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Inspiration for What to Wear in Paris in the Fall

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We just returned, and today, I thought I would share a little inspiration for what to wear in Paris in the fall. French women have the best looks, and I took it all in, from the flea markets to Le Marais to Saint Germain. I’m joining a few friends today for fall and travel fashion, and here’s a look at my recent trip to France.

Two chore coats hang on a concrete wall, jeans are stacked on a stool, and shoes are lined up on the floor.

I’ve been to Paris in September for the last three years, and we had several rainy days this year. We were in France for three weeks and had been tracking the average temperature, so I thought I had packed accordingly. However, the weather forecast changed dramatically while we were traveling, and there were a few items I wished I had packed! 

A woman is wearing jeans, a jacket from Sezanne, and carrying a black leather tote bag.
A jacket from Sezanne is styled with a blue and white striped shirt, and is hanging on an industrial hook.
A chore coat from Sezanne is styled with a white shirt and is hanging on an industrial hook on a concrete wall.
A woman is wearing a chore coat, jeans, and white and black Adidas Sambas.
A woman is wearing white jeans, Gucci loafers and a jacket from Sezanne.
Two jackets from Sezanne are hanging on hooks on a wall, jeans are stacked on a stool, and shoes are lined up on the floor.

I always pack a travel umbrella, but on this trip, I did not pack my favorite trench coat from Sézane.

Parisian women were very prepared for the change in weather. The temperatures in late September were more like late October, so a trench coat was a good choice. It’s a timeless staple for every capsule wardrobe.

A woman is wearing a trench coat in front of the store Sezanne in Paris.

The Clyde Trench Coat from Sézane, as seen on the streets of Paris, is worn with sheer socks and Amy loafers.

Parisian Style

A few Paris outfits where I snapped a quick photo, and before I knew it, I was seeing trends. 

Cozy Fleece Vests 

On a street in Paris a woman is wearing a fleece vest and walking with a man.
At the Vendome in Paris a woman is wearing a fleece vest and white jeans.

I mainly saw younger women all over Paris wearing faux sheepskin or fleece vests. A vest is the perfect layer with a long sleeve striped tee and jeans. It can also be worn with a white shirt or a striped shirt.  It’s a great look with ballet flats, sneakers, or loafers.

I saw one group of three stylish women, one wearing all white with a cozy vest and brown Gucci loafers. It took the look from super casual to chic. Great accessories can do that. Frayed white denim with Gucci Jordaan Horsebit Loafers takes it to the next level. 

A fleece vest is styled in three different ways in this graphic with a pink background.
  1. Borg Button Gilet Vest from Boden // 2. Borg Gilet by The White Company 3. Fleece Vest from Amazon // 4. Balthazar Jacket from Sézane

Birkenstock Clogs

A woman wearing Birkenstock clogs on the streets of Paris.
A woman is wearing Birkenstock clogs with jeans in a street in Paris.

I know some of you may be thinking, “No, there’s no way Parisian women are wearing Birkenstock Boston Clogs,” but yes, they are. I’ve been seeing them in NYC, so I was not all that surprised. Here’s the thing: They are super comfortable and some of the best walking shoes. 

A woman in boyfriend jeans is wearing Birkenstock clogs and is standing in front of a shop in Paris.

When we are in Paris, we walk an average of 25K steps a day—sometimes even more. We stay at the Mob House Hotel in Saint-Ouen and take the Metro all over Paris. Navigating the Metro takes a lot of steps, and then, of course, walking all over Paris. So, yes, comfortable walking shoes are the most essential items I pack. 

I saw on @merciparis Instagram that they are announcing a special collaboration with Birkenstock TODAY! Merci is one of my favorite stores in Paris!

Wear them with socks in cooler months. The leather Birkenstock Boston Clogs are a great option in wet weather. Perfect with cozy sweaters or a wool coat.

Four different Birkenstock clogs are shown in a graphic with a light pink background.

Left to right: Boston Suede Clog // Boston Super Grip // Boston Genuine Shearling Lined Clog // Boston Oiled Leather

Loafers

A man and woman carrying tote bags are strolling in the streets of Paris.
Stylish women are sitting at a sidewalk table in front of a cafe in Paris.
A woman wearing a chore coat is riding a bike along a street in Paris.

This woman was just across the street from the Sézane store, wearing the Khaki Will Jacket and Gucci loafers, riding her bike.

French people wear loafers. They wear them with everything! I saw very few women wearing high heels. They were wearing loafers with jeans, trousers with a full break, ankle-length trousers, long skirts and dresses, and almost always with socks! Loafers with socks are a great pair of comfortable shoes that are fashionable.

I loved that they were wearing socks. Socks are great for cooler weather, and shoes are more comfortable with a good pair! And they have so many great options! I find some of my favorite pairs at Anthropologie. 

While in Paris with Mary Ann and Susan, I discovered the brand Doré Doré. Susan has been wearing them for years, and they are amazing. I wish I had bought more than one pair. I guess I’ll need to go back to Paris. 

