I am going to Paris for the first time and am wondering if it is a more "dressed up" place than most American cities. I know to leave my bright white tennis shoes at home but are my comfy jeans appropriate and do should i plan to dress up more at night for dinner? Any advice?

Just got back. Just take black sneaks you'll need comfy shoes. Depending on where you eat you may want to perk up a black outfit with a scarf. Short ones tied tightly (not too tight) around the neck are all the rage. (I did see a lot of red hair...though?)They do tend to wear darker colors, but there are plenty of jeans esp for sight seeing. I changed each night for dinner - that tends to be necessary when hoofing around a big city anyway. The French have a cetain elan... but don't think you have to be perfect. Just be respectful and friendly - you will have fun Enjoy !! <BR> <BR>Anne

Just like in American cities, you will see everything imaginable. If you want to "blend", think black, tight, short, high heels, accessories. While out and about during the day, particularly at the tourist sights and attractions, comfort is primary. For shopping or visiting upscale/exclusive neighborhoods/shops, you'll be better received in more "chic" garb. When going out for the evening, you can look your best or not. It's entirely up to you. Much depends upon where you plan to dine. The more casual the restaurant, the less you're likely to be the only one in comfy jeans.

How the heck am I supposed to wear high heels and treck around Paris? I can understand the whole tennis shoe thing but...maybe I'm rationalizing, are my "Keds" out too?...somehow they seem different that big ugly tennis shoes. <BR>I want to blend..but in the mean-time, I don't want to be miserable because of my feet!

Mis ~ Interesting that you mention Keds. I totally agree with you; aesthetically, they're very different than huge (and, IMO, ugly) athletic shoes. To me, Keds have always been the epitome of great design: simple and elegant. I love them but, unfortunately, I believe they quit making them for men. <BR> <BR>Anyway, I don't think ANY shoes are "out" in Paris or anywhere else; no one is going to beat you over the head with a baguette for wearing athletic shoes. But it's my *opinion* -- while realizing others may disagree -- that athletic shoes, in particular, mark you as a tourist. <BR> <BR>I guess what I continually find so interesting about this shoe thing is the idea that athletic shoes are the only comfortable shoes out there for walking. Perhaps they are for some people, I dunno. But I wear dark brown mooseskin moccasins which look great, I walk around 'till I'm ready to drop, and my feet feel fine.

<BR> <BR>Like Capo, I often wondered (reading these kind of "how to dress" posts) about this comfy shoes=athletic shoes thing. I usually wear the same kind of shoes at the office and on vacations, but if I had sensible feet, I'd probably choose mocassins, like him. Only if I intended to walk in the outdoors I would consider athletic shoes (and actually I would wear either hiking shoes or boots depending on the circumstances). Since I didn't wore such shoes for ages, perhaps i'm wrong, but I don't remember them as being that great for walking.

On my very first trip to Europe many years ago I brought my Keds. Big mistake. First, they do not have enough support for long days of walking, and they are particularly uncomfortable on cobblestones and other rough surfaces -- you can feel everything through them. Yes, they are comfy for short distances in your neighborhood and such, but if planning to do a lot of walking they are really not a great choice. Second, when I was at the Frankfurt train station a man walked up to me and started talking to me in English. I asked him how he knew that I spoke English, and he replied, "Easy -- only Americans wear Keds." He was right. Third, they are not very versatile for things like dining out and don't look as nice as some other things. <BR> <BR>No one is saying you should wear high heels. But a good pair of walking shoes will make all the difference in the world in terms of your comfort and are also much more versatile. I like black leather slip-ons (no laces -- like a loafer style -- although lace-up ones are fine too) that have a nicely cushioned sole and about a one-inch thick heel -- comfortable for walking and they go with everything and can be dressed up or down. Well worth the investment, in my opinion. Just make sure that you wear them a lot before you leave so your feet are used to them and you don't get blisters. <BR> <BR>Of course you can wear your Keds if you want, but I regretted it.

Get a pair of fake bowling-style shoes - they're all the thing right now in Paris, and very comfortable. If you're feeling brave, or are a confident shopper, you can buy them there.

janice, Re: "Get a pair of fake bowling-style shoes - they're all the thing right now in Paris." <BR> <BR>Interesting to hear you mention that, because we just noticed the same thing in Rome; those bowling-style shoes are EVERYWHERE (at least in the store windows...we didn't notice that many people actually wearing them.) <BR> <BR>lisa ~ You're probably right that Keds may not make a great choice for walking around a lot (unless one has some kind of custom supports built in.) On the other hand, I have a pair of linen Keds that look dressier than the white ones, they have simple arch supports inside, and I've walked all over in them on cobblestone streets in Provençal hill towns without my feet screaming for mercy. <BR> <BR>Anyway, I was just comparing their simple & elegant design to what I consider the clunky -- and usually hideous -- design of most athletic shoes.

