What to wear in Paris
 

I am looking for suggestions on what to wear when we visit Paris. I know I will not blend with the locals but am trying not to stick out as an American. What do men and women wear to a cafe or brasserie? How about to a nightclub? Thank you!!!

Whatever you are comfortable in and might wear at a cafe or nightclub at home.

For more information see the (too many) numerous posts on this topic by doing a search in the box above.

If not your clothes, then your language and other attributes will instantly ID you as American. Certainly your dancing style in a nightclub will be an easy giveaway that you are a foreigner. Also, the drink that you order, and how you hold your drink.

Are you not proud to be American?

In the states, for example, when I want really good Chinese food, I search for restaurants where I will be the only non-Chinese dining.

starrsville is right. Also pls. do a Search as this question gets asked alot.

Littlejen, there are tons of posts on this subject, but a lot of chatter to wade through. So here's what I've learned from my previous trip.

We went in 2003 and we're going back in September to Paris for a week. In general what to wear does depend on WHEN you're going -- right now men are wearing capri's in Paris, so to quote that famour REM tune, "It's the end of the world as we know it". LOL.

Bright colors in the spring, lots of jeans, you name it, it isn't that different from any big city here.

In the fall, like here, Europeans tend to wear more black and darker colors.
When I go back in September, I plan on not taking any khaki pants, just black ones and jeans, since it will be cool enough to wear jeans and be comfy.

While there are plenty of reports that Europeans are wearing white sneakers, that's something else I won't take with me. I tend to wear black Merrills or other walking shoes a lot, and take one dressy black shoe for going out.

Generally speaking, I try to balance comfort with not having a bullseye screaming "American" on me. For example, last time I took a light blue jacket, which while it is very handy in the rain -- was a dead giveaway even at a distance. This time I'll take my designer black trench coat that I've gotten a lot of compliments on this year. It feels good, is light and packs well. I do love Liz Claiborne for classic, affordable dress clothes that travel well for the most part.

There are a lot of factors to consider...there's plenty of argument that you shouldn't feel like you have to fit in -- since you won't anyway. I'm in a different camp...for me, it's comfort first, then style, then "fitting in". However, it's easy to do the first two, but unless I buy my clothes over there, I simply will look different because the cut of our clothes are not the same as the Europeans.

However, I try to wear the colors and a little of the style that will fit in, because I don't want someone to make me for a tourist at 500 yards just so they can rip me off. I figure if someones sitting there looking for a tourist to pickpocket, they might skip over me and move on to the guy in the bright yellow Gore-Tex jacket with the camera hanging around his neck.

I'm lucky because I am partly French by ancestry, as is my first name, so I at least look a little more like some of the French. My husband, who's Austrian gets approached in German a lot -- only when he's not with me. ;)

Anyway, do what YOU feel is right for you, and don't let anyone tell you it's wrong to feel/think/dress that way.

Jules

I agree with Jules' sentiments... and she kindly answered your question! Nice!

Your first trip? Aaaah, let Paris take you away! I love that town.

Dress for Paris as you would dress for similar activities in any city. As long as you are neat, clean, appropriate and comfortable, you will be fine. Since you are unlikely to blend in no matter how you dress, don't try.

I just returned from Paris and my husband and I had several discussions about this. We could pick out the Americans easily. I noticed a few things: 1) White tennis shoes--Only Americans wore these, 2)Purses worn around neck and shoulder, clutched tightly! 3)Shorts--Locals seemed to wear capris rather than shorts.

But I would say that the shoes were a dead give away. I really liked the shoes worn by the Europeans and plan to adopt the style.

Hi Cheryl,

>I really liked the shoes worn by the Europeans and plan to adopt the style. <

Last May they were wearing very wierd long, pointy toed shoes. Have they stopped wearing them?

((I))

It depends on what your usual style of dress is, how much you need to change to fit in. If you're a jeans or Dockers, sneakers and t-shirt type, you might want to get some nicer clothes. Also as mentioned it depends on the season/weather what I'd suggest.

Layers, knits, natural fabrics, in neutral color prints and solids work well. I usually take 4-5 decent outfits with pieces that can mix and match. Think more classic instead of 'sporty' and you should fit in fine. Good shoes are a must, black leather maybe a European label?

&gt;<i>&quot;I. . . take one dressy black shoe for going out.&quot;</i>

Jules, what do you wear on the other foot?

;)

There were some pointy shoes, much like the ones we are wearing here in the U.S. However, I just thought the quality seemed much better...a lot of leather loafer style, suedes, earth tones, etc.

Well, I lost my other foot, you see, and I can't find it ANYWHERE!

Thanks for the laugh...just mean &quot;one shoe&quot; when I should have said &quot;One pair of shoes&quot;.

My editor would beat me with a stick if he'd seen that.

&quot;A burro is an ass, a burrow is a hole in the ground. As a journalist, you are expected to know the difference.&quot;

Jules

Hi--we have just returned from our annual France trip--I wore solid pants with tee, jeans jacket (they are as popular in France as in Us) with a scarf and felt that it was very much the day and evening casual look.One thing I am planning for a wardrobe addition is a sleek pair of sport-city shoes--like the sleeker Puma sport shoes--saw lots of that and I would have enjoyed a pair for this trip. Wore a pair of ballet flats with rubber soles for most of the time--but will add a pair of Pumas--not the heavy jogging look at all--for our upcoming trip to Greece--comfortable and stylish. We rarely go to nightclubs--but for out to dinner I just dress the daytime look up a bit with a drapey blouse or sweater, add a little jewelry to the look. You see everything, so wear the look which you feel comfortable in.

