Capsule wardrobe for five nights in Paris? In August ☀️ 🇫🇷

[Summerbobs]

I do not have an innate sense of style so tend to buy things I like individually rather than them all complementing each other. I would love to look stylish on this trip and would appreciate some starting points.

I am 5’6” and have mild lipedema which affects my thighs, bottom and upper arms. So, no shorts or strapless tops please! (Chunky thighs, massive round bum and bingo wings aplenty.)

I am a 12 in John Lewis own brand dresses, a medium in M&S tops and a 14 in M&S trousers. 32FF with a relatively slim torso, so although my boobs are fairly small I often get gaping in shirts.

I did recently buy some navy wide leg crepe trousers which are very flattering so this could be a starting point.

Would love any suggestions. Thank you.

Sorry I cannot help but can I ask where you got your navy wide leg crepe trousers? Thank you :)

Yes it was these: they are such good quality!

https://www.marksandspencer.com/crepe-drawstring-wide-leg-trousers/p/clp60546507?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

Don't focus too much on being stylish (unless you really relish the idea of dressing up, but it's absolutely not required), wear what you'd wear to say London.

The thing I'd be most concerned with is the extreme heat in August, most of Paris is deserted in August because it's so unbearing, something about the geography makes it feel much hotter than elsewhere at those temperatures and the temps are pretty high.

Look for billowy things that can catch a breeze in thinner fabrics, linen or cotton, mixes are good, it tends to be too hot for silk unless you don't mind pit stains. A hat can be useful to avoid overheating and a bag that can carry water bottles easily. Good walking shoes, depending on the line, the metro can be a sauna so walking becomes a preferable option.

And, sorry, just seen the trousers you linked, 100% polyester would be really uncomfortable in the heat.

Another no help here I’m afraid but I’m going here next time I’m away for a short break.
Rent a capsule wardrobe

Agree with others who have said focus on dressing for the heat, not for style. Loose linen trousers, floaty dresses, long skirts, natural fibres, airy tops, sandals you can walk for miles in.
I was in Paris last August and wore shorts and linen vest tops but I get that you don't want to expose your arms or thighs.

Following as I’m also going to Paris in August!

I am a great fan of a capsule wardrobe, if I were going to Paris in August, it'd look something like this.

Select a 2-colour palette that suits you - mine would be cream and navy.
Select a colour pop that goes with it - mine would be gold or coral.

Using only this palette source the following:

3 well-cut 3/4 sleeve - likely good quality plain colour t-shirts (not Breton stripe, too much of a Paris cliché).
2 oversize lightweight shirts - that can be worn with a camisole, on their own, or over a top.
2 pairs of wide leg trousers - though I suit a harem style gathered ankle cuff better - ensuring you can see some ankle when you wear them.
1 smart, boxy, blazer/jacket ideally 3/4 sleeve - that can be worn to smarten up anything else.
2 midi dresses - again 3/4 sleeve.
White plimsole style trainers.
Navy smarter shoes - loafers probably.
Pair of plain lightweight comfortable trainers - like Nike Waffles or ON or something.

I'd also take the odd light scarf, or brooch/corsage in the pop colour.

The reason I choose 3/4 length sleeves and ankle grazer trousers is to give me the impression of height - I am 5ft5 but still look swamped in long sleeves and trousers.

I don't wear sandals at all - too many potential rub-points, hence I wear light weight shoes/trainers instead.

Take a look at the Vivian files, she often does capsule wardrobes for Paris trips.

Hi Op, I’m quite overweight, but do get people complimenting me on my style.
For a summer trip to Paris I would pack:

• Knee-length stretch denim shorts in dark blue, light blue or white
• White or camel capri pants or pedal pushers in stretch cotton
• Cotton or linen brightly-coloured tunics (length mid-thigh) with 3/4 length flowing cuffed sleeves
• A midi or long floaty sleeveless dress with a chiffon-y mid to long shrug with long wide sleeves for evening
• A chic sun hat
• Costume jewellery/scarf
• Canvas or leather backpack (secure a zipped pouch, such as a make-up bag to the lining at the bottom for wallet/passport/phone Etc.)
• Comfortable smart trainers
• Mid-heel comfortable leather sandals

I’d also get a professional mani-pedi before going - or do it myself if Ihave the time😉 Enjoy your trip!

kit and kaboodle have lovely lagenlook flowy\non fussy but -very wearable day\night....plain so popcolour\scarves\jewellery can game chqnge.praps?

I have a similar issue with my upper arms and legs. In summer I wear linen trousers, usually wide leg, with slim fitting tee shirts (not tight but with shape as opposed to boxy) and then a floaty open linen shirt over the top with sleeves rolled up a bit. And a big floppy hat and summer bag.

