Hi Frugalistas! Paris is probably the chicest city in the world. And Parisian women are probably the chicest women in the world. Regular readers will know that when I travel I like to fit in as best I can. They will also know how much I love my clothes. And how much I love to travel with just one carry on bag. Yes, Paris is very chic, but to me it’s one of the easiest cities to pack for. A Paris packing list with one carry on bag is a comfortable and easy way to travel, regardless of your destination.
You don’t need to channel Chanel in Paris
Credit: Wikimedia commons
Paris packing list basics
A classic trench is my “go to” coat for Paris
Unless you are visiting in high summer or the depths of winter, a light coat is the first item I pack. I prefer a trench coat that I can layer underneath according to the temperature. You don’t need an expensive designer option.
Paris is one part of the world where trousers rather than skirts definitely rule. Parisian women seem to definitely prefer a slim pair of pants over skirts (or jeans for that matter much of the time). Three pairs of classic pants in classic black or navy will take you almost anywhere.
I like to pack at least one skirt, but that is just a personal preference.
A classic jacket and skirt with a pretty necklace will take you almost anywhere
I do always pack a classic black jacket though. I use it to dress up my skirt or classic black pants. I always feel chic, and I always feel as though I fit in. As I wander around Paris, I see lots of women dressed the same way.
While the ever so chic Coco Chanel created the original Little Black Dress, unless you are going somewhere genuinely fancy, you don’t have to pack a dress. If you are visiting in summer a light frock may come in handy, but otherwise, leave the dress at home. If you do go for a summer dress, a linen look or pretty floral are the best options.
I’m a scarf person anyway, so I always make sure I pack at least two whenever I go to Paris. Scarves are a great way to change up an outfit, and also help with keeping out the wind on the Grands Boulevards or the Eiffel Tower. Don’t worry if your budget doesn’t allow for a designer option – very European style scarves can be purchased online quite cheaply. A smart costume jewellery necklace will make a statement, dress up your jacket for evening, and will definitely help you fit in and feel ever so chic.
The rest of my Paris packing list is core items from my basic packing list.
I like long sleeved tees for most of the year, and smart short sleeved tees for hot weather. Then some light weight knits for layering, and three sets of underwear. Just make sure that all your tees match all your knits and jacket. I find three or four tees, and three knits plenty.
Coordinate, coordinate, coordinate
Shoes are easy. Ballet flats rule in Paris, but any simple flat shoe will suffice. I like something designed for walking with a thick rubber role, rather than a thin soled classic ballet flat. But still flat and chic. I think something with a more robust sole is better for walking on those quaint cobblestones. Most of the year I take my flat boots. In summer a pair of flat espadrilles or sandals make an easy substitute. Remember, choose carefully and you only need two pairs of shoes.
What to leave out of your Paris packing list
There are, of course, some items that are best left at home if you want to feel like you belong in Paris.
First on my “do not pack” list? Gym shoes. Unless they are for running, or are teenagers, French women don’t seem to wear gym shoes. A white leather sneaker is a much better option.
I never think zip off pants are a good idea to pack, regardless of my destination. To me they just shriek “tourist!!”
Shorts are generally not worn by French women unless they are at the beach, so leave the shorts at home. Teenage girls and very young woman can get away with shorts these days but for the rest of us light linen pants or a skirt will definitely give you a more authentic look in warm weather.
And it goes without saying that track suits and fanny packs do not belong in Paris………….
Why is it worth “fitting in” in Paris?
All this talk about looking Parisian and “fitting in” is not just Chief Frugalista snobbery. It has a more serious side. Yes, I like to look nice. Yes, I like to fit in. And yes, I do like to pretend I am just a tiny bit French when I am in Paris.
BUT:
As a solo female traveller, I feel much safer in Paris when I dress a la Parisienne.
There are plenty of scammers and pick pockets in Paris, like most large European cities. Dressing like a tourist just makes you a target. As it is, I’ve experienced the ring scam in Paris more times than I care to remember. You can read more about travelling safely in Paris here.
A Paris packing list that is appropriate, chic and comfortable is not difficult. A Paris packing list that fits in just one carry on bag is also not difficult. Keep it simple. Keep it basic. Keep it chic. And I promise it will take you anywhere…………
More from my site
One bag travel: the 5 things I never pack – and things to pack instead
One bag travel: business and leisure packing list
How to plan a packing list for one bag travel
One bag travel: packing list for summer in Europe
A 2 climate packing list for one bag travel
One bag travel: a travel blogger packing list
As we stay in Paris at least a month and in the South for a month before that we never go for the one bag carry-on. But that said, agree with a lot of your recommendations. Trench coats are always practical and useful, a good jacket(s) (not necessarily black), shirts, tank tops, black pants also white linen pants (for summer) to be worn with light jackets and/or shirts, black leather sneakers (I wear them in flight), dressy white leather sneakers – they exist – even Karl has got them (but they don’t have to be Chanel), for summer – attractive walking sandals.
