What do teenage french GUYS wear?

Question

I'm going to Paris in a little over a month and my Teacher advises that we will get the most out of our trip if we try and blend in with other Parisians. Obviously I speak a more than decent amount of french so the language portion of fitting in is down, but I don't know (and can't seem to find for that matter) what guys in France wear. Keep in mind I'm 16.

What are some right and wrong things to wear during my visit?

Answer 1

The advice of your teacher is really rather silly.

In the first place, French students don't dress all that differently than Americans right down to wearing t-shirts and sweatshirts adorned with the logos of American universities. (Last October I made a point of asking everyone I saw wearing a University of Texas logo if they were from Texas. Every single one was French).

That, by the way, should also tell you that the idea that people will freak out if they discover you're an American is nonsense. Sure, there are anti-American types floating around Paris but then you can find equally anti-American types floating around the United States (and even preaching in some churches it seems). There are a few such idiots everywhere (even a couple in this forum).

You'll also be in Paris at a time when hundreds of thousands of tourists pour into the city. Parisians have better things to do then walk around scoping out who is a tourist and who isn't.

And, with all due respect, you may have taken French in school but its somewhat unlikely that anyone will think you are a native French speaker. So the second you open your mouth it will be obvious you're a tourist.  h**l, I've been speaking French fairly regularly for 47 years and no one would think for very long that its my native language.

Bottom line is just dress for comfort and perhaps avoid anything outlandish. Go check out the videos on Paris Zoom TV to see what people are actually wearing. http://www.paris-zoom.com/map.asp . You'll see what I mean.

Answer 2

I believe the French wear darker colors in general.  Do NOT wear a baseball cap and slap a Canadian flag on your backpack or something you are carrying around.  This will bode better than being associated as an American and will also explain the different dialect of French that you are speaking.  Good Luck!!

Answer 3

dont wear baggy trashy clothes, in most europian countries that sort of american fashion doesnt go down well there, wear fashionable jeans (not baggy gangsta jeans that are oh so common here). here is a webpage that may clear some things up. I would just buy a few outfits and do the rest of your shopping in France. That way you can learn first hand what to wear.

http://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-ar...

Answer 4

right things

1 striped shirt

2. scarf around your neck

3  beret

4.  grow a 'stache

don'ts

1 french cut underwear

2. dress

3 american flag shirt

4  shirt with frog on it.

good luck.  French girls are hot!

Answer 5

Rillifan is definitely right about there being loads of tourists that are too busy to pay attention to tourists. Also keep in mind that if you're there in August, nearly all the Parisians will be on vacation, and you and the other tourists will have the place to yourselves. As for clothing: there is no question that French men are typically better dressed than American men; they favor dark colors, classic cuts, avoid fads...then again, we're talking about 16 years old, and that age is prone to fads round the world, so don't worry too much. Most often it's the shorts, sneakers and baseball hats that give you away. More than the clothes, however, is the way you behave. Americans are universally recognized as being noisy and inconsiderate in other countries. This is of course a raging stereotype that you will surely prove to be false, but it's important to consider what negative examples have been set before you. So tell your classmates to use their "12 inch voices" wherever they go (except the discotheque, etc. obviously), don't put their feet up on the seats in the metro and trains, and always, always start conversations with locals in French. They might very well see you're struggling and offer to speak English with you, to which you can reply, "Non, merci, je suis ici pour travailler mon francais, et je veux bien m'ameliorer!"

Answer 6

Avoid glaringly bright sports wear and logos if you want to blend in, don't talk too loudly (particularly if you're American) and don't talk about America (particularly if you're an American). the French are well dressed but they're really no different to anyone else, be yourself, you don't have to become a frog to get by in France.

EDIT You're Canadian?...aah well be sure to say that in order to distinguish yourself from Americans, they call Americans "pigs" lol.

EDIT Ignore the person telling you to put a flag on ANYTHING, we don't wave flags in Europe the way the yanks do, pride comes from within.

Answer 7

I totally agree with sj and Rillifan.

Average 16 year old boy - jeans & T shirt or if it's hot cut offs (longer than shorts). Urban wear in town - not sports shorts etc.

However you'll probably find there are more Americans and other tourists in Paris in August rather than French! :o)

The MOST important thing is definitely start all conversations in French rather than expect them to speak English. It really rubs them (and the Spanish and Italiens...) up the wrong way to presume everyone should speak English. Also don't forget to smile and say "merci", I've seen so many tourists of all nationalities look grumpy and rude and, when they don't understand, turn away without even trying to say thanks.

If you are polite, friendly and remember this is their home and you are the guest then you will be just fine and made welcome - as will any tourist from anywhere.

Answer 8

a 16yo guy in france wear :

1)urban style (hype people):

diesel, fred perry, energy, superdry,franklin marshall.

2)suburb style (not recomended:)

lacoste  sportswear and caps, dolce&gabana, guess

3)classic style

H&M, zara, levi's, celio

4)skate style

zoo york, nike, emerica, quicksilver

enjoy france :)

edit: we love canadians!