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Style And Fashion For Your Paris Trip.
The question of what to wear in Paris, France usually comes
with a premise. There is that notion that Paris is the fashion
capital of the world. Therefore, aside from the concerns of
wearing something comfortable and weather appropriate, what to
wear in Paris, France often becomes driven by a fear of looking
goofy in a city full of smartly dressed people.
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First, let's address that point. Does everybody in Paris dress
fashionably? To start with, fashion is no longer a
one-dimensional thing, particularly in a cosmopolitan city like
Paris, which has an amalgam of styles with sources spanning the
entire globe. On any given day, you're likely to spot someone
wearing a sub-Saharan African djellaba, someone with a Texas
cowboy hat, or someone wrapped in East Indian cloth with a red
dot on their forehead.
Designers in the fashion industry are themselves frequently
inspired by non-western dress styles they encounter in the
streets of Paris. As fashion goes, that ought to put a little
perspective on the topic of what to wear in Paris, France.
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But in general, while there is no question that Parisians are
very much a fashion oriented lot, it's fair to say that what to
wear in Paris France is increasingly being answered by casual
styles, and the international language of American jeans.
T-shirts, jeans and various jacket styles are definitely more
common than ever before. There is however, as in anything
Parisian, a certain flair in how you wear it (i.e., it's not
just any old jeans and t-shirts).
You will surely also see a lot of young professionals dressed
in chic business suits and designer outfits, but unless your
trip is of a business nature, you probably won't care to dress
that way. Instead, you'll most likely go for a vacation look.
You'll ultimately have endless options and the choice is always
yours, but there are a couple of things you want to keep in mind
when choosing what to wear in Paris, France.
For instance, Parisians do not wear shorts. It's simply not
part of Paris fashion or Parisian style. At the very least, it
is rare, and is a "non-local" dead giveaway. Guys don't wear
them and young women will instead wear skirts of various
lengths; but shorts, even of the "hot pants" variety are
seldom
seen on the streets.
The same goes for flip-flop slippers and thick-sole athletic
sneakers. Lighter, more elegant athletic shoe styles have
sprouted all over Europe in recent years, and are the type of
sneakers that the locals wear.
Again, there are no rules keeping you from wearing whatever you
prefer. As a traveler, I think there are right-off-the-plane
backpackers' and other rugged looks that are perfectly fine at
the appropriate time and place.
The MO is what's appropriate and what you're comfortable in.
Visitor or not, some people don't like to look like tourists;
some don't mind. If you are the type that would rather blend in,
here's a tip about what to wear in Paris, France. Shoot for the
best of both worlds, going for comfort but looking stylish doing
it.
Because of the amount of walking you will be subjected to, the
answer to what to wear in Paris, France should begin with your
feet. It's all about the shoes, Baby! At least, that's where it
all starts. Whether you decide to pack them or to go shop for
them once in Paris, put some effort into it; they will make all
the difference.
Go to any evening outing, or a nice restaurant, and watch the
eyes of the person who greets you at the door. 9 times out of
10, they might just glance at your clothes, but they will notice
the shoes. Try going into a somewhat exclusive nightclub with
shoes that raise the wrong flag. Not a chance!
I'm not suggesting that you go out and buy a pair of the latest
$500 Charles Jourdan or Mario Valentino, only that you remember
what won't work. A nice pair of soft leather shoes in a basic
color will do the trick. Here is a good test: You should be able
to wear them for an entire day of sightseeing and, if that's
your thing, to the opera later that night without a fuss. Of
course, you could go in and change each time, but the idea is to
be able to avoid that inconvenience.
I once had a black pair of soft leather ankle-boots with
flexible sole that I must have worn through every one of as many
as 10 countries I visited at one point. They were so useful and
versatile, I almost had to give them a proper funeral when I
finally wore them to death!
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Of late, certain athletic shoes do come in varieties that are
both comfy like sneakers and stylish enough to wear with slacks
or dress pants and of course, jeans. My personal taste is
something with a little less sports-like undertones, for those
nights out on the town. While ladies might require more specific style advice than I'm
qualified to give, the same basics apply across the board.
Regardless of the style you choose, sneakers, open-toe, low
heels, boots, the emphasis should be on comfort, style and
versatility.
Once you've taken care of the shoes, what to wear in Paris,
France during your trip will prove a lot more painless. Pretty
much anything you usually wear will be fine (I don't mean worn
out sweats). I do have to say as a word of caution, that Paris
has a way of making you feel really outshined in some
situations. So, be warned...
I suppose that's where the "fashion capital of the
world" bit
comes in. There is simply so much availability and access to the
finest fashion from local sources, and from anywhere in the
world, that when people do go for style, it's rather impeccable.
Another contributing factor is that in Paris, you dress in
layers. Generally speaking, temperatures can swing from cool to
warm or vice versa in the course of a day. Therefore, people are
used to preparing for either adding clothes on or stripping down
as necessary. This would include jackets, sweaters, occasional
raincoats, etc. Of course, layering is done with a keen eye on
coordination.
When selecting what to wear in Paris, France during your trip,
the one thing to keep in mind is that style and fashion in Paris
are so diverse that with a few minor adjustments, you can easily
get away with wearing whatever your usual favorites are (hmmm,
on second thoughts, insert disclaimer here... just kidding, sort
of). Seriously, with those few guidelines in mind, you should be
just fine.
If you're planning for some evenings very much on the chic
side, you might also consider packing a nice pair of black
slacks, dress shirt or blouse, or the indispensable little black
dress (ladies only, please...)
Wow! Now that I got you guys dressed so nice, we should meet up
for a couple of cocktails! Après vous... ;=)
About the author:
Michel Endene is a Los Angeles based Web publisher, and a
frequent traveler to Paris where he spent his youth. His Paris
travel advice Web site
http://www.myparistrips.com
guides and
advises Paris travelers from the point of view of a traveler,
but with the experience of a local. Mr Endene has had various articles published and is currently
writing France culture and travel related ebooks.
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