Tourists Beware - What NOT to Wear in Paris - Girl Gone Gallic (2024)

FAQs

What not to wear in Paris as a tourist? ›

Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes. Use tote bags or earth-toned simplistic bags if you really want to dress in France to fit in with the locals.

Summer Fashion Tips for Paris. Try summer dresses as your main go to – short sleeve or spaghetti straps – and not too short, not too tight, not too sexy! You want to be able to move freely as well, so fluid styles are best. For shoes, think comfort AND style.

The Opéra de Paris also states that there is no particular dress code, “but proper attire is required” which once again usually means no sneakers, sports clothes, shorts or open-toed shoes on men.

Yes, of course you can wear fashionable jeans in Paris, and sneakers as well. However, make sure your sneakers are what I call “sophisticated city sneakers”, not big white sneakers devoted to sport.

For most restaurants and bars, the dress code is dressed-up casual. So, if you do decide to go with a co*cktail dress, the norm is for it to be accompanied by tights and a sweater/light jacket. This isn't because Parisians are against showing skin; it's just not typical for this type of setting.

Pack up a nice pair of shoes, or even better, buy some when you are in Paris. Bring a nice, understated evening dress. But don't shy away from sneakers for any not-so-formal occasion. Wear them in the street with no shame.

Young French women are embracing “le no-bra” – a phenomenon where women go braless – in higher numbers than other countries. The trend originates from a Western movement looking to free femininity from restrictive beauty standards, as well as better medical knowledge and – more recently – Covid confinements.

It is strictly prohibited to import, export or possess certain goods, including narcotics and psychotropic drugs (except when accompanied by certain documentation), attack dogs (unless accompanied by required documentation), counterfeit goods, certain plants and plant products deemed to be harmful to European plants.

Cute enough to pair with a dress, and comfy enough to wear all day — in summer, a comfortable sandal is your most important Paris shoe because with hotter weather, it's likely what you'll wear the most.

A chic and classic look for the plane ride to Paris is a navy cashmere sweater with a pair of black pants. Go for comfort with these pants from J. Crew, while still looking timeless. Add a scarf for a pop to the outfit while also helping to stay warm on the plane if needed.

What do you wear to a restaurant in Paris? ›

Most restaurants in Paris are what Parisians would consider 'casual' – jacket & tie are very rarely required. However, casual in Paris is a notch or two above casual in many other parts of the world, for example the USA where wearing sweatpants to a casual restaurant is not out of the question.

And, of course, it's easier to create a variety of outfits out of the items you've packed for your trip, and get the most wear out of each item if you can easily mix and match. Unsurprisingly, the same holds true in Paris. Leave the bright colors at home. Takeaway for a tourist: Navy blue, black, white, gray.

Many restaurants expect you to leave behind the ripped jeans, flip flops and more casual attire. And particularly if you are participating in fine dining while in Paris, you will be expected to adhere to a dress code.

For spring dresses in Paris I usually do a classic camel trench coat and also a leather jacket for evenings. I may layer the trench over the leather jacket or a cropped tweed jacket if I need a bit of added warmth. I also always travel on every plane with a cashmere wrap that doubles as a scarf.

Wear them in the street with no shame. You will blend in without any problem if you wear jeans and a pair of sneakers. Nike is an American brand, and it is very popular in France. Levi's, Diesel, Wrangler, and Calvin Klein are American brands, and they rule the jeans world in France too.

If you are eating at a Michelin-star restaurant or a luxury hotel, you probably want to look at the restaurant website to see if there's a dress code, if you aren't quite sure. If you are eating at a café, there's no dress code and jeans are always acceptable.

French women and Parisian women, in general, are known for their impeccable taste in fashion, including when wearing jeans. Over the years, jeans have become a classic staple in the Parisian women's closet and French fashion.