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Published: February 7, 2025 | Updated: February 19, 2025

PARIS OUTFITS FOR ONE MONTH

Have you ever dreamed of moving to Paris? Me too, which is why I decided to live in the City of Lights for a month in February and perfect my Paris outfit ideas, which I’m excited to share with you!

Admittedly, I also visited a few times prior, which gave me a strong base to create the best capsule wardrobe for my temporary home.

What is the weather like in Paris Yearly?

While I traveled there in late winter, you might plan to visit another time of year. Paris has four seasons, with early winter having cool nights, but the temperatures stay above freezing.

Spring and autumn have mild, pleasant days; summers are quite warm with relative humidity. It can be somewhat rainy there, so pack based on the weather and activities you have planned. An umbrella and a trench coat is always a good idea to pack.

What do people wear in Paris?

If you’re wondering what to wear in Paris now, streetwear has a casual yet chic vibe. I saw no sports logos or yoga pants! I noticed that even children had stylish outfits on. Overall, Parisian fashion combines polished classics and simple, well-cut, versatile clothing that can go from daytime to dinner out.

Here’s my round-up of what I wore for the entire month, some things I didn’t wear as much, and extra tips for what to wear in Paris, France!

What to Pack For Paris

White Button Down Shirt

A white button-down shirt is lightweight and breathable and layers well with anything. I wore mine all the time! Wear it with jackets and blazers, or add a polished t-shirt underneath for an extra layer.

You could opt for a plain white or striped button-down to make up your chic outfits for Paris. Overall, a button-down shirt is a great basic and eternally versatile! It can look casual with jeans and sneakers or dressed up with a slip skirt and ballet flats.

Breton Striped Sweater

I packed a cozy Breton striped sweater, also called a mariner sweater, which is quintessential for Paris, France outfits! 

The Breton stripe originated in Brittany and was a style worn by the French Navy and, of course, seen on beautiful actresses, such as Audrey Hepburn or Bridget Bardot.

Essentially, a striped shirt or sweater goes with everything and is classic. So great for layering, you could add a button-down shirt underneath for more warmth or a neutral-colored scarf. And it goes nicely with dark wash jeans or tailored pants.

Cashmere Sweater

Even though the temperatures weren’t freezing in February, it was still technically winter, so I wore a Quince cashmere sweater nearly every day. It was warm, versatile, and perfect for my cute Paris outfits.

If you’re allergic to merino wool, cashmere is an excellent alternative. The fabric is lightweight, warm, and soft!

Pack neutral colors such as gray, black, taupe, and navy so you can wear them more than once. Sweaters can be worn solo but also make perfect layering items with a blouse or tee underneath.

If you’re traveling in warmer seasons, the Quince short-sleeved cashmere sweaters are great for spring and summer in Paris.

Love Cashmere like me? Read my full in-depth Quince Cashmere Sweater review to find your next favorite sweater.

Wide Leg Jeans

I recommend packing your favorite wide-leg jeans; I wore mine nearly every day with white sneakers. They’re casual and comfortable but also stylish for sightseeing or evenings out.

You’ll see jeans on Parisian women; the difference is fit and cut. Europeans employ tailoring to ensure their clothing fits well. Ensure your jeans fit properly and aren’t too long—going past the ankles and hitting the floor. It isn’t that expensive to hem them!

My go-to denim jeans are the Old Navy Wide Leg Jeans, Abercrombie Loose Jeans, and the H&M Ava Jeans.

>> If you never tried Abercrombie Jeans, I reviewed their top styles in this Abercrombie Jeans review so you can find your best fit!

Straight Leg Jeans

I packed two pairs of jeans and wore a darker straight-leg pair during the day, but it worked well in the evening because the deeper shade added extra polish to my Paris, France outfits.

Straight-leg jeans look great with loafers, flats, or ankle boots. I wore mine with either flats or boots in February. My favorites right now are the Abercrombie 90’s High Rise and the Levi’s Ribcage Jeans.

Tailored Trousers

Another staple I wore all the time was the Abercrombie Sloane Trousers. They beautifully dressed up my outfits during the day and could be worn in the evening, and they’re so comfortable—very lightweight and soft, too!

When styling wide-leg trousers for Paris, avoid wearing overly baggy tops and balance your silhouette with slimmer, form-fitting shirts or tucked-in button-downs. Add lug sole loafers, sleek ankle boots, or platform sneakers to wear them more casually.

Slip Skirt

When it comes to what to wear to dinner in Paris, dressing up is a must because the nightlife is worth enjoying! I wore this Quince Silk Slip Skirt to a fancy dinner inside the Eiffel Tower and loved the look and feel!

