Paris in May?

Question

Hi there...I am going to Paris in early May. I hear that the people there dress up more than we American's are used to. Has anyone been there lately? Do I need to bring some dressy items for restaurants and such? Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm from NYC but lived in Paris recently.  Keep in mind that there are many different styles of folks in Paris: artists, students, businesspeople, ex-patriots... so there's no one way to dress.  However, you're good for being smart as to wonder how to not stick out to pickpockets etc.  

If you want to blend in, stick with darker clothes (black, maroon, navy).  Wear whatever you need to when you're out and about, but you'll certainly want to bring something you feel comfortable in a nice restaurant.  Fitted pants and a turtleneck or button down always worked for me; and you can't go wrong with boots!

If you want to experience amazing French cuisine without going to a jacket-required restaurant, there are plenty of options.  I recommend Pain Vin Fromage:

http://www.parismarais.com/pleasure-and-...

While you're at it, always pull out of public eye to look at a map, and keep your wallets inside your coat.

Answer 2

Don't run around in running shoes.  The only time French wear exercise shoes is when they exercise.  You'll brand yourself an American without ever opening your mouth if you wear running or exercise shoes with regular clothes.  

Also, don't wear baggy pants. If you're a few pounds overweight, lose it.  Americans stand out like beacons of light because they're fat, wear baggy pants and exercise shoes.

Answer 3

Ah... Paris in the springtime!  If you have the cash, then just pack light, and buy clothes there!  It is easier, and you will dress more like the locals =D

If you don't want to do this, I would pack a range of clothes.  Some casual, some dressy, and you can't go wrong :)

Answer 4

your question reminds me a song by Charles Aznavour "j'aime Paris au mois de mai". Well it's true that when we "poor French not from Paris" go there, we tend to dress a little bit better because we know that it's a little snobbish there (it's not only due to Parisians: there are many rich foreign people who like to show their prettiest clothes when they go there). You don't need to bring dressy items for restaurants if you don't want to, but if people stare at you, I hope that you won't think that we are rude, it's just that we are not used to see people wearing "weird" clothes you know with big holes or bright colours or big flowers on it (that's because we're quite conventional).

( I hope you won't miss to visit the palace of Versailles and it's theatre!)

Answer 5

Just remember:  No tennis shoes!  They can spot an American a mile away, just because we all wear tennis shoes!

I went to Spain last summer, and brought along dressy shoes, but the thing that got me was, they still didn't look like the shoes I saw there.  I was sorely tempted to buy some there, but then, I realized, I would never wear Spanish shoes, here, either.  They would stick out just as sorely.  You may find the same thing, but then, we Americans follow French fashion a little more than Spanish.

Ooh la, la enjoy yourself.  I, personally, go for comfort, anyway.  If your feet hurt, you'll probably be miserable.  (Well, maybe not, after all, it IS Paris!)

Answer 6

Best advice that I can offer is to pick up a Paris travel guide at any bookstore, They are worth their weight in gold and offer TONS of information

Several companies that write them are Fodors, Frommers, and Lonely Planet among others

  I have used them for years and I have learned by experience that doing some homework first will save me time and money

Have fun

Answer 7

ur so lucky u can go have fun no matter what ur wearing

Answer 8

I have been travelling to Paris for 35 years and was last there in October.

What you have been told is simply not true.

There are certainly places in Paris where it would be appropriate to be nicely dressed but they are the same sort of places that you would want to be nicely dressed in the United States or the UK or anywhere for that matter.

I suspect that the notion that people dress better in Paris has tow sources. In the first place, the French do have an excellant fashion sense and even when dressed very informally can look simply marvelous. But more importantly, a tourist in Paris who goes to Appleby's or Olive Garden at home will go to a top of the line French restaruant with an international reputation and then be surprised that people are dressed very nicely.

The notion that if you wear this or that article of apparel you will instantly be identified as a tourist begs the question. The real issue is what difference does it make? Do you think for a minute that you will pass for a native Parisian no matter what you wear? Are you operating under the apprehension that being seen as a tourist will cause people to spit on you? Don't worry about it.

Dress for your own comfort and convenience and pay no attention to warnings about what type of shoes you ought to wear.

Answer 9

i went to paris this past July and I would say it is a good idea to take some dressy clothes with you especially if you are planning to go to nice restaurants or shows. The people there definately do dress up more so for just sightseeing I would say wear something that you will be comfortable in but that you could wear if you were meeting someone out for lunch.