What People Actually Wear in Paris
For my 30th birthday, I took a solo trip to Paris! It was a magical experience, but in the time leading up to my trip, I really struggled. You see, there is nothing I hate more than looking like a tourist. If you ever catch me with a sensible nylon bag and sketchers sandals, know that I either suffer from amnesia or am in witness protection. Sometimes it’s impossible (everyone looks like a tourist at the airport, natch). But I wanted to blend in on the streets of Le Marais!
Most of my searches proved fruitless. I saw image after image of striped shirts, skinny jeans, and berets. Given that skinny jeans were declared “cheugy” by TikTok youths three whole years ago, I viewed these images with suspicion. The other option was overly-styled princess dresses in tourist traps. There’s a time and a place, but as a woman alone, frankly I didn’t want to call attention to myself in that way. I did my best to pack classic, simple clothing, and in general I think I accomplished my goal. Still, I wish I had had a list like this to walk me through what French women are actually wearing in Paris right now.
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What People Wear in Paris
Longline Coats
It’s important to know that I went to Paris in mid-March, so people still wore full winter coats. But even if you’re going a milder time of year, you can’t go wrong with a classic trench. Recent trends favor coats that are long (almost ankle-length), belted, and with wide lapels. Colors ranged from soft taupe to dark brown, with muted shades of green common as well. Plenty of people still wear black of course, but current trends steer in an earthier direction.
Simply Cut Tops
When you look up French fashion icons, you will always see photos of them in a white collared blouse. It’s a staple for a reason. If yours is well-pressed and fits correctly, you’ll never look out of step. Horizontal stripes are the cliche, but a vertically-striped button down is always a good choice. If you want to infuse color into your wardrobe, a simple sweater or linen top in a bold color has the chic, effortless quality French women are known for. I wouldn’t recommend a really femme dress if you’re trying to blend in, but a puff sleeve or floral blouse with denim and sneakers is the perfect balance of fun and practical.
Fashion Trousers and Denim
Skinny jeans have broken their chokehold on the fashion world, and the possibilities are endless. Slouchy trousers with sneakers! Cargo pants with feminine shoes! Wide leg jeans and booties! All these looks have the added bonus of practicality. Instead of stuffing yourself into thin jeans you’ll easily slip into wide-leg pants. Tip: look for fits with descriptors like “dad” and “boyfriend.” They’ll be wide, baggy, and comfortable.
Midi Skirts & Dresses
Current trends move towards the easy and breezy. Luckily, these silhouettes are perfect for wandering the Seine, fabric playing around your calves. Pleats, tiers, and full skirts are a bit fussier than what I saw on the streets, so stick to straight silhouettes. Try a satin skirt for added visual interest. To avoid the fairy-tale femme vibe, follow the 1/3 rule: you can have lace OR florals OR volume, not all 3.
Shoes: Sneakers, Booties, and Loafers
Similarly to coats, shoes with slightly larger profiles than styles from earlier in the decade are in order. In colder temps, sneakers and booties rule the sidewalks. As temperatures warm, loafers and simple sandals take over. Fashionplates and certain professionals wear thin heels, but I wouldn’t recommend them. Cobblestones plus lots of people plus the occasional pile of garbage? A recipe for disaster. Block-heeled booties and sandals are both stylish and practical.
Add Quirk to Classic Silhouettes
“But Blair” you ask, “what do I wear if I want to incorporate some color?!” Here’s the truth: Parisians have never been known for especially colorful dress. But those dying to wear cerise are usually fine with the slight boost in attention it garners. If you want to stand out in a cool-girl way and not a delusional princess fairytale way, stick to the silhouettes mentioned earlier in bright, vivacious colors.
French fashion is ruled by simplicity, classicism, and spirit. Even if you don’t buy one new thing before you go, simply ensuring what you pack fits well and is neatly pressed will help you blend in. And when in doubt, just dress like Jane Birkin.
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