This may seem like a strange post, but I just had dinner with a friend who brought up issues of dress while I am in Paris. She mentioned that white sneakers (which of course are comfortable) really draw attention in Paris (which I don't want). She mentioned also that the open-toed shoes and shorts are not respectable. I definitely want to blend in, but I'm also looking for comfort as a tourist. Should I take my white sneakers (I'll pass on the shorts)?

This has been dealt with very extensively already. Just type in 'sneakers' or 'dress' and 'Paris' and you'll get an eyeful. <BR> <BR>Suffice to say, the sneakers and shorts are out if you don't want to look like an American slob.

You can certainly wear white sneakers - you'll never be taken as a French woman anyway. I would pass on blue jeans though. Chinos are fine or skirts. The whole idea is to be comfortable but "presentable". At night I would suggest you dress nicely - sweater sets, skirt and blouse etc. For more Paris information e-mail me.

Hi Paula, <BR>To 'not' look like a tourist, DO NOT wear trainers or use a big back pack! <BR>Wear black linen trousers/long skirt, white shirt/top, dark sandals and a black small back pack. You can take a couple of different coloured shirts and a cardigan to mix and match with the skirt and trousers. <BR>

I've been to Paris on several occasions and they dress fairly informally. If you are going to be going to upscale restaurants, dress as you would in a city in the states. If you will be frequenting local bistros, pants and sandles or boots are fine. The best rule of thumb is if you are wearing black you will be fine!

Hi guys-- <BR>what is this I hear about not wearing open-toed shoes/sandals in Paris? I was planning on wearing a very cool pair of black Clarks sandals most of the time while I'm there (the end of the week). Is this inappropriate? Also, are black soled (slightly chunky) shoes appropriate? I'm thinking of the cobblestone. <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Take the white sneakers, if you like, and perhaps another pair of very comfortable black shoes. Once there, you'll see for yourself. I leave the white sneakers home, but if you're wearing them in Paris, you won't be alone. I thought I'd never give up my Reebok walkers, but Naturalizer Milleniums (in black, of course) are much more comfortable and much lighter in weight. I was amazed at the difference. When it's hot, you'll see sandals all over, particularly the upscale brands.

I was browsing through the latest issue of Travel & Leisure magazine, which includes an article on Paris, several days ago. After so many posts here stating that Parisiens do not wear jeans and white sneakers, I was amused to discover in the article a large photo of 2 girls wearing, lo and behold, blue jeans and white Keds-type sneakers. The photo was labelled something to the effect of "two Parisien teenagers shopping". I would agree that one would not likely see older women wearing such attire in Paris, but for those in the teenage through twenties age group it doesn't seem to be unacceptable to wear jeans during "leisure" time. (Though I must admit that I have not seen white sneakers on anyone whom I knew to be Parisien in Paris - but perhaps I was simply wrongly assuming that everyone I saw wearing white sneakers was a North American tourist?). I am in my 20s, have taken 2 trips to Paris (and 3 to London) in the past 2 years, and have not felt at all uncomfortable or out of place wearing jeans in either place. I must admit I don't wear white sneakers ... usually sandals in the summer ... but I do take and wear a pair of dark grey New Balance sneakers! Non-white sneakers (Sketchers type sneakers or other funky looking coloured sneakers) seemed to be quite popular on young women in London last year.

If you want to be totally on top of fashion: bowling shoes. <BR>They were everywhere - in every store, in every color imaginable. <BR>And they're comfortable.

I must have just got back from a completely different Paris than everyone else, because I saw TONS of Parisians wearing blue jeans, sneakers (sometimes with neon!), nike shirts, etc. They were NOT tourists! It is such a big misconception that everyone in Paris dresses great. The younger generation LOVES America and you will see it in their fashion.

Paual: Just make certain that you wear a tuxedo, if male or an evening gown, if female and you'll never be underdressed and be mistaken for a tourist. The exception being at night when retiring, then you can scale back to semi-formal.

I just returned from a wonderful trip to the Riviera and Paris last night. While there, I took note of what I saw people wearing because this topic comes up here so often. <BR> <BR>We were in the South for a week and obviously saw lots of sandals and other beach wear. We were about the only Americans in this particular town where the tourists were primarily German and British. We did visit Cannes and Monte Carlo which were more upscale - probably why we didn't stay there. <BR> <BR>Paris is a culturally rich and diverse city. People buy and wear clothing just as diverse. I saw all sorts of clothes from the chic-est of designer fashion to beautiful African prints. When we visit Paris, we go off the tourist path, so we see more than just the tourists. <BR> <BR>While I saw a lot of tourists (not just Americans, but French, German, etc.) in white tennies, I also saw French people wearing themecially on the weekends when they were not at work. Sandals are for sale in all the shoe stores and I saw lots of French people wearing them. I wore my Mephistos - sandals and close-toed. <BR> <BR>About the bowling shoes - I saw them everywhere, too. I bought a pair of red Mephisto 'bowling' shoes that are grand - talk about happy feet! <BR> <BR>And, if you're an in line skater - they are everywhere. We saw lots of families skating about on the weekends. <BR> <BR>I wore what I regularly wear when I'm not at work and felt very comfortable. I don't usually wear jeans, though. I tend to pack a lot of interchangeable cotton knits. There were also a lot of capri or cropped pants on women (tons in the stores). I had a dress in case we went to a more formal restaurant, but we didn't. The weather was sufficient that we had some wonderful evening picnics on the Champ du Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. <BR> <BR>Be comfortable, be yourself and enjoy.