I agree with walkinaround that the fashion police have become subdued on this site. 3 years ago, there were numerous people dispensing their rules for what people should wear in Paris as well as what Parisians would "never wear."

That's about the same time I started making my illustrated "fashion" thread. I doubt that I was responsible for calming people down, but one way or another, most people seem to have finally realized that they are the ones who should decide what they want to wear, not a guide book or a website, or Aunt Myrtle who came to Paris in 1965.

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

Perfect.

I've seen some very outrageous dress as you'd come across
in NY. Many years ago, traveling across French inross France we stopped for lunch along the way. I smiled to myself. I was the only one not in Jeans. I've seen the French in baseball caps and sneakers/.The top models I've seen wear what we wou;d off the runway. And don't forget, the well dressed you see may be on the way to work or at lunch hour.

I won't tell people what to wear, but I will describe what I saw average people wearing.

I think a good deal of what I pack for any city has a lot to do with what I plan to do while there. If I want to eat in a lot of top restaurants, or visit avant garde exhibitions, or go to see some underground performance, or do some urban hiking, my wardrobe choices will all be different. I'm more comfortable if I sort of blend in with those around me.

But that's me. I don't know what makes other people comfortable.

One place I've visited where nothing I owned looked like anything I saw local people wearing was Santa Fe, New Mexico.

I think alot of people stopped posting after my friend, thin
was banned.

<<One place I've visited where nothing I owned looked like anything I saw local people wearing was Santa Fe, New Mexico.>>

Now I'm curious what they were wearing in Santa Fe...

I wondered too!

In Santa Fe, and this was awhile ago, many many people were wearing Western boots.

Many women were wearing long skirts.

Everyone was wearing silver jewelery.

Most jackets were a western style.

I had nothing like any of that.

But that's typical there. Lots of turquoise jewelry, hand tooled belts

I definitely would be out of place in Santa Fe...I don't like turquoise! :)

I'm with Ackisland and tend to go with the fashion police side of this discussion because it takes so little effort to be presentable. Slacks or cropped pants with a nice shirt/top (I like Chico's tops), comfortable shoes. Dressier in the evenings if you're going to nice restaurants. If you're over 17, no flip flops, baggy shorts, t-shirts, fanny pack or backpack and never white athletic shoes. Please consider a cross-over type bag/purse to deter thieves and pickpockets.

There are a lot of differences in US. I think there's a huge difference in what's "LA" and what's "NYC", and I always thought Southern "good old boy" attire sticks out in NYC about as much as a cowboy hat and spurs.

I am happy to report that the last time two times I was in Paris (both in Fall/Winter 2011), I did not see one American couple who looked like escapees from an AARP bus tour to Atlantic City.

There was a time...

In the past decade, I've noticed that even mid-age and older Parisiens wear jeans. Very nice ones, I might add. Tend to be fitted well.

In Aug/Sept visit, did see some capris, but only shorts were the chic ones city shorts worn by young women--often with leggings and boots. A French woman at a cafe heard my daughter and I talking about the capris on older women, and she remarked that women were throwing these on because they had just returned from August vacations, and it was the weekend of "The Return"--when kids all return to school. She said, "Those will be going back into storage very soon." Sure enough, a few days later, the capris seemed to disappear.

Did see some flip flops, but those did tend to be young kids. Lots of flats. Like in the US this year, boots were rampant.

Difference an athletic shoes tends to be profile: slim and small--Adidas type versus chunky New Balance. I did see some white ones, but again, the profile is so slim that the starkness doesn't jar the eye.

During winter trips before, we noted that Parisiens did not wear down coats--even nice fitted ones--and so I worried that bringing over my study-abroad daughter a longer down coat would make her stick out like the aforementioned escapees (this was not just my concern but also hers--she sensibly knew that looking like some lost tourist meant she would be a pickpocket dartboard). When we arrived at Thanksgiving, we saw down coats everywhere. My daughter said that she swore the week before, no one was wearing down except American students, and suddenly just a few days prior, EVERYONE had down coats. She said, "It's like some mass memo went out to all Paris...'Down coats will be acceptable on Nov 20.' "

Wear what you want.

We have been informed that Orange and Bright Kelley Green are required for the coming spring, so keep that in mind (this comes from the Brains of Fashionistas). I like heavier footwear in the city so I don't wear flip-flops, but all the girls wear them in supposedly sophisticated NYC so go figure. You're going to have a blast. Just keep your money and valuables safe.

A couple of good points.

White bottoms do not travel well, they get dirty the first day,, then what? Benches , bus or metro seats, all dusty.

So, dark colors and jean material is good. Jeans for summer may be too hot, for men cotton type khaki makes more sense. Sorry , big basketball shorts are not worn,, ok, maybe on a 20 yr old guy, ,but they are not common. Just saying. Do see Europeon men wearing manpris,, like capris for men, thought they looked great,, hide those bony knees guys, lol

Short shorts for mature ladies are not great either, unless you wear them with leggings or nylons and rocking shoes or boots, seriosly , the young slim girls absolutely rock them there like that, but I am thinking OP may be over 20...

|Other then that no one really cares,, remember those "chic" locals you see are most likely WORKING,, you are on VACATION!

Comfortable shoes are a MUST,, I recommend against flip flops as the pavement is often uneven, cobble stones, etc, and the parks have dusty gravel type walking areas,,so your feet would get filthy fast( mind you thats what bidets ARE good for, feet washing,, lol)Which ever shoes you take, make sure they are well broken in,, not brand spanking new.

If you are wearing a Harvard sweatshirt, it signifies that you are French.

dfourh--Agree or ANYTHING that has "NYC" on it.

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

Yes.

The number is X42Z

((I))

How about wearing what you are most comfortable in...? You will never look like a local no matter what you wear. Just enjoy the trip and obsess on what to eat and drink.

The funny thing is....I just received a Paris guide book. Under the topic "Parisian Life", the very first item is, and I quote...."DRESS CODE".

That's a typo. It is supposed to say "NO DRESS CODE".