Paris in May
 

My first posting is triggered by desperation. I'm leaving for Paris next week and don't know what to wear to feel chic when in France.
A couple of questions: 1) Nice looking shoes in which I can walk--and I'll do a fair bit of walking; 2) Are jeans worn during the daytime--or are they looked down on as far too casual; 3) Do I have the go-ahead for an Indian tunic over jeans at this time of the year.
Thanks a lot!
Marianne

There are a number of lengthy threads on comfortable walking shoes--just do a search.

Stylish jeans during the daytime and evening are fine, and I can't see anything wrong with an Indian tunic.

There are also many, many threads on what to wear in Paris!

Hi M,

Wear whatever you would wear in NYC or SF.

and above al..be yourself and be comfortable.

YOu can wear jeans in the daytime, and any kind of tunic sounds fine to me -- I don't think of that as a seasonal thing, but if you are asking because it is a very thin cotton (rather than being an Indian tunic), it is possible that won't be warm enough without a sweater or something. You'd have to check the weather forecasts on that, but I think def. at night you will want some kind of wrap or sweater.

As for shoes -- you don't have much time to fool around if you don't have any, so I think that rules out ordering over the internet from sites like zappos.com (which I like and they have a pretty broad selection). I think you just have to get to some shoe stores and see what they have that you like and are comfortable within the walking category.

People's tastes really vary on that one, as I think a lot of walking shoes are really ugly and I don't want to wear them--at least they are not very versatile and don't look good with a lot of clothes. I have some Naturalizers I like a lot, as well as Munros and Eccos (those are walking sandals, though), and I also have a decent cheap pair that is a Sears brand (something with Comfort in the name). Other people swear by things I cannot wear and don't find comfortable at all (like Josef Seibel, Clarks and Mephistors). Well, some Mephistos I can wear but I don't think they are worth the price over other brands. So you really have to try them on.

Thank you so much, everyone.
Ira, your reference to NY or SF is very useful.
Christina, I found a store here in DC that sells the shoe brands you mention--I'll go tomorrow. Also, on the tunic, I've decided against it--it's definitely too thin.
Thanks again!
M.

oh, well, I live in the DC area so know some specifics:

first, there are Comfort One shoe stores downtown around Dupont Circle (and maybe Union Stn) and they specialize in walking shoes. However, I like Richey Shoes in the Chevy Chase Pavillion Mall (above the metro), and they have these kind of brands. On the discount side, DSW (shoe warenouse) has Clarks, Naots, and some other walking shoes and cheaper prices as they are usually closeouts (but you may not have as good a selection). There is a DSW near Montgomery Mall, as well as some other places.

There is some high-end comfort/walking shoe store on the basement level of the Montgomery Mall, also, but they are small and I've never bought anything there. They do have Mephisto, though (and perhaps Ecco). Nordstroms has some of these brands, also.

Of course, there are separate Easy Spirit and Naturalizer shoe stores in many malls. You could even find something you like in the shoe section of a regular dept store (which often have Aerosoles or Easy Spirit), but I guess I'd try DSW to see if they had something cheaper I liked, and if not go to the specialty places (Comfort One or Richey's).

Take the 4-5 outfits from your closet that you like the best, you know the ones I mean... you feel good wearing them and pick them first on the weekends, that would be good for changeable spring weather in any city. Pick your most comfortable and good looking pair of shoes. Take that.

oops, I meant shoeS, definitely take a couple pair.

Agree with all of the above - in Paris you'll be fine in whatever you'd wear in NYC, and probably whatever you wear in D.C. too.

As others have said, just remember it will be cooler in Paris than in NYC and definitely cooler than D.C. (unless we're really lucky - I leave for Paris in a week and a half, too!). You'll get warm with all the walking, then enter a monument or museum and immediately feel cool air emanating from all that damp stone! So layers are key.

For shoes I wear what I wear in NY: I tend towards Aerosoles these days for pretty much everything because their styles are fairly, well, stylish, but with rubber soles and slightly lower heels, I can walk much farther in them. My suggestion would be to look for shoes with a good amount of rubber on the bottoms (if not entirely rubber sole/heel), and make sure they won't pinch your toes or you'll be miserable 1/2way through the Louvre! ;)

Last May, the forecast was for high 60's, low 70's. In actuality, temps were pretty much in the 50's for our two week stay. In addition to normal slacks, tees, tops, I packed warmer sweaters, a polartec jacket with hood (for casual), a wool blazer (for dressier), and a raincoat with hood. Many days, I wore the sweater and the polartec or blazer AND the raincoat.

Ladies, going shopping for walking shoes this afternoon. Will keep you posted.
M.

Bought two pairs of Ecco shoes. Have been wearing them non-stop, so that they are comfortable enough for walking all day in Paris.
M.

I just got back from Paris. Wear colorful scarves. It seemed as if everyone had one on. I bought several inexpensive scarves that are light and silky looking and seem perfect for spring.

Really? Thanks for the tip.
M.

Bring something light wool. Everytime we have been there in early to mid May it has been cool but nice. Of course I live in a very warm May climate so maybe I am sensitive to cooler May temps but all the locals in Paris still had their witner coats on.

Ooh, Eccos. Do you love them?? :)