What they’re wearing in Paris: April 2022

What they're wearing in Paris, spring 2022: sneakers.

For the first several days we were in Paris, it was still pretty cold (we had snow on our first day!) and everyone was bundled up in their puffers and heavy wool coats. On our last few days, though, the weather turned quite pleasant, so I was able to get out and observe what they’re wearing in Paris this spring.

Here are a few common threads I observed.

Sneakers everywhere, on everyone

Well, almost. Parisians love their sneakers, in a multitude of styles. Classic white styles are still popular, both sleek and chunky. I also spotted a notable number of styles with some metallic or sparkly details. (See image on left, above.)

Les bottes

Style report from France: jeans and boots.

Ankle boots in every style were most common, but I did spot a few women wearing knee boots. The woman on the left was the only one I saw wearing over-the-knee boots, but I thought she looked fabulous.

Jeans

Paris style report: jackets and dark wash jeans.

You’ll see just about every denim style and wash on women of all ages, usually topped off with a jacket or blazer.

Paris style report: jeans.

Light washes, too. Cuts range from super skinny to wide leg, though I noticed more relaxed fits this time. You won’t go wrong with a slim straight leg.

Print skirts with jackets in Paris.

When it comes to skirts, women of a certain age seem to lean toward longer styles with print. They’re worn with sneakers, ankle boots, and knee boots.

Jackets

You’ll see everything from blazers to utility jackets to moto styles. I didn’t notice many women wearing hoodies, except as a mid-layer under a jacket.

Accessories

Once the weather warmed up, I noticed fewer women wearing scarves (of any type). Or hats.

When it comes to bags, many Parisiennes seem to favor a satchel or top-handle style bag. But you’ll also see smaller shoulder or cross-body bags, usually supplemented with a cloth shopping bag. You don’t see many logo bags or fanny packs.

You also don’t see women dripping in jewelry. Usually they’ll select one or two pieces as a focal point, either necklaces, a ring, or brooch. I didn’t notice anyone wearing statement earrings.

What to wear in Paris

Basically, you won’t go wrong in Paris with “smart casual” attire. Paris has become much more casual over the years we’ve been visiting, and even in nice restaurants you’ll see people in jeans and sneakers (but neat). Though you still don’t see people wearing sweats, yoga wear, or “athleisure” styles unless they’re actually jogging.

And though I spied a lot of color in the shops, usually you’ll find Parisians are more comfortable in neutrals, with maybe one piece as a color accent.

We arrived in London yesterday, and have a full weekend planned…more to come!

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20 Comments

  1. du fond de ma campagne à Sauternes, j’adore vos observations de la mode parisienne, très bon séjour en Europe

  2. No statement earrings….well, that must mean I am not a Parisiënne. Which is very true. Understated is not something that comes up in your mind when you see me haha.
    Greetje

  3. In regards to statement earrings . . l stopped wearing them (at least for now) because they would get caught up in my mask whenever I would try to take it off. One day, when removing my mask, it pulled my earring off and I lost the back. Although I do not remember seeing many French women wearing large earrings the last time I visited Paris, perhaps they also suffered the same annoyance as I and have opted for a more practical approach.

  4. Love your blog. Curious, do name brands matter much to the French in regards to tennis shoes, clothing etc

    1. Thanks, Sue! It doesn’t seem like they do, though there are certain specific styles which seem to have cycles of popularity (like the Vanessa Bruno canvas totes with sparkly straps that were everywhere a few years back). I think for the most part they eschew obviously branded clothing and accessories.

    2. Pour répondre à votre question , je pense une majorité de français aiment les marques, mais c’est du snobisme.
      Une autre partie , fait attention à ne pas faire venir chaussures ou vêtements de pays trop éloignés. ça n’est pas politique, mais du bon sens ecologique, il faut moins acheter , et penser à la qualité. bonne journée, ou bonne nuit, je ne sais pas.

  5. Just one question: How do you determine whether the person is a Tourist, an import/expat now living there or a true Parisienne?

    1. I just try to look for people who aren’t obvious tourists*, and who look like they are going to or from work, or about their daily business. Otherwise it’s impossible to make those distinctions. Like any big city, not everyone who lives there was born and raised there. I’m sure that some people who are transplants from other regions would still consider themselves Parisians after a time.

      *e.g. family groups all wearing backpacks, taking photos in front of monuments, looking lost, obviously in a tour group, etc.

  6. Well, other than athleisure, it seems Paris now looks like any other city. I’m not sure if it was the weather, but I don’t seem to be seeing long cardigans either there, or here in Ohio. Are you seeing more jackets and blazers vs cardigans?

    1. Yes, style has become much more global in recent years. I spotted a few hip-length cardigans in the shops, but can’t recall seeing knee length or longer, either in shops on being worn.

  7. Love your travel diaries, Susan! I’m homebound for now so such a joy to hear and see what’s going on in my favorite city! Love to you and Le Monsieur!

  8. I can see you ignoring the obvious tourists, but you are one yourself. I have been to Paris multiple times, and I would not pick you out as a tourist. I think when I’m there, I look like someone “going about their business.” Calling this post “What they are wearing in Paris,” then, is more accurate than “What Parisiennes are wearing.” Next time, why don’t you get a few shots of those obvious tourists for comparison’s sake?

  9. SUch fun to see what they are wearing in Paris! On my last trip to Paris, I noticed that if you deconstruct what a Parisian is wearing, it will seem quite basic: jeans, Jacket, sneakers….but somehow they put it together all so beautifully! And they must be born with a scarf tying gene!

    on another note: the pop up ads on your page are getting really difficult. Is there any way to disable them? I feel like I am playing Whack-A-Mole sometimes, trying to close them so I can read.

  10. Susan, love your posts from Paris and I think your choice of clothes for Paris would not have looked st all out of place. I am wondering, the Paul Green ankle boots. Were they comfortable? I am debating whether to seek them out on my upcoming trip interstate (they are not available where I live)

    1. Thanks, Susan. I didn’t bring Paul Green ankle boots this time. I thought we’d have more wet weather to packed my Aquatalia’s. But I always find PG boots to be quite comfortable.

  11. I so enjoy you blog and instragam posts, you are so elegant. The work you put into your post brings me such joy. Keep traveling Susan!

  12. I so enjoy your timely travel posts (I’m living vicariously through you) and really appreciate your travel wardrobe photos and breakdown of what you pack and why, as well as what worked in the end and what didn’t. Very helpful travel packing analysis and strategies.

  13. I must say, I love when you snap pics showing what is trending around the world! Sneakers in Paris, years ago that was such a no no! Thanks for always keeping us in the loop! Happy weekend!