FIRST TIME TO PARIS MIDDLE AGE HIP WOMAN WHAT TO WEAR!
 

I WILL BE IN PARIS FOR 1 WEEK AND DO NOT WANT TO LOOK LIKE A TYPICAL AMERICAN TOURIST. I AM FROM LOS ANGELES WHERE IT'S VERY CASUSAL. SHOULD I JUST KEEP IT SIMPLE AND WEAR BLACK?

You will get more help on the Europe board, you probably posted here by mistake. I went to Paris last year and they do wear a lot of black. We wore jeans, sneakers, and workshirts, khakis. Yes, we screamed American but it is hard to fool them. They know anyway. My advice is to pack what you would to travel anywhere, comfy and appropriate for your activities. Wear in Paris what you would wear in any major city in the US and you should be fine...

First, a helpful hint, do not type in all capital letters, some think that is like 'shouting' online.... :)

Yes, do a search in the Europe forum and you will see a zillion threads on how to dress in Paris -
my advice, and having been several times, is I wear what is comfortable for me, but I do, when traveling anywhere tend to pack basics in black and work around it with one or two color schemes dpending on the time of year and where I am going.

If I were going to Paris I would bring
black pants
black skirt (2 lengths)
black flats and
heels for at night
walking shoes
black coat
then i would add:
a few pashmina type shawls
a few scarves of various fabrics and styles
and depending on the time of year/weather:
a few cotton or knit tops/ various length sleeves and necklines/
sweater (cardigan)

I also tend to buy/bring clothing , even slacks and skirts, that I can wash in a tub or sink if I dont' want to pay for send out or am in an area that doesn't offer it - and hang them up and they dry overnight.
My favorite things are my Gunex pants and my Patagonia skirt for this.

And no matter what you do, they will know you are American - or at the least, not French ! But so what?
You are a respectful (I assume) American who had a desire to see and learn about their country and that brings them lots of money for their economy and their tourist industry so smile and be proud of it.

but you will see lots of threads with likely far better advice than mine on the Europe board..

unless what you usually wear is too-small spandex, loud prints in polyester, bermuda shorts, sweatshirts with teddybear appliques, tube tops, etc....

Having traveled quite often to LA, and seeing "hip" middle-aged women, I think you should dress as you do now. The hip women I see there look extremely stylish, so you should have no cause for concern.

My advise is to pack your favorite clothes, appropriate to the weather the time of year you'll be in Paris, in fabrics that coordinate and pack well. If you look good in LA you'll look fine in Paris! Take a couple pair of comfortable and stylish shoes.

jeans are ALWAYS in. and yes black is good. go to a bookstore--a big one and see if you can look thru a few french magazines-- that always helps too.

If you're hiop in LA Paris shold not be an issue.

I prefer navy to black for spring and summer - paired with white, khaki and an ocassional bright color top or accessory.

But - you won;t fool the French - unless you plan on wearing the currently hot really high heels - which just are not practical for walking all day. (But do wear them at night). For day make sure you get some really chic walking shoes (I know walking is not big in LA so you probably don;t hve any). If you look carefully there are some that are pretty, trendy AND comfy - rather than the orthopedic looking ones.

First time poster..screaming troll?

Hardly a controversial topic to bother making a fake posting imo.

What are you planning on doing in Paris? Looking for a husband? If not and you haven't been to Paris before, why worry how you look. You've never met these people before and unless you do something really outrageous, they aren't going to remember you a week after you leave. Dress comfortably and let them look the other way if they don't like it.

yes.

First, a typical American tourist looks as good as--if not better than, say, a German tourist, wearing shorts, well-worn T-shirt, white sneakers, and pushing its weight through the crowds with zero consideration for anyone else. American tourists have come a long way and we should be proud of ourselves a little more, IMO.

Second, think of "dressy casual" stuff, including nice slack-looking jeans (as opposed to too tight, too short, and shapeless), or anything you would pick up at Banana Republic and/or Nordstroms would be just perfect. Dark colors are prefferable to lights for sheer practicality, just in case you mis-aim that chocolate crepe. LOL. Just make sure that all--or almost all--of your tops go well with the bottoms, so you can mix/match.