Jules, I LOVE that quote! May I plagiarize? :-D

We'll be in Paris in September, too, and I really don't have the right coat/jacket. I think I'm going to layer and hope for good weather.

I wonder if my NY clothes will look weird in Paris. This season's fashion look a little extreme: gypsy skirts, sequins, beads, bright colors and a lot of metallics. I wonder should I pack my golden flats?

so i just went to zappos.com to look at puma sports shoes. Robinfrance, any hints as to the kind of shoe you were referring to? tie, slip on? thanks for keeping us shoe fiends happy.

Check out the colors in the Faconable section of Nordstroms if you want to &quot;look&quot; French. All I see are lots of solid colored pants, especially tan, and very soft colors, and even a jean jacket.

Oh my goodness; I went by Nordstroms just to look at Faconable again and guess what - I saw the brightest pink collared long sleeved shirts I have ever seen, t-shirts, and also in ... are you ready... ORANGE. Of course, the slacks were all tan, and baby blue. At $165 they weren't flying off the rack. I even saw one shirt with, are you ready, AN AMERICAN FLAG on the back.

Perhaps this could be another thread, but is Faconable less expensive in France or the same price?

Dress for comfort, not fashion. Everyone will know you're American, anyway. Dress in clothing that you can add or remove in layers, so that you can be prepared for any temperatures. Wear clothing that will remain comfortable even after miles of walking. Above all, wear the best walking shoes you can get.

Marilyn, I took a lightweight, hip-length, slightly fitted black quilted jacket and wore it virtually every day last May. It was the perfect weight and I felt like it looked dressy enough at night and casual and comfortable during the day. Maybe you can find something similar when the fall clothes appear in the stores before your trip in Sept. Of course, that may be as early as next month! :-)

Comfortable shoes are the #1 item. I splurged for Mephistos and wore them every day on the trip - and every day after my return as well! They are so comfortable and the excellent arch support helped my feet stay happy the entire trip!

I have a similar jacket, starrsville, but I think I'll stick with my trusty black leather jacket and a full length travel raincoat that I can wear over it if necessary. I'll also have a black structured jacket (like a suit jacket) that looks dressier in the evening.

Why, Miss Marilyn...and you said you didn't have the right jacket! :-) You just show your stuff in Paris in your black leather! You're going to turn some heads!

starrsville, I took a similar jacket to Ireland/Scotland this Spring (sort-of nylon quilted with a nipped in waist and stand-up colar) and found it was perfect on its own or for layering over sweater, or under rain jacket, or dressed up with a scarf for evening at restaurant.
Another vote for GOOD walking shoes.........they will make all of the difference, I wore Mephisto sandals, and Ecco black walking shoes that could go from day to evening with black pants....could have left the 3 other pairs I brought home, but one does want options.......

LOL, starrsville, but thanks for the compliment. We'll be in Paris at the end of the month, so I just hope it's not too chilly. I might have to buy an extra sweater wink wink.

I noticed that at my French school no one wore shorts; well people wore shorts, but they were relatively long. They went pass the knees.

I tucked in two thin cashmere sweaters I bought at Kohl's for less than $100 each - one in fuschia and 1 in black. I wore one of the every evening (in May). They were perfect. Light in weight but warm enough to take the chill off. The sweaters with the black jacket was my evening uniform. Black jeans during the day. Nicer black slacks for evenings.

Re Puma shoes--take a look at these--sleeker upper and lower
http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/5106994/c/32430.html

But guess what--I just bought a pair which are dead ringers, comfee and the same look at Kmart--for a whole lot less--check them out at your local store--about $18 but on sale for $10 or $11 this week--suede, very very soft with a sleek rubber sole--will be perfect for Greece when we go in September--I am happy as a lark about it, as I typically do not wear this type of shoe except to the gym. Hope this helps.

Take care,
Robyn France

I doubt if Faconnable clothing is cheaper in Paris, hardly anything is. The company is owned by Nordstrom, and a lot of their clothes are made in the US.

Dress exactly like the locals? Believe me, they will know that you are American. What is the big deal about not looking American or trying to look like a local (you won't so don't even try). Some of the locals actually find it amusing that some of us try to look like locals and they ridicule this among themselves.

Robinfrance, thanks for the reference........i'm headed to kmart.....don't you love it! I'll stick my orthodics in and be on my way!

Great Marsha--please let me know if u find them and how they work for you--I think they are a true steal!

Good luck,
Robyn France

Marsha--1 more thing--the laces are too long in the Kmart pair--doesn't give a neat, sleek look--I replaced them with 40&quot; black round cord ones and they look muck sleeker on the top--take a look at how they lace the Pumas in the picture--and lace them the same way if u r interested. Take care--I adore mine--so comfortable.

Robin, I love your attention to detail. Thanks for the laces tip. Sometimes it just something like that that makes all the difference! Tomorrow's Kmart Day so I'll let you know how I do.

Looking and being an American in Paris is fine. Just while in Paris, try not to look like an American at a picnic. Maybe avoid t-shirts, shorts and white sneakers. For men, lean more toward a button down shirt, slacks (or walking shorts) and sport shoes instead of sneakers. Women, maybe a skirt, top and comfortable shoes/sandals. Think about what you would wear in a major US city. For evening, depending on your age. For the younger, haute jeans are fine. Black pants/skirts/dresses perfect for all. Take a scarf...you will become a local:)