It fits what I wanted for a dressy option, and it packs flat. And I can’t believe it’s washable! Truthfully, I didn’t wear this as much due to the cooler weather, but it makes a perfect spring or summer item, especially since silk is breathable.

Slip skirts continue to be popular, and there’s a reason why. For places like Europe, they’re a chic yet versatile option for evening wear by pairing a dressy top and pointed-toe flats, but they can also be shifted to casual daywear by donning leather sneakers and a fitted white t-shirt.

Tailored Blazer

If you’re seeking a definitive choice for what clothes to wear in Paris, you can’t go wrong with a classically tailored blazer! It’s more polished than a denim jacket and versatile enough for jeans, skirts, or tailored trousers.

It’s worth packing for spring and summer to keep warm for the evening. You could tie a printed scarf around your neck to add a chic accessory.

Tweed Jacket

The Lady Jacket is a dressy style reminiscent of Coco Chanel, so it made complete sense to pack one! I wore it during the day and night. 

I bought the J.Crew Tweed Jacket with leather trim, and the overall look evokes elegance and Parisian chicness. To style one, it looks fabulous with sleek jeans, an A-line skirt, or wide-leg trousers.

Trench Coat

Unfortunately, it rains a lot in Paris, so I wore a trench coat several times on my month-long trip. I’m glad I brought it!

A trench coat is ideal for fall and mild winter days and is a classic style that works well with so many outfits!

Either casual looks, like a long-sleeve cotton tee and denim jeans, or go more sleek, with a striped button-down and straight-leg tailored trousers. To amp up the functional factor, opt for a trench that’s insulated for more warmth or one that’s water-resistant.

When planning your journey, always check the weather and remember to pack any appropriate outerwear.

Leather Jacket

While Parisians dress simply and classically, you’ll still find some edginess in their clothing. I previously bought a leather jacket for a separate trip in April to Paris!

This Quince Leather Jacket has a broken-in feel making it look cool and stylish.

A lighter leather option is great for spring and summer and works for daytime and evening outfits. A heavier moto leather jacket is ideal for fall or spring and adds warmth. Whatever you choose, leather jackets are worth considering for your Paris capsule wardrobe!

Wool Coat

If you’re unsure what to wear in Paris winter, I brought two cozy wool coats for my month-long trip—a neutral and black color. The light tan was my daytime jacket, while the black one I mostly wore during the evening.

Wool coats offer warmth and style and are seen all over Paris in the cold season. They look chic with knee-high boots or lug-sole ankle boots. You could choose a classic peacoat style or one more unstructured, like this loose, belted style I opted for.

Though wool is deemed a “heavy” fabric, there are lightweight options, such as wool blend coats, so keep that in mind when buying one.

Sweater Dress

I brought a cashmere sweater dress to wear with tights, which is cozy and super warm! However, I only wore it once, as I opted for comfort and wore my jeans more.

In terms of what to wear in Paris in February, a sweater dress is a good option to pack for winter (and for the fall, too). It looks fashionable with long boots and ankle boots, or go a bit edgy and wear combat boots with fun hardware. And definitely wear tights to keep your legs warm!

Midi Dress

A midi dress is a brilliant item to pack for Paris and Europe overall. The length hits at the knee or just below and creates a stylish silhouette. It can be paired with all types of shoes: boots, sneakers, and flats.

Pack a midi dress for the spring and summer in cotton, linen, or rayon, and wear it with white fashion sneakers or strappy sandals. If you want to pack one for the fall or winter, be sure the fabric is warm enough, so wear knit fabrics, like cashmere or a wool blend.

Slip Dress

Like a cute slip skirt, a slip dress is perfect for what to wear for dinner in Paris. The luxe fabric adds instant glam and is sexy and chic when paired with heels or wedge heels. Add a tailored blazer or a shawl and a clutch, and wear statement jewelry to finish off your evening outfit.

If you want to wear a slip dress for different occasions, add a jacket, cardigan, or sweater to change up the look. Pair with sneakers, boots, or sandals, depending on the season. It’s truly a versatile choice!

Little Black Dress

An LBD (Little Black Dress)  is always classic and versatile, adding elegance to any evening look. Here, you could play with bolder, more colorful accessories or keep it simple with neutrals.

Either way, the Little Black Dress is universally stylish wherever you go, especially for Paris! Wear it with dainty flats, block heels, or strappy wedge heels, and always look spot on.

Sneakers

I wore my Adidas Sambas Sneakers nearly every day, which turned out to be the best shoes for walking in Paris. They’re sporty, fashionable, and dressed up my outfits.  I never took an Uber or rideshare my entire month living there and used the metro or walked everywhere.