For Paris I'd take a monochrome colour palette with one accent colour - I wear navy and white a lot so I'd use those with some accessories in yellow. So probably 3 pairs of navy trousers, two in summery fabrics and one smarter for evening wear, plus 1 pair of white linen trousers. White/navy linen tee shirts, one each of white/navy/yellow shirts. A navy blazer and probably a couple of cami tops for the evenings. Navy flat canvas shoes and a pair of smart ones if I was going somewhere that needed something nicer. Yellow evening bag.

Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I love the idea of sticking to a colour palette. Navy, coral and gold work well on me too!

It sounds like I need to find myself some quality 3/4 length t-shirts. Does anyone have any suggestions for where to find good thick cotton ones please? (As in, not ones that go see through across the bust!)

I rate fatface for t-shirts e.g. https://www.fatface.com/women/clothing/tops-t-shirts/porter-organic-cotton-t-shirt/978046.html?dwvar_978046_color=white&cgid=women-clothing-tops-and-t-shirts#pagination=true&prefn1=refinementType&prefv1=Tops+and+T-Shirts%7CT-Shirts&prefn2=style&prefv2=longlinetops%7Clongsleevetops%7Cplaintshirts%7Ctops&start=32 They've got a good weight to them without being too heavy iyswim

Won’t it be too warm for thick cotton three quarter sleeves?

I’d go for loose cotton midi dresses. Also loose skirts or trousers worn with a cami and then a very lightweight linen or cotton shirt worn open.

Kit and Kaboodle, Light in the Box and Seasalt are your friends for cotton/ linen Long tunics😁👍🏻

Ooh I will be in Paris a week or so before you! Exciting. Doesmybumlookfprty has a lovely haul of clothes from John Lewis on her IG stories, Inc really comfortable looking khaki trousers and white tshirt. Worth a look. Really comfy and also cool looking, I imagine it's going to be warm!! It will be flowy maxis and sandals for me. Can't wait!

Cos are great for excellent quality t shirts. I also love Uniqlo’s airism ( I think that’s how it’s spelt!) range of t shirts.

This linen dress from M and S is so comfortable and would work for daytime and dinners. I think it comes in a few colours.

As pp have said - it will be hot in August in Paris!

if you don’t want to wear shorts then definitely some light linen trousers.
comfortable sandals or trainers for walking (no heels!)
light linen shirts if you don’t want to show upper arms
i wouldn’t bother with scarves etc to accessorise, it’s just not going to be the temperature for it.

same with blazers - far too sweaty.

Don't assume it is going to be baking hot. Temperatures are very similar to the south east of the UK and equally unpredictable. A short hop on Metro line 5 will show you don't have to be stylish. Comfortable shoes and a crossover bag are more important.

As others have said Paris in August will be very hot. It will still be heaving with tourists. If the OP is going to be doing the major tourist sites and museums and galleries your suggestions sound like a lot of hard work and not that practical.

No one in Paris will give the OP a second look as to what she's wearing. I wouldn't wear anything different to Paris in the middle of August than I'd wear at home or London or Amsterdam or Prague or any other city ain the middle of a hot August- might add a light, dressy dress but that's about it.

Could be hot, but you'll need a jumper and umbrella in case it isn't. Make sure you have a cross body bag with a zip that you can keep in front of you on the metro, and that the strap won't rub off its hot and sweaty. Linen is nice and cool, but will look dreadful after 3 days. You might be better with light weight synthetics like viscose for ease of wear. Just wear what you're comfortable in! You'll look and sound like a tourist whatever you do, so embrace it. How about full American cargo shorts, tennis ankle socks, trainers gown by rucksack and fanny pack if you're getting brave. Practical and comfortable, if ugly as sin :D

Following on from my previous comments, as a former resident of Paris there is absolutely no guarantee that it will be very hot. It might be, it might not, but we are talking Paris here, not Marseilles.

It is also likely to be less busy in August, Paris residents head off for the coast en masse for almost the complete month. Or as the locals say "Conges Annuels". Be aware though that some shops and residents will be closed for at least some of the month, some for its entirety.

I'd go with a navi, white and coral/hot pink type palette. Assuming it will be fairly warm I'd be looking at a few variations of

• Linen/cotton mix straight/wide trousers (m&s do some with a fine pinstripe which is nice too)
• Navy cotton vest top. No gaping
• White/colourful linen shirt worn unbuttoned.
• Comfortable sandals/loafers for walking in.
• Stylish tote bag, sunglasses
• Take a light jumper for cooler days/evenings. Can be worn over vest tops.
• Long dress with cardigan/jacket for evenings

Have a fab time!