I don’t wear ballet flats – they’re not good for all day walking and cobblestones or rough surfaces. Most give very little arch or foot support either.
I always take a few silk scarves and statement necklaces. But also plan on buying while there (this summer bought scarves by Sonia Rykiel, Dior etc). And a fabulous Dries van Noten necklace.
A cross body bag (eg a Louis Vuitton messenger bag) and at least one good strong light weight tote, eg a Longchamp pliage which is very secure because of the zip top. I also like to buy the occasional cabas tote by Vanessa Bruno, specially love the linen type with the sequins stripe. If you wear LV bag, a Vanessa Bruno tote and good sunglasses, you’re wearing clothes that French women wear, even if you don’t look French. I generally pick a colour theme for each trip, always black, white of course, and then perhaps pinks (with a touch of red and/or orange). Next year will do blues (probably aqua, turquoise and navy) with a touch of bright orange in the accessories (eg my 2015 SR scarf has navy and bright orange and white). It’s fun planning the wardrobe and working out what to buy on the next visit. Have also seen the ring trick tried on many people, also the sign the petition one – they don’t normally bother me because I guess I don’t look like your average tourist (no bum bag, no tracksuit, no visible camera, no backpack). Best wishes, Pamela
Some good recommendations, I always love packing for Paris! I don’t usually take a lightweight trench since I’m either there in the height of summer or depths of winter, but at all other times would be a great addition. I hadn’t heard of The Ring scam, but after reading your article, will be much more vigilant!
I always try to blend in when I’m visiting a different country. I love that you recommended a classic trench. It’s such a great way to dress up a simple outfit.
Hi Pamela, your advice, as always, is completely spot on. I love how you can look at my basic packing list and then explain how you make it your own. There’s no point taking ballet flats (or any other shoe for that matter) that you can’t walk in all day. The Vanessa Bruno totes with the sequins are very, very French, so if anyone is looking for a tres francais purchase it would make a great choice.
The ring scam, and the petition are “classic” Paris scams that everyone needs to be aware of.
Yes, I agree with both your points. Blending in is important for multiple reasons. Even though it is impossible in every country, there are easy things you can do and wear to avoid screaming “naïve tourist!!” I love my trench – I’d wear it anyway!
In the ring scam, one or two people – often quite attractive looking girls – will approach you with a ring in the palm of their hand asking if you’ve dropped it. If you stop and peer at it other members of their gang will move in behind you and take wallets, cameras or handbags or all three and disappear quickly into a group of people/crowd. They’re usually near tourist sites , eg across the road from the Louvre/Musee des Arts Decoratifs, the Tuileries, Eiffel Tower etc. Just ignore any requests/calls to look. Don’t make eye contact, move firmly on. Jut walk smartly – don’t run.
The petition trick is similar – something to grab your attention so that you can be robbed from behind or beside. They (usually girls or women but could be men) will begin with a harrowing story and then ask you to sign a petition they have. Don’t stop, just say No firmly and keep walking. They don’t chase you or come after you as long as you’re firm and no nonsense. Don’t stop to accuse them though as they can get nasty. In the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay the museum guards/room attendants have often been attacked (punched, scratched with sharp nails etc) when they’ve tried to move on people they recognise as sneak thieves.
We’re used to seeing them around and because we know to avoid them and don’t look at what they’re doing they almost never approach us. Also we don’t look like typical tourists, even though we don’t look French (I have natural reddish hair and my husband looks German rather than French). Don’t wear a backpack in Paris. You will stand out as a tourist. If you absolutely must, just use it for bottled water, umbrellas, maps etc, never put anything valuable in it. I warned our son and DIL about this but DIL forgot and put her I-pad in it. Of course it was stolen and she had no idea till later in the day. Best wishes, Pamela
I always go with the basic black in Paris, and pretty much everywhere actually. Where I did slip up in Paris, was I took my black Trench coat, and they all wear a beige one.
