I'm a 53 year old women, how shall I dress to look hip in paris?<BR>Merci,<BR>Anna

Anna, definitely avoid jeans, sneakers and baseball cap!<BR>Wear casual wear like a black pant, nice cotton blouse, cashmere blazer, comfortable leather loafers and maybe a silk scarf. <BR><BR>Don't worry too much now, but have fun once there and do as the Parisian women do.

Anna - the French don't do hip. That's a British prerogative! The French do elegant - and they do it well. Think Yves Saint Laurent, classic, black, neutral, chic. Gwyneth Paltrow is a good example

While at Union Square in SF this past weekend I listened to the many languages being spoken and observed many French tourists. What were they wearing? Blue jeans, blue jean jackets, white sneakers, yellow jackets. Trust me, no one was wearing black.<BR><BR>I know this is not Paris and perhaps the French tourists were trying to blend in with Americans. <BR><BR>If you don't normally wear black and cashmere, you will feel uncomfortable if you wear these items on your trip. Just go to your closet and pick out some clothes that you feel good in.

French tourists in the US do not look like the average French woman walking down the street in Paris!Just like American tourists don't look the same on vacation as they do during the work week.<BR>They usually wear a lot of dark colors, scarves, heels, great looking jackets or sweaters. <BR>The "hip" part is mostly the attitude, the great haircuts, and the fact that they are at home and you are not, so you feel out of place.<BR>I always wear black pants/skirts, with blue or black tops. Colorful scarves, got an Hermes scarf one year in Paris and always take that and my pashmina which is pale pink.<BR>For evenings out, all black does it for me!<BR><BR>

I am a 61 year old (out of shape) woman.<BR>Since I am leaving for Paris tomorrow,<BR>it will be too late to change my plans<BR>for what to wear while in Paris.<BR>I am taking some denims, some black jeans, some nice knit tops, a black blazer, black shoes (European made) and<BR>a pair of black dressy pants. Hope I<BR>will not look too much like an "eyesore"<BR>I like to blend in (but not sacrifice<BR>comfort) I think the most I am worried<BR>about is being comfortable...but not<BR>stick out so that the pickpocket...scam<BR>artist see us coming from a mile away.<BR>

Janice<BR>I think you should blend in ok.<BR>Part of it is looking confident. You<BR>might want to add a few scarves to what<BR>you have, but no expensive jewlery.

Black, black, black -- try some of the wrinkle proof (as if) at someplace like Chicos. Just throw a scarf with your outfit and you'll be perfect. Paris is very high style -- Americans dressed like Americans look, well, American. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but when in Rome (or Paris)... Leave the jeans, tshirts, etc. at home. Comfortable shoes are a MUST though -- Keds actually makes some black micro-fiber-esque shoes that are cute, comfy and washable (and your shoes will get dusty!!). Check out their website for the latest for the fall. Be sure to take a skirt or dress for dinners. A pachmina (spelling???) is another great travel accessory -- warm, dresses up an outfit beautifully and doubles as an extra blanket on the plane. <BR><BR>Have a great trip!!

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Anna, Anna, there are no differences than my NY or Your Tx? or whatever. There are slobs there as well . What they have is ATTITUDE , it's their celebrated city<BR>. In the US we are(on the average) better dressed but you will see that for yourself, as also the myth , they all wear scarfs.

Anna:<BR><BR>Do not come to our wonderful city of Paris trying to look "hip" unless you are under 20 years of old. You will just make a silly out of yourself.<BR><BR>It is more important to command respect than to mix with the latest fashion. Simple, elegant, comfortable are the words to guide you - those and good fabrics and construction.<BR><BR>Every day we see ridiculous tourists trying to be fashion experts or just wearing what they would wear at home, in other words very improper and sloppy dress, and we laugh at them quietly of course so they cannot hear us. We Parisians have no secrets. Our secrets are things everyone should know from birth - simple lines, good fabrics, and a nice few accessories can always make a woman look fashionable and be comfortable too.<BR><BR>And we also know that a woman should act her age - not to try to look 20 when she is 50. It will not work, It will blow up in her face and make her look pitiable.

"make a silly out of herself"<BR>LOL thanks for the laugh!

Most tourists (any country) are in<BR>Paris to see the wonderful museums,<BR>cathedrals and other great sites, etc.<BR>So my opinion is just to try to look<BR>neat and to be comfortable.<BR>Enjoy your visits!!!

My fiance and I arrive in Paris this coming week. We typically do lots of walking when we're in the city, and I firmly believe in comfy shoes while we're trekking. Since it appears the temps will be in the mid-50's to the upper 60's, I'm thinking polos and light cotton shirts, with khakis and the occasional blue jeans. I tend to overheat when I walk for long periods, but I'm assuming wearing shorts of any kind is strictly taboo. Any other suggestions? Thanks...EOR

If you look hip at home, you will look hip in Paris. If you don't look hip at home, you probaly won't look hip in Paris.

Ah Dee Dee -- the best words of wisdom yet on the subject.

I returned from paris a couple of weeks ago. out of all the things duscussed on this forum, I thought this was by far the most over talked about and somewhat inaccurate info. I found many of the french walking around paris to dress very casual including the women. I think Americans who dress well and nice in the US will look the same way whether here or in france. Don't be concerned about wearing sneakers or shorts, if you get all dressed up you will no doubt look like either a tourist or somebody looking for some sort of attention.<BR>Brett

Stick with the black. It's YOU! Okay, now give me a little more of that pouty look. Work with me, baby! Work with me! (click-click-click) FABULOUS!