I'm going to Paris and don't know what to wear!

[Blarn]

Well, other than warm clothes! I am spending two days in Paris next week with dh. The forecast is going to be single digits and rain, carry on luggage and i am good at packing light.

We are going to get there about midday and mooch around for a bit before (and this is the bit that makes it tricky) seeing a gig in the evening. The gig will be hot, shouty and I might get beer spilt on me.

I was planning on chunky but comfortable black ankle boots, tights and a mini skirt for both days. I have found this skirt which I am really drawn to. https://tuclothing.sainsburys.co.uk/product/tuc146720191

It's a lot jazzier than what I normally wear but I am oddly drawn to it! Would I just look odd walking round Paris the next day though? Coat wise I am hoping that my lovely oversized wool one will be OK with an umbrella. To go to the gig I am just going to ditch the coat and wear a wool jumper that can be tied around my waist, I think the place is close to the hotel.

I have never been to Paris before, I am oddly nervous!

Yes this is true.

I love a lack of playfulness or colour in clothing and Parisian style suits my tastes perfectly!

But it is true.

Ultimately though op, its like any big city: people will be getting on with their day and honestly won't notice you. If they notice any tourists, it will be the ones with bum bags, tracksuits and orthotic trainers blocking their way as they check maps on their phones!

You might be interested in what they are wearing, but they really won't notice. Just be comfortable - and have fun!

It's a bigger of a time of year for a Euro city break - you could get absolutely anything, weather-wise! Agree that it's quite easy to stand out in Paris (not necessarily a bad thing though) - I find generally they don't like to draw attention to themselves/break the mould.

Have an amazing time!!

I went to Paris for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I had been prepared to see lots of elegant women wafting around but in reality it was like London, very diverse, lots of people just doing their own thing. We stayed in the North of the city and spent very little time in the tourist zone so not sure if that made a difference.

Your skirt will be absolutely fine.

*bugger, not bigger!

No one will care, the skirt is in a muted colour so won't stand out in a big city.

That sums it up. The skirt might be OK in the daytime provided you surround it with black everything else.

As an aside question. What do people do with wearing long line woollen coats if it starts chucking it down with rain?

You won’t stand out in Paris wearing this skirt in the day. Even if there is a fashion for certain things in Paris it’s a busy capital city and people’s attire will range from joggers to full on glam. Wear what makes you happy.

I don't want to burst your bubble but Paris is a massive city and not at all built like cities in the UK.

Everything is incredibly far apart so you will be walking a ridiculous amount. I personally would wear hiking shoes for comfort in the day.

It's also a bit random, but if you suffer from hayfever from tree pollen make sure you are stocked up and not wandering around for hours red eyed and sniffling looking for a pharmacy.

I hesitate how to phrase this next part, but when I went to Paris years ago, the sheer hoards of homeless people, beggars and scammers that are EVERYWHERE is unreal. I had a complete culture shock when I saw a large family of Romani washing in a public fountain complete with very small children/babies. There's a reason people come to the UK, and rightly or wrongly France does not give these people anything and so you end up with a VERY aggressive atmosphere and people in your face, following you and demanding money. I was beset upon by a group of about 10 CHILDREN outside the Louvre trying to pickpocket us. The oldest was like 8. I had my arm grabbed and a bracelet placed on me by some very tall, domineering men who then tried to block us from leaving until we paid.

Not to say that any of the above should put you off, but I have grown up in London and wasn't prepared for that atmosphere. I would be on alert, and wouldn't go back there in a black miniskirt and shoes especially if I wasn't going with a man sad to say.

I’ve lived in both London and Paris, and still go back to Paris often to see friends, and don’t recognise that at all. Central Paris is far more compact and walkable than London, public transport is plentiful, and there’s very little need to walk any significant distances if you don’t want to. The one thing worth saying is that the metro has a lot of stairs in stations compared to the tube, which will certainly add steps. I’d wear whatever footwear you would wear for a day on your feet in any city. Take the usual precautions in touristy areas. Yes, homelessness is a visible problem.

I guess it depends on what you go to Paris to see. I wanted to see the historic sites, and don't give a fig about shopping or drinking and they were very dotted across the city. The metro is well and good when you speak the language, but just like the underground it's a learning curve. When I went to Denmark it was like hell on earth as all the stations had names that were 15 letters long and looked very similar to my English eye!

As for my experience with the homeless, I would imagine speaking french sets you apart as not a foreigner and less likely to be attacked like that. I am also not white, and allegedly have a kind face which I feel makes people more comfortable approaching me and demanding stuff.

