Jeans
 

I am leaving for Paris next week. Do the people there wear jeans? I want to wear jeans but don't want to stick out. I see alot of people have posted that they are also wearing tennis shooes. I just bought some new loafers to take along but I would really like to take my tennis shoes to wear for most of the walking. Is a light weight jacket with a hood a good choice to take along?<BR><BR>Thanks<BR><BR>Thanks

I believe there are some posts on here right now by people just returned from Paris that describe to some degree what everyone was wearing.

boy, this troll post has never been written before. you are so original

I love jeans. I always take jeans to Europe. Why do we have the idea that jeans are sloppy? If they aren't torn or faded, if they fit properly and are clean, combined with your new loafers and maybe a blouse and blazer, you should look great. Many people choose not to pack jeans because of their weight and the time that they take to dry. While those are valid, I prefer them because they can be worn day after day and they don't have to be ironed. I say bring your jeans, be comfortable, and don't worry about what the people in Paris think you you. It's YOUR vacation!

I don't wear jeans myself when traveling, but there were plenty of people with jeans on in Paris last week. Neat, well-fitting jeans with a nice blouse or shirt can be a whole different look from rumpled jeans with tee shirt advertising Bud Light.<BR><BR>Similarly, I think tennis shoes would be appropriate on the days that you're doing lots of walking; just depends upon what you're doing. I would not wear them or jeans if you're planning a day of shopping in upscale boutiques, but for hours in museums, I think it would be ok. I might have answered this differently a couple of weeks ago, but just returning from Paris on Wed., I have to say that truly "anything goes". Once again, it's how you want to present yourself. And on a crowded metro, does anyone care?<BR><BR>I took a black, above-the-knee raincoat with a hood and was glad that I had. It sprinkled a few times for 2,3 days; not enough for an umbrella most of the time, and the hood really came in handy.<BR><BR>Have fun!

Dear Freak - You must be the person I was next to on the Paris metro. The jeans literally stunk. Must have been the 15th straight day they were worn. <BR><BR>If one must wear jeans in Paris, I say where them ONLY when in the confines of one's own home or hotel room. NEVER out in public.

Just got back from Paris, and I noticed a new trend in jeans while I was there. These were mostly worn by teenager weighing 40 kilograms, mind you. Their jeans were made so that they looked like they had been worn for six weeks without washing and had the dirt color already impregnated into the front and back seams. I am not kidding. This is the current trend. They were obviously brand new jeans with prefabricated dirt-colored stains in the appropriate dirt spots.

On this board, everybody seems to be just back from Paris...

Wear jeans, wear running shoes, it really doesn't matter. Believe it or not people wear all different combinations of cloth's and shoe's. I promise you, no one is worried about your shoes.<BR><BR>I didn't see many people wearing shorts, a few so if you feel like wearing them, then do it.

Hip hip hooray!!! It's about time we got away from having to dress all in black, or whatever the current fashion trend is. Just wear what you'd normally wear at home. If it's jeans, then wear jeans. I'll assume that they're clean jeans. Most people really don't care.  And the few that do --well, does it really matter?

Of course we wear jeans in Europe!!<BR>Who ever came up with the idea that jeans are not popular here??<BR>By the way, "jeans" comes from Genova, "denim" comes from Nimes, the "blue" and the rivets were added in the US.<BR>

The question referred to Paris. We just got back from Rome.<BR><BR>Locals wear jeans (some with jacket to dress up), locals wear sneakers. Locals seldom wear a backpack. Locals almost never carry a camera.<BR><BR>If you're concerned with looking like a tourist (I'm not sure what's wrong with that), you've got to drop the backpack and camera, not the jeans and sneakers.<BR><BR>If you're concerned with being identified as an American, don't say anything out loud or flash your passport. Believe it or not, most tourists in Europe are not American. Unless you wear something that obviously identifies you (a T-shirt with an American flag does not really), you will be just another tourist.<BR>

Lots of younger and older (I mean in their 30s, 40s) people were wearing jeans in Paris when we were there last week. Jean jackets were very common too. Very, very few people were dressed all in black (sorry fodors black clothing police). Lots of tennis shoes and other casual shoes, not that many white ones. I didn't see many shorts at all, though the weather was still on the cool side. Usually tourists in the shorts.<BR><BR>You'll be doing a ton of walking, so bring comfortable shoes.<BR><BR>One last word on the jeans, I do not think that dirt look was prefabricated, sorry. It was from long wear and no washing. <BR><BR>A light weight jacket with a hood is a good idea, we had rain a couple of days--it would shower then stop and be sunny.

So sorry x, but that dirty look is indeed prefabricated. Quite the "in" look this spring and summer. It will cost you too--I have been debating a pair that is about $130 down in Soho. Have decided that I like looking clean for that price!<BR><BR>Oh, the silly whims of fashion. <BR><BR>Seriously though, walking down the streets of Manhattan today it seemed that just about every other woman I passed had on a pair of low-slung, dirty lookin' jeans.<BR><BR>

I just got back from Paris/London too and the jeans everyone's wearing are the very dark worn type - they do look dirty which is why I haven't bought a pair but I will now! Also jeans jackets of the same fabric are very popular - it was cold during my stay. I saw the dark jeans jackets with all black, with tan trousers, and with jeans. The women wore leather bowling-type shoes with laces - had to be colorful. I didn't see many tennis shoes. A knee-length coat with a hood would be perfect for rain. If I had to take a jacket, it would be a dark jeans jacket for sure - everyone was wearing one.

