We caught up with SAI Paris Program Coordinator Jennifer, who fills us in on some fashion advice for those visiting Paris.  

BLACK. One word immediately comes to mind when you think of fashion in Paris. You will see chic Parisians dressed head-to-toe in black, walking the streets everywhere. Though this tends to apply more during wintertime, Parisians typically dress in darker colors (black, grey, or dark brown) throughout the year, sometimes throwing in a few subtle colorful accessories (such as a well-placed scarf, socks, or colorful belt). They definitely don’t overdo it on the color though, and you can tell who the tourists are with their bright patterns or shocking colors like red, orange, or yellow.

Chic sneaker look

All black look

Another telltale sign of a Parisian is their smart, well-put-together look. French businesswomen or businessmen typically dress in a preppy style with well-tailored suit jackets and pants. French businesswomen can get away with wearing lots of dresses and skirts in the workplace, usually with a chic stylish accessory or two thrown in.

Scarf and Sharp look

As one of the fashion capitals of the world, Paris certainly does not disappoint and you can also see more adventurous styles and Parisians making more of a regular effort to dress nice, whether for a professional, formal, or even informal occasion. Wearing t-shirts, sweatpants or sweatshirts usually is a no-no, thought they might pair a sharper, well-put-together outfit with a pair of cool sneakers to create a trendier look. Also, Parisians don’t tend to wear a lot of shirts or T-shirts with visible logos, brands, or names of sports teams, like Americans do.

Winter scarf and preppy jacket

If it is still not clear how to fit in in Paris, always remember to dress up, instead of going out in casual wear – that’s your best chance of being taken for a local!

A stylish scarf