What do women in their 40's wear in Paris?
 

Hey all-

I've just recently joined this forum after being an avid reader of your posts. You guys rock!

I'm going to Paris in a few weeks for my first time. (The rest of my itinerary is a bit undecided, but I'm taking in all the good advice I'm receiving on the forum.)

I've been a bit crazy trying to figure out what clothes to pack. I'm going to brave it and try to take only a 21" roll-aboard (old back injuries rule out a large backpack) and a smallish carryon daypack.

What do women wear? I don't want to totally stick out like an American tourist. We'll be doing the usual- walking, shopping, museums, cafes, maybe a nightclub.

I'm sorta planning at least one dress, 3 pairs of shoes (closed toe tennis shoe-type, flat sandals and maybe a dressy shoe that I can abide walking around in for hours). Do women in their 40s wear jeans there?

This'll be a real challenge to pack in those sized bags for me! I routinely pack waaay too much!

Thanks for any input.

Hi K,

This question has been asked soooooooo
many times before particularly the section about "not sticking out like an American tourist".

If I had a $1 or rather a euro for every post on this subject, I could extend my next trip to Europe by a few days.

Simply write in the search box "what type of cloths to wear in Paris" and read for a very long time.

I'm sure you will get all kinds of "shoulds" and "shouldn't" on here, but I went a few years back when I turned 40 and I tell you, I saw every sort of imaginable dress as you would in any metropolitian city no matter what the age. It didn't matter as much as some said on here. But I took the advice of the posters here and brought the basic black pant and they will do fine for pretty much anywhere, as they would here in the US also. I also brought longer walking shorts (as suggested) although I wouldn't really wear them at home because I think they're a little frumpy looking and I tend to be a bit more trendy normally. I probably wore capris more just because I liked them more. However, that said, if I ever go back (which I intend to) I will wear whatever I normally wear here at home, at that time. I will wear my tennis shoes for walking day trips in jeans, capris or shorts of my choice, or a sundress with flipflops or sandals...or whatever else happens to float my boat at that time. I will wear dressy jeans or dress pants with heels or even capris to dinner if I want to. I will wear jeans or skirt with a halter top, tank top or some sexy cocktail dress out dancing if I want to. So if you are more comfortable in casual attire then wear it. If you are more comfortable going chic, go chic. Now this isn't to say there isn't a boat load of great information on what to do when you get there, there is! It just really really doesn't matter what you wear. I will never again plan my wardrobe around what others think I should or shouldn't wear. I will pack what I like and go have a great trip.

I hope you have a great trip too!

Thanks y'all. I will try to find other posts about this same topic that are specific to France.

Good for you, love2sing. I think women should wear what looks good on them. Unless people on a web site know you and what you look like, the suggestions can't be taken for gospel.

The one thing I suggest is taking one or more items for warm and/or cool weather. I have been stuck so many times with inappropriate clothes, weatherwise. Then I have to improvise with what I have in my suitcase and sometimes come out looking, well, not like I want to look.

Have fun.

many wear blue jeans with or without white sneakers - for real - well i guess the white sneakers are a favorite for youngish 20s women.

First, pack clothes that your comfortable in. If you're interested in specific trends, here's what I saw on the street when I visited Paris in the spring.

http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_wear_winter06.html

Scroll to the bottom of the page to read "hints' on what to wear if you're in your 40's.

Have a great trip. And, definately pack a shoe that you're comfortable walking for hours in. - C

We wore a lot of black, and saw lots of the same when we were there in June.

Hi Katie4, in March we went to Paris for our 4th time (as you will hopefully too) and although I just turned 60 my wardrobe for Europe has not changed: lots of black, no jeans (cause they're heavy & bulky to pack and in case of rain take forever to dry), just knits, knits, & more knit jersey with beige, white & red accents-- they pack very flat & I put all tops in zippered plastic bags as well as underwear & other accessories-- no sneakers ever--with all the stylish walking shoes around everywhere like Merrells, Clarks, why would you have tennis shoes on?! I brought a black pleated skirt for our Michelin 3-star lunch but never wore it in Paris or Rome otherwise. Capris great for summer, short belted trench for rain, tiny umbrella to carry in tote, one pair sandals and heels for clubbing; in March though we saw lots of jeans on Parisians and tourists your age.

Hi K,

>I don't want to totally stick out like an American tourist.<

Don't woryy, you will.

On one cares.

Wear what you would wear to visit any large city in the US in August.

Enjoy your visit.

((I))
PS, you don't have to wear only black.

..Wear what you would in any US city. Color coordinate your wardrobe. ie one color palate..ie black/brown/or navy with tops in neutrals and add splashes of color with a favorite shirt or accessories. Check weather underground before you go to get an idea of temperatures..but remember the weatherman can be wrong so pack for a range of temps and remember it may rain. Dont go out and buy something just for the trip..use what you have or buy an item that you need anyway. Every item that you pack should have multiple uses..ex a black pant which can be dressed up or down..a sun dress that you can ear with a Pashema and dress it up..just be yourself and be sure your shoes are comfortable as you will do a lot of walking. Have fun.

