I just returned from the most wonderful visit to Paris. There is nothing like the City of Light in autumn. The summer crowds have thinned out, the temperature is perfect for bundling up, and everything feels cozy! I plan to put together a small travel guide to Paris in the near future. But in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to talk about what to wear in Paris in the fall (hint, it includes a lot of sweaters!). Today I’m chatting about things to consider when packing, my must-have items. and Parisian outfit ideas for different activities in the city.
Things to consider when packing
Paris has a lot of charm in autumn, so if you ever have the opportunity to visit, I recommend you do it. However, there are a few things to consider when packing. When selecting Parisian outfits, I tried to take these four facts into account.
1. You should start with your luggage.
The first step in determining what to wear in Paris is deciding whether you’re going to check a bag or make do with a carry-on. I admit that I always check a suitcase. But, if you’re looking to minimize the number of outfits you pack, I would consider following a color story. This will allow you to mix and match easily!
Another way to reduce packing is to limit yourself to only three pieces of footwear: two stored and one on top! I would make sure all three serve different purposes on the trip. Simply put, you’ll want a really casual and comfortable pair that you can walk for miles in, a middle-of-the-road pair that you can dress up or down, and a dressy shoe or pair of boots. If you plan to enjoy a nice dinner, you can opt for the most elegant shoe. And if you bring a pair of boots, make sure you can easily store them or wear them with your comfortable airport outfit on the day of your trip.
2. Rain is common in autumn.
Fall, especially November, can be one of the wettest seasons in Paris. It is important to keep this in mind when selecting outerwear and footwear for a trip. Rain-friendly options like this trench coat, these classic loafers, and this travel umbrella are great ideas. We were very lucky and it didn’t rain the entire trip. But apparently it rained for a week straight before our arrival!
3. It’s cold.
It can get quite cold in Paris this time of year, especially early in the morning and late at night. It is common for temperatures to drop to 40 degrees. However, it can also get quite hot during the day, making it difficult to decide what to wear in Paris during the fall.
I found that the key to being comfortable in this type of weather is to dress in layers. My recommendation is to pack a few sweaters that are all different weights. I also start the day wearing a thicker coat, but not one that’s too bulky, so it’s not a hassle to carry around if it’s hot. And I like to pack a few basic pieces to wear under sweaters, like this t-shirt and this long-sleeve top.
4. There isn’t as much sunlight this time of year.
While this doesn’t have a big impact on planning a Parisian outfit, it can affect your daily schedule! It was dark around 4 or 4:30 pm during our trip and unfortunately we didn’t see much sun. When scheduling visits to garden museums or certain parks, I recommend planning them for midday to ensure you get as much sunlight as possible to enjoy them all.
Essential for the Parisian set
I know I tend to pack some over the top items. But below I’ll focus on the pieces I wore over and over again on our trip. I also added a few others that I think would be great to mix and match. Between these eight items, you should be able to create many great Paris outfits for both day and night!
A great third piece
This dark brown jacket was the item of clothing I wore the most during our trip. It is warm and comfortable. Plus, because of its oversized fit, I was able to wear it over all of my sweater outfits with ease. While you may have seen me wear it here, I also wore it with these sweatpants as a comfortable airport outfit and with this pair of straight-leg jeans throughout the trip.
A warmer coat
I recommend bringing a long, warm coat for cool mornings and evenings. This slim gray and black coat was the winner for me. I selected this one knowing that I would be wearing it primarily at night and that it would pair well with some of my evening looks, like this classic black top and this polished black dress. The blazer version is also very chic!
Sweaters
Sweaters, so many sweaters! I hate being cold, so layering is a must for me in the fall and winter. This lightweight sweater paired with this best-selling cardigan was my most worn combination. They both have a relaxed fit and are longer, so they look great with jeans, leggings, or even leather pants. This cape sweater would be another wonderful option for a fall trip to Paris. And I also packed one of my favorite striped sweaters, the Marin. You can read more about why I love this style here.
