Country girl in Paris
 

I would like to get some opinions of what one should wear or not wear in Paris. I would like to blend in but was told by the hubby that I can't wear tennis shoes. :( What should I wear?

There are a zillion threads on this subject, another one just got started about five minutes after YOU posted. Just try to be neat, clean, and pack things that don't wrinkle too much. I like knits and you can find summer weight knit fabrics.

You can wear tennis shoes if you like. Sandals are OK too, but you need to be sure that the leather is soft because it's very easy to raise a blister with bare feet against leather if it rubs anywhere. You also should have something that gives good support. You don't realize how much you will be walking and standing on hard surfaces, cobblestones, stone floors. Take two pair of good shoes or sandals so if one pair starts to rub you can releive the pressure points. I also suggest packing some moleskin just incase. Nothing like a big blister to ruin your vacation.

Hi

I personally don't understand all this fuzz about what to wear, how to not look like a tourist etc. I say: enjoy Paris and wear what you feel comfortable in :d Here is a trip report with pictures and links from a trip to Paris last year: http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . My wife and I went there and stayed for a week and we had a lovely time.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

Wear anything you want. Only tourists worry about their attire.

You know what, I agree with wearing whatever and being comfortable. My hubby just didn't want me to stick out like a sore thumb. :)

Wear whatever you like and feel comfortable in. As many posters have said before - you are anyway going to look like a tourist - and most likely sound like one when you open your mouth! It is OK to be a tourist! Enjoy Paris - and buy some shoes to take home!

"HE" doesn't want you to stick out like a sore thumb?

What is he planning on wearing to blend in?

I was in Paris for the first time last week. I was surprised at just how similar the dress was between continents. The only thing that really made Americans stand out to me was wearing college or professional sports garb. 'Oklahoma State' or 'Chicago Cubs' might make you stand out.

There's actually an article about how to dress in this weeks Fodors newsletter:
http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/002513.cfm

It's more important to plan for the weather than for 'fashion', in my opinion. Take some layers, wear sensible walking shoes, and a little something nicer for special restaurants. I would avoid tee-shirts emblazoned with logos, slogans, etc. If husband wears hats or caps, please remember to remove indoors. Seems to be a lost gentility these days.

"Europeans wear shorts only at resorts, beaches, or while actually involved in athletic activities. But women are allowed to wear city shorts, but only real city shorts -- to the knee, tailored, fitted and crisp/clean with a smart shirt and either ballerina flats or wedges."


This is a really funny comment that has now appeared in the aforementioned Fodors newsletter.

I'm just imagining myself wearing city shorts and a crisp blouse to the office, or out and about in Brussels or Paris....don't do the city short thing. It's a crime.

I wonder how people so obsessed with what others think and so desperate for acceptance by strangers ever manage to enjoy themselves when travelling. Perhaps they do not.

Tennis shoes are fine. Blisters are not.

Sorry - I wrote the city short comment - and it's perfectly true. They're everywhere here in NYC and I have also seen them in London and Paris - along with Capris and lighweight skirts - perhaps not on executives on their way to work - but on lots of adult women in the streets.

Certainly more appropriate than ill-fitting jeans on a size 20 bottom, giant whte clown sneakers and baggy tee shirts with a picture of tweety bird on the front (yes - I saw this on a 40-something tourist at the theater earlier this week).

You must spend a lot of time looking at other persons' clothing and judging them in consequence. Do you ever take time out to see the city?

"I wonder how people so obsessed with what others think and so desperate for acceptance by strangers ever manage to enjoy themselves when travelling. Perhaps they do not.
"You must spend a lot of time looking at other persons' clothing and judging them in consequence. Do you ever take time out to see the city?"

Just because one likes to look presentable, abroad ( and at home ), there is no need to label the person desperate, obsessed , or judgmental.
Speaking of judgmental...

Well, when I was in Paris last year, I certainly looked at the city, but I have to admitt, after all the does and don't on this board, when I was in the Metro or stading in line at Monoprix, I looked at EVERYBODY!!! Some of them must have thought I was a stalker. LOL

The best dressed people I saw were the ones either going to, or coming from work. The rest looked like ordinary people, wearing ordinary clothes, going about their ordinary business.

Clean, pressed, properly-fitted, age-appropriate, feminine clothes in colours that flatter your complexion and cuts that flatter your figure.

Err on the side of formality, rather than looking too casual and sloppy.

Err on the side of modesty, rather than showing too much skin.

The only time a woman's bare toes should be visable outside of a beach is when they are nicely manicured, and she is wearing a pair of pretty sandels or peek-a-boo toed heels.

The only time a man's bare toes should be visable is never.

Only wear clam-diggers or capris in the city if you are very young *and* and have long, slender legs.

Skirts should be knee length or longer, unless again you are very young *and* and have long, slender legs.

The only time a man's bare legs should be visable in the city is never.

Ensure your underwear will stay invisable underneath your clothes at all times, at any angle, and in any light. Do wear a bra, and do make sure it fits properly.

Keep your footwear clean and scuff-free.

The only time a woman or man should wear flipflops in public, outside of a beach, is never.

Maintain good posture, and keep your shoulders back. Hair should be neat and nicely brushed. Wear make-up sparingly, but do wear it.

If you've already got these bases covered, you are light-years ahead of most people and don't need to fuss about the issue any longer :)

If you fail to obey these many laws, what is the penalty?

Just wear a comfortable pair of shoes! Sneakers are fine. I saw plenty of people wearing them. The rest doesn't matter that much if you are dressed casualy and decently. My feet are still recuperating from 10 days of walking in new shoes I did not break in.