Paris dress code??
 

We are going to Paris mid-June. We plan to bring dress cloths for nightime (Jacket/tie, dresses) but we are not sure what to bring for walking the streets during the day. I'm thinking jeans and comfortable shoes (not tennis shoes) would be good. Will jeans make us stand out like true tourists or is this acceptable in Paris? Thanks.

Everything that you're thinking of is fine, but you don't really need to dress up. Even at nice restaurants, a jacket without a tie is fine.

Oh PLEASE, not again. Wear whatever you want to wear. Parisians don't wear jeans, so yes, they'll know you're tourists - do you care? Jeans are hot and heavy - I never wear them in Europe for that reason. Is there some reason you can't find a pair of nice, chic capri silk pants and a simple top that wouldn't offend anyone and would be very comfortable to boot?

A man in silk capri pants might attract the wrong kind of attention, don't you think?

But not at night in the Bois.

the top tier restaurants, e.g., Taillevent, Le Grand Verfour and La Tour d'Argent, require that their male diners wear jackets and ties for dinner.<BR>can't advise you about appropriate dress for your street walking ventures, but, normally, the idea is to stand out.

Jeans in Europe even in the UK tend not to be worn by anyone over the age of about 35. Americans often look like mutton dressed as lamb. If you are below 35 and have a similar waistline then jeans will be fine.

Cotton or linen slacks or skirts would be a lot cooler ..Paris can be very humid! Dressy pants for women at night with a dressy top are as acceptable as dresses in the best restaurants, but at the top ones he will need the tie, but not otherwise.<BR><BR>

No Jeans, No jeans, No jeans. If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times. I agree on the capri pants suggestions, but dear, cotton twill rather than silk. (In homage to YSL)

By God, wear jeans if you want to, a lot of people will be wearing them and not just Americans.<BR><BR>Always be yourself and don't worry.<BR><BR>

Just back from my third trip to Paris and every time I see jeans on the locals.(Mayabe not the country blue jeans.) In fact Parisians seem to dress the way we do just different brands. I prefer to wear black travel knits because they are easy to care for and I never wear jeans at home but if you want to wear jeans wear them! I would love to buy into the myth that all Parisian dress like fashion icons but it is just not true! Unless you eat at a very nice restaurant you will not need dress and suit. Have fun and pack light!

Forget what the "fashion police" say about not wearing jeans. During our recent two-week trip there, we saw Parisians of all ages and tourists of all ages wearing jeans during the day. As for evening wear, you'll only need a tie at some of high-end restaurants. Otherwise, a sport jacket and open-collar shirt (or "trendy" T shirt) are fine. But, hey, take a tie just in case--how much room does it take in your suitcase?

The Parisians may not be fashion icons, but the Italians wear the best shoes.

I was in Paris last week and everyone wore jeans including my friends that live in Paris. The style was dark jeans (dark blue, black or grey) that look like they have never been washed. I saw people with every outfit imaginable. Bring clothes that you will feel comfortable wearing (comfort and style). wjh

Why please tell me why this question is even answered? If the rumhead cannot do the search or can't figure out what to wear why worry.

Betty<BR><BR>Go girl...."rumhead"....i love it!

We just got back a couple of weeks ago, and ANYTHING goes. There's so much to see that I doubt you'll even notice what people are wearing. As long as you are comfortable, that's what's important. Sneakers are the best if you do a lot of walking. The heck w/ looking "fashionable" in slides or heels!!!

Egg and Hiho: When were you in Paris last? Earlier this year we saw lots of locals wearing jeans, some of which (the jeans, not the locals) were obnoxious.

Back too weeks: Lots of Jeans - darker ones, true, most wearers were relatively young and relatively slim.<BR><BR>Only ate at one three-star, but room was equally divided between tie and no-tie. All men wore jackets.

And just how did you know they were"locals"?

Which locals are you asking about, the locals that some people claim never wear jeans, or the ones locals that some people claim do wear such things?

Quite possibly, those that say "don't wear jeans" are want us to wear black, so we'll stand out like tourists, while they can actually blend in more in their jeans.