Ah, the packing subject, my favorite one! I LOVE to dress up like an European when I travel, especially since here in Los Angeles I very seldom have the opportunity to do it. So my only chance to wear my beautiful cloths is when I travel. But then I run into the packing problem. A big suitcase needs to be checked in and it may get lost. A carry-on is too small to fit all my cloths and shoes. I noticed that you only take two pairs of shoes. I need at least 3 and usually they have thicker soles for cushion. So a carry-on will be half full just from 2 pairs of shoes and my toiletry bag. My other reason for packing more cloths is cleanness. I can’t stand to wear sweaty shirts. I walk a lot when I travel and my cloths get dirty very fast. I need to change often. I agree with the scarfs and the costume jewelry. Those are easy to carry and they make any outfit look chic. So far I’ve been lucky and was never the subject of petty theft while abroad.
Yes, that’s those scams! I have noticed that the petitions are often young men and women. Just ignore, ignore, ignore……
Yes, most of them do tend to wear beige. Mine is navy (and it happens to be French)
I tend to pack clothes that can easily be washed in a basin, or for longer trips book an apartment with a washing machine periodically to get caught up. I only ever take two pairs of shoes (unless I’m going to a resort when I add a pair of flip flops for the pool). I find that chosen carefully, and with a careful wardrobe two is enough. I wear the heavier pair, and pack the lighter.
If I know I’m going out to a number of more formal evening things on a particular trip I usually take a black trench (also French) as it’s better for these than beige which is essentially day. Otherwise beige. But I also have three coloured trenches, in solid pink, red and orange. While not many French women wear coloured trenches they often compliment mine – they look good with black pants and accessories and the right silk scarves, eg Hermes or Chanel, which are v recognisably French.
I also love my Vanessa Bruno totes – the ones with sequins can be taken out at night – to carry a brolly and a pashmina – more essentials for any travel. In June I bought a very neat stylish Jean-Paul Gaultier fold-up umbrella in the fabulous store at the Pompidou (strangely enough they weren’t selling it at the store for the JPG Exhibition at the Grand Palais).
In Paris we always spend our month in a small apartment with washing machine so I can wear whites and colours as I can wash them myself. I never take all black as it feels so funereal and boring. But that’s just me. I love the zing of colour, it really makes me happy. And despite what some people say many French really do love colour even if they don’t always wear it themselves, though many do. This summer we saw quite a few in bright reds and bright pinks in Paris. We also saw a woman in deep purple and clashing green enjoying coffee and pastries at Carette (she was French) and she looked fabulous. It’s interesting to remember that some of the most brilliant colourists ever were French painters, eg Matisse, van Gogh, or spent most of their lives there – Picasso. Best wishes, Pamela
This is perfect info for me !! Heading to Paris in November, can’t wait. Thanks for the tips. 🙂
I think I need to hire you as a consultant. I can’t go anywhere with just a carry-on but then David and I hike and cycle when we are overseas and walk miles and miles and miles so the ‘no shorts, no joggers, no zip-off pants, no fanny-packs’ rule would be a catastrophe for us. After years of searching though I have finally found a clothing store which sells lovely stylish cycling skirts though.
I am a terrible packer. Can’t imagine just having carry on luggage for anything more than 2 days!! Even as a backpacker my pack was ridiculously big and heavy.
But I totally get what you say abour dressing like the locals. I’ve been in Darling Harbour a lot and tourists are very conspicious – not a good thing.
Darling Harbour is genuinely awful isn’t it? I remember reading an article about how visitors to Sydney don’t get that Darling Harbour is “tourist Sydney” but that when you cross the street you enter “real Sydney” and should be dressing accordingly!
Lyn, if your holiday includes hiking and cycling then of course you need to dress appropriately – not being dressed appropriately is NEVER first class!
Thanks Rossana! Hope you enjoy it – lots of Paris posts coming up on the blog
Jo, could use your advice on coats. At what temperature is it time to trade your trench coat to something warmer? Will be in Scotland at the beginning of November and wasn’t sure a trench coat will be sufficient or its time to bring the winter puffy coat?
It really depends on how much you feel the cold. November is borderline. Personally I would go with the puffy coat even it means you don’t put as many layers on underneath. With the wind in Scotland I think it would work better.
Have a great time!
Everything is so elegant and comfortable, that you packed! For me always is very important to pack stuff that I feel great in them. I am going to Paris soon, and your tips are very helpful about choosing my stuff. Greetings
Thank you very much Allison, that’s very kind. I hope you enjoy your trip, and have plenty of fabulous things to wear!
Great tip for Paris; I’m going in November and I’ll keep these tips in mind. I’m soo glad you’re promoting just bringing a carry on! I have traveled throughout 44 countries and each time I return I travel even lighter. One carry on works for me on a three month trip, easy!
I only ever take a carry on. If you pack the right list you can easily create 50-60 outfits in just a single carry on bag.