Clothing for Paris trip?

[LesAnya]

This has probably been done to death...
I'm after some inspiration for clothing for a long weekend of touristy bits, wandering, and eating my body weight in French food
I suspect it will still be quite cold! so need things to layer but don't know where to start.

[missmartha01]

I'm in Paris at the mo. It's wet, dampened and not particularly cold. A bit chilly in the evening though.

It does depend how much walking you want to do. Basically don't wear heels, there are loads women in flat/low heeled ankle boots and trainers. Yes trainers with skirts, trainers with jeans, you name it.

I would suggest some decent lightish weight sweaters, a couple of pairs of trousers (any sort) and shoes you're comfortable in.

If you plan to eat out, a dress or something more suited to the evening.

Coat or jacket of some sort, again wear what you feel comfortable in.

Have a lovely time.

[LadyPriggsbottom]

When I was there a few years ago (I spent a year there), I did the following and think I just about looked normal!

I tended to stick to neutral tones as that's what I saw most people wearing and it was what was most available in the shops. I didn't bother with high heels at all unless I had a very fancy evening somewhere - even then I mightn't bother depending on the place. It's not a very heel friendly city I don't think - quite hilly and lots of cobble stones. Plus I took the metro and RER a lot which involved lots of walking up and down stairs. I always kept fairly well covered up (though that's my personal taste anyway) - I very rarely saw a short or clingy dress or a lot of cleavage on show or anything.

It will probably still be cold if you are going soon. It didn't really warm up till about May when I was there and I have been since in March and it was really cold. You would need a decent coat and gloves, scarf etc IMHO.

Trousers / jeans, ankle boots, long sleeved t-shirts or collared shirts with sweaters on top for warmth should be fine for day time. From memory, people didn't really get terribly glammed up for a night out, but obviously it depends what you are going to be doing. If it's just drinks and dinner somewhere fairly low key I would personally stick with ankle boots or flat shoes for evening, but maybe with a skirt or a cool dress rather than jeans / trousers and a cardi for warmth.

Reading back over that I sound like my mother with talk of wrapping up and sensible shoes! Haha oh well, hope that's of some use and that my advice isn't horribly outdated. Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the food!

[LadyPriggsbottom]

X post with martha re heels!

[Freezingwinter]

I love Paris! I took a couple of pairs of well fitting skinny jeans, some smart tops (blouses mainly) and cardigans, and a beige coloured mac with a belt which I felt looked smart enough for an evening but could be made more casual in the day. Some ballet pumps, or low heeled ankle boots with socks, and a nice handbag. A couple of dresses with heels and maybe tights for the evenings.

[LesAnya]

Ooh thank you all for your help! General consensus is jeans then, which is a relief. I can do that.
lady I do that too, open my mouth and my mother comes out!

[Judydreamsofhorses]

Ooh, I am going at Easter for the first time - part of my Christmas present from DP - so this thread is v useful. I was thinking along the same lines of skinny jeans/blouse/flat boots, and thought a leather biker jacket would be okay in April, with a light scarf. Even though it's ages away when I buy anything I am wondering if I can picture myself wearing it in Paris (while guzzling cheese and swigging wine).

[missmartha01]

It is true that most years February would be very cold, it isn't this year. Daffodils are out in someplace and yes, I have been wearing a hat because this week because there have been the odd cold gust, otherwise very mild.