I don’t know about you but it’s fun to look like a local and not a tourist in the destination you’re in. That’s especially true in Paris where it’s known as being a fashion city and is enriched with such peculiar culture. In fact, many people are after that Parisian look even despite not being in Paris because you can put together some nice outfits with French-style clothing staples. Here’s how to not look like a tourist in Paris in the simplest way possible.
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What is Parisian Style?
While on Pinterest or in Paris fashion shows, it may seem like Parisians dress very extravagantly and over the top, but locals in Paris actually just dress very casually. But one thing that defines them is that their casual looks look extremely put together. Their style would be described as simple, elegant, and classic. They always have one or a few staple pieces in their outfits – shoes, scarf, coats, etc. Once you know all the most common pieces that Parisians wear, you’ll immediately know how to not look like a tourist in Paris.
What To Not Wear In Paris?
Common clothing staples in America or other countries may instantly make you stand out like a tourist. So if you don’t want that, here’s the list of clothing items you should avoid.
Sweatpants
You will never see Parisians wear sweatpants out. While it’s extremely comfy and easy to wear, it gives off a just-woke-up kind of look.
Athleisure
Parisians do go to the gym and workout but they like to change into stylish clothes after their workout. So that’s why you’ll rarely ever see them in athletic clothes on the street. They’re not very into the whole leggings look for athleisure as well.
Beret
A beret may seem like the key to being defined as a Parisian but if you look around at the locals, you almost never see them in a beret. It’s one of those items that was popularized in the media but you just don’t see them on the streets of Paris anymore.
Hoodie
This goes back to a similar point as the sweatpants. Parisians don’t want to give off that lounging look.
Flip Flops
Parisians wear a ton of different types of sandals or open toes shoes but the ones that you’ll almost never see are flip-flops. If the flip-flops are a bit elevated and don’t just look like the ones you wear to a swimming pool, you may see those around.
How To Not Look Like A Tourist In Paris? (Clothing)
Here are the pieces you should add to your wardrobe so you know how to not look like a tourist in Paris.
Plain White Tee
A simple white T-Shirt is a staple in every Parisian girl’s closet. It pairs so well with many different outfits and accessories. You can layer a coat on top on chillier days. You can also hang a sweater across the shoulders and that look will instantly make you look like a local in Paris.
The Hane’s simple white T-shirt is a plain white t-shirt that is slightly longer and can be worn tucked in a bit. This shirt can be paired nicely with skirts or where the bottom is heavier. The Uniqlo white shirt is at a cropped length so it can be paired nicely with many different jackets, coats, or cardigans.
Hanes Simple White T-Shirt
Uniqlo Short-Sleeve T-Shirt
Black and White Stripped Long Sleeve
How to not look like a tourist in Paris can be easily resolved by wearing this – a striped black and white long sleeve. It’s a classic in French fashion. It’s so classy and stylish, yet simple. You can pair it with a solid color bottom to make the top pop out more.
The Amazon Black & White Long Sleeve can be worn in less chilly weather and can go with a skirt with more ruffles or texture for an elevated look. Or keep it more simple with a pair of loose linen pants. The Cider Striped Collar Knit is great for more chilly weather. The knit will go well with a pair of dark or light-wash jeans.
Amazon Black & White Crewneck Long Sleeve
Cider Striped Collar Knit Sweater
Ruffle Blouse
To elevate the everyday look, Parisians like to add a little bit of extra texture to their white blouses. That’s where the ruffles and other textures come in.
Pair the Amazon Ruffle White Blouse with a pair of flowy beige trousers for a put-together look yet simple look. The statement piece of the outfit will be the bow so you don’t want too much going on at the bottom to balance the outfit out. For the Reformation Vineyard Ruffle Blouse, pair it with a pair of dark blue straight-leg jeans to make the ultimate chic but casual outfit.
Amazon Ruffle White Blouse
Reformation Vineyard Ruffle Blouse
Button Down White Shirt
We’re noticing a white shirt trend here. This white button-down shirt will make you know instantly how to not look like a tourist in Paris, for sure. It’s such a simple piece but really makes all the difference. Button-down shirts are best to be styled with the top 1-2 buttons down so the outfit looks more relaxed. The key to making the button-up white shirt look Parisian is just to not make it look so perfect. Keep a few wrinkles here and there and tuck a little bit in. You want it to look effortless.
Both the Amazon White Button Up and Old Navy Button Up are pretty similar, so you can style them both with a pair of light or dark wash bootcut or flared jeans. Since the top part is slightly looser, pairing it with a jean that is tight at the waist and then flared out at the bottom balances out the entire look.
Amazon Essentials White Button Up
Old Navy White Button Up
Straight-Leg Jeans
Jeans are a must in a Parisian wardrobe but a pair of straight-leg jeans is what you see most often on the streets of Paris. These jeans are not skinny jeans and not baggy loose jeans as well. They’re kind of in between. This makes these jeans very comfortable to wear.
The Levi’s Ribcage Straight Jeans are a classic and have slight distress on the knees, giving a slightly more sophisticated look. You can pair these with white sneakers, black/brown ankle boots, or even a pair of sandals. This pair of jeans flare out just the tiniest bit at the bottom. The Madewell Perfect Vintage Straight Jean is a similar pair but the jean falls straight down and does not flare at all. This gives it a classic vintage look.
Levi’s Ribcage Straight Ankle Jeans
Madewell Perfect Vintage Straight Jean
Flared Jeans
Another type of popular jeans in Parisian fashion is the flared jeans. It’s tight at the thigh and flares out towards the ankle. Pair these jeans with a top or jacket that is either tighter or does not flare out.
