Question About Going to Paris
 

Hi. This summer i will be an exchange student living with a family in the Paris area. I have a few concerns. I want to wear stuff that doesnt make me look americain. In light of the recent events in the Middle East i think it would be wise to not look americain. I speak French fine, but i cant go walking around with Americain Eagle clothes on. I have been given suggestions on what shoes to wear. But what else? I dont know how french people dress. <BR> My second question is about Paris itself. I will be there for three weeks never leaving paris. And i will obviously tour the main sights and all the famous buildings. From the Eiffel Tower to Notre Dame de Chartres. But i was wondering if their were any secret places that maybe one of YOU have discovered while there. It could be a cool building, park or cafe. Any suggestions

With all due respect, is this a serious post?

How about Superga tennis shoes, Lacoste polo shirts, Levi's jeans? <BR>Try also plain black or dark blue pants with a light blue shirt and black or dark blue jacket. Sounds like a bit dressy but French guys like to dress like that, especially during an evening in an outdoor cafe. Avoid those large and too long funky-jazz pants or baseball hats. Europeans love fantasy bandanas rather than baseball hats. <BR>As for particular places to visit I would suggest Mont St.-Michel for a day trip. As regards inner Paris: Place des Vosges or a walk up on the Sacre Coeur Hill early on Sunday gives a really different view of Paris. As for the pub-cafe: Sara Bernardt cafe on the rive droite near the Ile de la Cite'. Very decadent...

lynlor: Yes this is a serious question!!! <BR>BATUFFOLINA: Thanks for the help. I will be sure to try what u said! <BR><BR>Anyone else have any suggestions?<BR><BR>

Sorry, couldn't resist...<BR><BR>It's &quot;American&quot; not &quot;AmericaIn.&quot;<BR><BR>Secondly, living in fear sucks. Be yourself always!

Ok i know it's American. sorry but it was late at night and i was tired!! But hey it happens.

I spent a lot of time looking at what French people were wearing in general. I guess all the questions on this forum made me more aware.<BR><BR>My general observations for a student:<BR><BR>1.Shoes that look like bowling shoes, in dark colors (I don't know brands, but they were all wearing them)<BR><BR>2. Darker colored jeans that are a slim fit type - they do not wear anything baggy over there.<BR><BR>3. Nothing with big logos on it at all. <BR><BR>4. No hats or caps.<BR><BR>All my other observations are more for winter clothes so that's all I can give you. <BR><BR>

You'll be there in the summer, so I won't suggest a black leather jacket (but if you were there in cooler weather, that would be a &quot;must have.&quot;)<BR>Maybe a lightweight cotton sweater to tie around your shoulders on cool nights. If you are a girl, have a couple of simple dresses and strappy sandals and a (very) small shoulder strap handbag. Once you are there, try to get a short-term mobile phone. (another must-have accessory for a student type). AND cool sun glasses.

Why don't you do some shopping when you get there! Guy or gal the shopping is great and then you won't have any problem &quot;looking French&quot;. Take some basics to start out but then buy some things. I can't think of better souvenirs than clothing. When you get home all your friends will be asking where you got it.<BR><BR>For &quot;secret&quot; places, look up Passages. I'm sure there are some threads here. Not that exciting, but interesting covered old shopping streets.

Just ignore the ignorant, rude comments above. During my month in Paris in May I did notice that almost everyone wore dark clothing - made everyone look rather drab! However, jeans of any sort were very common. And, in viewing a friend's video lots of people wore shorts and t-shirts during the warm weather. If you can afford to splurge on some good walking shoes, I'd do it. You'll find you spend a lot of time on your feet. Really, everyone dresses like we do in the U.S. When I looked in the younger-set clothing stores they were selling the same stuff you can buy at home. <BR><BR>Have a wonderful time. Oh, and by the way, look up bparis.com website. They speak of places not normally found much in tour books. You can get their monthly newsletter. And, I think you can get a French chat room on this website.

I visited the sewers several years ago and found it very interesting. Don't know if the tour is still offered. At the time I worked for a water company affiliated with the one that handles Paris's water and wastewater. However, it was open to the public. I don't recall exactly where the tour started but I think I found it in Fodors Guide as an off-the-beaten-path attraction.

Thanks for all the help? Any thing else? <BR>

Agrees with Nancy. I was in Paris numerous times and frankly I did not see anything special the way French dress in summertime. I saw capri, flowers dresses, lots of jeans, t-shirt, as a matter of fact the young dress like any other american teenager. Minus the baseball caps, baggy pants and untied shoes..You are young yesmar82787, dress the way you want and enjoy Paris!!It is a great city to visit.

All of the french women wear scarves.

I think you should wear Red, White &amp; Blue and be Proud that you are American.<BR>Shame on you.

I've never done this but it looks interesting. There is a day long canal cruise from Parc de la Villete out of the city with a bus or train ride back. It looks fun!

Hey, thanks for the help. I will definetly take it all into consideration. And USA, u said be proud to be an american and wear red white and blue. well with all due respect i think thats wrong. I mean yes i am american but i am an Italian citizen as well. I don't run around america flaunting my Italian colors around. And i wouldnt expect french people to run around america wearing bleu, blanc et rouge. They would get made fun of. I want to go to france and have a good time. And i think my chances of that happening will be significantly minimized if i wear the americain flag on my shirt and american eagle clothes. And plus, i don't want to put myself in danger. That would be like going to Iraq right now and wearing american colors and protesting Saddam. Well u might hate Saddam and you might be a proud american, but i don't think you want to be tortured and die...just yet

Hi<BR> There is no way that you will be able to disguise that you are an American. Europeans will be able to tell by the way you walk.<BR><BR> You might find the Jacquemar-Andre' museum and the Park Monceau interesting. They are not far from the Arc de Triomphe.<BR><BR> Have a great trip.<BR><BR>PS. No one will hold US foreign poicy against you. They will, however, seek to engage you in a discussion of politics. That's what Europeans do.<BR>

Call me old fashioned, but I don't think that the flag of the United States of America should be worn as or on clothing, hats, jewelry, tattoos, etc. Too many people died for that flag for it to be treated as personal ornamentation. It should be shown proper respect and flown proudly, correctly and appropriately or not at all.

Do all your shopping at H&amp;M when you get there. You can really got a lot of clothes for very little. <BR>Also, when i was there last year, i noticed that fishnet stockings are in vogue. being an angeleno, naturally, fishnets = streetwalker to me, but I have to admit some of those girls looked really cute in their fishnets, denim skirts and bowling shoes.