A graphic showing seven different styles of black loafers are shown in this graphic against a light pink background.
  1. The Grayson Penny Loafer from Madewell // 2. Penny Loafer from The Office of Angela Scott // 3. Prada Logo Loafer // 4. Whitney Lug Sole from G.H. Bass // 5. Albane Loafers from Sézane // 6. Gucci Jordaan Bit Loafer // 7. Lianna Super Bit Weejuns from G.H. Bass

And women in Paris are still wearing sneakers!

Two women with bags over their shoulders are strolling in the streets of Paris.
A woman wearing a flowing light blue skirt and white sweater with flowers in hand, is strolling down a street in Paris.
A woman wearing Adidas sneakers is sitting on a bench at a bus stop.
A woman in jeans and a French blue chore coat is walking in front of a store in Paris.
A woman wearing jeans and Adidas Sambas sneakers is in the crosswalk on a street in Paris.

I love wearing sneakers and am constantly raving about the comfort of wearing Adidas Samba sneakers. They come in so many color combinations and go with almost anything! Read more about my love of Samba sneakers in these posts:

A graphic features seven different styles/colors of Adidas Sambas sneakers. The background is light pink.

Left to Right: Adidas Gazelle // Adidas Gazelle // Samba OG // Samba OG // Adidas Gazelle // Samba OG W //

Fashionable Women Are (Still) Wearing Sambas in Paris

How to Style Sneakers with Everything

The young woman at the bus stop is wearing Nike Dunks. I saw a few women wearing them in brown and white and black and white. Her coat looks similar to this one one from Quince.

My Paris Packing List

Note: The Black T-shirts I wear are from Rag & Bone. I’ve worn them for several years and still have the original one I purchased. It’s faded but still in great shape. I avoid drying them, but when they accidentally get tossed into the dryer, they are fine. I think hanging them to dry is better for wear, but they are worth the money!

My Paris packing list did not include any special occasion outfits. I tried to keep my clothing to a minimum since I bring back so much to my shop. I feel like we mostly go to casual bistros. Mary Ann and I went to Cafe Marley at The Louvre and even there, it was pretty casual. We ate on the terrace overlooking the Eiffel Tower. I wore my wool Will jacket from Sezane, and Mary Ann wore a Betty Cardigan from Sezane. Both are versatile pieces to have for travel and every day.

I tried to keep my color palette neutral and one that every piece could be interchanged, and that’s precisely what happened. 

I try to save room for a travel steamer. I also carry a fine-mist spray bottle with me. When I arrive, I buy a tiny bottle of cheap Vodka—not to drink! I spray my clothes, and it freshens them up so I can wear them more than once. You can read more about that in this post! 

If you enjoyed reading Inspiration for What to Wear in Paris in the Fall, you may also like these posts:

How to Style a Trench Coat Like a Parisian

5 Ways to Wear White Jeans Like a French Woman

Let’s see what these super fashionable women say about travel fashion!

Classic Casual Home

Cindy Hattersley Design 

La Vie On Grand

Une Femme d’un Certain Age

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13 Comments

  1. LOVE this comprehensive post, Annie. You have such a great eye for details (like fashion and architecture) I will go to Paris with you ANY TIME you want 🙂

    Reply

  2. This was a great piece! I haven’t been to Paris since the late 90’s. I think I would like to go again! Your eye for everything that is happening and what everyone is wearing is helpful – not just for Paris but every part of England too.

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  4. Hi Annie, I had SO much fun meeting up with you and Mary Ann in Paris! (Maybe we should make it an annual thing…😉) I think you look smashing in that Sezane jacket, great choice. And loved reading your Paris style notes, I noticed many of the same trends.

    Reply

  5. I like the idea of wearing socks too , helps for avoiding blisters. I noticed many of the women were wearing maxi skirts that look like the CP Shades Lily that is a personal favorite of mine. I love loafers and am on the hunt for a comfortable pair of chunky soled loafers. These posts are all fantastic!

    Reply

  6. Great post. The photo of the 3 ladies, I love the black skirt and white shirt, that caught my eye. Loafers, I’ve been wearing them forever, so comfortable and go with everything.

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  7. I am so glad that women in Paris are wearing comfortable shoes. I cannot tell you the extreme side-eye I received 15 years ago while in my sneakers in Paris. This marked you as an American tourist. The Parisian women were all in high heels, even on the cobblestones, and even while dressed very casually, with their heels twisting with each step. I could not believe my eyes. Of course, they looked great but also appeared dangerously off balance and uncomfortable. Empowerment!

    Reply

    1. Hi Simone! I agree with you! I don’t want to look like a toursit, but I will not wear heels, ever! Now, everyone wears flats and so mnay sneakers! Thank goodness!
      annie

      Reply

  8. Love your Paris travel wardrobe, simple, classic and stylish.
    Love seeing the street style in Paris. The French have been wearing loafers for years, they are stylish. I wonder why people in the US stopped wearing them as much?
    Thank you for sharing all of your tips and photos Annie.

    Reply

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