rbnwdln

Are you under 25, tall, very thin, a face like an angel? No? Then don't give the idea of what to wear in Paris another thought. If you are one of those post-adolescent beauties you could wear a paper bag and still look stunning. If you are like us, and no longer very young and beautiful, just throw some clothes in that suitcase and be on your way! We are in Paris now and in all of the tourist quarters (most all of central Paris) everyone is dressing just like they do in our small Midwestern city. Many, many, many folks in jeans, hoodies, and sneakers or variations of this. And no one cares, not even the French! The thread two weeks ago about dresses being the rage - fuggedaboutit. I brought three dresses based on this advice and only wore one once, to dinner with a sweater. Thin/Gorgeous - you got a lot of crap for suggesting that waiting in line at the Eiffel Tower in a dress is crazy and guess what? I saw a few teens in skirts with leggings but the vast vast majority were in standard jeans and shirts. Unless Paris gets a hot spell, leave the cute sundresses at home. I wish I had packed more long pants and long sleeved shirts, although it did give us an excuse to buy clothes here! Also because of the World Cup, and the European love affair with soccer, you may want to bring a large flag of your home country and some face paint ,as that seems to be the apparel of choice for many!

cathies

The thing that's interesting to me about your post is that it's obviously not very hot. I've been in Paris twice in mid june and was blazingly hot both times!!

Your post is very good by the way, it makes the point that it doesn't really matter what you wear.

June 2006 I did see a gorgeous Parisienne girl riding her bicycle while wearing a very pretty dress and sandals. She also had a bunch of flowers and a baguette in her bicycle basket - it was like a scene out of a 1950's movie.

I hope your are loving Paris!

adrienne

When I was in Paris at the end of May there were a lot of women wearing dresses.

Luisah

"And no one cares, not even the French! ... I brought three dresses based on this advice and only wore one once, to dinner with a sweater"

So now you know, although it's certainly been said before -- no one else cares what you wear!

You should pack what you would wear at home for sightseeing and dinner. If you're comfortable in jeans and pants, pack jeans and long pants. If you're comfortable wearing skirts and dresses, pack skirts and dresses.

Regardless of how many women are wearing dresses if I were going in summer I would pack loose linen pants and capris, lightweight jeans and one skirt.

Thanks for posting, but I'm sure we'll see more "what to wear in Paris threads."

girlsgetaway

Thanks for the advice, we are heading to Paris in July and I will pack logically for the trip. To me a suitcase full of dresses just doesn't make sense, I will be bringing capris, shorts, one skirt and one pair of slacks.

When I was in Paris last, I came to the realization that no matter what I did, I can not imitate the style of Parisians. We need to accept that and celebrate the fact that we have a different but just as wonderful 'American' style!

flounder

We are still in Paris, and yes the weather has changed. The first week of June was warm and sunny and many were wearing dresses. Over the past week the temperatures have dropped, it has been damp and cloudier. We have also switched to pants and layers. But, don't take my advice and pack pants or layers because if the weather changes and it gets sunny and hot again - you won't have anything to wear.

rbnwdln

Yes, the weather has been less than lovely this week. Capris and skirts are too cold for this week! We have had a lovely time but today is in the 50's and windy with showers, in mid June! Not the best day for sightseeing. The weather forecast has been worthless. Well, actually you can go to the weather channel online and find out the prediction and then plan on the day being exactly opposite of what is listed! I am absolutely not kidding about this!!! We usually go to Italy in June and it has always been warm, sunny, and lovely, so I am having the tiniest bit of vacationers regret....,

danon

"So now you know, although it's certainly been said before -- no one else cares what you wear!"

not even in your hometown.
It is up to one's own self -image to dress one way or another be it going to a local mall or dinner in an elegant restaurant.

"
line at the Eiffel Tower in a dress is crazy and guess what? I saw a few teens in skirts with leggings but the vast vast majority were in standard jeans and shirts"


of course... they are TOURISTS.

cathies

girlsgetaway - you are right. It is pretty much impossible to imitate the French way of dressing. They have a certain body type as well, which makes it difficult. Oh, and don't forget that this post isn't just for Americans!! Cathie (from Australia)

amelie

nice post, except I wouldn't really go out and purchase things (3 dresses) based on what one post said. Everyone is different, and so is the weather! I think the key is to be yourself, but at the same time try and be comfortable for all those hours but still look put together.

kerouac

We are freezing this weekend!

Dukey

I wonder if people realize that when they travel to a foreign city, even in so-called "tourist areas" they are inevitably going to see others who actually live and WORK there and what THEY wear is perhaps somewhat different than what they MIGHT wear if they weren't on the way to and from work.

Every time I see a post which advises people not to wear "denim" or "athletic shoes" I wonder if they are talking about some location on Mars.

Carlux

Wear something to keep warm! It's only about 15 in Paris this weekend. A little warmer in the Dordogne, where we are heading home tomorrow. Then mid-high 20's on the weekend.

To all of you who think you need air conditioning in Paris in June ... I don't think so!

FrenchMystiqueTours

It has felt more like April than June these past two days, although by Thursday or Friday temps are supposed to be more summerlike once again. The weather forecast here is essentially useless more than 24 hours in advance. I love watching the forecast and seeing how they use icons to predict the weather. They'll put up an icon with a cloud, the sun and a bit of rain, just so they have themselves covered. It's like saying "Here, you figure it out. We have no idea."

mpprh

Opposing views :

http://www.immspec.com/images/immspe...ge_pic_165.jpg (nb note flip flops)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Kh0CZuWd0T...n+tourists.jpg ( white sneakers)

http://www.maskworld.com/pix/costume...t-fat-suit.jpg (the traditional look)

http://resources1.news.com.au/images...t-killings.jpg (built for comfort not for speed ?)

Always remember - no one knows you & no one cares how you look.

Peter

rbnwdln

Well, didn't say I went a bought three dresses I said I threw three in the suitcase! It was very cold and windy this past week but now we are home and it is 87 degrees!

danon

"Always remember - no one knows you & no one cares how you look."

Has been said over and over again.

Some people just like to dress well and look nice - for themselves! Is that so hard to understand?

MikeT

"Some people just like to dress well and look nice - for themselves! Is that so hard to understand?"

You mean everyone doesn't want to vacation in Europe as though they are stopping by on the way to the Piggly Wiggly and Six Flags?

Luisah

"Some people just like to dress well and look nice - for themselves! Is that so hard to understand?"

No, it isn't, but it's hard to understand why people who dress well for "themselves" at home worry about what people who live in France or Italy think about how they look. They don't care! So dress well. Look nice. Do it for yourself, but not for strangers who you'll never see again.

danon

Luisah, I don't think that people who dress well at home
are the ones worrying about what to wear in France. They know better.