Packing for Paris

Long, long, long ago, while catching buses through Greece, and bumming rides across what used to be Yugoslavia -I learned that wherever she goes, a girl has gotta have shoes. I ended up in a little fishing town called Nea Mouthania - which of course, had a night club. If I had had the right shoes - I may have gone.

You have to have two kinds of shoes to travel:

Really good walking shoes or hiking boots and really good walking shoes/boots that will get you into the best club in town.

Think about this when you pack for Paris. Comfort and style. That is your challenge.
Who said it was going to be easy?
Most travel advice columns will tell you that you can simplify your life by packing everything black but you don’t have to. Pack your jeans if you want to - just make sure you pack the jeans that fit you really well.

Women’s Clothing Tips
Unless you really have an exceptionally good figure, leave your short shorts at home. Nothing will make you look more out of place than short shorts on Paris streets.
Same goes for sleeveless tops in the evening.

Usually Parisians think of getting dressed as creating an ‘ensemble’ . That doesn’t mean that everything matches or is even color coordinated, but normally there’ll be several elements to create a total ‘look’. Pantsuits work very well for day and eveningwear.
You can add a favorite scarf, or a favorite belt to create your personal look.

Wear whatever fits you the best and makes you feel comfortable enough to get around the city and possibly pop into a dressier setting - and still feel perfectly at home. Don’t try to be Parisian, but you feel Parisian by packing your very best lingerie - because you NEVER know.

Go easy on make-up. Women normally don’t wear brightly colored lipstick. There’s so much cheek-kissing going in a typical Parisian day that everybody would look like they were the walking wounded.

Consignment Shops
This is a great option for buying inexpensive travel clothes. If your baggage gets lost enroute, you haven’t lost your favorite sweater. Look for designers such as Chico - clothes made from fabrics that can be stuffed into a knapsack and still come out looking like they just came out of the shop window.

Mail order versus shopping in retail stores

If you decide to order by catalog, be sure to allow ample time before your trip to return any goods that don’t fit.

No matter what time of year you come to Paris, always bring at least one warm pullover sweater.
Bring raingear, including a small umbrella.

Men’s wear

Men will RARELY need a tie, but a well cut blazer/suit jacket is very handy.
(if you’re on vacation). For business, a tie may be necessary, particularly if you are going to commemorative events or memorials.
Men also rarely wear hats of any sort here - especially baseball caps. PLEASE leave your Crocodile Dundee hat at home.
Shades are a must.
Leather jackets are perennially in style.
For some reason, red shoes go well with jeans here. I don’t know why, but people wear red shoes with black as well. Very Stendhal.
Cowboy boots go in and out of style - I can’t keep track of when they’re in style and out - but line dancing has become quite popular - so if you’re in France in spring or summer, you might bump into a line dancing party when you least expect it.
Swimming trunks are preferably racing suit style rather than baggy boxer trunks (some pools don’t even allow the boxer style trunks).

And a word about khaki or tan colored trousers. This is how I usually recognize Americans, especially Americans ‘of a particuliar age’. Just remember that dark trousers create a better-looking figure for men as well as women. Because you NEVER know.

If you’re ordering equipment, BE SURE TO TRY OUT THE EQUIPMENT before you leave. This seems to be common sense, but recently I bought a new video microphone attachment that didn’t fit my model. By the time I returned from the trip, I couldn’t even find the box or the receipt. Save all your boxes. Save all your receipts for any travel gear. Same thing happened with extra battery packs. One pack worked - the second pack turned out to be a dud. Don’t make these stupid and expensive mistakes.

Developing/printing digital photos/film. You can do this in Paris but it’s expensive - about 30-35 centimes per print. In dollars, this can add up. Wait till you get home to develop photos or make digital prints. Buy an extra memory stick or a memory stick reader.

Converter plugs for 220 v, AC current (Most computers just need the European round two-prong plug attachment.

What you can buy in Paris

Most sundries such as lotions, suntan lotion, contact lense solution (note my warning post re contact lense solution), OTCs, soaps, toothpaste, Q-tips,etc.

Names of Handy Pharmacy items in French
Vernis a l’ongle (nail polish), aspirine (aspirin), Kleenex (kleenex), Vicks (Vicks Vaporub), des pansements (bandages), des preservatifs (condoms), dentifrice (toothpaste), brosse a dent (toothbrush), shampoie (shampoo), creme de soleil, (suntan lotion), vasoline (vasoline), stockings (les collants).
I always forget the word for nailpolish remover - but if you get to the vernis a l’ongle- it should be close by.
Please don’t ask for a Q-tip in English. I won’t be responsible for the response.

If you plan on staying at low budget hotels, hostels, or B&Bs, be sure to bring a facecloth and extra soap.

Here are some additional posts on packing for Paris and beyond:
Travel Gear vs. Travel Clothes for Paris

Packing for Paris: Get Your Act Together on La Brea

Packing for Paris and Beyond: RTW