Anonymous wrote:"It's harder to tell if you don't smile. I'm not French, I'm German but I'm there a lot for work. It's the same in most of Europe (although I have less experience in Eastern Europe). Americans smile A LOT compared to others."

Don't agree. And it's certainly not the same in the rest of Europe. Perhaps you are unused to people smiling because you are German and it does not come naturally to you. If you approach someone with a stone face of course they will not be smiling back either. In my experience, most Europeans DO give a brief introductory smile when encountering them and of course, Americans do tend to respond with a full teeth-exposed friendly response. I've walked into many places of business in Italy, Spain, France, Greece and have been greeted warmly.

Perhaps your experience is relative to your culture.

Haha, what? Of course Americans are known for smiling more than others. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEurope/comments/7z2vzp/are_americans_known_for_smiling/

This was my fave

". White Button Down
A white button-down is versatile and easy to style. If you’re on vacation, a button-down is a must-have. You can wear them on formal day-outs, at the beach, or even at night! It’s the way you tuck, knot, or wear them that makes them a flexible shirt. Most outfits for Paris incorporate a white button-down. When you’re figuring out what to wear in Paris, start here!"

Anonymous wrote:"It's harder to tell if you don't smile. I'm not French, I'm German but I'm there a lot for work. It's the same in most of Europe (although I have less experience in Eastern Europe). Americans smile A LOT compared to others."

Don't agree. And it's certainly not the same in the rest of Europe. Perhaps you are unused to people smiling because you are German and it does not come naturally to you. If you approach someone with a stone face of course they will not be smiling back either. In my experience, most Europeans DO give a brief introductory smile when encountering them and of course, Americans do tend to respond with a full teeth-exposed friendly response. I've walked into many places of business in Italy, Spain, France, Greece and have been greeted warmly.

Perhaps your experience is relative to your culture.

I didn't say Europeans don't smile, I said American smile a lot more. You might disagree, but you'll find that's a fairly common opinion--and not just German.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/05/why-americans-smile-so-much/524967/

"It's harder to tell if you don't smile. I'm not French, I'm German but I'm there a lot for work. It's the same in most of Europe (although I have less experience in Eastern Europe). Americans smile A LOT compared to others."

Don't agree. And it's certainly not the same in the rest of Europe. Perhaps you are unused to people smiling because you are German and it does not come naturally to you. If you approach someone with a stone face of course they will not be smiling back either. In my experience, most Europeans DO give a brief introductory smile when encountering them and of course, Americans do tend to respond with a full teeth-exposed friendly response. I've walked into many places of business in Italy, Spain, France, Greece and have been greeted warmly.

Perhaps your experience is relative to your culture.

I go to Paris a few times a year. I generally wear solid-colored items, and overall more muted colors than most wear in the US (I live in NYC so it's not a big change for me). If I wear a button-down shirt it's white, black or blue with white stripes generally. I wear Chucks or Vans, or a pair of loafers/drivers. I rarely go in the summer, but if I did, I'd bring simple sandals. My coworker once went during winter and wore a red coat with a thick multi-colored scarf in bright colors and a Parisian we were working with told her she looked "like an American christmas tree."

Anonymous wrote:Paris resident

This isn't a bad list, but of all of the Paris websites, I think think this one gets it most right:
, buhttps://leoncechenal.com/

Really though...
1. Everyone will be able to tell you are American no matter how hard you try. But it's good to be an American who tries.
2. Don't wear leggings. Unless you are literally out for a run. That is the only reason to wear them and then you go home and change before going anywhere else.
3. Jeans are great. Jean shorts are a no.
4. Striped shirts yes. Berets definitely no.

It's harder to tell if you don't smile. I'm not French, I'm German but I'm there a lot for work. It's the same in most of Europe (although I have less experience in Eastern Europe). Americans smile A LOT compared to others.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a pretty good list! My experience is that it is very easy to identify Americans regardless of style (it helps but isn't everything).

Honestly, I would focus on just bringing a SMALL wardrobe and go shopping in France!! They have fabulous clothes!

I have seen that the French tend to wear MORE color in the summer, but still not to the level that we do in the US and it's more focused around one piece and not as bold as in the US. Winter is definitely more neutral with pops of color in accessories. French women focus on their skin more than in the US as part of their overall health and their products are extremely good quality and available at the pharmacies therefore, wear very light make-up and don't do their hair really stylized or anything. I'm planning to get some new skin products while I'm there this summer!

I hope this is sarcasm. The majority smoke and worship the sun, their skin reflects it. The way they dress in urban areas is great, and they tend to be pretty slim (thanks cigarettes), but they often look older than the corresponding average (urban) American.

Why the ugliness?? Totally unnecessary. No, it's not a joke that there are quality and affordable skin care products available at pharmacies. Many people do smoke of course (which is gross) but my experience with the French has been that they do focus on overall skin care and aging gracefully vs. this hyper fixation on youth that exists in the US.

