Help!!! What shoes do I bring?
 

I will be traveling to Paris from May 17 to the 20th and I have no idea what shoes to wear. I will mostly be bringing capris to wear during the day and then getting a little more dressed up during the night. I am not so worried about the night but during the day I am not too sure what shoes to wear. I would usually wear sandals with capris here in the states. Can I also wear them in Paris? Are shoes that are opened ok for that time of year? Any advice you could give would be appreciated. Thanks in advance for all of your help.

Amy

A pair of closed comfortable flats, a pair of good looking sandals, and one walking shoes or sneakers is what I normally take. 2 in the suitcase, 1 on my feet.

You can wear whatever type of shoes you want. Just be sure that they are very comfy (you will be walking MILES) and that they don;t have high heels (unless you have a lot of experience walking on cobblestones).

It wouldn't be my preference to walk around in a major city with open sandals; feet get dirty, that leads to blisters...nevermind the occasional misstep into doggie leavings...

I was in Paris a couple of years ago the first week in June. The first two days were up in the 70's and then it turned cloudy, much cooler...in the mid 60's, and we had rain showers off and on. Never a full day of rain...but a mix of showers and sun during each day. I had a pair of low heeled boots with cushioned in-soles that I wore a lot and then some closed toes microfiber shoes with cushioned sole and a slight wedge heel..about 1 1/2" high. No sandals that trip. What the weather will be like for you this year? Just be prepared.

I amy, I wore sandals during a trip in Charlesto SC. First time ever I got some blisters on the top of my feet which got infected. My Dr. told me that is is best to not wear sandals when doing lots of walking (sightseeing etc.) as sidewalks are very dirty and infections are very easy to get. So just wanted to share this info with you for what it is worth.

Thanks LoveItaly.

I have blister-prone feet and would not want to get an infection on vacation, yuck!
I'm not sure how I still get them after years of ballet as a child and teen and cross-country running since college... doesn't it seem like there should be a lifetime limit on how many blisters one can be forced to endure?!

I think the weather in Paris in mid May is still a bit nippy. Probably high in the 60s. I'm not sure if you really want to wear capris and sandals.

I've been in Paris twice in May and wore good sturdy sandals most days. I was very comfortable and I don't recall my feet getting terribly dirty. I have Clark's sandals that have neoprene lining so no seams or leather touch your skin and thus, no blisters! Love them!

Hi cls2paris, actually it was Clark's sandals that I wore that day in Charleston. It was my first ever experience with blisters.

BTW TexasAggie, my Dr. had me buy the Band-Aid brand "Advanced Healing Blister. It is supose to promote fast blister healing. Also claims to be "multi day". Has a cushionig gel.
Use on an open blister to keep blister sterlized. You might want to pick up a package of these. Happy walking everyone! P.S. They must sell these in France as well as the box also says "vite gueri pour les ampoules"

I wear a pair of black Naot Mary Janes. Great for walking and they look fine with pants or a skirt. I did miles last week in London and never had a minute's problems with my feet.

I usually trade off shoes from day to day so if there is any pressure point it won't continually get it in the same place. I also take moleskin with me. I've never had to use it thank goodness.

as a guy i can't help you w/ open-toe shoes. but i can tell you that whatever shoe you pick, go out and walk around for a few hours (yes 3+) and see how you feel. you could easily cover 5+ miles of walking a day in paris...you do need to be comfy.

try the sneaker-like shoes (puma, diesel, addidas) they are fairly cushiony yet trendy.

I take a pair of Rockport Rocksports for everyday walking, and a pair of waterproof, light hiking boots for rainy days and more strenuous walks.

wear COMFORT , no one will be looking at you. my g/f always wear sneakers and carry a pair of sandals or shoes in her back pack, that way if she is not confortable wearing sneakers going into some places she just switched back and forth.

after walking miles for hours in uncomfortable shoes, you do not care about looks.......there are very nice looking sneakers in stores now. i agree that is lot better to wear socks...

I am hardly a slave to fashion, but I have noticed on past trips that no French or Italians wear sneakers, or even socks for that matter. (This was confirmed by my British friend, who openly scoffed at my feet on our first trip.) So these days I like to wear comfortable, cushy, open-toe "slides" (most recently Clarks) or leather walking shoes.

abbydog, for the last two years i have seen plenty of sneakers of all kinds in rome, paris, and london. the puma sneaker (especially the one w/ a velcro strap across) is absolutely huge in paris. i saw so many i wanted to go buy one and figured i'd blend in. and go look at stores and you'll see that sneakers are very popular.

but for the most part, you are seeing people going to and from work so you see less sneakers and casual clothes, and more business casual clothing. go out (where ever you live) and look at what people are wearing during the week: business attire.

