones I've had stretch out in the knees. I don't plan to wear the Icebreaker wool in the heat, although I have worn their lightweight wool to work out in. But I do plan to take some cotton/silk short sleeves T's n case it get's hot. My 71 year old thin arms are too wrinkled to wear sleeveless clothes. I may get that lllbean knee length dress with short sleeves.
I have 1 silk scarf I can wear when I get there, but I think I will wait to see what Paris has to offer while there. Thanks.

No wool coat, leather jacket or a lined trench coat.
Think New York, the fashions are on the same note.
booties and boots are fine.
You will find lots of inexpensive scarfs on street sellers.
Have a wonderful time,
mimi, who is older than you

Your wardrobe sounds fine, it sounds like you have a great sense of fashion. The only decision you have to make is what you truly love to wear. Then you'll be comfortable.

You can always google the weather a week before you leave so you'll be certain of what to pack. I rarely buy new clothes for vacation because how will I know if I'm going to like them all day?