If you are going to France...you simply go to a pharmacy and ask about skin products and they will provide specific recommendations for your own skin. The products are typically MUCH more affordable and better quality than what is often available in the US, so there might be others who are interested in doing this....

You can get good skincare products in any pharmacy in Europe--Germany, Scandinavia, etc. Just like here. The French aren't any more or less focused on their skin care than anyone else. Whether it's better quality or not is subjective. LaRoche Posay is available at CVS, just as it is in French pharmacies.

Anonymous wrote:Vans shoes and Eastpak backpacks.

I'm not kidding.

Yep. Agree. Just got back and the French of all ages were wearing very casual and comfortable clothing including white sneakers, Vans, backpacks (Eastpack and Fjallraven most common) and simple t-shirts. It is not unusual to see French men now wearing the uber-typical American ball caps.

We were not in Paris but in several other cities in the south of France and that's what we saw. When I went clothes shopping locally the popular item for women seemed to be solid color t-shirts made of linen. They were flying off the shelves. There were a few bold prints mixed in there and there, kind of 60s style. Eyelet cotton and crocheted/lacy tops were also big. Small cross-body bags or fanny-packs worn cross body were common - no real discernable name brands. Another popular trend seemed to be metallic leather in various colors.

TBH, the American women I saw were obvious for being well, obvious. They looked like they were trying too hard trying to fit some kind of Instagram image. Flowery dresses with hats and wedge or strappy sandals. Overdone hair and makeup.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A black t-shirt and a trench coat! How avant garde!

I joke - but come on. The only thing this list is missing is a striped shirt and beret.

You're a tourist. You are going to look like a tourist. Wear what you like. Do you think French people come to America and try to pretend to be American?!

Actually, the striped shirt is mentioned! See item 6.

OMG hahahaha. I missed that, too.

OP, if you wrote this blog, don't get too upset about the snark. This is clearly an SEO trap, and you will get plenty of traffic from people who are googling "what to wear in Paris in SPRING?" and "are berets very French"? You don't need people to admire your choices - you just need their clicks.

But if you do want to write a post people will appreciate more for its art, then do that one about getting good skincare in French pharmacies. You can also tackle less gigantic topics - stuff like "which sandals are French women wearing in 2023" with some actual on the ground reporting (cause it's shoes), not just pics grabbed from random skinny women's Instagrams and stuff. But really, you don't need to try harder - you just need to set your expectations a little better. This is SEO. It's fine for what it is!

Op here - no I didn't write it.. I just stumbled across it and it reminded me of all of the posts of 'what to wear in Europe' by people who genuinely wanted some help. Love the Paris PP who suggested another website. I am not at all invested in this blog.. I just thought it had some good reference points (beret aside).

Vans shoes and Eastpak backpacks.

I'm not kidding.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A black t-shirt and a trench coat! How avant garde!

I joke - but come on. The only thing this list is missing is a striped shirt and beret.

You're a tourist. You are going to look like a tourist. Wear what you like. Do you think French people come to America and try to pretend to be American?!

It is, in fact, not missing.

All of that talk about Paris being conservative is also funny. I guess she's been there once and is now an expert.

Oh haha I missed that. That's really funny. To really fit in get a giant straw bag and buy a baguette that just pokes out. In your bag, you must carry an emergency wheel of brie. Mes chéris, no one but no one will accuse you of being from the Land du Trump, with that disguise.

It’s land de trump (not du).

Merci!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A black t-shirt and a trench coat! How avant garde!

I joke - but come on. The only thing this list is missing is a striped shirt and beret.

You're a tourist. You are going to look like a tourist. Wear what you like. Do you think French people come to America and try to pretend to be American?!

It is, in fact, not missing.

All of that talk about Paris being conservative is also funny. I guess she's been there once and is now an expert.

Oh haha I missed that. That's really funny. To really fit in get a giant straw bag and buy a baguette that just pokes out. In your bag, you must carry an emergency wheel of brie. Mes chéris, no one but no one will accuse you of being from the Land du Trump, with that disguise.

It’s land de trump (not du).

Op you won’t blend in. Wear whatever is comfortable.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stumbled across this blog and thought it has some great outfit ideas for Paris and the rest of Europe since that question comes up so often...

https://chasingdaisiesblog.com/parisian-outfits-paris-what-to-wear/

I'm going to have to disagree. Reading this makes me wonder if the author spends much time in Paris...Rome, London, Berlin, Amsterdam, Madrid, etc.

This one in particular literally made me laugh out loud:

"To complete the Parisian look, I finish off with a beret hat."

Exactly. Nothing screams tourist like a beret. My daughter got one in March over spring break!

Paris resident

This isn't a bad list, but of all of the Paris websites, I think think this one gets it most right:

https://leoncechenal.com/

Really though...
1. Everyone will be able to tell you are American no matter how hard you try. But it's good to be an American who tries.
2. Don't wear leggings. Unless you are literally out for a run. That is the only reason to wear them and then you go home and change before going anywhere else.
3. Jeans are great. Jean shorts are a no.
4. Striped shirts yes. Berets definitely no.