If you are staying in the upscale center of this French metropolis, you should know how women dress in Paris using accessories and layers. You need to dress up a bit more for The City of Light than you would for most American towns, but you should strive for an effortless, casual chic look.
I am a somewhat typical American housewife who lives in the suburbs, so I have a fairly good idea of what you probably have in your closet. Now, I’m not saying that you need to go out and buy a completely new travel wardrobe. On the other hand, you might be able to buy a few key pieces that will help you lock in a fabulous look.
What is the Weather Like in Paris?
I have been in Paris in early spring, late spring, high summer, late fall, and the tail end of winter. Well, one thing I know for sure is that Parisian weather can change drastically throughout the day. One minute you are walking in sunshine, but when you turn the corner, you are facing a sharp breeze coming off the Seine. Other days, it will be fair, then sprinkling, then sunny again, then who knows what will come next.
Knowing the numerical temperature for Paris is not as helpful as it sounds because the wind-chill factor can change everything.
The only exception I have seen was during August when the weather was consistently warm throughout the day. But, August is not the best time to go to Paris because everyone is out of town. I take that back, there is never a bad time to go to Paris.
Layering Clothing and Accessories
If you aren’t sure what the weather is going to be (even after consulting the experts), you need to be prepared for almost anything. Those of you who like to travel as pampered tourists, where the tour bus takes you from door to door, won’t care if you have your umbrella handy. However, the only way to really enjoy Paris is to wander around and explore the city. And for that, you will need layers of clothing that you can take off or put on.
How to Dress in Paris
Here is how I like to travel. I know that I want to use black as my core color, so I have various pieces similar to these lightweight, stretchy travel clothes:
- Women's Voyager Knit Jersey Dress from TravelSmith.com: I took this lightweight dress to Paris a few weeks ago and I loved it.
- Black Sheer Lace Cardigan: My tie-front wrap cardigan is made of featherweight, sheer stretch lace and I layer it over my Travel Smith dress (see above) or my sleeveless tops. Any dark color or neutral will work.
- Mycra Pac Short Donatella Raincoat: I have a flocked-pattern Mycra Pac raincoat that I use for cooler times of the year. The flocking makes it heavier than other Mycra Pac jackets so it is perfect for early springtime or late autumn in Paris.
Accessories for Color and Warmth
In Paris, most people wear lots of accessories that they can add or subtract for comfort. I use things like these:
- Ellison Scarf from Anthropologie: I have a long, Parisian-style scarf, similar to this, from Anthropologie.
- Heavier and Lighter Scarves: I have different types of scarves from Diwali (in Paris) and from inexpensive street venders.
- Tights and Leggings: I pack an assortment of textured black tights, black knee-high hosiery for boots or trousers, and black leggings to wear as pants or under skirts.
- Cute Umbrella: This must be small enough to fit in my handbag.
Using Layers for Changing Weather
American women who live in their cars need to realize how important it is to wear the right layers of clothing. You will be walking around the city or taking the Metro to go everywhere, and you can’t hop into your car to turn on the heater.
If you’re not a dress person, pack black jersey travel pants and travel tops instead of dresses, and the concept will be the same. The following explanation sounds simple, but it’s worth reading.
Walking in Paris Can Be Hot or Cold
In the morning, you want to wear all of your layers, and if it’s quite cold, add a lightweight sweater to the mix. Tie your scarf around your neck to keep the chill out. Make sure you have your umbrella if the skies are threatening.
As you walk, there is a chance you could become overheated in your heat-retaining waterproof raincoat. In my experience, lightweight Mycra Pac raincoats can get very toasty, but you will love that warmth if the wind picks up.
Taking the Paris Metro
Another place where the temperature is unpredictable is in the underground subway tunnels. Some tunnels are warm because there are so many people. Other tunnels feel like cold, damp wine cellars. And, walking up the Metro stairs can really heat you up. However, when you come onto the sidewalk, you can be whipped by a wicked breeze.
Should You Carry a Large Handbag?
One good reason to have a large handbag (or small backpack) is that you can pull your layers off and stuff them in your bag. Or, you can save yourself the hassle by simply unbuttoning your hot raincoat and opening your scarf. This sounds ridiculously obvious, but during spring and fall, you can go from hot to cold to hot to cold all day long, and you will understand why I am talking about layering.
Look for a Café
Always remember that if you get too hot, too cold, or too tired, there are sidewalk cafés on every other block. Just plop down, buy an overpriced cup of coffee or an Orangina, and watch the world go by for an hour. Paris is the best place in the world for people watching.
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Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
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