Regarding shoes... I found a pair of lace up black hiking boots that I live in overseas! They are perfect, non-descript enough to not stand out, but if anyone does happen to notice they are stylish enough. They can be worn with slacks or jeans and best of all, I can walk from 8am until midnight and my feet feel great! Which is THE most important attribute! In terms of what to wear, I always bring variations of black, grey and white, always feel comfortable and not stand out (of course we live in a big city anyway so we dress that way most of the time). If something is REALLY popular, I will splurge and buy it in Paris.

I am leaving for Paris tomorrow and you all are freaking me out about the tennis shoes. I am a very conservative dresser- i.e. I am 30 and don't even wear jeans. With much walking on the agenda, I was planning on wearing the only shoes that don't make my feet painfully throb- my tennis shoes- all white leather, no designs, conservative. Also, I am staying at the Prince de Gaul- 4 or 5 stars. Does this make my mistake worse?

This "what to wear" thing so often is starting to make me want to rant, but I'll try to be civilized. <BR> <BR>Wear what's most comfortable - the Parisiens you see aren't spending all day (in their fashionable high heels or otherwise) walking miles all over the city, sightseeing. I don't wear my sneakers at home except for working out, but I wear them (during the day) on vacation, because they (for me) are comfortable, and I don't want to spend my money on comfortable (ugly, over-priced) shoes that I won't wear at home. I also take nice-looking flats, which I wear to give my feet some variety and of courses look better. (I never wear the sneakers to dinner, though.) <BR> <BR>I dress up more for dinner, but that's because I like to; it feels more festive that way. I have a casual skirt (no hose) and nice sweater that I usually wear, with my flats. Appropriate attire for dinner depends on where you eat (just like here in the U.S.); we generally eat at places a little nicer than the average tourist restaurant with the menu in 8 languages. For the special dinners (like at Michelin-rated places), I dress up, with heels & hose, and my husband wears a tie. <BR> <BR>Re clothing, my same comments apply. Parisiens have all their clothing at home; you have only what you brought in your suitcase. Don't plan to wear all black if you don't wear that at home. Scarves are nice, but it's silly to wear them if you're not accustomed to doing so. <BR> <BR>The MOST IMPORTANT thing, far more than what you wear, is to be a courteous, respectful, pleasant, low-voiced visitor who learns at least a few phrases of French. <BR> <BR>Jon - If you're staying at a hotel that nice, you're paying for the hotel staff to be courteous to you no matter what you wear.

Jon-I don't know who started the white tennis shoe thing but whoever did-did not tell the rest of the world that spend their time on vacations just enjoying themselves and minding their own business that they will look silly in them!! Wear your white tennis shoes! <BR>And, if people think white tennis shoes are bad I can't imagine how "bowling type shoes" look good. Are we so into whatever Europeans wear is right and what we American's wear is wrong that we will think bowling shoes are attractive? Please.. <BR>

Lexma90, Re: 'This "what to wear" thing so often is starting to make me want to rant, but I'll try to be civilized.' <BR> <BR>Well, while I wonder about the frequency too, it DOES seem to be something that a lot of people are interested in, or concerned about, whatever their reasons may be. <BR> <BR>For example, at a link someone posted in another thread -- to a Washington Post online Travel web page -- they begin by saying... <BR> <BR>It's a question we get with surprising regularity during our weekly online chat at www.washingtonpost.com: "Is it okay to pack jeans and sneakers for a trip to Paris?" <BR> <BR>http:/washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/euro/front.htm

Kerryanne's question was "if it is a more "dressed up" place than most American cities". The answer is yes, except for the tourists who dress however they like.

Good point, elvira. I realize, as someone noted, that most Parisians one sees are not on vacation, as tourists are. <BR> <BR>However, when I compare the way Parisians who aren't on vacation in Paris dress, with the way Seattleites who aren't on vacation in Seattle dress, there's absolutely no question that Parisians dress far "better" (IMO).

Of course this topic comes up quite frequently because styles change quite often and definitely season to season year to year. Why would I pull up threads from 2000 or 1999 to find out what people were wearing in Paris then, how will that help me find out what to wear now? duh!?!!