I'm a Brit Living in Paris—4 French-Inspired Outfits I'll Be Wearing This Spring (2024)

FAQs

How to dress for Paris in March? ›

I'd pack a trench coat, my Chelsea boots, loafers, a pair of black pants and jeans. A light sweater, a heavier sweater, a tshirt, a hat, scarves and gloves. Think layers. The challenge with Paris is that interiors are often overheated so you need to peel back the layers.

The traditional dress in France depends on the region, but consists of items like lace-trimmed blouses, aprons with colorful flowers and white, flared bonnets. The one thing that France's regional costumes have in common is that they are all based on late 18th century rural clothing.

So, if you wish to dress like a Parisian, always remember to keep your look simple and minimal. You won't find any Parisian women overdone or overdressed. They believe in wearing just one statement piece like a scarf, a hat, or a great pair of shoes, minimal accessories and simple jewelry.

Ballet flats are one of my go-to shoes for comfortable walking shoes in Paris during the spring. Leave the flip flops at home and instead opt for a ballet flat.

When it comes to packing for Paris in the spring, I love to pack neutral colors to mix and match. A pair of black pants, jeans, ankle boots, basic tees, and a cashmere sweater can all be mixed as a capsule wardrobe. Add your trench or leather coat, and you can create different outfits.

French women just have it going on: The perfectly tousled, slightly unkempt hair; the no-makeup makeup that typically includes a perfectly smoked-out eye (did she sleep in it?); and an undone elegance when it comes to clothing choices that's so identifiable and yet so elusive.

For durability, versatility and pure comfort, it's hard to beat the breezy sophistication of breathable fabrics like cotton, linen and chambray. Lightweight blends are a perfect base for a minimalist wardrobe for a 65-year-old woman. Beyond comfort, these textiles have a beautiful drape and flow on the body.

Espadrilles are a French summer wardrobe staple: these French-style summer shoes are worn by all stylish French women and Parisians in summer.

Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes. Use tote bags or earth-toned simplistic bags if you really want to dress in France to fit in with the locals.

What makes a French look? ›

Simple, high-quality basics are combined with individually selected eye-catchers to create the French look. From an unusual accessory, a special pattern, to a pair of statement ankle boots or an elegant culotte, it can be pretty much anything.

You'll find these ranges especially useful for deciding what to pack. Here's the range of daily highs and lows throughout a typical Paris March: Range of maximum temperatures during March: 44°F to 78°F (7°C to 26°C) Range of minimum temperatures during March: 15°F to 50° F (-9°C to 10°C)

A popular time of the year to visit the French capital, spring in Paris starts out chilly with daily highs of around 54°F (12°C) in March.

The average daily temperatures in Paris in March range from 4°C (39°F) to 12°C (54°F).

Another great reason why March is when you should visit Paris is that the city is generally less crowded at this time of the year. Most of the tourists flock the city during the summer months of May to July. March falls after the end of the holiday season and most families usually don't plan vacations at that time.