Third, and probably the most important, get great walking shoes and break them in before you go. However, just in case your shoes kill your feet, there is a Mephisto store in the 6th, and Mephisto shoes are one of the very few things on Earth that are less expensive in Paris than in LA.

Finally, have a great time!

Anna Roz

Wow, why couldn't this question be answered without disparaging Germans with such a comment - I hardly think that was necessary - like guessing what someone might wear and disparaging that -
gee, can we have some civility and avoid possibly hurting peoples feelings.

nytraveler- can you suggest some comfy shoes that are also stylish? i just can't seem to find a pair and i believe i too am going to paris this summer

There are several nicer looking comfortable shoes - Clarks has a line called Aritsan Collection, I just got a great looking pair of black heeled sandals not for all day walking, but fancier for dinner and walking after type of shoe -
but they also have some good looking daytime walking shoes -

If you plug 'comfortable walking shoes' and 'walking shoes' thing slike that into the search bar - there are many threads with great shoe info and links -

happy shopping...and walkikng !

I wore my Mephistos all over Paris - and was very glad I did!

Sweatsuits and crocs ;)

Couldn't this question be answered without disparaging sweatsuits and crocs? (I'm kidding, I'm kidding ;-) )

There is no "typical" American tourist; I assume you mean someone wearing sweatsuits, crocs, and fanny packs. Follow the good advice you've received here and you'll be fine.

I wouldn't worry too much about what to wear. Just be comfortable and pack light.

Besides, when I was there last year I wore all my "normal" clothes. But I speak French fluently and was mistaken for a local several times.

So, maybe clothes don't matter too much.

c.

Paris, KY? Wear jeans and a halter top. Flipflops optional.

I pack very much like "escargot", but only one black skirt, a few twin sets, sandals for the warmer weather, cotton knit tops with flattering necklines and various sleeves in white only. I used to take flats and heels, but now take only low heeled pumps (the style the airline attendants wear) because after walking all day in flats, walking shoes, sandals, it's nearly impossible to walk very far in heels at night and if your shoes are black no one will care about the style.

I always pack a 3/4 or below the knee raincoat with hood, and if it may be chillier, a polartec jacket to layer under the raincoat. For colder weather, I bring a wool blazer to layer under the raincoat.

When packing, "black and..." is just so practical.

I was not guessing about anything. My comment was based on a personal experience and, in fact, I forgot to add a very loud and pushy German tourist in Paris and another one at Rialto market in Venice. Now, I did not mean to offend anyone or hurt anyone's feelings. Moreover, I did not categorically state that all German tourists are poorly dressed, are pushy and loud, like so many Americans tend to refer to their country-people by repeating the non-sensical stereotype of "ugly Americans." I merely meant to say that Americans do not hold a monopoly on poor choice of wardrobe or behavior, that is it. There are plenty of slobs of every origin in our world. If you choose to be offended by my comments, by all means, the choice is yours.

Anna Roz

Mephisto is a good choice and so is Geox. I noticed several Geox stores opening in malls in the greater LA and some departmnet stores also carry this brand. Very stylish, IMO.

Anna Roz

Look in the mirror, Redancer.

Do you know what looks "good" on you?

Good..wear that.

I am a guy. Since 1994, I have only worn Mephisto shoes. I buy them on my trips to Paris. They are my souvenir. Mephisto shoes are wonderful, but most of them are wonderful the way hiking boots are wonderful: they give you a lot of support, but they usually require breaking in. I do not wear my new Mephistos on the same trip where I buy them. My wife does have a pair of Mephisto flats that look good and are comfortable, especially for wearing at night or to a restaurant that requires some walking, but during the day, she wears Mephisto walking shoes, well-broken in.

If you were truly hip, you wouldn't need to ask.

I like Dukey's answer.

One question - Who EXACTLY are you trying to impress? Strangers could care less. Dress for yourself - and make comfort #1.

