Three months in Paris
 

I have the opportunity to live in Paris for three months, approximately June through August of this year. I am a plump, fifty year-old Southern Californian who understands that I will be leaving my jeans and sneakers behind. I need to know what appropriate attire to take in their place.

"Lighter, sleeker athletic shoes are seen...". I need more information than that, please. Could anyone suggest brand names, or better yet, actual shoes?

The same goes for clothes. Although I didn't see them mentioned, I'm thinking along the lines of Chico's and Coldwater Creek. Would that be appropriate? I could do black, but is that popular in the summer?

Then there's the hair... Mine's shoulder-length, thin and fly-away. Options?

I do have a limited budget so I'm open to suggestion on alternative shopping destinations. My current style is frumpy casual, so I need to bump it up a couple of notches. Obviously I need help with everything. I look forward to your responses.

Keep in mind that your stay is limited to 90 days and not three months unless you rap it around February. Go over one day the fine can be substantial if caught.

I wear SAS walking shoes which are very comfortable. In the summer I also wear Ecco walking sandals - very substantial shoes that I can easily wear when walking over rough terrain or on cobbles. I can walk/stand all day in both of these shoes without feeling tired.

I think jeans are too hot in summer and take forever to dry when washed. I would bring lightweight slacks and capris and cotton tees. Buy a couple of pashminas to throw over your shoulders in the evening.

Black is always popular in cities. You can add color with your tops. Light color slacks will get very dirty quickly and you'll always worry about where you're sitting (i.e., park bench). Chicos and Coldwater Creek clothes are fine. Bring some costume jewelry to vary your look.

First of all...Congratulations! Do you need company. :)

Sounds like a chance to become a 'real' Parisien! When we were in Paris in August it was very hot, unusually warm from what I understand, 95 degrees. I lived in capris, sleeveless shirts and sandals (with a strap around the heal).

I wasn't trying to make a fashion statement, just comfortable and presentable. I think people worry too much about what to wear. We spent three months in Europe and trust me, nobody cares what you are wearing as long as it is clean and age appropriate, and shoulders are covered in churches etc.

I would die of the heat wearing black in the summer, I like light colors and light fabrics. Have a great time.

Thank you all SO much! You don't know how much I appreciate your taking time to help me. I'm absorbing every word. Again, thank you!

If you do a search on kerouac's posts here and on a certain other messageboard, he's posted photos of street styles in Paris (and where ordinary Parisians live, rather than the people in the background in Hollywood films showing the post high-end boulevards). I don't think you need worry unduly, from my limited understanding of fashion.

I am older than you and wear jeans at home and in Europe, but I'm not plump, so I agree you should know what you look like. Lots of Parisians wear jeans of all ages, but it does depend on the style, accessories, cut, etc. Lots of times it is quite cool in the summer in Paris, you never know. Same for the color idea -- I've been in Paris for months at a time in summer and I've been there in August when it was cool and raining a lot and I was rather cold. If I hadn't had jeans or heavier clothing, I would have frozen.

There are many decent stylish brands of quasi-athletic shoes around that are not big ugly white things that belong on the basketball court. Puma, for example, some models of Adidas, they are very common in stylish shoe stores now.

We just returned from Paris Sunday. Many Parisians (or at least French speaking people in Paris) were not only wearing jeans, but the only white tennis shoes I saw were on French speaking people! Numerous women wearing running shoes (most wore knee high boots, it was March) but many colors of running shoes. FWIW.

IMHO jeans are going to be awfully hot for Paris in the summer - since a lot of places - probably including your apartment - if that's where you are staying - will NOT have AC. For day you can do cotton knits or linens (the new non-crumple kind) in neutrals (locals typically do;t wear a lot of bright colors - esp bright pastels). You can wear pants, capris or skirts (locals won't wear shorts except for actually biking or tennis or something. Get 2 or 3 pairs of comfy walking shoes - I like Skechers Mary Janes - which come in a variety of colors. flat and comfy with a little style. (Keep running shoes for actually running.)

For evening./gong out to dinner you will want either pretty flats or low/medium wedges (uneven pavements and/or cobblestones don;t work well with regular high heels). I always take 3 or 4 silk or similar pants or skirt outfits that can be easily washed or cleaned but are lightweight and pretty. Dress up with a cute necklace or pretty scarf.

I don't think Paris could be hotter than Georgia in August, where I wear jeans every day. When I'm in Paris, regardless of the season, I wear black denim and have never felt inappropriately dressed, day or night. Despite taking an alternate pair of walking shoes, as well as ballet flats, I end up wearing my black leather Chanel trainers day and night. To my way of thinking, Chanel in any form trumps Sketchers in the style department -- at least I hope so. Not everybody is uncomfortable walking in hard-soled shoes, either. When I was younger, I wore heels and only heels to sight see in Europe. Now that I'm old, I want thick rubber soles and socks.

Why on earth would you leave jeans and sneakers behind? Don't you want to blend in with Parisians?

I do tend to wear more skirts in Europe than I do at home in the US and would suggest you consider tossing a few lightweight ones into your suitcase.