I saw sneakers frequently and noticed many women wearing Adidas Gazelle Sneakers or Vejas in white. The white sneakers trend is not slowing down, and that’s because they’re more comfortable to walk in than a loafer or flat, but the clean color and modern styles add polish to anything from pants and jeans to dresses or skirts. 

Just be sure to buy sneakers with decent cushioning for long periods of walking. Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sneaker is a favorite of mine, as it blends comfort with style well!

Read Next: White Sneakers You Can Wear All Day

Lug Sole Boot

A lug sole boot is modern and chic and pairs fabulously with wide-leg, boot-cut, or straight-leg jeans, and has a sturdy heel to deal with walking on the cobblestones of Paris.  

If heading to Paris in the chilly season, aim for a waterproof pair when shopping before your trip, and remember to wear warm socks for winter.

Ankle Boots

I love the Madewell Dimes Kitten Heel Boot—they were my go-to shoes for the evenings. I adore the stylish pointy toe, and the low heel is comfortable!

Black leather ankle boots are an essential basic and complement a range of outfits. They’re neutral, sleek, and so versatile. Pair them with trousers, jeans, dresses, and skirts, and you’ll always look polished for Paris.

Loafers

Stylish loafers are commonly worn in European cities, and Paris is no exception. I wore my black Sam Edelman Loafers all the time, and their simple chicness added to everything I wore, be it wide-leg jeans, trousers, or straight-leg jeans.

Loafers are classic and versatile, and many are uber comfortable, with some looking traditional or having a modern lug sole. They’re a must-pack item for sure!

Ballet Flats

While ballet flats aren’t precisely recommended for tons of walking, I wore my Madewell Leather Flats more than I thought I would! They were surprisingly comfortable for long walks and running up and down the metro stairs and platforms. 

Overall, flats are perfect for dressing up an outfit without the foot pain of a heel and are always in style year after year.

Scarf

I adore silk scarves, and they add style to outfits year-round. I even purchased some vintage Celine and Salvatore Ferragamo silk scarves at a Paris flea market, which was fun, and I was overjoyed to find them! 

When traveling to Pars in fall and winter, pack a thicker scarf, like a pashmina, to keep your neck warm.

Crossbody Bag

Whenever I left my Airbnb, I spotted a Polene Leather Crossbody Bag in Paris. I packed a few styles and also purchased one from Ateliers Auguste, a small French brand that has gorgeously classic styles. 

I saw leather crossbody bags everywhere, and they are delightfully Parisian! However, crossbody bags or purses are not just stylish but also practical for travel.

They allow me to be hands-free when walking around, and for safety, they’re more theft-proof than a tote bag because they remain close to the body and are positioned in front so I can see it at all times.

Red Lipstick

When it comes to the Parisian look, definitely go classic with Chanel or Dior 999 red lipstick. 

Red lips are noticeable, and the beautiful flash of color means you can go a bit more muted with eye makeup and look utterly chic. You’ll be so put together and stand out, especially paired with a white button-down, gold jewelry, and sleek jeans!

Luggage

If you’re curious about what luggage I used, we brought two 28-inch Samsonite Freeform Hardside Expandable suitcases. 

I love how they can expand for any extra purchases you make in Paris. This suitcase is lightweight, has smooth spinner wheels, is super durable over cobblestones, and is easy to maneuver.

WHAT NOT TO WEAR IN PARIS

Now that we’ve covered a Paris packing list, you may wonder what clothing is considered a no-no for this fashionable city. The most asked questions and answers are below.

Can I wear jeans to a restaurant in Paris? 

Definitely, but it does depend on where. A pair of jeans is appropriate when grabbing food at a local eatery. However, steer clear of distressed jeans with holes or flashy embellishments. If you plan to dine at a more fancy restaurant, choose dressy evening wear and skip the jeans- unless they are a smart darker wash appropriate for evening.

Can I wear sneakers in Paris? 

Absolutely! Sneakers (especially white ones) are a style staple worn by Parisian women daily, either for casual outings or less formal evening events. Aim for more fashion sneakers and stay away from athletic sneakers unless you plan on going to the gym during your trip. 

Can I wear leggings in Paris?

Not really! Parisians generally don’t wear athleisure clothing as streetwear, and leggings or sweatpants are not worn widely, except at the gym or athletic events. Wear sweats or leggings in your hotel room or Airbnb when lounging around, but opt for tailored pants, skirts, or simple jeans when out and about.

I hope you have a better idea of what outfits to pack for Paris!