I absolutely understand why people who have never visited a certain country or area ask about what to wear - certainly they want to be comfortable, but most people who ask this question like to feel that they will not be singled out for a variety of reasons-

When friends are planning to visit me from another area of the US or Europe, they always ask me a variety of questions - what should we pack - are the restaurants casual, will I need dressier clothes, will my husband feel uncomfortable if he just throws in his favorite of jeans, khakis and collarless shirts - does he need a collar shirt -
will my wife feel out of place if she doesn't have dressy outfit and heels, do the women dress up more -

some people don't care if they show up in flats, jeans, bright tops and everyone else is wearing heels, smart casual suits, etc - but others would - some have a bit of everything in their closet and just want some guidance b/c they choose to want to dress more 'like' where they are visiting.

so on one hand people get teased for asking about what to wear and are told whatever they are comfortable in, as long as it isn't x, y and z - and on the other hand people get teased for asking at all - or told not to even think about asking.

Some people worry about how they look, fitting in, blending in - others don't - posters who do ask what to wear, well to me that says they would feel more comfortable knowing what is more of the 'majority rule' where they are going, which is usually a place they've never been -

b/c , whether anyone else agrees or not, they want and need to know to make their trip comfortable.

I think these would be perfect... especially if you are going to EuroDisney:
http://www.shoebuy.com/sb/s.jsp/r_pr...2/sbstl_406026

DISNEY Crocs!!!
Who knew?
(well, TTP did)

Yep, the holes are in the shape of little Mickey Mouse heads.
Très chic!

I think your concern is a valid one. I am currently living in Canada, but I lived in Europe for a long time in a few different countries so I can tell you what I have learned from my experience. If you look like a tourist you will be treated as such, and I always avoid this because as a tourist you are an automatic target for theft, and they will often bump up prices as soon as they discover you are not a local, i.e. you will be royally ripped off. Unfortunately American tourists in particular have aquired a bad reputation in Europe, so if you can blend in enough to atleast not look like an American it is proabbly to your best advantage as you will receive better treatment as well as prices. I seem to be good at blending in because although I haven't lived in Europe for a good 9 years no one ever thinks I am from North America and wherever I go I am addressed in the native tongue first, be that in France, Italy, Germany, Sweden, England...the list goes on.
It is possible to blend in, trust me. You just need to know your stuff.
#1. You are right about black, parisiens wear ALOT of it, keep it plain and simple though. Stay away from any kind of printed tee, although patterend shirts and blouses are fine.
#2. Of course you should be comfortable, but there are ways to be stylish without walking around in 6 inch heels all day. You will never see a parisien in American-style sneakers. If you need comfortable shoes, try ballerina flats or boots. Long leather boots are classic in black or brown. I tell you my feet are never sore and I always wear this type of footwear. If your going in the Summer sandals are also an option, but I would steer clear of flip-flops. Leather sandals or gladiator sandals are in style at the moment.
#3. DO NOT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WEAR SWEAT PANTS OR YOGA PANTS OR ANY OTHER KIND OF WORKOUT GEAR ON THE STREETS OF PARIS. Jeans and shorts (especially high-waisted ones) are acceptable, but you will never catch a parisien in a light wash flare jean. Skinny jeans are a better way to go, but in black or a dark wash. Parachute pants are also in style right now.
#4. Red nails and lips are always classic both for day and evening wear. Just saying.
#5.If your cold and need layers, cardigans are a safe bet. Scarves are always in...right now circle scarves! I probably have about four of them but your classic pashmina is great too. Don't put on a sweatshirt if you need extra warmth, there are many kinds of jackets that are far more appropriate. You could do a jean or leather jacket but I prefer black wool or something similar, if you need examples I could post a few but I'd have to go and find them.
#6. The French don't usually wear bright colours, except red of course. Safe colours that all generally go well together are black, white, beige, navy blue, grey, olive green, mustard yellow and brown.
So that's the basic rundown of European style! I hope you have a good trip. If you have any more questions feel free to ask!

"<i>So that's the basic rundown of European style! I hope you have a good trip. If you have any more questions feel free to ask!</i>"

First: The OP's trip was <u>four years ago</u>

Second: Much of your post is ridiculous

Oh sorry, didn't see the year. I just stumbled across this. Well it was true then and it's true now. However this sort of advice could help out more people than just the OP. If you think it's ridiculous, by all means ignore it.

Just curious, but how do you "stumble" across a FOUR year old post?

Google, I presume.

I too wish people would look at the dates of the initial thread and that of the last reply. This seems to be happening on many of the forums.

It is something Fodor's could control if they wanted to. On Trip Advisor after a thread is over 6 months old it is closed to new comments.