Comfortable shoes are best. Although I try to dress appropriately for a travel location, I have given up on the thought that I'll "blend in" and not look like an American tourist.

I know what you mean about your hair -- your description sounds just like my "lovely" locks. I tend to cut my wispy strands a bit shorter for travel as they look a bit neater. Perhaps you'll need to splurge on a Parisian cut?

How wonderful that you'll have so much time in Paris! Please keep us posted on what you do.

If you want to look like a Parisian then why not wait until you get here and see what Parisians are wearing before you buy anything. Personally I think whatever you wear at home is just fine for Paris as well. No one is going to care what you look like or look down on you for violating some sort of fashion law. There are some 2 million plus people in Paris and some of them, IMO, are not very fashionably dressed. Here are the links to the previously mentioned threads by kerouac where you can see hundreds of photos of what Parisians are wearing. The first link is summer photos and the second link is winter photos:

http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...ay&thread=3653

http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com...ay&thread=4630

Yes - but in GA everything is air conditioned. In Paris many places - including most apartments and many hotels, shops and restaurants do no have AC. So you are hot 24/7 - not just the time you are outside.

Obviously you are free to wear whatever you choose. Based on the fact that you asked the question I assumed you wanted to blend in a little with the locals (who will wear jean - even black ones - as long as they are well-tailored and you have smashing shoes and a very stylish blouse).

Again everyone, thank you so much. My blood pressure has gone down considerably on the clothing issue. I just hope to God it's not a scorcher this summer. This para-menopausal "pre-Parisian" doesn't do heat well.

The Kerouac links were very comforting. God bless him for posting them. And thanks to those of you who mentioned them. My next question is "Where are the scarves?" I heard it was against the law to leave your place of residence without a piece of cloth tied around some part of your body or baggage, yet saw precious few of them in the Kerouac files. Was that law rescinded, or is it only enforced in certain parts of the city?

I look forward to your future words of wisdom. In the meantime I'll be researching the shoes and other clothing items mentioned above. Thanks again so much.

I think it's best to have clothes you can wash and hang to dry overnight. Often, apartments don't have dryers and paying for laundry is expensive. Paris is dirty, which is why people wear a lot of black all year round. And as others have said, no one will care what you wear, so just be sure everything you take is comfortable.

Oh, that reminds me. I saw the prettiest scarves in a shop on I'lle Saint Louis. I didn't buy one and now could kick myself. You may need to buy a scarf or two (only to be law abiding, of course,) while you are there.

Ooh, jealous! Congratulations!!

You might find some good information and useful tips on these threads below. Both are from women traveling Europe/the world with as lightly packed suitcases at possible!

(Warning: they're both fairly lengthy threads, with the second being in large part a compilation of yet more threads - as in, can get overwhelming! But there are plenty of specific details even if you just scan through for the relevant bits!)

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...ntries-now.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...pack-posts.cfm

The creator of the first post is traveling the world solo and has been posting on Fodor's as she goes along. She began in Paris and there's a number of posts from that time. (One memorable title was about finding the best cassoulet in Paris. Yum!) If you're interested, click on her name and go back to the posts from last fall (October?) to find them.

<<I heard it was against the law to leave your place of residence without a piece of cloth tied around some part of your body or baggage, yet saw precious few of them in the Kerouac files. Was that law rescinded, or is it only enforced in certain parts of the city?>>

Pay attention to the street signs. Odd numbered sides of the street require scarves the first half of the month and even numbered sides of the street require them the second half of the month. Pay close attention to how you tie the knot, lest you get fined by the fashion police. ;) ;) ;) ;)

P.S. - I hope you can sense the intended humor in this post.

I don't think you need to be concerned about scarves June-August. Maybe have one or two for rainy/damp/chilly days. I agree that some of those wretchedly touristy shops on Ile St-Louis actually sell some great scarves.

As for the rest of the wardrobe, don't sweat it. I don't change my appearance just to be in Paris (or anywhere else), but I am not a jeans and sneakers person no matter where I am in the world - though I do agree a nicely fitted pair of sexy jeans is a wardrobe staple. I love flouncy skirts and loose sundresses (you can drape a scarf over one of those for a cooler day), cotton pants and capris, and loose tops. I never wear much black, just use it as an accessory, really, particularly in summer. I love being colorful in summer, or at least wearing muted pastels.

I do maintain that it's entirely possible to be comfortable and look good at the same time. That's always my goal when I get up in the morning and decide what I'm going to wear for the day. With three months in Paris, not only should you bring a variety of things that mix and match well and are comfortable, but you should plan to pick up a few items while you're there. It doesn't have to be expensive - some of the outdoor markets have cheap but pretty things you could buy and then discard before leaving for home. On the other hand, if you want to invest in a timeless piece or two, the sky's the limit and you can go to a boutique or department store and have helpful Parisian ladies fawn over you and help you select something wonderful - for a price! Either way, you can amplify whatever you bring with you from things from Paris.

Now go concentrate on what you're going to do and see and eat! With three months, you've got a lot of hours to fill!