katie4

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.

barbmike

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.

loves2sing

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!

katie4

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

SeaUrchin

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.

PalenQ

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

ParisEscapes

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

Leburta

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

aliced

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.

ira

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.


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

travelbunny

..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.

loves2sing

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.

Momof3sons

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!

markrosy

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.

blightyboy

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

Bloom

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

sandi_travelnut

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!!

marginal_margiela

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

Pegontheroad

Don't wear shorts.

robjame

<< 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.