What to wear in Paris for men and look effortlessly fantastic
The first time I went to Paris, I was searching everywhere for tips on what to wear in Paris for men and was coming up short. I’m an American. I’m a man. And I wanted to look just a bit more Parisian while still being comfortable and fitting everything into a carry on bag. I was very surprised to find that there are numerous articles to help women pack for a trip to Paris, but very few were targeted to help decide what to wear in Paris for men.
So after some research, real life experience, and trial and error, I set out to fill this gap with some basic fashion and packing tips for a man about to travel to Paris.
I’m going to focus on a few goals in this packing list
- Subtly fashionable. Although the runways at the various Paris fashion weeks will showcase the new and often over the top looks haute fashion is known for, the day to day Parisian’s wardrobe is much simpler and focuses on a few high quality items instead of fast fashion. When it comes to what to wear in Paris for men, we’re looking for subtle, masculine and timeless. And above all, making sure the clothes FIT you and your body.
- Adaptable We aren’t traveling with our full wardrobe, so our clothing choices will need to pull their weight in a variety of situations. You can sightsee by day, head to a nice dinner in the evening, and pop into a rock concert or soccer match at night, all while making just a few outfit modifications. What’s more, this packing list is adaptable enough to work in many places around the world! Such is the reach of the French eye for looking great.
- Unique Even though the overall goal here is to fit the Parisian scene and look effortlessly fantastic, we want to make sure you still feel like YOU.
Aim for clothes you can mix and match, from museum hopping by day to bar hopping at night.
Simple chinos, a vintage t-shirt, a denim shirt and white Vans shoes. This is perfect for viewing masterpieces, and all of these elements can be easily worked into other outfits for other occasions.
What to wear in Paris for men: The Packing List
The following packing list is by no means exhaustive, but it’s made up of items that have served me very well while traveling in Paris and beyond. I’ve been stopped in the street and asked for directions as if I was a local, so I take that as a high compliment and a sign that the system works. Only once I open my mouth to actually speak French does the illusion fade away, but I can keep working on that.
Jeans
2–3 pairs of jeans will take you a long way during your trip. Grab a pair in dark blue or black, and then add in a more casual light blue pair. If you have selvedge denim that’s a bonus. Parisians tend to wear their jeans a bit skinnier than you may be used to, but focus on a good fit instead of trying to go super tight. You can rotate them as you go so that one pair can be hung up to air out.
Chinos
When deciding what to wear in Paris for men, chinos are your alternative to jeans and still incredibly versatile. Modern chinos with a bit of stretch will serve you well from touring museums to dressing up a bit for dinner. Definitely pack a classic khaki pair, and then add in another pair in black or another dark color. For summer months, turn to a second pair in a light color. Avoid pastels.
Sweaters
A couple of good sweaters in wool might be THE most important pieces in your travel wardrobe. No matter the time of year, Paris has notoriously finicky and evolving weather. Good sweaters are the perfect layering piece to combat this. Opt for wool, merino is great for traveling and all seasons. Colors to choose from would be black, navy, camel and light grey.
Plain T-Shirts
You’ll be amazed at the mileage you can get out of basic t-shirts. White shirts are especially useful as undershirts, or on their own in nice weather. Other colors to have on hand are navy and black. Get rid of any old stained or stretched shirts and invest in some new cotton shirts that fit you well and have nice collars.
Collared shirt
A perfectly fitted shirt in white or blue should make the cut for your bag. When you score reservations at a sought after restaurant, this will be the shirt you reach for to look more formal than the usual day-to-day outfits.
Denim shirt
For a change up from the usual dress shirt, a denim or chambray shirt is a classic look and can pair with dark jeans or chinos in a variety of ways. Easy to wear unbuttoned over the top of a graphic t-shirt, buttoned up and tucked in to go a bit more formal or layered under a sweater if needed. If you’re going to wear it with jeans, make sure the colors aren’t too similar unless you’re really wanting to rock the Canadian Tuxedo look.
Jacket
What to wear in Paris for men is a tricky question, and when it comes to jackets it can be downright tough. A lot depends on the weather when you’re going. The black puffer jacket is ubiquitous in Europe during the cooler months and you’ll see plenty of them in Paris. Opt for synthetic instead of down fill since it will keep you warm even if it gets wet. If you’re in Paris during warmer weather, a simple black bomber jacket is great to have for cool evenings. For a changeup with some edge to it, a trusty black leather jacket or well loved denim jacket can be great but be sure to check the rain chances before you head out the door.
Fashionable rain coat
This is a critical piece in the traveler’s wardrobe when figuring out what to wear in Paris for men. European travel means occasional rain, so it’s best to just embrace it. Leave the technical shell jacket on the ski slopes and opt for a low-key raincoat in black, navy or olive. Flotte and Rains both make excellent options that are waterproof but breathable and go with everything.
Don’t be afraid to invest in upgraded basic items.
