LSky

"Are well-groomed French women more likely to have the nails buffed instead of having colored polish applied? Something I've not noticed but sounds as if it might be the case now that you mention it"

Those shops that say "American Nails" are where they go to get American Nails. The last time I was in Paris they looked empty and with good reason.

lattelysh

AprilFoolsBride,

I went to Rome & Amalfi Coast last September (i'm also in my 20's) and it's perfectly fine to wear flip flops everywhere. I'd bring some casual dresses as others have suggested and a couple for going out to dinners, etc. Shorts are fine near the beach but when I wore them in Paris I felt kind of awkward. Dresses are fine when it's warmer, dark pants when it's colder. I saw a lot of parisians wearing black jeans/pants and tights (it was cold one of the weeks in June) but not many jeans. Bring a light jacket in case it gets cold in Paris and maybe some short boots/closed-toes with small heels.

Definitely bring wedges not heels for Amalfi/Rome part. You will be walking up hills/steps to get to restaurants (at least in Capri and Positano, where I stayed). For daytime, I'd STRONGLY suggest bringing orthopedic flip-flops/sandals with arch support. You will probably be doing a lot of sightseeing/walking (especially in Paris and Rome) which means you're on your feet all day and those other flip flops will just kill your feet (I learned the hard way after previous feet-annihilating experiences). I went to Europe (including Paris) earlier this summer and brought these http://www.endless.com/Dr-Andrew-Wei.../dp/B0049MBFCM (in white) - they are absolutely the best thing i did for my feet. 12-hr-days on foot in these and I was fine while my sister (who brought regular flip flops) was dying by day 3. Bring at least two pairs of walking shoes (incl closed-toe) because you will want alternatives.

Enjoy Europe!

ekscrunchy

Agree about the foundation makeup. Every time I am in Paris or Rome, I notice the thick facial make-up worn by American women of all ages. It looks garish compared to the natural look favored by many local women.

AnthonyGA

Nail polish is indeed rare among French women, except for special occasions and a few women who dress up a lot more than the norm. Even buffed nails aren't that common. And long nails are rather unusual, too. This is in contrast to many American women who will wear long nails with polish. I actually prefer plain, short nails—the only problem is that French women sometimes have obvious dirt under their nails, especially if they wear them long, which makes me kind of queasy.

And French women wear light makeup, too, or they apply it in a way that is not obvious. The "raccoon eyes" are more common among women from the U.K., though … the same ones who wear those big army boots and think it fashionable (in fact, it just makes them really easy to spot). Some older French women do go overboard on makeup, perhaps in a misguided attempt to recapture their youth, but young French women either don't wear much of any makeup on a daily basis, or they apply it so discreetly that you don't really realize that they have it on. And heavy foundation makeup is rare.

AnthonyGA

Hmm, and about the flip-flops: French women don't normally wear the cheap, simple flip-flops that Americans favor. They do wear open shoes and sandals in hot weather, but these are more fashionable than simple flip-flops. And they are much less likely to have long, painted toenails as compared to Americans, thank goodness! Once again, leaving things in their natural state is the rule (or at least making things <i>look</i> as if they've been left in their natural state!).

My impression sometimes is that American women are taught to buy their looks off a store shelf, whereas French women are taught to roll their own.

SeaUrchin

I don't like the idea of a young woman trying to blend in with Italians and French women. I am sure you are stylish and chic in your own right. Stick to your own style. Maybe it will give them some ideas.

P_Peppington

You can't teach someone without style how to dress on an Internet forum.

Stick to travel subjects; you will save yourself a lot of trouble.

If you want to see how some Parisian women dress, visit style and the city dot com.

