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Wondering what NOT to wear in Paris, to avoid standing out as an American tourist during your time in the City of Light? Never fear - your favorite Europe travel guide has rounded up her list of the top things I'd NEVER wear in Paris, to save you from a faux pas!
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Updated, February 2026. Packing for a trip to Paris?
French fashion is renowned the world over, and with good reason. Sit at any cafe, anywhere in Paris, and I promise you'll be wowed by the easy, chic style of French women going about their daily lives. French people truly look effortlessly impressive, even visiting the grocery.
So what are we supposed to wear as tourists? You want to be look nice and fit in, but still be comfortable enough to walk 25,000 steps in a day. While it feels like an insurmountable task, I promise you've come to the right place. Let's talk through what NOT to wear in Paris. A quick disclaimer before we get started... I write a lot of very popular posts discussing what Americans should wear in Europe, and I get a lot of commentary, from Americans and Europeans alike. You "can" wear whatever you want in Europe. You will see people dressed in various styles on the streets of Paris, especially young people. I'm not implying here that it is illegal or morally wrong to wear any of the items discussed below, or that you'll be harassed, etc. I'm also not saying that I've never seen a European wearing said item or that you need to buy anything new. My point is merely that, if you are an American older than 25, the way you would wear these items will make you look like a tourist. If you want to fit in, which I assume you do because you're here on my website reading this article, steer clear of these potential pitfalls. French Brands Available Online in the USA: Paris outfit essentials ->{2026} The Ultimate Guide: What NOT to Wear in Paris
Baseball Caps
European women do not wear baseball caps in the same way as American women. Unless you are young, quite cool, and a "fashion girlie," I'd stay away from a baseball cap altogether. If you want to keep the sun off of your face, try a small woven hat. If you're chilly in the winter...a beret! Short Shorts Even on warmer days, stay away from very short shorts or distressed denim shorts of any length. Europeans in general, and especially in large cities, show less skin than Americans. In summer, it's fine to wear shorts, just keep them on the longer side and avoid athletic shorts. A skirt/casual dress or lightweight pants would be a better choice. FAQ: Will I encounter dress codes in Paris? Unlike visiting religious sites in Italy, you're unlikely to encounter a dress code, even at a church or religious site in France. If you do see a dress code, it would be at a "smart" restaurant, so if you'll be doing any fine dining, be sure to bring non-denim attire and non-sneaker shoes, as those are the items most likely to be prohibited by a dress code.
Just One Layer
Light layers are the name of the game. Not just for temperature - it really doesn't get that cold in France during the times most tourists visit, but also for style. Europeans, and Parisian especially, are must more likely to add a scarf or a leather jacket or trench coat to elevate their look. High Heels Days spent exploring Paris (which is MASSIVE), comfortable shoes are the name of the game. Loafers, booties, sneakers (yes, even white sneakers), are all OK. At night, obviously heels are acceptable but not required. During the day? There's no better way to stand out as a tourist than dressing like you're going to the prom.
The Sneakers You Wear to Workout
Athletic shoes are undoubtedly the rage the in United States. We wear them everywhere. Not so in Paris. Low-profile sneakers with minimal logos are perfectly acceptable in Paris. Make sure they're clean and presentable and you're all set. Have I scared you into buying new sneakers for the trip? Make sure to break them in first.
Flip Flops
Even in summer, Parisian women may wear sandals (leather, classy), but they do NOT wear beach flip flops. You're in Paris, not a backyard BBQ. In addition to being out of keeping with Parisian fashion, flip flops are insufficiently supportive for walking 25,000 steps in a day, and your feet will get *filthy*. If you want to wear sandals to dinner, etc. you certainly can, as long as they are elevated. Paris travel shoes ->
Leggings as Pants...
Europeans do not wear leggings in everyday life as frequently as Americans. Younger Parisians do wear leggings, and I have worn basic black leggings in France in the autumn, under a trench coat. If you're worried about it, the best way to ease your fears is just...wear real pants. Travel joggers (NOT sweatpants) are completely fine. FAQ: Can I wear jeans in Paris? Absolutely. Parisian women wear jeans in everyday life just like Americans. You'll see a lot of younger people in high-waisted jeans, and very few skinny jeans. For basic tourist attire, clean, well-fitting, slightly darker jeans without tears/frays/bedazzling will be just fine. Head-to-Toe Athletic Wear While we're at it, Parisians do not wear "athleisure." They wear athletic attire to work out. If you are working out, feel free to wear workout clothes. As a tourist visiting historic locations and shopping, please do not dress like you're about to do yoga. No crop tops, yoga pants, or neon leggings. Neon Colors Europeans, especially Parisians and people in larger cities, tend to stick to tasteful, more neutral colors. If you avoid athleisure, neutral colors should come easily, but I'd also avoid vibrant florals. Stick to black, gray, navy, white, and red. A Giant Hiking Backpack Nothing screams tourist like a huge backpack. If at all possible, stick to a sleek leather crossbody bag for everyday tourism. Need to carry a lot of items? Invest in a classier, more elevated backpack. A Tote Bag While not a fashion faux pas, I can't avoid advising you against carrying your possessions in a tote bag. In addition to being a pain to carry, tourist hot spots (like under the Eiffel Tower), can attract pickpockets. It's a good idea to carry as little with you as possible, and store it safely within a zipped bag. FAQ: Can I wear a crossbody canvas bag? As a busy toddler mom, I often wear a Lulu crossbody bag as I go to Target and run errands in Indianapolis. I would not wear a Lulu crossbody bag ("fanny packs") in Paris. I'd OK to wear a "fanny pack" style purse across your body (and good on the pickpocket front), but I'd opt for something leather and more elevated to fit in with Parisian women, like this. Paris travel purses ->
T-Shirts with Slogans
Please, please, please do not wear t-shirts with slogans, especially political ones. Or crude jokes. Or the name of your university or favorite sports team. Would you wear it to brunch with your mother? Then certainly don't wear it in Paris. A plain, clean, fitted t-shirt is fine. You can't go wrong with a button-down shirt. Or, even better, a striped shirt.
Shop my Mersea Emerson top here
A Plastic Poncho
Bring that classy trench coat for rainy days and you'll be spared the indignity of a tourist poncho. {2026} Paris Packing List
Thanks for Stopping By!
I hope I've given you some food for thought as you pack for Paris - and saved you from a potential tourist faux pas. Parisian style is incredible and I know you'll enjoy the daily fashion show as much as I do.
And while you're here, I hope you'll take some time to explore the many free resources I've created over my years of travel blogging to help Americans plan their trips to Europe! Bon voyage! {2026}
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