What to Pack for Paris Trip

Old Aug 25th, 2004, 04:17 PM
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What to Pack for Paris Trip

All,

I will be leaving for Paris two weeks for today with two days to visit. Can anyone tell me specifically what to bring, typically my husband and I are shorts and jeans dressers for day and dressy affair for dinners. What do you suggest to save on packing?? Do the museums have any sort of dress codes?

Thanks.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 04:20 PM
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Hi
there is no dress code for museums nor for most public places that I can think of, except for churches where "modest" dress is either required or just requested.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 05:16 PM
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Pack lite. We had so many clothes we never used. And we found a laundramat to clean clothes not too far from our hotel. Besides, think of all the room you will have to put the new clothes in that you will buy.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 05:37 PM
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Thank you both!
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 05:38 PM
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Just be comfortable. One mainstay I take with me is a little black jersey skirt - easy to pack, wear and dress up with a top or jacket. churches will ask you to cover your shoulders and men should supposedly wear long pants. My teenagers went into Notre Dame in shorts but had on polo shirts. Just assume that what would not fly here (at least I hope) - tank tops, running shorts, etc - won't fly there in churches.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 05:46 PM
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Keep an eye on the weather report...it's been very wet in Paris lately, with a lot of rain and thunderstorms.

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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 07:17 PM
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Obviously you are free to wear whatever you choose.

Just be aware that in major european cities shorts are frequently seen on children - but are rarely worn by adult locals. No one will refuse you entry (except to churches in italy - especially the Vatican) - or even point and laugh - but, frankly - this is not the height of sophistication.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 07:36 PM
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See how nice & polite & helpful we can be when certain folks are not around?
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 07:43 PM
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Be sure to take your umbrella. Weather is very changeable so it's nice to take things you can layer if it turns a bit cool...a light jacket or sweater. I like to travel with knits..skirts and pants as the base..easy to pack, don't take a lot of space, and don't wrinkle much. I base on black just because it's easy to work with, doesn't show soil as readily as other colors, is easy to spot clean if needed. and all other colors or accessories go with it. You see everything in Paris just like any other city. People live there so all their activities are centered there. Remember pictures of JFK Jr. in NY? Well, if he was going to work, meeting, theater etc he was usually in a suit. Roller blading in Central Park? Shorts or what ever. So just be comfortable, dress appropriatly, Make sure your shoes are incredibly comfortable and it's a good idea to take two pair so if you do get something rubbing somewhere you can change shoes and give it a break. I also take some moleskin..takes up no space, have never had to use it but I wouldn't want to be without it if I needed it. It's in my purse so if a blister should develop I have it to put right on. Have a wonderful trip and let us all know how it went when you return.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 08:33 PM
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Pack light for ease in getting around, 1 small rolling suitcase each person, plus one carry-on piece. Pick your favorite few outfits (mostly casual one dressy in fabrics that will pack well) and several pair of comfortable shoes. Undies, a robe or sleepwear, socks, etc. Downsizing all toiletries into tiny sizes, just enough for the trip, saves room (pack in ziplocks). Think layers as the weather could go either way. I don't bother with an umbrella, there are vendors and shops to buy one if you really get rained out. But a lightweight windbreaker style jacket might be good. Wear really comfortable clothing on the plane, with your most bulky pair of shoes (sneakers), jacket, etc.) to save space in your luggage.
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Old Aug 25th, 2004, 09:10 PM
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Packing

There is no drses codes for museums. I've been to Paris 3 years ago so heres my suggestions. It rains there (more then usual) so I would pack something for rain. When I was there (July), somedays it was a bit chilly so I would bring a sweat shirt. Definitly bring shorts and t-shirts. The weather is very comparable to Northen US states. Mostly I would just suggest rain gear and jeans/sweat shirts. I hope I helped, have fun.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 06:38 AM
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The great jeans debate (!) I think jeans are fine fashion-wise for daytime (although others disagree) but the problem is they are actually quite heavy. If they get wet they take forever to dry, and packing take up double room in the suitcase of any other type of pants. For this casual style of dress I recommend khaki or 'docker' style of pants instead of denim jeans.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 07:08 AM
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nicoleg, my husband and I are going to Europe next week and will spend five days in Paris.

I'm bringing a good pair of dark jeans, black pants, gray capri pants, and a knee-length black skirt (maybe a pair of beige linen pants, too)... a few short- and long-sleeve shirts in neutral colors (black, cream)... two blouses... one or two dressier v-neck shirts for evening... a shawl and lightweight knit poncho... and a corduroy blazer/jacket. Also an umbrella! Shoes: Pumas, black walking sandals, and dressier black sandals for evening. With the help of big ziplock bags, this should all fit in my backpack (though I'll be experimenting with that a few days before we leave!).

