Dressing is Paris
 

How should a tourist dress in Paris? Is it ok to wear jeans in the day time? I have a couple of jumpsiuts, not sweats but it's a top,jacket and pants in a J-LO type material like brushed cotton. is this ok? Do the men have to wear ties? Or is a izod type shirt and kaki pants ok to wear. I understand that in some restaurants you have to dress up more. But what is the standard. Please advise.

Hi K,

You will be fine.

Tell DH to bring a jacket and tie. He might have to wear one at some places.

((I))

Please kinseykin, do a search on this topic. Sooooo many posts on this topic.
In short; wear jeans, day and evening, wear what you would at home, jackets/ties only in the most formal (for example Michelin-starred) restaurants. Shorts are not worn often in Paris, and dark trainers/comfy shoes are better than white.
Have a good time in Paris.

You can wear anything you want in Paris.

There are a handful of clubs and restaurants in the city that might impose a dress code, but they are increasingly rare, and dress codes are history everywhere else.

In the good old days people were more fashion's conscientous but now you can wear anything you want .

any

Two weeks ago, I saw a very large woman get off the plane at CDG wearing grey sweats and a large American flag as a jacket -- seriously, it was a leather jacket printed with huge stars and stripes all over. I appreciate the patriotism, but please, don't wear this to Paris...

Please, don't wear this anywhere. :)

((I))

Jeans are just fine, but I don't see Parisians wearing tennis shoes with them.

If a person feels comfortable dressing in a certains style, I dont see why must change his/her style of dress just to please the Parisians., which by the way,dont dress very well anymore..

I dont see the Europeans, which by the way I am one also, worry too much about what to wear when they came to visit the USA.

If you don't dress in head-to-toe Miu Miu, the denizens of Paris will throw chien merde at you.

I am the greatest star there is. The stars are ageless!!!!!!

Balenciaga, sweetie.

what the heck's a "J-LO type material"?

no men do not have to wear ties in Paris unless you choose a particularly fancy restaurant, same as anywhere.

yes jeans are fine for tourists in the day time.

Of course you can wear what you like, but that doesn't mean you will admired or even accepted. No one will throw anything at you, but there are always buts.

Do you want to wear clothing in other countries that is basically only worn in the country in which you live? If so, no problem. I have seen people who appear quite at their ease in clothing that clearly marks them as citizens of this or that country. And I am not just talking about the US.

People in Paris generally don't wear the types of clothing you describe. But do you care? That's the real question.

If you don't, so what? If you do, you may want to do some research on what is generally worn there.

There is a current thread on the subject of why anyone would want to "blend in."

Me, I like to blend in. Others feel that means I'm just an insecure wannabe. Again, so what? I am more comfortable when I look more like the people around me.

It sure helps to have a J-LO type body when you wear J-LO type material!

Wear what you like dear, no one is looking at you. Paris has millions and millions of inhabitants, I can assure you that they don't just wear Chanel and Dior.

Is J-Lo material some kind of synthetic knit? If so, I would leave it home. Dress there the way you would dress in any large city in your country. Of course jeans are fine. Izod/Lacoste-type shirt and khakis are fine, too, although I would choose darker colors than khakis. Just try to be reasonably well-groomed, not sloppy and you will have a better chance of "fitting in." What kind of restaurants are you talking about? Most places will not require a tie for men. Is this your first trip to Europe?

Is this your first trip to Europe?



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yes, it is and I do kind of want to blend in but I probaly won't becaus eof my excitement to just be there. I don't want to stand out though as a tourist so that I get ripped off at stores or shops or restaurants.

When i said J-Lo material I meant Like that crushed velvet sort of brushed cotton look of a jumper. Not really sweat pants material but kind of a drssed up jumpsuit.

Hi Kinseykin1:

You will be just fine. Jeans are okay, black is great. Accessorize your outfits with scarves, cosmetic jewelry,
a hat, sunglasses.

Be yourself, be comfortable, if you plan
on some fine dining places then a simple dress or skirt would be nice and for the guy a tie and jacket/blazer.