I also have worn raised open toe slides. By raised I mean the sole and heel are sort of thick--almost clog style but open--so your feet and toes stay "safely" above all the nasty stuff on the ground and esp on bathroom floors!!

so i wonder what europeans do with the sneakers they buy in the USA...they go crazy with the variety we have.

ucsun, tell me more about the puma sneaker with the velcro strap -- is it the one you can buy here in the US? (sorry, just assuming you are here in the US as I am reading your moniker as University of California...) I've been looking for a tennis-type shoe that would work for easy day hikes and also work in town if necessary (I usually don't bring tennis shoes, but for this trip, hiking boots are too heavy). Thanks
annabelle
(these much despised shoe/clothes threads are my fodor's guilty pleasure. I still think about m kingdom and the whole "banding" discussion whenever I wear black and white)

annabelle2,
yep i'm in socal...you got it right. take a look at the following:
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/1115744/c/27035.html

http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/3083537/c/32132.html

i have the same style as in the second link, just different color. and it is real comfy. i can wear it all day at work and i'm good. albeit i'm behind a desk...but i have walked in them for extended times and they are just fine.

honestly, i'm leaving those at home and just taking my new balance runnning shoes. and i really don't care about it...i have to be comfy as they are my feet. and i have done this the past 2 years and i haven't even remotely felt like anyone paid any attention. now for nice dinners, dress shoes...but sight seeing: comfy.

trust me, be comfy. when you end up back at your hotel room and your feet our aching, ask yourself "who will see that part of it".

thanks ucsun -- just spent a very pleasant half hour browsing zappo's shoes.

annabelle2, your welcome. they do have a great site and free returns!

Of course you should check the weather closer to your departure, but do be aware that it can still be rainy and cool at that time of year. Two years ago we had that sort of weather AND a heat wave, all within the space of a week.

I packed capris for the South of France but in Paris the week before we wore coats, cashmere sweaters and the warmest clothes we packed (the end of May last year). I had Mephisto sandals but it was far too cold for sandals that week. I'd take something to wear - especially on your feet. I'd be surprised if its warm enough for capris and I wouldn't wear mine in Paris (summery, tropical but nice). Just not appropriate in Paris. We wore...guess what(?)...BLACK!

I meant to say, I'd pack something WARM to wear on your feet.

I've been "testing" my outwear here at home where the weather has been about the same as the forecast in Paris. We'll be in Paris about the same time as you.

I think you'll be chilly in capris and sandals. Though my sandals are my most comfortable footwear, in large cities they are not so practical - your feet get dirty, folks step on your toes on the metro, not good when pouring down rain, etc.

I'm wearing my ultra comfortable Foot Thrills clogs (they're leather lined!)(www.marylandsquare.com), and bringing a pair of flat Hush Puppies (for skirts) which have thick and well-padded soled, and a pair of low heeled pumps for evening. I've tested the clogs everywhere at home, especially on long staircases and the Boston "T", to make sure they don't fall off. They're fabulous!

I was just in Paris 2 weeks ago, and I have to agree with not wearing capris. I wore them one day with sandals and felt very 'American!'

I wore a pair of black Dansko shoes, basically clogs but with a 'back' part. They were wonderful for walking, and I had no blisters at the end of the day. They were also perfect for just standing at museums for long periods of time.

Oh, wow! Feeling very 'American!' That must have been horrible.

..capris are impractical in Paris..would suggest forgeting them and packing pants..example black cotton (I have a pair I like from Banana Republic..also a pair of more jean like blk trousers I bought in France)...these can be dressed up or down. I always have a good pair of low 1 1/2" heels that have been worn everywhere and have hours of cobblestones under their belt as well as a pair of well worn flats...Whatever you choose make sure that they are NOT new shoes but broken in and "test driven"... remember with the rest of your cloths- keep the color pallette simple and layer so that you will look as comfortable at 80 degrees as you will at 50.

why are you complicating your life, for day walking and activities. nice jeans , nice and clean sneakers (so many in the market, match color of sneakers with tops) and dress up with nice shirts or blouses and a scarf. the final touch is a jacket or raincoat. you will look great and your feet will feel wonderful. most places you will be visiting are pack, so no one will be checking you...i know you want to feel and look right...

