I am a 54-year woman who will be in Paris for 4 days in mid-October and need advice on what kind of clothing to bring. It's a first time for my husband and me, so we will be doing many touristy things and not likely any elegant dining, but rather some nice casual restaurants.

Fall is tricky. You want things you can 'layer' according to the weather. Personally I'd pack basic slacks, tops (of different sleeve lengths and weights), a couple cardigans or jacket, walking shoes or low boots.

We were there for a week in midish October last year and had two days of drizzle and cool mornings and evenings. We also had two days of glorious warm sun and three days of nice partly cloudy weather, also with cool mornings and evenings.

There were people, especially rich older men with young women, in overcoats and many men and women with scarves that they did not remotely need. Apparently on some particular day, it becomes fall, and you wear fall clothes whether you are comfortable or not.

You will need comfortable shoes that aren't running shoes, dark trousers, long sleeve blouses, a preferably cashmere twin set, a light blazer or other jacket, and you are all set. If you look like Juliet Binoche, you can wear jeans.

He can change the twin set for a cashmere pullover, possibly the most useful travel garment I own. You will both need raincoats of some type and some type of non-baseball cap headgear for when it rains OR you can use umbrellas instead of headgear, but there is an elaborate umbrella etiquette in large cities that takes some time to master. An umbrella by itself is not enough. You will still need a raincoat. You will not be sorry if you do most of these clothes in dark colors.

Have a wonderful time!

Be prepared for rain and hopefully you'll have dry weather!

I'd pack an umbrella and lightweight raincoat.

i agree a travel sized umbrella an lightweight (packable) raincoat are excellent suggestions.