Is there really a "dress code" in Paris?
 

Sure I love dressing up like any gal, but will I really be judged by what I wear? I've been raising kids and pigs for many years....I believe I am a bit out of touch with the fashion world. I'm a little panicky about what to wear when I visit Paris in June!

"<i>Is there really a "dress code" in Paris? </i>"

Of course there isn't! Who gave you that idea?

Yes there is and you will be scrutinized as you get off the plane and if they dont' like your looks you will not be allowed into the country. :))


I can't help that much with summer wear, I hate being hot and I usually go in the late fall or early spring. I was in Paris some years ago, the first week in June, and it was quite warm the first two days and then it took a huge turn and was very cool and drizzling every day. I liked the drizzling better that the warm frankly.

Everything I am reading in books and on-line states what to wear and what not to wear.

If you arrive at Paris airport you'll go through immigration (passport control), customs (to check your bags), and the fashion police. The first two are mere formalities, but that last can be quite grueling.

They'll check your luggage - don't even think of mix & match. Last I heard they will require a unique, coordinated, fashionable outfit for each and every day of your stay.

Since you've been raising pigs you may be familiar with the term hogwash....that's what this is all about.

I appreciate everyone having fun with this, but why in the travel books do they have lists of do's and don'ts? I've never seen anything like this in other countries...Obviously if I want to wear shorts, I will. But I actually read that was a big "no-no" for women. Why do the travel books say "leave your white tennis shoes" at home? I never thought twice about what to pack until I started researching for my trip.

luvmyfarm, finally someone I can relate to. (The pigs.) I have seen this question often since I started researching going to Paris. Pick an address in Paris. Google map it. Street view. You will see what people wear in Paris. Contrary to what the fodors fashion police says, people wear (gasp) blue jeans, tennis shoes, sports jerseys, t-shirts, and of course white collar Pariseans wear nicer clothes, often black or dark colors.
Leave the barn clothes at home and I'm sure you will look fine. What is the worst thing that can happen....that someone thinks you are a farmer from the USA? Certainly nothing to be embarrased about. Just a thought, you could always shop for clothes while in Paris. I hear they have department stores there. Enjoy your trip, ziggypop
attitude is everything

My assumption is that this is a troll.

On the (tiny) chance that it is not - Paris is a world capital and so people would dress differently than they do on a farm - just as in London, Rome,, NY etc.

You are perfectly free to wear whatever you want - but if you dine in any more upscale places you will probably be treated more seriously - and be more comfortable - if you dress like an adult - and even try for a little chic. This can be jeans - if they are well-fitting and paired with real shoes and a pretty top in silk or linen or?

If you choose to wear shorts, tees with cute sayings, lot of bright pastels, giant white clown sneakers and baseball caps you will stand out as american tourists and make yourself a target for petty theft. Other than that no one will care.

Here is one current thread on the subject (there have been many):

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...shionistas.cfm

I would agree that there is a wide variety of clothing worn in Paris. Trying to fit in with Parisians for someone from the U.S. is frankly hopeless, so I wouldn't even attempt that. The main reason to blend in is to avoid being a victim of crime. If you look too much like a U.S. tourist, you stand out more for pickpockets, weird taxi drivers, etc. My main advice would be, try to look more "urban" than you normally would, and that would go for a trip to NYC or Chicago, too. Usually that means, darker clothing, better shoes and an accessory or two to pull it all together. You probably only need to add 3 or 4 items to what you already have to pull this off.

NO, No code, be clean and you will be okay. The dress style differs in diffferent arr. but they will not look down ion you. so be youself

P.S. We care about how they look BUT.
they don't care how we look!

I am going in May.I have one dressup outfit to go out for dinner and the rest of 4 days I will be comfortable.soft shirts and pants and comfy shoes and socks by ECCO which I love.Not worring about what I am wearing ,Just enjoying Paris.

i agree with the others here, however you said something about wearing shorts. that is one thing I would not do.

If you are speaking English try and add a heavy French accent. That throws off the locals and they don't notice what you are wearing.

And nobody cares if your butt looks big.

We were in Paris in May 2011 and yes, I did not see anyone wearing shorts. Man or woman.

Nobody cares what you wear in Paris. Like you, they are all worrying about what other people think, and thus have no time to look at anyone other than themselves.

You can where anything in Paris,
But not to do in the countryside

Here is a photo essay that I stole from kerouac from awile back.
http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...ay&thread=4630
my apologies kerouac, just trying to help a farm girl.

also lots of videos on You Tube that show what real people wear during the day.

IMO, after 8 trips to Paris, nobody cares what you wear---ACCEPT, if you plan to eat or stay in 5* hotels and restaurants!

Just sayin'!!!

Might as well look at one of my reports for the proper month. Here are the jeans, T-shirts, shorts and white shoes that Parisians were wearing last June: http://tinyurl.com/62my3gx

"but why in the travel books do they have lists of do's and don'ts? "

Never come across anything of the sort in my life. And I'm a travel book junkie.

