What to Pack for Paris – Smart, Stylish & Practical

What to pack for Paris is as much about practicality as it is about blending in with the city's chic & sophisticated style. Spring, summer, fall, or winter, packing the right essentials ensures comfort while strolling the cobblestone streets and elegant boulevards. The key? Keep it minimal, versatile, and stylish.

The best travel packing advice we ever learned is "pack for where you're going, not where you're coming from". Paris is a vibrant, stylish city with a moderate climate — but most seasons your what-to-pack-for-Paris list should include a jacket, coat, or sweater, and a parapluie (umbrella). More on that later.

The #1 Paris Packing Tip – Pack Less

Pack less, less than you were planning. We know what you're thinking but, no — even less than that. In fact, a good technique is to pack once and then go back and pare down. All the clothes for a two week journey to France should fit into one carry-on suitcase.

Create a "uniform" for yourself by putting together your best neutral skirt, a stylish pair of jeans, and a few mix & match tops. Make sure they all interchange. You can do it!

You Can Shop for Clothes in Paris

We know, it's kind of a "duh!" statement. But, remember, if the weather changes and you need something warmer or cooler, there is plenty of shopping in Paris. Shopping at Chanel is not advised, unless you're traveling on someone else's credit card!

If you want to shop on the cheap, make a visit to one of the inexpensive chain stores, the grands magasins, or small boutiques in Paris. For affordability keep your eyes peeled for Camaïeu, Promod, Zara, Uniqlo, Caroll, or one of our perennial favorites, Monoprix.

What to Pack for Paris – Travel Essentials

Before we dive into clothing choices, let's go over a few essentials for any trip to Paris. In the past, we always would advise to pack an umbrella, the lightest, most portable umbrella available. In most seasons you can expect a shower or two in Paris, often when you least expect it. But we're now of the mind that it's just as easy to pick up an umbrella at a tourist store once you get to Paris, or use the ones provided by the hotel (our currently preferred option).

• Passport & Travel Documents — Keep digital and hard copies of your passport, travel insurance, and any necessary reservations.
• Credit Cards & Euros — Contactless payments are common, and, a,though we often ignore this advice ourselves) it's always good to carry a small amount of euro cash, perhaps whatever was left over from your last Parisian jaunt.
• Power Adapter & Converter — Different country, different electrical current, different plug-ins. France uses Type E plugs, so be prepared by bringing some compatible adapters. Understand which of you devices can safely be plugged into the 220-volt power.
• Medications & Prescriptions — French pharmacies are excellent, but it's important to bring your own medications. Top tip: pack your medications in your personal carry-on bag, don't let them out of your sight!

What to Wear in Paris By Season

Parisians are known for their understated yet polished style. To make sure you fit in and feel comfortable, here's a breakdown of what to pack for Paris depending on the time of year.

Printemps (March to May)

• Lightweight trench coat or classic blazer
• Long-sleeve tops and light sweaters
• Dark jeans or tailored pants
• Stylish sneakers or ballet flats
• A travel umbrella. Paris in spring is known for surprise showers, but you can buy an umbrella at any shop.

Été (June to August)

• Breathable linen or cotton tops
• Midi skirts, dresses, or well-fitted shorts
• A light cardigan for cooler evenings
• Comfortable sandals or espadrilles
• Sunglasses and a hat for sun protection

Automne (September to November)

• A well-tailored coat or leather jacket
• Neutral-toned sweaters
• Black jeans or classic trousers
• Ankle boots or sleek sneakers
• Layering pieces like scarves to transition between temperatures

Hiver (December to February)

• A warm wool or down coat
• Thermal leggings or fleece-lined tights
• A thick scarf, gloves, and a hat
• Waterproof leather boots
• Layers — cashmere or wool sweaters are ideal

Packing for Paris – Capsule Wardrobe Tips

Instead of overpacking, select a wardrobe with a few mix-and-match essentials. "Bring only one restaurant dress" and "Bring only one sports jacket" are useful phrases to memorize. These two are among our top packing for Paris tips.

Girls, you don't need a dress for every occasion, you just need one. We remember one summer visit to Paris when we packed an Adrienne Vittadini navy & white light knit dress for Madame and a pale blue linen blazer for Monsieur, each of which could be worn to lunch or to dinner or to the ballet. One dress, one blazer and it worked out beautifully.

Creating a Capsule Wardrobe

• Two pairs of pants — dark jeans, perhaps, and classic trousers
• Three to four tops — neutral blouses, button-downs, or fitted sweaters
• One dress — versatile enough for day and night
• One light jacket — trench coat or blazer for layering
• Minimal accessories — A scarf, sunglasses, and a structured handbag
• Limited jewelry — pack one or two pieces (of course, if you find you need something really nice while you're in Paris…)
• Lounge wear — a stylish lounging/pajama set for relaxing in the hotel
• Comfortable shoes — a pair of walking shoes plus a dressier option

Paris Travel Packing – Choosing the Right Shoes

The litmus test for what to pack in Paris footwear is this — can you walk a mile or two in your shoes? If the answer is no, leave them at home. If you listen to any of our Paris packing tips, this is the top one to follow. Walking is a major activity on any Paris visit, so prioritize comfort while maintaining style. Unless you're very comfortable in high heels, leave them in your closet at home.

Things have changed a lot in the past thirty years of visiting Paris, and one major Paris travel packing tip has also changed — you can bring your favorite sneakers.

In short, any packing-for-Paris list should include shoes that are stylish yet comfortable and easy to walk in. One of our techniques is to visit the French shoe store Arche as soon as we get to Paris, to pick up a pair (or two or three) of their amazingly comfortable yet stylish shoes.

• Walking shoes — Stylish sneakers or classic loafers
• Evening shoes — Block heels or elegant flats
• Winter boots — Waterproof and warm options for colder months
• Avoid bulky athletic shoes — Unless you're planning to exercise, Parisian sidewalks require something chic yet functional.
• Only two pairs of shoes! — Truly. Really. Bring two pairs and give yourself permission to buy another pair in Paris.

Final Tip: What to Pack for Paris (Or Anywhere)

If you're careful with your clothes while traveling they will last a lot longer between laundering and ironing. When you return to the hotel from a restaurant, take your dress of blazer off, hang it up, and put on some casual clothes or lounge wear. Similarly, keep things folded neatly when you're not wearing them. Roll up clothes when packing them in your suitcase to avoid creating wrinkles. Keep a separate bag for your dirty clothes. You'll thank us later!