My DH and I always bring clothes that can be dressed up. We like to look nice for each other, and we believe it also adds to the overall dinng experience.

What month will you be there? Asking because if it's summer you may find the J-Lo 'felt' material a bit warm, but the cotton will be just fine.

Also, us gals would like to wear our dress heels as well but cobblestone streets and the amount of walking you do, you need to leave the high heels home.

Break in a pair of black or brown walking shoe/sneaker type before your trip. Find another type like a comfort clog or slip on pumps for evening wear.

Have fun shopping for your trip!
Di

Yeah, DiG We are going in April the week of Easter (15-22). I really expecting it to be a little rainy aan dpossible cool, sort of like it is here in April, Hit or miss. I will take you advise and break in a pair of good walking shoes and dress like you said with jeans and a few half sleeve nice t-shirts. And Accessorize!! Then I'll bring black pants for night with a couple nice blouses. and slip on clogs, I love those caus eyou can wear them with pants or a dress and still feel dressed.

sounds good. your knit pantsuit might work OK for something to wear around the hotel room. i like to pack one outfit to relax in.

jeans fine, but I wouldn't wear a velour jumpsuit around in public in a big city, anywhere. I think that kind of outfit is only appropriate for casual errands at home, going to the gym, or perhaps in a really casual, resort city. I wouldn't feel comfortable at all wearing that in public in any capital city, but to be honest, if you want to wear that in the daytime to go to the Eiffel Tower and just tourist things like that, I'm sure you won't be the only one.

Ok , ok that's final i'm not bringing the j-lo outfit, Jeans and dress pants are the outfits for me. Thanks for your input.

Also dont forget to bring a small umbrella, a jacket,a scarf and at least a sweater..Paris in April can be quite cool and the weather can be very unreliable.
Bon Voyage , I will be in Paris also ,but in September..

Hi Kinseykin,

I would suggest saving some room in your suitcase, after walking around Paris for a few days you may just want to go shopping. Think H&M, Sanmartaine (sp) and Gallaries Lafayette Department Stores. As for what to wear, think New York, or San Francisco. Cooler climate, layers, darker clothing. Save bright colors for accessories or sweaters. Also a light weight raincoat might come in handy.

Bon Voyage

Hi K:

Another item I bring is a jacket-blazer
that gives me an option besides my sweater.

I bring 2 sweaters, a black cashmere
cardigan and 1 other in a softer color.

If it's not rainy, I'll wear the jacket-blazer over the sweater with anything from a LS top to only a camisole under the sweater; or just a blouse and jacket with cami; depends on the temps.

My 3/4 length, waterproof rain jacket has a detachable hood but keeping the umbrella handy is a biggy.

What brand of slip on clogs do you wear?
I haven't had a pair I really liked for both day & evening, that looked nice and were comfortable at the same time, since my Doc Martens's which I wore all over Italy.
That was 5 years ago!!!

This past week I bought a reversible, crunchy, black hat at Kohls, winter clearance sale. It has felt on one side and a cotton tweed look on the other. You can fold the front up and the back down or fold both up or down-I love it and have worn it every day for my walk and errands.

I'm taking it to France for the beginning of May as we're going to Normandy.

Have fun and we're here if you need more tips or advice.

The clogs I have are from Clarks and they have a heel but not to high and the look really ggod with jeans and I can wear them with like black pants cause they are leather. They are so comfortable. I think I can wear them more than sneakers sometime to do alot of walking in cause they are padded and all or something, Most of my shoes are from Clarks and Are very good for my feet. Your suggestions are great!!

I say take the J-Lo's! There will be times when you just want to be comfortable and if you look good in them, wear them. Young people in Europe wear cute outfits like that.

Even the most comfortable shoes, I think it's important to have 2-3 pairs so you can switch off which ones you wear.

And I was serious above about including one "lounging" outfit. It's nice to be able to get out of your daytime clothes but not into your jammies/robe (if you travel with those) for some kick-back time at the hotel room at the end of the day or between touring and going back out for dinner.