You're obviously choosing to read exceptionally silly books.

well it seemed that even this board shifted from preaching what to wear and what not to wear in paris to this foolishness now pretty much out of favour. commonly in the past we would see the 'well travelled' (usually) americans trying to help their less travelled 'unsophisticated' breathren fit into paris and avoid looking american (presumably something that is shameful).

this was like borat trying to teach the people of kazakhstan how to dress in america and avoid looking like a foreigner. it was comedic, cliche, simplistic...pretty fun to read.

now it's generally fallen out of favour here to preach about the evils white tennis shoes and bright colours in paris. overall it's a good thing but with its decline, some of the comedy here on the fodors boards is gone forever.

Bravo walkinaround. I have been active on travel advice websites every since Al Gore invented the internet, and my biggest pet peeve is Americans with inferiority complexes who want Europeans to like them, and thus preach the dress code. You can be sure that when Europeans visit NYC they are wearing running shoes and track suits too. And weird colored slacks like orange!

The only time that the "what to wear" admonition is valid is when visiting countries with cultural/religious restrictions.

Thank you all for your responses.

I found the lists of "do's and "don'ts" in the main, well known travel books I found at the library. I don't have an inferiority complex...my point was, if it is no big deal, then why am I reading about it? Someone did say they would not wear shorts. There you go...

We're having fun luvmyfarm. Walkinaround nailed it. The whattowears are now running for the hills, naked, stripped of their credibility.

You will see shorts in Paris.

:)

No shorts and I wear mostly one color, black so that I can pack lighter, mix and match and items that are easy to wash and dry. Layers are best, cropped pants if you tend to be hot but no shorts, fanny packs or you will set your self up to look like a tourist and that is not bad except for pick pockets.

Having observed the evolution of these "what to wear" discussions over a decade or more, I believe the common thread (as it were) is ridicule. There has been a slow movement from a preponderance of posts ridiculing the clothing Americans wear in Paris to a preponderance of posts ridiculing those who ask the question.

Both factions have always been present, but the balance of power has shifted.

I prefer to wear pantaloons, lice collars and buckle shoes so people will think I'm from Europe.

:-)

dave

No city has a dress code except in certain Islamist countries, that I know of.

But people may judge you if you look ridiculous, you can't help that, or if you look like a slob or dress completely inappropriately for a particular kind of place. But I think anyone knows that, no matter where you are.

I've seen various travel books giving do's and don'ts for dressing, that isn't that unusual and they are not "exceptionally silly." It's just kind of the norm for them to say things like don't wear shorts, sneakers, whatever. And I have seen that for places other than Paris (travel dress advice).

I've seen people on Fodors give lots of dress advice I can't follow and don't even think is true, but I've traveled so know better. Such as that you can't wear jeans in Europe.

Agree that anything goes! You will see people wearing everything...when I travel in the summer I wear flip flops in Rome and Paris, and all summer in London on the weekends where I live.

The only time I have seen do's and dont's is maybe in a church, where you are sometimes restricted from entering wearing anything shorter than your knees and your shoulder naked. This is usually in Italy though.

Very good! Of course I didn't mean a literal dress code...that's why I had it in "quotes"... :) I'm very excited!!

I don't know where that 'don't wear jeans in Europe' advice comes from. That is simply idiotic, everyone wears jeans.

And you must wear comfortable shoes. You are not on your way to work, you are sightseeing and walking all day. If that means white Nike's, than so be it.

Wear whatever you would wear when visiting a large city in your country. Smarter clothes if you go to smart restaurants, that goes without saying

I would not wear shorts or a fanny pack because I think that makes you a target for pick pocket. I am going in May and bringing a few nice pairs of crop pants...very comfortable especially if weather is warm and with comfy sandals.

<<I appreciate everyone having fun with this, but why in the travel books do they have lists of do's and don'ts? I've never seen anything like this in other countries...Obviously if I want to wear shorts, I will. But I actually read that was a big "no-no" for women. Why do the travel books say "leave your white tennis shoes" at home? I never thought twice about what to pack until I started researching for my trip.>>

Paris is known for fashion, and I'm guessing those comments are directed at those who follow fashion to some extent. They're funny though because people who pay attention to fashion trends don't need a book to tell them what not to wear if they want to look "stylish".

>> I prefer to wear pantaloons, lice collars and buckle shoes so people will think I'm from Europe.<<

Lice collars?! Bet you feel a bit of a nit.

Watch Antiques Road Show, US version. Look at the people in the background. See what they are wearing. Don't wear that.

This is always a topic that generate lots of discussion.

I don't wear t shirts unless I am working out at home or abroad. I also don't wear tennis shoes/running shoes unless engaged in sport. I think there are other shoe options for comfort and you can like nice in them...but if you want to wear athletic shoes, do it. I also only wear flip flops at the beach or at home but not out & about. They are also terrible for your feet (no support)and don't work for a day of sight seeing. I have friend in Europe who do make fun of the American tendency to wear flip flops everywhere.

I have worn tailored shorts out in Paris in summer (linen, longer leg length, not elastic waist). Again with nice shirt and shoes, not athletic wear. The same with jeans; nice jeans as part of a nice outfit (no holes, not faded, baggy crappy jeans).

Wear clothes that fit properly and are comfortable for what you are planning to do. Other than that, don't worry. While Paris is known for fashion, the average person on the street is not decked out head to toe in Chanel or Dior! Kerouac, am I right here?