Both the Amazon Flared Jeans and Madewell Perfect Vintage Flare will pair well with a tighter white top. Flats or shoes with a small heel will look great with these jeans.
Amazon Flared Jeans High Waisted
Madewell Perfect Vintage Flare
Strap Dress
During the summertime, you’ll see a ton of these types of strap dresses in Paris. The square neckline is the key aspect of this type of dress. Some are more solid colors and some have pretty patterns.
The Amazon A-Line Strap Dress is more of a boho style and it’s perfect for a casual day going shopping or a day at the beach. The Reformation Maxi Dress is a bit dressier but still quite casual. This dress will pair well with a pair of flats but for a dressier occasion, a pair of heels would look great.
Amazon A-Line Strap Stress
Reformation Nira Floral Print Maxi Dress
Short Cardigan
For days that are a bit more chilly, a Parisian will be pulling out a cardigan to layer on top. It’s the perfect amount of clothing to have on without feeling too hot inside.
Both the Amazon Long Sleeve Cardigan and the Quince Alpaca Cardigan are great to put over a white t-shirt and pair with any color jeans. The Quince Cardigan is made with alpaca wool so it’s much softer to the touch.
Amazon Long Sleeve Cardigan
Quince Alpaca Cardigan Sweater
Blazer
The Parisian style consists of a bit of casual professionalism and a blazer is the best piece of clothing that gives that kind of look. A black blazer will look the most professional but a lighter color or one with patterns will give a more casual look.
The Amazon Casual Black Blazer is great to wear on slightly fancier occasions. Maybe a fancier dinner or a night event. Pair it with a simple white t-shirt or a casual blouse. To dress it down, put on a pair of jeans to complete the outfit. The Everlane Plaid Blazer is a little less dressy with the pattern and can be easily incorporated into a casual everyday outfit with a pair of jeans.
Amazon Casual Black Everyday Blazer
Everlane Oversized Plaid Blazer
Long Coat
In the winter, you’ll see long coats everywhere in Paris. It’s very common for these coats to reach the knee or below. These coats are the solution to looking stylish while staying warm.
Some like the Amazon Long Wool Blend Coat are a solid color while some others like the Everlane Wool Coat is more sophisticated with a checkered pattern.
Amazon Long Wool Blend Coat
Everlane Italian Recycled Wool Coat
Trench Coat
A trench coat is a stylish statement piece that can be worn on a chillier day. You can wear it with the tie belt tied or untied and show off the layers you’re wearing underneath. Inside, you can wear a simple blouse or a button-up shirt.
The Amazon Trench Coat is great if you want a shorter length and the Everlane Drape Trench Coat is great for a more statement piece.
Amazon Double-Breasted Trench Coat
Everlane Drape Trench Coat
What To Wear In Paris? (Bags)
Cotton Tote Bag
On the streets of Paris, you’ll see tons of Parisians wearing tote bags. It’s a very useful bag – it can carry a ton of stuff and it’s a very casual accessory to pair with outfits.
Amazon Recycled Cotton Tote Bag
Madewell Good Days Tote Bag
Crossbody Bag
If you don’t see a Parisian carrying a tote bag, you’ll probably see them carrying around a crossbody bag like these ones. A brown color crossbody bag is so classic and goes well with many neutral color outfits. A black crossbody bag is a good choice also.
Bromen Square Crossbody Bag
Madewell Simple Crossbody Bag
Shoulder Bag
Recently, shoulder bags are very trendy and they’re very trendy in Parisian fashion also. It definitely makes the outfit more sophisticated and elevated. A black or brown shoulder bag will go with most outfits.
JW Pei Ruby Shoulder Bag
Madewell Sydney Hobo Bag
How To Not Look Like A Tourist In Paris? (Shoes)
Simple Flats
A pair of simple ballet flats are a staple in Parisian fashion. They go especially go well with straight-leg jeans and flowy trousers.
The Amazon Essentials Ballet Flats are a simple shoe that goes with everything. If you want a little bit more on the flats, the Everlane Ballet Flats have an extra bowtie in the front which makes it fancier and have more personality.
Amazon Essentials Ballet Flats
Everlane Italian Leather Ballet Flats
Loafers
To instantly know how to not look like a tourist in Paris, it’s the loafers. These are so commonly seen in Paris. It goes with jeans and even a long flowy skirt. Sometimes, you may see more Parisians in loafers than sneakers. It just instantly elevates every look.
Franco Sarto Carolynn Loafer
Madewell Bradley Lugsole Loafer
Read more: Now you know what to wear in Paris to not look like a tourist, read this to get ideas on what to do in Paris!
FAQ: What To Wear In Paris
How do people actually dress in Paris?
One thing that defines Paris fashion is that their casual looks look extremely put together. The Parisian style would be described as simple, elegant, and classic. They always have one or a few staple pieces in their outfits – shoes, scarf, coats, etc.
Are leggings OK in Paris?
Typically, you won’t see Parisians wearing leggings. Parisian fashion usually stays away from anything related to athleisure. They’ll prefer to wear jeans or trousers instead.
Are sneakers OK in Paris?
Yes! Many Paris locals wear sneakers. They’re the most comfortable shoe to wear if you’re going to walk thousands of steps per day.
How to dress like a local in Paris?
To dress like a local in Paris, wear straight-leg jeans or bootcut jeans, loafers or sneakers, and a tote bag or crossbody bag.
