Dress my family for Paris

[Anonymous]

We are typical casually-dressed Americans that want to look better in Paris this spring. Two middle-aged, fit parents and two teens, DD age 16, DS age 14. I know we'll look like tourists no matter what, but any tips to avoid a fashion faux pas would be appreciated!

[Anonymous]

Paris, France, or Paris, Hilton?

[Anonymous]

Avoid sneakers. And jeans if possible

[Anonymous]

I'm a Parisian, and it's true I could spot the American tourists a mile away

1. Accept the fact that Parisians are naturally rude, not just to you but to everybody.

2. Making an effort to speak in French is always appreciated, however.

3. Please, no flip flops - it is horrifically inelegant, and most Parisians do not pick up after their dog (pigeons under the Metro aim really well, too). Comfortable leather shoes for walking everywhere.

4. Simple well cut clothes, preferably without bright colors. For men, a shirt with khaki pants, and raincoat. No t-shirts. For women, I always see lots of long trench coats belted to show off tiny waists. A cotton blouse, a casual skirt, hose. Jeans only if they are of the fashionably skinny variety and you have the legs that go with it! Accessorize with an elegant scarf and leather bag (but make sure it's pickpocket-proof).

5. It all depends where you go. If on the Metro, you will see many styles. If window-shopping rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore or Place Vendome, then you'd better dress well!

I'll be going in the Spring too! Can't wait.

[Anonymous]

No shirts with logos, universities or names of sports teams. A nice scarf (knit, not silk) can dress up a simple blouse or 3/4 length shirt. If the weather is nice, simple ballet-style flats or boots if it is still chilly. A chic pair of oversized sunglasses!

[Anonymous]

I heard that burkas are really a hot item over there, closely followed by hijabs. Let's see...don't shower for a week. That will help to blend in.

[Anonymous]

A few years ago, I walked around Paris wearing khakis, nice leather loafers, a turtleneck, a scarf and a trench coat, and several people stopped me to ask for directions -- in French. I think the good shoes, the scarf and the trench coat were the key.

[Anonymous]

This is so silly. Just wear something comfortable- This coming from a European.

[Anonymous]

"This is so silly. Just wear something comfortable- This coming from a European."

Agree. Avoid the sports shirts, baseball hats, sports jackets, and Nikes, and you'll be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a Parisian, and it's true I could spot the American tourists a mile away

1. Accept the fact that Parisians are naturally rude, not just to you but to everybody.

2. Making an effort to speak in French is always appreciated, however.

3. Please, no flip flops - it is horrifically inelegant, and most Parisians do not pick up after their dog (pigeons under the Metro aim really well, too). Comfortable leather shoes for walking everywhere.

4. Simple well cut clothes, preferably without bright colors. For men, a shirt with khaki pants, and raincoat. No t-shirts. For women, I always see lots of long trench coats belted to show off tiny waists. A cotton blouse, a casual skirt, hose. Jeans only if they are of the fashionably skinny variety and you have the legs that go with it! Accessorize with an elegant scarf and leather bag (but make sure it's pickpocket-proof).

5. It all depends where you go. If on the Metro, you will see many styles. If window-shopping rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore or Place Vendome, then you'd better dress well!

I'll be going in the Spring too! Can't wait.

when was the last time you were in Paris. I found the people EXTREMELY NICE. I saw lots of jean wearing Parisians, as well as flip flops. They are really no different that the way we dress here in America. Some dress nice, others don't. And please, do not believe a thing you hear about the French being rude. It just is not true. Have fun.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I have heard the French are much nicer these days, because of their bad reputation, but this is mostly in Paris not the outlying areas. This is according to my French teacher. She even said that there are people in Paris who wear little badges that say something to the effect that they are tourist friendly, so ask away. I'm really looking forward to this trip, since I've never been there.

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, stylish or no, you must have good walking shoes.

[Anonymous]

Let's be honest -- if you saw someone walking around DC with Nikes on, you'd assume they were a tourist here, too... Ditto the sports sweatshirts, bad tank tops, shorts, etc.

[Anonymous]

American who used to live in Paris. Walking is hard on your feet, so if you want to be uncomfortable leave your Nikes at home. Who cares?!

Additionally, I speak French and this helped. But all you have to do is try, and also leave American ideas at home. The only time I saw the French being openly rude to Americans (in particular) is when they would do things like act loud in public, ask for free drink refills or complain that there was non-English menu.

The French are not rude- At least not any more rude than Americans.

[Anonymous]

dont bring a lot of stuff, make room for things. You really need only a few bottoms and tops, and more underwear.

I travel about 3x/year to Paris and lived there for 8 years. Most parisians are super skinny (the women) but not all are beautifully dressed. Still, you will want to look appropriate. I find for my trips a good pair or two of black slacks with a few soft, well fitting shirts/sweaters, and one good jacket and purse works. One good black dress for going to dinner, if you think you're going somewhere nice. Some jewelry, a scarf. You don't need heels, but well made, good leather shoes are nice. For your kids, just nothing too sloppy and ugly. French teens are into their own form of fashion, less chic and more trendy, but even so you will want your kids to look decent--jeans are fine, but no super baggy clothes, sweatshirts, etc. s For your husband,well fitting, dark jeans are okay, if with a button down shirt and decent shoes and belt, or pants. One 'car coat' type jacket should be fine for him. T shirts, baseball hats, untucked shirts, not so nice.

and when you go, take advantage of the noctures and go to the museums at night (the major ones have one evening opening). Don't spend too much time in the champs elysees or montmartre. Explore the various arrondissements. Try new foods. Practice your french even if it is minimal. Don't look at your map at the top of the escalator. Go to the musee d'Orsay and the musee Rodin. The sewers are kind of fun. You could skip versailles but if you want to do a daytrip, Chartres is worth it. Or go to the chateau of Fontainebleau or somewhere off the beaten path, like the Chateau de Chantilly.If its nice weather, renting bikes in the bois de boulogne is a good way to see the park. In fact, you can get those "paris a velo' bikes everywhere, but I think its easier if you sign up online-I could't use my debit card last time i was there. Go to a jazz club. Go to the musee carnavalet (history of the city of Paris ) and get falafel in the Marais. have a great time!