I'm not bringing any shorts. If it's hot, a skirt is just as good, and I think it's more appropriate city wear. Just my opinion!
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 08:02 AM
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Strauss, that is a perfect pack list! One word of caution about air packing clothing into ziplocks, it makes them smaller~ but it doesn't make them lighter!! So the same size backpack/suitcase becomes much heavier. You'll see when you experiment ahead (excellent idea). If you wear all the larger items on the plane (jacket, pumas) I'm guessing you've got a fine fit for a medium size bag.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 08:11 AM
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I wear my black jeans (stretch jeans for comfort) on the plane along with my jacket. That way I have them but don't have to pack them. It can be cool on the plane so I find the jeans keep me warmer. Be sure your shoes are comfortable and forgiving so if you take them off and your feet should swell, you can get them back on when you get to Paris.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 08:21 AM
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suze--thanks! I've heard that about the ziplocks. I'll definitely be experimenting this weekend with how it all fits and how heavy the bag becomes.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 08:54 AM
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Don't get me wrong, I'm a dedicated ziplock fan and user. But more to keep little stuff organized, toiletries, undies, socks, paperwork, clean from dirty as the trip goes on. Clean clothes at the start I just fold real neat and stack in.

The only time I tried all my clothing in the ziplock method, was the 1st time ever I had to check my 22" rolling suitcase because it was too heavy to be allowed on board~ LOL.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 09:00 AM
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Paris is such a nice elegant city, sure you want to look same, classy and elegant.
Kakis, nice confortable walking shoes, nice, well ironed shirts.
Many times I have been there, i dress in the morning nice and do not come back to hotel for a change of clothes..unless you are going to be having dinner in a very exclusive, elegant place.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 09:05 AM
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I always take a pair of jeans when I travel, specifically because they are heavier weight than think pants. Weather in Paris can even be quite cool in July, and I know many years when I was really glad I had jeans with me. Many many people wear jeans in Paris -- well, all over the world, really, they are the international uniform. As a female, I wouldn't wear Docker-style pants, as I think they are too unattractive on women. I think all-cotton jeans are more comfortable than stretch jeans, though, as they don't have that Lycra in them (which also makes them hotter).

This July I didn't take a regular pair of jeans, although I usually do, but I did take a pair of lightweight denim capris which turned out being a better idea as it was much hotter than usual when I was there this year. These capri jeans were pretty stylish, and I could easily wear them to a casual cafe with nice sandals and a cute top. I wore nicer crop pants (my new favorites are a linen/Tencel blend) or a skirt when going to nicer restaurants.

It isn't true that European adults don't wear shorts when on vacation, nor French people, to be specific. This is age-related fashion of course, and I will admit men wear shorts more than women. I think many shorts are very masculine-looking, bulky, and not attractive on women (eg, cargo-style). I'll agree you don't see older adults wearing them, so depends on your age.

AS an example, I like to take the French language guided tours mentioned in Pariscope under "conferences" -- these have more unusual itineraries and narrow focuses, and it's good for my language abilities. They are almost always completely filled with French people, and occasionally a French Canadian. Anyway, one I took this July for Montmartre cemetery consisted of about 8-10 of us, I was the only American, everyone else was French. The two French guys who were 30-ish both had shorts on (typical kind you see on older guys--around kneelength), with some kind of athletic shoes, and one French man who was 45-50 had on jeans. There were no younger French females, only middle-age ones who had on skirts or nondescript pants/slacks, mostly. I don't wear shorts myself because they aren't my style, but I don't wear them at home much, either, only occasionally. I think men can get away with them more than women.
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Old Aug 26th, 2004, 09:28 AM
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Hi,

My husband and I just returned from a week in Paris last Thursday. I was surprised by how casually people were dressed, especially after reading posts on this forum. I'm guessing that part of the reason for that was because it is August and we were mostly surrounded by other tourists. There were a decent number of people in jeans. One thing I didn't see much of was shorts. I wore casual skirts and capri pants the entire time and was very comfortable. The weather was not all that warm--low 70s for the most part--so I don't think you even need shorts unless the temperatures have gone back up. I wore short sleaved cotton shirts, but always had a light sweater tied around my waist as the temps fluctuated throughout the day. I did also notice that most people wore dark or neutral colors, so probably leave the brights at home if you want to blend in. As for footwear, I can't stress enough how much you need to bring comfortable shoes if you plan on walking a lot. I ended up buying a pair of flat shoes on our second day because the sandals I wore (which had a slight platform and had never hurt my feet before) gave me blisters after walking around for a full day. It rained a couple of days, so definitely pack the umbrella! Luckily the rain didn't last long.
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