I agree about the dirty look in jeans. I just returned from Portugal and Spain and they are shown in all the store windows. And being worn every I went. <BR><BR>Also I was in many many shoe stores and those shoes that look like bowling shoes were everywhere!! The hot color seems to be red in all style shoes. <BR><BR>(Sorry Tami, to intrude on your post!!)<BR><BR>Sue

Here in Boston, in the major retail stores the bowling style-type shoe is being sold all over. They might be comfortable, but they are ugly. I've seen them primarily in red or tan. And the dirty looking worn denim jeans, albeit brand new, are also in the store windows. To each his own.

We were in Rome a couple of weeks ago and the bowling shoes are in every store. Eventually they grow on you. I guess that's the marketing ploy. There is a place for bowling shoes.<BR><BR>We did see people beginning to wear them. Maybe they were on their way home from the bowling alley.<BR>

What are middle-aged ladies wearing in Paris these days?

I wasn't too keen about the bowling shoes either. <BR><BR>I guess I'm wrong about the prefabricated dirty look. I haven't worn or shopped for jeans (except my jean jacket, which is a several years old) for a while.<BR><BR>

I would probably re-think the tennis shoes if what you mean is a flat-soled canvas sandshoe. They don't offer a lot of support. If doing a lot of walking, you'll likely end up with very tired feet.<BR>

I don't think you are wrong about the prefabricated dirty look - I think that describes it perfectly.<BR><BR>We people-watched on Saturday morning and saw some women in pants suits coming back from the food markets. The middle-aged women I saw (and I am one) also were wearing jeans jackets but over more adult outfits, like black or tan trousers or skirts. A trendy handbag and shoes also. Really the clothing was all over the place so I would just wear what you like.

I often wonder if you can pick out the American tourists by looking for those dressed all in black! I could in London. I do believe black is passe'. <BR><BR>My daughters wore blue jeans in Paris and when I asked them if they thought this was OK to have done, I got the most quizical looks like "are you out of your mind, Mother?" "What do you mean people on Fodor's are advising others not to wear them?" "PUHHHH" (eyes roll, lips blow out air, head flips back). I wore jeans as well but dark blue, pressed, nice shirt, walking shoes. <BR><BR>As for shoes, wear what is comfortable. I know French women wear those little shoes that kill your feet, but who can walk in those.

Black is pass&eacute;? Are you kidding? Black is classic. Black is timeless. Black is never pass&eacute;. <BR><BR>You think our ancestors, thousands of years ago, wore periwinkle or teal bear skins? :)

Ha, Capo! I wish I'd brought a pair of jeans when we were in London and Paris this past April. It was chilly enough that they would have been ideal. We commented that we hadn't seen so many jean jackets on women (of all ages) in years (in Paris). And there were days I really wished I'd packed my Nikes.

I really find this thread quite humorous. I know that Capo has been wearing his jeans in Europe, and I bring them on each of my trips, and have never felt out of place. And here, so many of you have been taking the advice of the fashion police saying not to bring your jeans, and bring, black, black, and more black. And then you go on your vacations, and see all of these other people in jeans, and come back saying that you regret that you should have brought your jeans and sneakers. Well, live and learn, and learn to take other's advice with a grain of salt.

I was in Paris earlier this month and wore jeans. Only reason why I stuck out was because they weren't dark blue denim, low-slung/hip huggin', or flared on the bottom. :-)

Hello Tami, I recently saw the Today show (or perhas it was GMA) and they showed all the current news regarding jeans. WOW! You should have seen some of them. All kinds. But the current trend is the "old look". They showed jeans that had that "old look" and the cost was dear! There were creases (like when you have been sitting a long time and get up) and all those places looked almost bleached out. Old looking. Hard to describe. I do think black is classic where ever you go. Never out of style. But you do need a little variety. I am leaving for Paris this week and wonder what all to take. I am taking pants.....some jean type.....I am probably older than some of you, and nice shirts etc. I read about the jean jackets and I just may go shopping this week. I have never had one and was wondering what to take. I figure to dress comfortable and somewhat subdue.......I figure if I am sticking out......I can get over it. I will never see any of those people ever again. So, do wear what you want to. I think loafers and jeans and a jacket you can't go wrong. They will never be out of style. Jeans are here to stay. I just wrote a post about the weather there and will look for answers soon. I am hoping not to be to cool while there.

I am probably one of the most unfashionable people you'll ever hear from. I own five or six denim skirts. Any chance that you see middle-aged ladies wearing them in France? If so, are they long? Please don't tell me to wear what I like. Thanks.

JW,<BR>I just returned from Paris and I can't really recall seeing many skirts - none short for sure. I do remember one woman with a beautiful suit and the long skirt actually had a bustle! The thing that stood out for me was the accessories - a perfectly tied neck scarf, cool shoes, and cool handbag. Your jeans skirt will be OK if it is the right color - very dark, faded, and worn. I also saw gypsy-type peasant blouses that would be nice with a jeans skirt. Paris seemed to be about making a personal statement and then selling it to the world. Just don't look like you are going to work in the garden and you'll be fine.

Sorry Sue, but denim skirts are totally out of the question in Europe unless you are a 17 year old - heroin chic looking model. As for jeans and trainers, of course they are worn all over the place in Europe, but there's jeans and jeans, trainers and trainers. And yes, I do confess, I've just bought a $ 150 artificially old Diesel jeans and a few pairs of $ 100 "bowling shoes"...

Did you know that Jeans are originally from Italy? Exactly frm Genova, it was the material used to fix broken sails on the old ships (Jeans-Genova)<BR>Nothing is American except for colesterol it seems!!!

Tami: You have your answer: Jeans are prevalent in Paris. Two more comments. On my recent trip to Paris, I saw older women wearing nice (and tight) un-faded jeans. Younger women (and maybe some older), often wore jeans that were faded in patterns or in sections.