Help!!! What shoes do I bring?

Old May 4th, 2005, 01:32 PM
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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)
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Old May 4th, 2005, 01:46 PM
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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".
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Old May 4th, 2005, 02:51 PM
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thanks ucsun -- just spent a very pleasant half hour browsing zappo's shoes.
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Old May 4th, 2005, 02:59 PM
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annabelle2, your welcome. they do have a great site and free returns!
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Old May 4th, 2005, 03:36 PM
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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.
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Old May 4th, 2005, 03:56 PM
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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!
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Old May 4th, 2005, 04:16 PM
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I meant to say, I'd pack something WARM to wear on your feet.
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Old May 4th, 2005, 04:42 PM
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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!
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Old May 4th, 2005, 07:21 PM
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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.
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Old May 5th, 2005, 05:01 AM
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Oh, wow! Feeling very 'American!' That must have been horrible.
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Old May 5th, 2005, 05:28 AM
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..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.
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Old May 5th, 2005, 05:40 AM
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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...
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Old May 5th, 2005, 06:35 AM
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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.
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Old May 5th, 2005, 07:32 AM
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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!
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Old May 5th, 2005, 10:26 AM
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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).
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Old May 5th, 2005, 01:31 PM
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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.
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Old May 6th, 2005, 08:02 PM
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'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.
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Old May 7th, 2005, 12:21 PM
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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.
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Old May 7th, 2005, 01:33 PM
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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.
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Old May 9th, 2005, 08:55 AM
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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.
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