DON’T be a Target…
Why should you care about how you look and worry about not looking like a tourist?
Blending in will help you not only feel more comfortable in your new environment, but it will also help you avoid being a target to popular tourist scams. After all, if you are not recognized as an a tourist, then you will not be targeted by pickpockets or scam artists (see my previous article “10 tips to keep you safe in Paris“).
Since Parisians dress less casually than Americans, you may feel uncomfortable when going out to dinner or to a show. No one, after all, likes to stand out like a sore thumb and be stared at with disapproving glare (the French are experts at this).
What to wear as a Tourist in Paris
For the men, go for a Metro type of look (obviously not Metro Lumberjack ) as a place to start. Stay away from loose and baggy clothes. Gravitate towards button up shirts with a blazer not only for evening wear but also during the day with your jeans (preferably dark-colored).
For the women, dress just a little bit better than you would back at home. You are looking to create ensembles that look effortless and simple chic. If you can, choose black as the basis for your travel wardrobe, add a few accessories, some scarves, and stylish but comfortable shoes (somehow French women navigate the cobblestone roads in high heels with grace, but I advise against it from personal experience).
Check out these links for more packing and wardrobe tips:
- Packing Light for your Trip to France
- A Packing List for Paris and Beyond
- Travel Tips: Packing for France
- How to Pack for 2 Weeks to France in a Carry-on
BONUS TIP : For both men and women in any weather, add a scarf for instant “Frenchiness”.
Do they look like tourists to you ???
They do, and they also do to thieves and scam artists…
Avoid wearing in Paris:
- Attitude : Lost and dazed expression, loud excited attitude
- Style & Color: Relaxed/casual, oversized, loud bright colors, big splashy patterns
- Bags : Backpack, fanny pack, hand-held purse, selfie stick
- Tops : Tshirt/sweatshirt printed with home city/state/sports team or “I Love Paris” and avoid anything too low cut
- Bottoms : shorts, sweatpants, leisure wear, athletic wear, cargo pants
- Jackets : Plastic souvenir poncho from street vendor, sweatshirt, hoodie
- Shoes: Tennis/running, hiking, flip-flops, Tevas, Crocs, sandals, white socks
- Camera : Camera around neck, Canon or Nikon camera bag logo
- City Guides : Paris Guide book, metro map
- Accessories & Misc : Expensive or sentimental jewelry, too much makeup, baseball hat/visor, water bottles, store bags like “Chanel” or “Prada”.
“What NOT to wear” in Paris, examples straight off the streets…
Guidelines : “What TO wear” in Paris
All of these are items you probably already have in your closet, it’s about what you choose to pack rather than an invitation to go shopping (although I wholeheartedly embrace that as well!).
- Style & Color : Neutral solids, particularly black or grey, fitted silhouette
- Bags : Zippered leather purse slung across chest, money belt, PacSafe or Travelon’s Anti-Theft Crossbody purses
- Tops : Designer tshirt, polo shirt, buttoned up shirt or blouse
- Bottoms : fitted dark or colored jeans, slacks, skirts/dresses.
- Jackets : Blazer, Chanel style jacket, tasteful rainwear, ScottEvest, peacoats or similar
- Shoes : Ballerina flats, nice sandals, Converse/Vans, loafers, fashion boots
- Camera : Non descriptive camera bag, or hidden in regular bag
- City Guides : French newspaper, Pariscope (available at newsstand Wed’s)
- Accessories & Misc : Costume jewelry, scarves, big sunglasses, fabric tote to carry purchases
- Attitude: Relaxed assured expression, calm
The idea is to keep you safe and avoid being a target, and one of the ways you can do that is by not looking like a tourist. Attitude goes a long way as well. It’s what I do when regularly I travel solo, and it works.
What TO wear, a few fun ideas straight off the streets of Paris…
Here is my typical packing list for up to 2 weeks in Europe :
- 5 shirts or T-shirts
- 3 pairs of pants
- 1 skirt
- 1 dress
- 1 sweater or cardigan
- 3 scarves
- 1 pair walking shoes
- 1 pair heels or dress boots
- toiletries, nightgown, underwear
Just remember, should you feel you don’t have what you need once in Paris – you’re in the fashion capital of the world – so just go shopping !
Happy Travels,
– Girl Gone Gallic
I have a very chic black leather Marc Jacobs backpack. I’m hoping that would be ok.
That should be perfect – discreet and yet chic 🙂
I was in Paris last year, October 2017. I was channeling Charlotte Gainsbourg (my girl crush/fashion icon) on my first day. This is what I wore: Ray Ban aviators, scratched leather dark brown satchel, navy military inspired wool coat, blue and white striped blouse, dark jeans, tan faux suede ankle boots. I was walking along Boulevard St. Germain (don’t laugh – walking a la Charlotte Gainsbourg’s swagger) and a Frenchwoman approached me, asking directions in French. I apologized and said I’m a tourist. Later that day, I was in a cab from Montmartre going back to my hotel. The driver asked, “How long have you been living in this city?” I was really flattered. Guess I was able to pass as a Parisienne that day. Not once, but twice.
It’s true what you said in your blog entry. Before my trip, I made sure that the clothes I will wear will not make me stand out as a foreigner because I was travelling solo. I was fascinated with the classic, sophisticated style of the French and their neutral palette. I was making mental notes of the color combinations when I was there.
There is something about Charlotte Gainsbourg that is fascinating, she certainly has that “je ne sais quoi”! Good job on your wardrobe picks, sounds like you felt very comfortable during your trip and that your clothes made it feel like you belonged to the city. Why not continue to channel Charlotte once you get back home???
I love your comparisons here and can agree with this and stretch it to London and Toronto too (the two cities I have lived in the longest.) I did get a kick out of the older tourists outfits you put in here. It is so important to blend in and not stand out. Targeted travellers that is for sure.
Mhmh I lived in Paris for three years and I think that there’s SO MANY TOURIST in that city that you can actually blend in perfectly if you dress like them! I love Parisian style. When I used to live there I considered normal to go to uni in high heels, a fancy skirt and red lipstick 🙂
If I’m ever going to Paris though i have to remember to always pack black and neutral because I always wear bright colors!
Those “I love Paris” sweatshirts and hoodies and Tees are such a dead giveaway! hahahha! Loved the list, very practical and fashion friendly.
Europe is such a tough one to dress for as a traveler, thank you for the tips!
You are quite welcome! Check out the follow up article for dressing in the Fall: “Parisian Fall Fashion Faux Pas” (https://girlgonegallic.com/blog/dressing-for-paris-in-the-autumn/)
So many excellent tips here – thank you so much.
Thanks Janelle. Check out my latest post ” Dressing for Paris in the Autumn” and see what you think! Hopefully more good tips for your next trip.
In what not to wear, third picture, there’s another person with a BRIGHT RED backpack. My friend (who is close to 70, no less) swears by them. She says they keep her hands free. Personally, I detest them! I think they are as tacky as fanny packs and being in leather doesn’t make them any less so. That’s my opinion, of course.
Backpacks are never a good idea in my mind, just makes it so obvious that you are a tourist and who needs that! Bright red is particularly a bad idea 🙁
Great tips – Merci wishing you a bon dimanche!
Great article. my bags are packed, I’m ready to go!