What Not to Wear in Paris
Are you wondering what not to wear in Paris?
I’m here to help you avoid common Parisian fashion faux pas and show you what you should wear instead. As someone who used to live in Paris, I could always tell tourists from locals right away.
I like to think I had the Parisian style down. I was often mistaken as a local by actual French people — that is, until I opened my mouth and started speaking broken French in an American accent, anyway. But after spending so much time in Paris, I learned how to dress to blend in, and also what not to wear.
While Paris has a (well-deserved) reputation for being a fashionable city, I do want to point out that it’s also a huge city with millions of people (including millions of tourists), so there’s really no wrong or right way to dress here. You definitely don’t need to buy a whole new wardrobe just to visit Paris.
Dressing like a tourist is not even one of the worst mistakes you can make while visiting Paris. But there are certain things you can do to avoid looking like an obvious tourist and look more effortlessly Parisian.
Here’s what NOT to wear in Paris if you want to look chic and blend in with the locals:
1. Riviera Attire
One of the most common mistakes that tourists make, especially during the summer, is wearing the same clothing in Paris that they’d also wear in the French Riviera. Yes, it’s hot in Paris during the summer, but that doesn’t mean you should dress like you’re visiting a beach town in the South of France.
Paris is a totally different vibe — it would kind of be like visiting New York while being dressed for Miami. If it’s something you’d wear in Saint-Tropez, Sorrento, or Santorini, skip it in Paris.
This means things like flowing printed maxi dresses, colorful tops and mini skirts, and strappy sandals. Instead, stick to wearing more classic and elegant pieces in solid neutral colors when you’re in Paris.
2. Berets
There’s nothing as quintessentially Parisian as a beret… right? While it’s true that you might see a few berets while out and about in Paris (especially on older French people), it’s not really that common.
And you’ll definitely stand out as a tourist if you’re wearing a beret with a cute outfit. You could whip it out for some photos if you must, but I wouldn’t recommend walking around in a beret all day.
3. High Heels
The caveat here is that I don’t recommend wearing high heels in Paris during the day. At night, especially if you’re going to a nice restaurant or a high-end bar or club, heels are acceptable and even expected.
But during the day, wearing heels in Paris is a recipe for disaster. Paris is very walkable, and as a tourist, you’ll probably be doing a lot of exploring on foot to see as much of the city as possible. Heels are uncomfortable and impractical for sightseeing, not to mention they’ll just make you stand out a lot.
Instead, I’d recommend a cute and comfortable pair of sneakers. (Yes, Parisians wear sneakers a lot!) If you want something a little more chic, a simple pair of ballet flats is also a good option.
4. A Tote Bag
Is it a fashion faux pas? Not exactly. But does it make you a bigger target for pickpockets? Absolutely! And that’s why I recommend not carrying a tote bag. Unfortunately, pickpocketing is fairly common in Paris, and carrying a tote bag that doesn’t zip at the top makes you an easy target for skilled pickpockets.
Instead, a cute shoulder bag or cross-body bag that zips should be fine. And be sure to read my tips on how to avoid pickpockets in Europe, because that’s the last thing you want to happen on your trip to Paris.
5. Athleisure
One thing that is guaranteed to make you stand out as a tourist in Paris is athleisure. You really don’t see locals walking around the city wearing workout tops or leggings like you do in the United States.
Similarly, you won’t see people wearing sweatpants and sweatshirts out and about in Paris. It’s fine if you want to dress comfortably, but I’d recommend wearing pieces that are a little more elevated.
6. Short Shorts
Even in the summer, Parisians rarely wear extremely short shorts. If you want to pack shorts, that’s fine, but I’d recommend bringing some nicer, tailored shorts that can be paired with a chic top.
It can get really hot in Paris in the summer, but I’d personally wear a simple sundress and some cute sandals or sneakers rather than shorts. And you definitely shouldn’t wear cut-off denim shorts.
7. Flip-Flops
Flip-flops are another fashion faux pas in Paris, and really anywhere in France. This is footwear that is worn exclusively while on vacation at the beach or by the pool, not while walking around the city.
It’s also just not very practical for walking long distances, which you’ll be doing. If you’re visiting Paris in the summer, I’d definitely recommend wearing comfortable sneakers or ballet flats instead.
8. Anything Logo’d
Noticeable logos are not really a big thing in Paris. This includes really obvious logos, like wearing a tee shirt or a baseball cap with an American sports team. Naturally, that’s going to scream “tourist.”
But it also includes designer logos. It’s true that Paris is one of the fashion capitals of the world, but it’s less common for Parisians to carry designer bags with a big logo print on them (think Louis Vuitton) and more likely that they’ll carry an understated, solid-colored bag with a subtle, small logo on it.
9. Rain Poncho
Finally, nothing will tip people off that you’re a tourist quite like wearing a rain poncho. It rains a good bit in Paris, with pretty consistent rainfall throughout the year, so you’ll definitely want to be prepared for the weather. (Often, rain showers will just last for a couple of hours or so before it clears up again.)
Although not quite as bad as a rain poncho, a sporty rain jacket still screams “tourist” in Paris. When it rains, I noticed that most Parisians just pop open a small black umbrella and get on with it.
What Not to Wear in Paris
This guide showed you what not to wear in Paris.
Once again, there are no hard and fast rules about what you can and can’t wear in Paris. The most important thing of all is that you simply feel comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing. If you want to blend in with the locals a bit more while in Paris, following these fashion tips can help you do that.
Enjoy your trip to Paris!
Related Guides:
- 17 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Paris
- Paris Bucket List: 65 Best Things to Do in Paris, France
- 18 Best Paris Hotels with Eiffel Tower Views
- 11 Best Boutique Hotels in Paris, France
- Where to Stay in Paris for the First Time
- 35 Best Quotes About Paris
- 80 Best Paris Captions for Instagram
- 10 Best Day Trips from Paris, France
- What Not to Wear in Italy (Plus What to Wear Instead)
- Travel Essentials for Europe: 11 Things You Must Have
