My husband and I leave for Paris Thursday night for a week, and the 10 day forecasts show a 60% chance of showers for almost the full trip - with highs in the low 50's.

I know that the guidebooks recommend avoiding jeans and wearing dressier coats, but after reviewing recent posts here, I know that my husband and I will be fine in jeans for casual sightseeing, as we are young, and our jeans are fashionable.

That said, what about the raincoats? I had planned on a long wool coat with an umbrella, but it certainly won't keep me very dry if it rains all day or if it is windy. Our only real raincoats are of the North Face type - his medium blue, mine charcoal gray (with zip-out fleece) - like a typical upscale American ski jacket. Are these worn in Paris (among the college - late 20's set)? I know these GoreTex coats will keep us warm, but I don't want to look terrifically out of place. Is it OK to bring these as well for our daytime sight-seeing?

Thanks for your thoughts!

You will see people wearing all sorts. Yes, many of the locals will look fabulous! (lots of scarves) Yes, I sympathize because I like to try to fit in too. But you can't totally avoid being identified as a tourist... even if you look like a local they'll have you pegged the minute you open your mouths. Best to be comfy and dry, and I'm sure your jackets will be fine for sightseeing.

Some of the worse dressed people in the world are in Paris, the guidebooks talk utter nonsense about having to dress up for that city. Of course if you're going to smart restaurants and nightclubs you should dress appropriately, but that's true for any city, not just Paris.

Full length/three-quarter length coats are in vogue this season, so your wool ones will be fine. If it really is pouring then wear what suits your purpose, personally I think your raincoats sound hideous, but if it serves a purpose, and you want to wear them, then don't let anyone stop you.

Paris has some very chic people dressed head to toe in Chanel, however, they are in a minority, most look like down and outs, so have no fear!

You will not "fit in" if you aren't wearing European-style SHOES so keep that in mind if the "fitting in" is really your biggest concern.

You'll see denim everywhere being worn by younger folks and every conceivable type of "athletic" shoe.

Take some outerwear that is versatile in that it keeps you both warm and dry...being uncomfortable is never "fashionable."

I would bring your woollen coat. It is unlikely to be pouring with rain all day, "showers" generally does mean intermittent rain... and you will be in and out of museums (where they have coat and umbrella checks). I wear jeans in Paris (as do my French friends) and we wear either nice leather or woollen jackets if it's cold. Paris is urban, so I would save the Northface type jackets for a more rustic/outdoors time. That said, the most important thing is that you are comfortable, everyone will know you are a tourist no matter what you wear (you'll be looking at that map wherever you are...) and anyway, Paris and Parisians are used to tourists. Be a tourist and be proud, just not arrogant, and you'll be fine.

To resolve the thorny fashion issue, many americans have taken to flying naked to europe and then going directly into airport shops and letting the french dress them according to current local trends.

An expensive option, but well worth it considering the alternative of wearing
laughable American clothes.

Too bad there are so many clever people on this forum. Perhaps they should be taking a writing class somewhere or writing an opEd piece for their local paper.

Thanks, hansikday, but won't it be a bit chilly on the plane?

I'm definitely bringing the long wool coat, but now I'm curious - what do Parisians wear when it rains? Are they always in traditional trenchcoats?

Thanks, all. Now to worry about the shoes...

i was in paris last week and i'm returning there tomorrow. you need something that is fairly weatherproof. you will not stand out with a parka as long as it is not bright in colour.

a heavy wool coat may not be needed temperature-wise and there is nothing worse than being on a stuffy metro car damp and stuck under heavy wool or walking long distances in the same. However, if you don't plan on walking a lot you will probably be ok with the wool. have fun.

Do any of you Americans ever wonder why we rarely, if ever, see posts from tourists coming to the U.S. wondering what to wear to avoid looking like a tourist in the U.S.?

I'm all for this new trend to fly naked to europe and then dress properly there.

But let's make sure only the tall, slender, toned ones go first so as to test the waters and ease the way for more robust Americans.

I'll wait awhile so as not to shock our sensitive european friends with an impressive sight that would surely stun and amaze them.