I agree with Ira, I wouldn't wear black anywhere in August. But then I'm sitting here in California and its a hot one today so its very hard to imagine anything black right now, lol.

Katie-

This woman in her 40's saw other women in their 40's wearing almost every style of clothing in Paris. The one thing that I really didn't see was anyone really formally dressed. In fact, I would have to say that on the whole, most of the people that I saw were dressed more casually than I see on people in downtown Washington, D.C.

As I chose to do, I would recommend that you dress how you are comfortable dressing when out and about at home. There seemed to be no taboo style of clothing and I certainly saw every color of the rainbow in clothes.

As others have suggested, the size of your luggage may dictate the weight of the clothes that you bring, and you may want to pack to "mix-n-match", but other than that - go, be comfortable, and enjoy!

Ira is right - I have travelled Italy extensively and started off being totally paranoid that we stood out - now I have realised after 5000 miles plus a drinving round the country - 10% of the population make an effort to look like they have walked off the catwalk - the other 90% are scruffs like the rest of us.

BTW - Paris in August - I would be more worried about what not to wear - the temp may be 35 oC plus.

Well, what to recommend !!!!
Fur coat, red hat and shoes, no k***kers and dont hang around too many street corners!!
ONLY KIDDING - wear what you are comfortable in, there are thousands of tourists in Paris so if you do stand out so what

When traveling to Europe, I wear my Doc Marten (Peanut) hiking boots with different skirts- jean, broom, cargo. I like wearing skirts more than jeans or other pants, and the boots are very comfortable to walk around in all day.

Bloom

No one in Paris will care what you wear. Wear whatever is appropriate for the situation; nice dinner, opera then a skirt or nice slacks. If you're sightseeing in the sun, the capri or linen pants and comfy shoes.

Women wear jeans almost everywhere. Wear whatever you want!!

If you are thin, darling, you should be seen in a Nanette Lepore sundress, Taryn Rose ballet flats, and a small nylon tote from Longchamp.

If you are fat, no one will care what you wear.

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

Don't wear shorts.

<< I wear my Doc Marten (Peanut) hiking boots with different skirts- jean, broom, cargo>>

Now I just had a vision of a woman, wearing Doc Marten's and a skirt, sitting on a broom csarrying a suitcase.

Boy, I sure don't understand the lingo anymore.

Hi Katie - i usually skip over these posts about what to wear cause there are a lot of them here - but I am so proud of you for trying to do it all with a 21" bag that I wanted to respond.

Once you get there, you will be soooooo happy you didnt overpack. And - you will also realize immediately that absolutely no one notices or cares what you are wearing. In March, I had a carry on and a tote bag and that was it - and it was so much better than when I had packed a ton of clothes on prior trips.

There are lot of people wearing jeans but I did notice that the women our age (I am late 40s) did not wear them as much. But you would not standout like a sore thumb if you did. And unless you walked down the street in a clown suit - no one will look or remember or notice.

I find it easiest to bring stuff that you can switch off - black pants with different tops type of thing. Mostly, be comfortable as you will walk a lot and it will probably be hot.

Also - just search for some pictures that others have taken of Paris - and notice what people in the background are wearing - really no different from home...

The thing that struck me the most - even moreso than the clothes -was the lack of obese people walking around. No wonder they all look good in clothes - they are all about a size 4....or maybe 6...

Wear what you feel comfortable in and so what if you stand out like an American. I'd just advise not to pack shorts and big,clunky, white tennis shoes. Happy Travels!

You know - I'm going to let you in on a big secret..............









They wear - wait for it......



CLOTHES!!!!!

Question: So many people say they spend a lot of their time people watching. Aren't they watching and commenting on what people are wearing?

When someone walks by an outdoor cafe aren't they being scrutinized?

I think we are being watched! eeek

I may watch but I don´t really care what I see.

Katie:
My favorite travel pants are the stretchy cotton knits. They pack well, keep their shape, and dry quickly with no ironing. I'm not talking about the "slinky" ones. The ones I like are a cotton blend with tapered leg. They work fine day our night.

I would assume it will be warm to hot in August in Paris, which helps packing light.

My method is to take my favorite things from home for that season. You know, the things you reach for first in your closet, that you feel good and look good wearing.

My list would include: one linen pants, two pair capris, one pair knee length shorts, 3-5 coordinated color tops, one lightweight sweater or knit jacket (wear over on the plane), like that.

Sure women of 40 wear jeans in Paris, but I would not because of it being August. They are too heavy and too hot imo to be practical.


Myself I don't take a skirt or dress which also means you don't need the dressy pair of shoes. I take one sneakers and two sandals.

Yes, we probably all people watch to some extent. I know I do since I've always been interested in fashion/clothing styles in general. I've always had lots of clothes. However, I wear what I want to wear and if people are watching...then let them watch. As for standing out like an American...I've been hearing this comment for decades...Americans worried about standing out like an American. I never hear anyone from other nationalities worrying about standing out like one from their nationaltiy. So, I've never understood this American obsession. I say where what you want and be who you are, just don't be tacky...unless that's who you are. Smiles. Happy Travels!