The Great and Powerful Pippy Peppington

kerouac

Some = 0.1%

danon

Paris and Rome are big cities with diverse population.
I have seen women in Paris who looked like cast members of Jersey Shore
and many girls and women in Rome with no style at all.
What people wear often reflects their socio economic status, background, personal taste etc.
It is true in Europe as it is in the US.

spaarne

Speaking as a man I advise black Capris, white cotton blouse, colorful scarf, and flats. Sun glasses and a broad brimmed hat also add a touch. Leave your expensive jewelry at home. You will fit in everywhere.

annhig

ooh - the Audrey Hepburn look.

and for the rest of us who are not built like boys?

gardendiva

We spent 10 days in Paris a few years back. My traveling companion only brought sandals, similar to the flip flops you pictured. Half way through the trip she developed a stress fracture in her foot. We spent many hours looking for a pair of sneakers that were fashionable and affordable. $100 later she had an ugly pair of Italian sneakers that looked like American bowling shoes, not to mention how much it slowed us down because she could not walk faster than a snails pace. I don't mean to sound ruthless but we missed a lot because of it. Not only are the streets bumpy and dirty, if you use the Metro, there are many stairs with people in a hurry. On more than one occasion we had to look for the missing sandal.

What about simple ballet inspired shoe? You definately need something that will stay on your feet and have a little bit of support.

hazel1

"You definately need something that will stay on your feet and have a little bit of support."

Most ballet flats have very little if any arch support, and they have very thin soles, so this makes them a poor choice for anything besides a shoe to change into at the end of the day to go to dinner.

I think the thong sandal the OP noted is definitely not your typical "flip flop", but dirty feet aside (I found bidets to be perfect for foot washing once back at the hotel), the main problem with them would be the propensity for tripping and stubbing toes, or worse, on the rough cobblestone streets.

Michael

Steping out of a métro I once stepped on the heel of a woman's sandal that was a fancy flip-flop and the strap broke. The sandal was ruined. Someone else could to the same to your thin strapped sandal.

CYESQ

Anthony - where are you getting your information from? Paris is one of the holy makeup meccas of the world. Have you never heard of Chanel, Guerlain, Dior and Yves St. Laurent? I think these fashion houses would all be very surprised to learn that French women to not wear makeup.

When a woman wears makeup correctly, it is discreet and is meant to enhance a women's natural beauty. It doesn't shout "look at all my makeup" like a neon sign. That being said, how in the world would you be able to make the statement that French women wear very little or no makeup. That's just ridiculous.

LondonYank

I know, these statements about the French not wearing makeup. I work out of our Paris office about once a month and the women there ALL wear makeup and nail varnish. Even brightly coloured! Some of them look like they've applied it with a trowel, others look great. Kind of like everywhere else in the world.

MissPrism

Had to check if I was on the right forum.
A clothes question from somebody who wants to look good, answered by people who are really interested in fashion.
That's too great a shock before my second coffee.

Where are the, "Nobody will notice you if you wear shorts, spaghetti straps, huge white trainers and a baseball hat" replies?

nz101

I would never take more than two pairs of shoes. Some people are suggesting you take four or more. why? you'd have no room left in your suitcase. IMO take one pair for comfortable walking - but something that still looks good, and another pair slightly dressier for evenings out. For me, I always like to fill my suitcase up with goodies bought from places such as Paris and Rome - so I think less is best for that reason. Shopping is definitely on the agenda wherever I travel to.
As for clothes, I would take what you normally like to wear and feel good in at home, and preferably things that don't show the dirt and don't need much ironing. A nice pair of jeans would also definitely be on the list. I also like to take a nice dressy short fitted jacket (to waist length) - something that can be worn with jeans over a tee shirt but look equally good with say a little black dress. I also take a few pieces of jewellery which can be worn with a few different outfits. Also I like to take a miniature bottle of perfume (always feel better when wearing some).

SeaUrchin

I said to take more shoes because I have no idea how the OP is traveling, if she is cramming everything into a small space or if she has lots of luggage. She may not have to worry about how much luggage she is taking and maybe not traveling on a budget. In the olden days I traveled where I had no cares about carrying luggage, she may travel the same.

kerouac

We used to arrive in Le Havre with our steamer trunks. One of them contained a 3-month supply of toilet paper.