It may have been May but it certainly didn't feel like summer to me! I'm from Florida so unless its over 85 degrees I feel like its still winter. And it was 50-60 degrees most days we were in France. Brrrr....chilly for me!

Ah, colour! I knew there was something else I should be worried about! (just kidding). I'm planning on bringing just two general colour schemes: black and white outfits and the rest in earthy tans and greens (better than khaki) with splashes of colour (lilac scarf, red cami) - lots of layerable items. I did buy an orange spag.strap sundress but I'm not sure if I'm bringing it - I later bought a chocolate brown baby doll dress that might work better (but not in the wind!).

Today, I saw the film Paris Je T'Aime.
I had to laugh during one of the first arr. thinking of my fodorites.
A woman who has fainted awakes and the man who helps her compliments her on her shoes. She says they are old CLARKS.
This film also shows you that not all women in Paris are fashion plates.

Wear whatever you want. Paris is a big city. Like NY and London, it has all sorts of people trying out all sorts of styles. Shoot for the comfort/style combo that best suits you. And be prepared to make a change if necessary. If you need a blazer after all, buy one. If you get the chance to go somewhere fancy and want better evening shoes, buy 'em.

It is no crime to look like yourself wherever you go. If you rock white athletic shoes when you have a long day of walking, do that. If you need shorts by day in the summer, wear 'em. Just be aware that the culture you are visiting has slightly different rules and you may need a clothes change or to eat somewhere more casual to accommodate them.

After ten years living in NYC, I'm used to people bringing their cultures with them. And I noticed the same thing about people in Paris.

There is no answer, you wear what you would (in good taste, I hope)in any world class city, London, Paris, Montreal, Milan, Rome.
Shos, not to worry, Flat are big this year.
An aside, I saw the film, Paris, Je T'Aime and was amused in the first episode, the woman says she was waring old CLARKS.

P.S before any spelling polic get on my back AGAIN. I can spell but my "E" disappears when I type with a distorted arthritic finger.

I do not usually reply to message boards, but I have to reply to this one!

Whoever wrote that sundresses make you look like Laura Ashley obviously does not follow the fashion trends. EVERY single fashion magazine this season is saying that sundresses are what is hot for summer. Ballet Flats and Sundresses are IT!

marginal_margiela, I don't know why you are trying to sabotage this nice girls fashion sense but please ValCanada stick to your insticts and wear cute dresses and cute shoes!

ballet style flats are big in Paris, but they have always been my choice.

Cigal (Mimi) -
Hope to see Paris Je T'Aime soon, but meanwhile thought you and others in this thread would enjoy this article from the Fodor's newsletter:
http://www.fodors.com/wire/archives/002568.cfm

It tells of actress Margo Martindale, who plays an American woman on her first trip to Paris - alone - who feels she probably isn't going to like it much ...

I've known Margo for years, she is a DOLL, to put it in a word, and a wonderful actress. The angle in the Fodor's story is that Margo herself had never actually cared about Paris - until she got there.

thank you , thank you, Tomas.
I can tell you she was one of the better episodes, she had, not only her typical American body figure, her wardrobe, her body language, her expressions. I was impressed.