Before I went on my trip to Paris I posed the question "to wear jeans or not to wear jeans".

I asked the question in the first place because as a woman traveling alone, I like to blend in to a certain degree when I travel. I don't like to announce that I am a tourist. In the past when I have been to Paris, I noticed that they didn't seem to embrace denim the same way we in North America do. I was wondering if that had changed since my last trip. I received a wide range of answers ranging from "never in Paris" to "only during the day" to "of course, wear them anytime".

Well, I just spent 10 days in Paris and the answer to the great jean question is wear them. I would say that on any given day, walking down the street I saw probably 50% of the people wearing jeans. Young, not so young, men, women, all in denim. I'm so glad that I packed at least one pair, because wearing them I fit right in! I even saw them in the evening, out for dinner, and these weren't tourists wearing them.

Now I still wouldn't recommend you slap on your white running shoes with them, that still is the domain of the tourist. But the newest style is the colored trainer. I picked up a pair before I left, thinking they would be comfy to walk in and not stand out like white running shoes. Well, I get there and they are selling them in every shoe store. Every colours of the rainbow (except white of course). I felt I fit in very well.

So if you are off to Paris any time soon, there you go. I saw it with my own eyes. Jeans everywhere. Enjoy!

Yes, jeans are worn more by the locals these days than in the past.

When we were in Paris last Spring we had just come from Italy where it was very warm. We got off the plane in "summer" clothes and froze. Thank God I had packed a pair of jeans just in case. I wound up wearing them the three days I was there!

And as you said, everyone I saw had them on as well.

Please, Do you want to appear attractive? Or are you simply needing to be comfortable. Men, are womenn attractive in jeans?

"Are women attractive in jeans?"

Surly you jest. What is more divine than a big ole super plump booty shaking and jiggling along the BLVDs!

You got it, then you best flaunt that good thing for all its worth!

We also saw jeans everywhere in Paris. Of course, many were the $200+ kind, and worn on size 2 behinds. If you fit that category, you can wear jeans anywhere!

Yes, do take the jeans, especially if you are doing the touristy things during the day because you will see them everywhere. There are two exceptions that I observe: one is whether you are 40 or under or 40 and over. The under catagory wears more jeans vs the older during the day, and visting any cafe, brasserie will enable you to wear anything you want. In the evening, it has been my experience that you will get better seat location and even seated without a reservation if you look smart in your attire. We have seen this play out time after time over the last two months especially in the bistro's and up into the stared places. So pick your shots.

All the best, Tom

I fully agree with Tom. We spent 3 weeks in Paris this summer with our two children-24 and 16. The times we went to restaurants in dress or nice casual clothes as opposed to jeans (which the kids, naturally, wore lots), we were given impeccable service, seating, complimentary desserts, etc. This, coupled with trying to speak French, went a long way!

Now I don't expect to wear either, but cbleigh, tell me please what is the difference between a running shoe and a trainer? Thanks, J.

jmw44....That's a good question. I consider trainers and running shoes the same thing. Anybody else??

Having been a runner for 30 years, here is how I view the difference. Running shoes have thick heels and a high back intended to cushion the shock of impact. They are "stock car" forward pitched to enhance speed and ease of running.

Trainers, in France anyway, are more of a leisure shoe with a fashion look....many colors, many designs, but they have the same "flatness" of the old Converse or old Adidas shoe. They are designed for walking in a casual, stylish way. It is a great jean look, and if you want to dress the look, then go with a black or dark colored trainer (not multi-colored).

Tom

To be specific running shoes are like New Balance, Nike cushiony excercise shoes like winesipper said. The trainers are smaller sleeker, Puma,Diesel, Camper, not meant to excercise in but look cute and be comfy.

Well, I'm glad you learned, first-hand, that what many of us told you was completely true.

I still want to know what people have to wear to &quot;announce that I am a tourist&quot; and, more specifically, <b>so that they can be identified as being from a particular country</b> since everyone who isn't from Paris, including all those French people who periodically visit would be considered &quot;tourists&quot; wouldn't they??????

We just returned from Paris and London. My husband who's a bit &quot;Mature&quot; (ahem) couldn't stop commenting on all the jeans he saw. In London I noticed that long denim skirts were popular.

When will people realize how totally irrelevant these types of discussions are? It's like arguing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

As for women being more or less attractive in jeans, I find that a woman either is or is not attractive, and in either case, it really doesn't matter what she is wearing. Pretty women look good in anything, and ugly women look bad in everything.

The same presumably holds true for men, although I don't pay much attention to men.

Denim was invented in France, for heavens' sake (it's &quot;de N&Icirc;mes&quot; = from N&icirc;mes). Yes, everybody in just about every European country these days wears jeans, and you can too if you know how to wear them and look good in them.

What you do NOT see in Paris, however, are middle-aged and senior women wearing size 2X jeans, which I DO see all over the Washington, DC, area and elsewhere in the USA. The only such women I've seen wearing jeans in Paris were American tourists, and they didn't look any more pleasing to the eye than they do back home.

Full-length mirrors, folks - everyone needs one.

this thread proves that some people never recover from high school.....

To paraphrase a bit from the book Almost French, the main character was heading out the door one morning to quickly go to the bakery. She was wearing baggy sweat pants and her French boyfriend stopped her to ask if that was what she was going to wear. She replied yes, so what? He said IT'S NOT NICE FOR THE BAKER!

Isn't it more pleasant to look at someone well dressed? I don't mean Prada, Gucci etc. Simply knowing what looks best on you makes such a difference. Should be taught along with manners...

Fashion is not irrelevant to travel. It's a small part of the aesthetics of travel, and not only from the point of view of the visitor. I love the quote about &quot;It's not nice for the baker.&quot; And St.Cirq, I didn't know denim was a French invention. C'est vrais? And if you'll permit one more response--Grandma, great news about the long denim skirts in the UK. They're my favorites. Best wishes to all, even the grumpy ones. J.

jmw44 - oui, c'est vrai, or at least a lot of people think so. More info can be had at www.levistrauss.com/about/history/denim.htm