I’m still wearing the same chinos as before and the same shoes, but I’ve switched to a simple yet high quality white t-shirt. An ideal look for whiling away the hours at a café. Clean, well-fitted basics in simple colors make outfit choices easier, and add to a more refined look overall.
Footwear
What to wear in Paris for men doesn’t just stop at the clothing level, read on for advice on your footwear choices. Three carefully chosen pairs of shoes will see you through a full trip. Americans stick out by their shoes more often than not since we have a penchant to throw on brightly colored running shoes with any outfit. In this case, we’re going to opt for more subdued shoes that can live in a variety of situations.
One pair of comfortable running shoes in a neutral color you’ll wear on the plane, a pair of comfortable leather or canvas sneakers and a pair of brown Chelsea boots make up the perfect shoe rotation for traveling in Paris.
Running shoes
Aim for classic running or athletic shoes from Nike and Adidas. Vintage Nike Air Max and Jordan 1 shoes get a lot of usage in Paris. Adidas NMD and Ultraboost are renowned for their comfort and are available in basic, subdued colors that go with many outfits.
Classic sneakers
Plain white leather sneakers that are comfortable to wear will go with nearly any outfit, and are a safe bet in most weather. You’ll see a lot of locals going with this exact option. When the temperature rises, you should opt for shoes like Converse all stars or Vans Old Skool in white or black canvas to help keep your feet cooler but still looking stylish.
Chelsea boots
By far the most versatile boot a man can own. Brown Chelsea boots are just as at home with jeans during the day as they are dressed up for a night out. They can safely combine with all of the pants recommendations mentioned up top as well. Don’t skimp here, invest in a high quality leather pair that has a Goodyear or Blake construction so that the soles can be replaced. Thursday Boots make a few excellent pairs of Chelsea boots that can be found at a very affordable price.
Go day to night effortlessly by mixing and matching your wardrobe.
When it comes to deciding what to wear in Paris for men, versatility is key. My previous denim shirt is now paired with slim, black jeans and Chelsea boots, appropriate for a date with your beautiful traveling companion. Items that can seamlessly roll into an evening out with a few minor changes are critical to the perfect packing list.
Accessorize like a pro
Parisians are able to really make their outfits sing by adding in a few choice accessories. For the temporary resident deciding what to wear in Paris for men, two items stand above the rest when it comes to fashionable functionality: the scarf and the sunglasses. These two small items will come in immensely handy on an almost daily basis during your trip to Paris.
Scarf
This is a no-brainer answer to what to wear in Paris for men. The most beloved and ubiquitous of Parisian accessories nearly year round, 1–2 scarves should be a must-pack. In the colder months scarves add that extra bit of warmth to your core and the right color choice helps break up an outfit likely composed of a lot of dark colors. In warmer weather, light and breathable scarves keep the sun off your neck and again add just a bit of interest to an otherwise typical outfit. When choosing a scarf for cold weather, go for merino or cashmere wool in a grey, blue, green or other favorite color. Stick to solids. For a warm weather scarf, choose from super lightweight merino wool or a nice soft linen in a lighter color.
Sunglasses
You’re going to spend a lot of time outside and when the weather is clear, this will mean walking in the sun. Do your eyes a favor and make sure to pack sunglasses. Opt for timeless frames in black. Inexpensive pairs can be found from Quay in a variety of classic shapes. If you’re looking to plus-up here, go with Ray-Ban Wayfarers or a pair from Persol.
Paris Packing List for Men: Bonus Tips
Your bag is (mostly) packed but before you close the zipper, here’s a few bonus tips to really set you off on the right foot
When in doubt, black it out
Can’t decide what to wear? Go with black. Elegant, timeless and a bit edgy, black goes with everything and Parisians wear a lot of it. Add in the scarf you packed to break up the all black look or simply choose a top or bottom in black to make outfit choice a breeze.
Choose a French style North Star
You can get some excellent outfit inspiration by finding a fabulous looking Frenchman to emulate. For me, I try to land somewhere around the guys from the band Phoenix when I’m looking to dress up a bit but still have some fun touches. For nights out I look to the French DJ duo Justice and incorporate some of my favorite vintage t-shirts and jackets. And on that note…
Bring Yourself Into the Outfits
This packing list focused around what to wear in Paris for men is basic, compact and designed to make you a chameleon that can blend into most situations. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t add your own touch. For me, I like to add vintage racing shirts to outfits. This hits a lot of the same notes that Justice’s looks have perfected with their own vintage shirts, but it’s unique to me. Think of something you love and add it in as a splash to your outfits. It’s the “je ne sais quois” you’ll be looking for to really nail the effortlessly fantastic look.
And there you have it. You’re all packed for Paris.
I hope the packing list helped ease your choices when deciding what to wear in Paris for men. Do you have any outfit choices or tips to share? Want to send a pic of yourself in Paris in your favorite outfit? Leave a comment and photo below because I’d love to hear about your own success stories when looking effortlessly fantastic.