Denim
A single pair of denim can provide many Parisian dressing options, so select wisely! I usually wear two different styles. For this trip, I opted for a fantastic pair of slightly cropped straight pants and oversized wide leg pants. I selected them in dark charcoal tones because I wanted them to easily match black toned blouses. Some other great denim options would be this pair, this pair, or this pair. PS: this post on how to style wide leg jeans It can be useful when planning your outfit!
comfortable shoes
A trip to Paris, no matter the season, will probably mean a lot of walking. Therefore, a good pair of flats is a has to. My top three picks for this trip were these Tuckernuck flats that I have in almost every color, my trusty sneakers (check out these Adidas Gazelle outfit ideas), and some dressier flats, as seen here.
My biggest tip when packing shoes for a trip is to never pack a pair you haven’t worn before. Shoes take up a lot of space in your luggage. And even if you’re not going to walk very far, an uncomfortable pair is really the worst. That’s why I always like to pack styles that know They are comfortable.
A versatile dress
When it comes to dresses, you want to select a style that can easily be worn from day to night. Ideally, you should bring one that looks as stylish with sneakers or flats as it does with nicer shoes. One of my most worn dresses, the Chloe dress, is great for this. Plaid versions in black, navy, or Black Watch would make a great Parisian outfit in the fall. And if you need more warmth, you can throw on a fitted turtleneck underneath or add a luxe scarf!
An elegant bag
For this trip I packed my Savette bag, this woven tote (big enough to wear during the day), and my classic Chanel bag, as seen here. All of these bags could hold everything I needed without being bulky. However, other than my Chanel, none of these are crossbody bags. I know this can be a deal breaker for some while traveling. So if you’re looking for a great crossbody bag, this bag I own and love would be my pick!
Bonus items
While I covered a lot of the basics on what to wear in Paris, there are a few extra items I packed. These include a classic belt, a great pair of statement gold earrings, and some additional outerwear. This navy jacket (or this cheaper option) would look very elegant over the Chloe dress. And this trench coat paired with a simple sweater and denim would be another amazing Paris outfit.
Paris outfit ideas
Speaking of outfits, I thought it would be fun to round up some potential looks for different activities in the City of Love. Here are some of my favorite things to do when I visit Paris, as well as ideas on what to wear for each!
What to wear when visiting a museum
The city’s museums are absolutely incredible. If you visit, taking a look at them is a has to. For this activity I would opt for a comfortable but put together look. I could wear these jeans, this sweater, these flats, this jacket, these statement earrings, and my Savette bag. If it’s really cold outside, I would also add this cardigan, which I actually tied around my neck and wore as a scarf from time to time. If sunglasses are required, which unfortunately didn’t happen much on our trip, I’d opt for this under $20 pair.
Parisian outfit for a night out
As I mentioned above, Tuckernuck’s Chloe dress is perfect for a night out. In autumn and winter, you can put it over this turtleneck and match it with this scarf and this trench coat. Personally, I would also swap out the belt on the dress for this suede belt to enhance the look. Lastly, you can carry this bag to tie it all together. I love mixing and matching browns, and it works really well here.
Wondering what shoes to wear with this Parisian outfit? If you have room to pack boots, that would be my top suggestion! If not, you can opt for a more elegant flat or comfortable heel. These boots or these under $100 boots that I just bought would be great. Or, if you can splurge, I would pair Chloe’s dress with these!
An afternoon cocktail look
There’s nothing better than a late afternoon cocktail sitting outside in a Parisian cafe. For this occasion, I would wear a pair of wide-leg jeans, a low heel, a light sweater, and my longest coat. Don’t want to pack a heel? Here’s an example of a look that would look just as great with these silver Adidas sneakers I brought on our trip!
A history of Parisian clothing
I hope you enjoyed following my packing trip in Paris. If you have a vacation on the horizon, these comfy airport outfits and sweater outfit ideas are also worth checking out!
And while I’m no expert on Paris, I received several direct messages asking me where we stayed, where we ate, and what we did. Look out for a post on these topics coming soon!
