travel_kielbas

Hi there -
I am going to Paris in July and am wondering about appropriate attire. I know the basics, i.e. no shorts/sneakers...but was wondering if it is appropriate for a 33 year old woman to wear (fashionable) tank tops/sleeveless shirts during the day?

also, is it acceptable to wear sandals/open toed shoes?

Just dont want to stick out like an outsider, or offend anyone!

thanks in advance for your help!

pavfec

Yes, that will be fine. A pair of city shorts (to the knee) would look also look very nice and probably be comfortable for sightseeing.

As for shoes, you can wear sandals, but make sure they're comfortable. Be aware that your feet will probably be dirty though at the end of the day.

sandi_travelnut

The people of Paris do not care what you where. There is no dress code for Paris. You will not offend anyone. Wear what is appropriate for where you will be going (the Opera, a concert, a mass) and what is appropriate for the weather. Be comfortable.

Again, there is no dress code.

lucyp

Hi, when I was there last Sept. there was a heat wave - over 30 degrees most days. I had only brought one pair of (long) shorts as I know they aren't really worn there and thought I'd wear them around the apt.

When the heat hit I no longer cared and wore them a lot everywhere. My husband kept pointing out loads of women wearing shorts to which I'd reply 'yes, but they're also tourists'. He'd start listening to conversations trying to support his Parisian in shorts theory but never could.

Finally my point is 'who cares?' the place is teeming with tourists and people wearing all manner of clothing. Sleeveless is fine!

caroline_edinburgh

Some churches don't like sleeveless tops - I's suggest carrying a light cardigan with you.

gard

Hi

As I said in another post just a few seconds ago....I personally don't understand all this fuzz about what to wear, how to not look like a tourist etc. I say: enjoy Paris and wear what you feel comfortable in Here is a trip report with pictures and links from a trip to Paris last year: http://gardkarlsen.com/Paris_France.htm . My wife and I went there and stayed for a week and we had a lovely time.

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

AnthonyGA

Paris is a city the size of Los Angeles, with the same ironclad, inflexible rules dictating that everyone must dress identically. So be sure to dress in Paris with the same rigor you'd observe in Los Angeles. Otherwise the police may line you up against a wall and shoot you.

2010

If this July is anything like last July in terms of heat, I'd suggest packing a few summer dresses. Much cooler than wearing shorts or even a skirt & a top when the temperatures soar. I always take a large rectangular scarf to throw over my shoulders just in case. Comfortable footwear is essential!

lyb

actually I understand that once you land at CDG, you have to go through a checkpoint where the authorities check your clothes..if they don't meet the strict Paris dress code, they either make you go back home or escort you to a shop that has the uniforms accepted in Paris!

PLEASE, LET'S STOP THIS INSANITY OF DRESS CODES IN PARIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

bob_brown

As far as I know, wear anything that will NOT get you arrested. Based on what I have seen, I am not sure what WILL get you arrested!!

Parisians have a unique way of ignoring other people.

At least that has been my impression.

Don't worry about the outsider bit.
You will stick out as soon as you open your mouth.

There is no way I can look French!!

tod

With all due respect lyb, you and I may think it's insane but to a first-timer who is a total ignoramous about travel, it is pretty serious stuff.
30 years ago I did the unthinkable and took 15 pairs of shoes to Mauritius for a 10 day holiday! I had a different outfit for every evening meal and a different pareo every time I hit the beach. Compared to that travel kielbas's question seems pretty tame.
Nowadays I take the barest minimum in a carry-on and have never looked back.
We all live and learn eventually!

tcreath

I wear the same things in Europe that I do at home. I dress for comfort first and then for looks. Paris is filled with tourists and outsiders; unless you are walking the streets naked nobody is going to notice.

Tracy

missamericalondon

American tourists' casualness embarrasses the American who have chosen to live abroad. No Parisian would put out the garbage in some of the get-ups I have seen tourists wearing. But then I'd never go to a Walmart, McDonalds, etc either -- so I guess people have to dress to suit themselves.

kerouac

Absolutely. You should visit McDonald's or Wal-Mart some day and find out about your country.

francophile03

Yes to all of your questions. Just dress comfortably as it is really warm in July. As others have already mentioned there is no dress code for visiting Paris unless you intend to dine in a high end restaurant for example. When you visit you will see that everyone including the locals is dressed how they like.

lyb

tod,

I understand what you mean..however, it's not like Paris is ONE person. There are all sorts of people and yes, the Parisians may dress more formally, but I doubt that one little tourist from America/Australia/England/Germany/Canada etc... will make any difference to anyone in Paris and be "offended" unless someone is wearing clothes that would be inappropriate in ANY large cities or any cities.

Example: wearing a bathing suit in the middle of Manhattan would be just as odd as Paris but if on a street right off the beach in Miami or Malibu, no one would take a second look.

InMiami

I have to agree that Paris is a big city and you should wear clothing that you feel comfortable in.

Having said that, the Parisians certainly have a sense of fashion and style is very much appreciated.

When I visited last summer I was also concerned with “fitting in” during my stay. I brought lots of Kenneth Cole, Hugo Boss, Armani ,ect ( I am a male).

Perhaps I did not have to bother but a lot of people seemed to appreciate the effort I made in looking well dressed.

Dress in clothing that makes you feel good, if you with to express a style Paris is one place it will be greatly appreciated.

suze

Sleeveless and tank tops are perfectly fine. Pair with capri and sandals are perfect. You can even wear )longish, decent) shorts and sneakers. All of Paris doesn't care what you wear.

I don't mean this in a flippant way, truly if you dress in a way you feel good and would be considered fashionable at home for hot weather, you'll be OK for Paris.
;-)

Agnes1228

Dear travel-kielbas,
I was stressing before our trip to Paris last year. We were there during a bad heat wave - I felt overdressed, just for sightseeing.
Day 2 I ended up wearing a semi-casual summer dress (sleeveless, but below the knees), and then blouses and a skirt...and, comfortable sandals.
Do not worry. I think you need to worry more when going to Rome than to Paris. Sadly, Notre Dame does not feel like a church - I have seen people half nude there. That was sad.
I think it is important to dress according to the activity, no matter what country you are in.
You can't expect bike riding or hiking in Versailles Gardens wearing high heels... Relax. Paris is just another beautiful city.
I wish Parisians would stress a bit about their airport (CDG)- depressing, scary, and more like a maze - and warm bottles water in their pseudo-clean grocery stores.Enjoy yourself.
Speaking of enjoyment, there is a great restaurant in the 11th, called Chez Paul. No English menu, and amazing food at a reasonable price.
A

Agnes1228

I meant " bottles of warm water"