It's funny how some people have so much trouble with sandals - dirty feet, getting stepped on, blisters, stepping in dog poo, etc. (which as a sandals fan doesn't seem to happen to me).

That said, my concern is that May in Paris maybe too cool weather-wise to count on wearing capris and sandals. I think slacks and closed shoes would be more versatile.

I just took a quick peek at my pics from last May. Most of the "people on the street" or gathered around Mona in the Louvre are wearing black pants with a few khakis and a couple of blue jeans in the mix. Outside pics - everyone is wearing a coat, jacket or sweatshirt (it was windy and chilly).

Funny thing I never noticed before. The picture with the most blue jeans and white tennis shoes? The locals playing boule in a park! :-) Didn't even notice it while I was there!

Wear WARMer shoes than sandals. Or, be ready to treat yourself to some Parisian shoes. Believe it or not, hot pink Converse tennis shoes were in the windows last year!

I think you are thinking of Paris as a beach resort or something. It's only May, it's not going to be so hot that you have to dress like at a resort. It could possibly get that hot, so I don't see any harm in bringing one pair of capris, in case (maybe black or something), if they look fairly tailored. I wear capris in Paris in the summer, and never felt particularly American -- I bought some of them in Paris, actually, last year and the year before, as both those summers had really bad heat waves and I wanted something cooler than I had packed. Capris were really popular in some of the Paris stores a couple years ago, I remember.

I also don't have so much trouble with sandals, and do wear them in the summer -- both in the evening, and a good pair of walking sandals in the daytime. I have never had trouble with them, but wouldn't think of them for mid-May so much.

I think the problem is everyone is visualizing something different by the terms sandals and sneakers. Little flimsy sandals with thin soles are not going to be comfortable for walking around all day, but good walking sandals will. I think the sneakers issue--and some people use the term "tennis shoes" for the same thing, which is also confusing-- is that some people are using that term for athletic shoes (Nikes, etc), and others for those casual rubber-soled very colorful, less bulky, sneaker-style shoes (Pumas, etc), some with the strap over the top. I would never wear big white athletic shoes on vacation, but those other kind are really popular now, in Europe and elsewhere, and you see people wearing them all over Paris and in a lot of stores (at least you did last summer).

Christina, amen.

retro is in... so figure whatever you're wearing, you still won't stand out.

and plus, they can spot you as a tourist a mile a way...you look different (facial structure)...it gives it away. and you know you're a tourist anyways...try speaking there language even if they happen to mistake you for a native.

'Largely agree with what most have said -- it might be a little too cool for sandals in Paris in May. You might want to consider some well-cushioned ballet flats to look retro stylish as well as a little more polished than any sport shoe (don't even THINK those big clunky running shoes if you don't want the disdain of Parisians.) On the moderate end, Aerosoles has some cute ballet flats. Since ballet-style flats are in, everyone from Chanel to Cole Haan to etc.. has them. Add an insole is needed.

The "G" series from Cole-Haan is a nice sporty alternative -- Cole Haan styling with Nike technology. For something sportier, the snazzy-type lace-ups are very in,and a lot of manaufactureres and catalogs have them. (Hey -- if Dolce & Gabana has them, they are in...)

I know that there are sturdier sandals, but I also agree that your feet get pretty dirty if you walk around all day. Also: I'm more in that camp that believes that anything that looks like a Birkenstock is a cry for help, particularly in fashion-conscious places like Paris.

Great thoughts--due to leave for two weeks in Paris on the 15th (May) and all reports confirmed decision of shoes and clothes to take. Thanks all.

To the opening question: a left one and a right one, with heels in the back and toes pointing forward, unless you're like the guy in the Movie "Best in SHow, who actually had 2 left feet...Have fun there in Paris, whatever you wear.

If I was going, I would take sandals for mid-May. It's time. As long as your sandals are comfy for your feet, go for it. Those very cute, cool slim "sneakers" are everywhere. They are very cute with capris, and especially easy on your feet. Not the big US athletic shoes, but the small sleek "Puma" type. At night, I would also recommend sandals as being the appropriate shoes for dress. I was in Montreal this past weekend, and sandals were worn everywhere. I think they would be perfect in Paris.