Holidays are totally the time to take risks and push the boat out in terms of clothing

I would layer a vest top, oversized shirt and cotton sweater on the top half. If I got hot I’d take the sweater off and wear over shoulders. the shirt / collar makes a classic or preppy nod. I’d also consider a trench coat rather than wool.

I would bank on you getting too hot in wool jumpers and coats as it’s very mild and you’ll be walking, in shops and on the metro, plus rain.

choose straight leg or 90’s Levi’s type jeans or else just a regular black mini with opaque tights and boots and then swap to the shiny skirt before the gig.

WTF are you talking about?!

Paris is, by London standards, a small city. Very walkable but it also has a metro station around practically every corner. You do not need hiking boots ffs!!

Pharmacies are everywhere. Pickpockets do exist, especially at busy metro stations like Chatelet, and around key tourist places like the Louvre, but you just need to be aware of your belongings and don’t hesitate to tell them to fuck off.

You can walk safely around in a miniskirt. Without a man.

I’ve been there a month ago and just wore my normal clothes. Centre was very busy so no time to notice fashion but I didn’t stand out. Wide leg jeans, vest top, waist coat and long cardigan. Leggings and hoodie when I wasn’t in the centre. Beautiful skirt and top for a dancing gig. Took my pretty trainers and I regretted not taking my Brooks walking trainers. Raincoat is a must. Can’t speak a word French and everywhere I was I had long chats with people in English. That said I was with a French speaker.

OP, l think your outfit will be fine for Paris. Parisians tend to wear plain things as opposed to patterned but anything goes, as long as you have a scarf 😀. And not all women in Paris are Parisians. I lived there ago and frequently go back.

As others have said comfy shoes are a must.

Just back, it was 20 degrees but dropping a lot next week.

my priorities are always comfortable footwear and a weatherproof coat/hat, Paris has higher rainfall than London. Trainers are perfectly acceptable.

For an evening at a smart ish restaurant I wore boots, a satin skirt and jumper. I find a lot of places are overheated, so layers you can take off and carry are good.

Have a lovely time.

This post reminds me of one about the centre of the city I live in, that it was covered in filth and full of gangs of homeless people, off their faces on drugs. Not how I find the city at all!

Dh is also 6'4 and used to play rugby so tend not to get hassled when out! But always good to be aware of pickpockets etc.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I dress mostly in nice basics, shop in uniqlo a lot. Which is why I'm so confused by my desire to have that skirt!

The forecast for rain when we are going has thrown me. Here, I'd chuck in my sensible warm waterproof coat but I just want to feel a bit nicer! I think I will go with straight jeans and pack a skirt and tights as, as pointed out, they are not going to take up a lot of room.

This trip is a treat from dh and when he booked it a few months ago it was at a time whenI was really struggling with anxiety out of nowhere, almost panic attacks over every day things. I was dreading this trip, did not want to go, was convinced that all Parisians would be rude and hate tourists! I am feeling much better now but don't want to feel prepared. I know I will stand out as a British tourist as my French is terrible!

This. I am a former (UK born) Paris resident. Paris is like any city, you don’t have to be paranoid, just careful.

It is a very walkable and compact city, with restaurants and bars to suit almost all tastes and budgets. Many locals speak English but they do appreciate it, if you say hello and ask them if they speak English first.

Public transport is efficient and safe, although you have the smell of old socks that is the Metro. 😀. There are easy to read Metro maps at every station.

I was in Paris in spring this year when it was cold and most women were wearing jeans/trousers, trainers/boots & well cut wool coats. The only colours to wear to blend in appeared to be black, grey, navy, cream or taupe. Very classic and conservative.

Bring the skirt for the gig, stick to jeans & comfy shoes for traipsing. Wear layers

I’m going to Paris for a gig at the end of the month (something a bit heavier than the Hives) and I’m planning on wearing one pair of DMs for the whole trip. Spare jeans and tshirt, waterproof jacket and jumper. I’ll wear my battle jacket on the plane because it’s so heavy. I can’t be arsed to dress up to walk around Paris, I only care that my feet don’t hurt 😆

@Blarnthe friend I went with couldn’t believe how well we were treated by the Parisians, offered seats on the metro several times, chatty people in shops and restaurants….nothing to worry about

Last time I went to Paris I lived in leggings and tops and jeans plus a Massimo Dutti quilted jacket (like Barbour). Shoes were either comfy ones or trainers. No one cared. It was Easter time so still quite mild weather wise.

I walked a lot despite getting the Metro too.

As I said above I went to Paris last month for the first time and took my two teenagers. We found it to be very friendly, people happy to speak English, people wore allsorts. We felt safe, navigated the metro no problem. Travel is an adventure 🙂

Hope you have a great time 😊