I'm going to Paris next Fall. In my fantasy I would have a French fashion Stylist pack my suitcase. The Stylist would make sure I not only blend in, but appear trendy and graceful. That is not going to happen, but in my dreams. I'll just try to shop myself and do my best.<BR><BR>I plan on walking for hours and hours, because that is how I like to explore a city. For this, I have to have my beloved Sketcher tennis shoes. I'll buy a new pair. No, they will not be all white, but they will be trainers. I have to do this or I won't be able to walk for hours and stand in the museums. None of those fancy, expensive leather shoes work for me. So I guess I might as well give up blending in, but it is a price I'm willing to pay in order to explore and gaze to my heart's content in comfort.

y..<BR>locals<BR><BR>either or ..unless one goes up to a person and engages them in conversation, how exactly do you know where they are from. How does one know a person is Parisien and wearing jeans, or a Swiss or Italian or from the countryside or UK or Ireland??

As I read the remarks from this thread and many other threads through the weeks I have come to the conclusion that many of the authors have never been or it has been years since they have been to Paris, London, Rome and many of the European cities they write about. Sorry, it is IMO. Their answers make no sense of what is reality.

Tommy, I couldn't agree with you more. It's a task trying to figure out who knows what they are writing about. I saw a lot of people wearing jeans in Paris and I was just there a few weeks ago.

i have been in paris for a few weeks...<BR><BR>in paris, you should bring comfortable pants like jeans or some other cotton trousers and some good walking shoes. at night, you will want to have something that looks a little dressier like some slacks and a nice shirt or, if you're comfortable with it, something fashionable (designer). <BR><BR>the casual clothes are necessary because seeing paris requires a lot of movement and you should be comfortable. don't worry about wearing jeans. parisians wear jeans. if you're worried about sticking out, then bring newer jeans that are darker in color. if you were going to bring acid wash jeans, you have bigger problems you should be dealing with...haha<BR><BR>despite being a californian who likes to wear shorts and sandals everywhere...i must recommend that you bring some casual dressy clothes for the evenings. people are human and they judge people by appearances. paris is no different. but because the level of fashion, this judgement level is higher. you'll get better service from waiters and not get immediately blown off by every employee of a service business you enter. you'll also look better and usually this is a good thing...<BR><BR>if being physically comfortable is more important, then do what you like. if being mentally comfortable (ie. not feeling like a black sheep) is more important, then bring the nice threads. <BR><BR>if you're going there with your lover, it might be worth it to go buy a new outfit for your moonlit walks along the seine.

Hi Kevin. Jeans -- blue jeans, that is -- may mark you as a tourist, but, IMO, not as much as if you wore jeans and athletic shoes (and, for good measure, a baseball cap.) If you have any (and like) black jeans -- especially ones that haven't begun to fade -- they'll be comfortable but also a bit dressier. Hope you have a great time in Paris. <BR><BR><BR>

Capo<BR><BR>You are the biggest wannabe in the world...not just this board.

You can't come up with anything more original than that? :)

Go with wearing jeans if you want! The Parisians wear jeans so what's wrong if we wear them too???

10 days in paris this april...had not been there for 3 years. amazed that the locals were now wearing slacks and tennis &/or walking shoes. they looked like they were in ny or phila. not many "fashionable" local women in daytime. did see jeans also but agree that summer will be too warm for that. things have really loosened up in recent times...

This is the year for nudity in Paris. Especially in the summer when it is hot. Bring a towel to put on the seat of the metro so you don't sweat it up. And, gentlemen, bring a tie for the fancy restaurants. Ladies, a scarf will do. Comfortable shoes are a must.

I go with nudie above.

I was worried about the dress code, consequently I overpacked. <BR>Parisians are not your best dressed people. <BR><BR> We were all over the city for a week. We noticed that they dress in drab colors and the clothes look like they were worn for days. Most young men and women wore blue jeans or black jeans and black sneaks or black shoes. The older men and women wore wrinkly dress pants. The women did spuce up their appearance by wearing sarves.<BR><BR>Frankly, I was taken aback by their appearance because I had read so much about how not to dress there. <BR><BR> My advice would be wear what you usually wear. That includes white sneakers and blue jeans. Of course, if you are going to dinner in a nice restaurant, you want to look more presentable.

Wear whatever the heck you want. I don't travel to impress other people. I travel to relax.

No matter how you try to disguise yourself, your stupid American face will allways give you away.

Now Jean Claude that was not nice but then again most French aren't anyway. By the way when was the last time you took a bath or shower? That is a concept that your countrymen have been slow to grasp onto for some reason. I can always tell a French person by their smell....

Wear what is comfortable. Jeans are fine. Personally I prefer the way the Italians dress, so much style.

Black is always in, so when you choose, that's the best color. Jeans are out, sorry. And whoever said white tennis shoes ought to know better. You might as well be impressive while taking it easy, so have a good time, but take the right clothes. I think some people on this board are confused about that.