What to Pack for Paris in the Autumn

Packing Tips for What to Wear in Paris

Parisian women have a great sense of style and work around neutral colors. You can mix in a pop of color but when you are packing for Paris in the autumn, basics work best with a few essential accessories. The Parisian-style capsule wardrobe is easy to accomplish with jeans, a little black dress, ballet flats, a white blouse, and cozy sweaters.

Skinny jeans and straight jeans are on trend right now.  Paris is a stylish city, and dressing up is recommended.

When packing for Paris or any European trip right now, I highly recommend packing in a carry-on. This way you don’t have to worry about not having your clothes when you touchdown in Paris and you can hit the ground running. I always like to shower, change into clean clothes, and freshen up when I land. Packing cubes can make a huge difference when packing in a carry-on suitcase. I love these from Calpak which I have been using for years. If you are a heavier packer, they just introduced compression packing cubes to make it easier. You can easily pack what to wear in Paris for a week’s trip this way.

Enjoy this printable Paris packing list PDF that will help you plan what you need for your upcoming trip to Paris in the fall.

Coats to Wear in Paris

During the earlier months, a light jacket might be perfectly fine. If you check the weather forecast and there is rain, you might want to pack a stylish rain jacket. I say stylish because I would say leave your rain slicker at home. J.Crew has a cute one here if you are looking for ideas. I also recommend a trench coat. This is a hot trend right now in Paris, and it isn’t a coat that is worn just when it is raining outside. You will see many Parisian women walking around in various colors of trench coats. The camel color is the most popular. I have one from Sézane that I love to wear in Paris all the time. J.Crew has an option for a trench coat here. 

A leather jacket is also an excellent option for the earlier months of the fall season. You can pair this with a scarf and black pants and feel very Parisian. I bought my leather jacket from Madewell which was an investment piece (I got it on sale) Sézane also has a great option that I love.

You will want a warmer coat and scarf for colder days and nights of autumn in Paris. Sézane, J.Crew, and & Other Stories all have great options. On my last trip to Paris in October, I saw lots of Parisian women wearing navy longer wool coats so I bought this one from & Other Stories before it sold out.

Sweaters to Wear in Paris

In early to late September, you should be okay with lighter sweaters. Once the weather turns in October, you will want to pack to wear thicker sweaters for the colder months. I love the sweaters from Sézane. The Gaspard sweater is a French girl staple and can be worn in three ways. I have it in multiple colors. I have to pack at least one of my coziest sweaters in my closet for a rainy day in a Parisian café for a little extra warmth for an outside terrace.

Shoes to Wear in Paris

I highly recommend packing comfortable walking shoes and leaving the high heels at home. They can be tough to navigate in the cobblestone streets of Paris and aren’t worth it. For the fall, sneakers are an excellent option for walking around Paris make sure they are comfortable. I highly recommend these Madewell sneakers that I have worn for years. You need to break them in before you leave, or else you risk getting blisters. Once they are broken in, you will love them. Sneakers are perfectly acceptable in Paris right now and are even considered trendy. Sézane makes the jack sneaker, and there is also Véja, a French brand.

Ballet flats are also comfortable shoes for walking around the city. I have owned these Margaux NY flats that I repeatedly wear in Paris. They have an Audrey Hepburn look and are more affordable than a Coco Chanel flat.

What to Wear in Paris Bags

I love the idea of a cross-body bag in Paris to keep your valuables close by and if you aren’t lugging around a big camera like me it is a great option. When traveling to and from Paris I carry this bag from Cuyana that I have mentioned before. It holds everything and gets better with age. I also pack a larger Longchamp bag for the flight home. This saves me from the possible overweight bag at the airport. I can transfer some items in here and take off some weight.

Makeup to Wear in Paris

French women are more natural when it comes to makeup. Mascara, eyeliner, a good concealer, and a red lip is all you need to look put together. Good skincare and glowy, healthy skin are easy to achieve with French products from the pharmacy. Avène, Klorane, Bioderma, and Caudalie are some brands you will notice for sale almost everywhere. You can also buy these in the US, but they are less expensive in France.

Accessories to Wear in Paris

French women use scarves as an accessory staple. It is a great way to add another layer of color or texture to your Paris outfits. Even in the warmer months, you will see Parisians wearing a light scarf and depending if you are visiting at the start of Autumn or towards the end. Pack a warmer scarf for the colder evenings.

When I am traveling in Paris, I use a small wallet for a credit card and ID when I am out and about. This one from Cuyana is a good choice.

Travel Accessories to Pack for Paris

Travel adaptors are so necessary. Some hotels will offer backups at the front desk if you have forgotten yours, and you can also pop into Monoprix to purchase one. I leave all my travel chargers and accessories in my tech pack to make sure I don’t forget anything when I travel. A portable charger isn’t a bad idea to pack in your day bag in case you need an extra charge towards the end of the day.

Getting around the city is easy. You can take the Paris metro available at all points around the city. I love walking the most because you can see so many details of the beautiful city. As a photographer, I am always finding something that catches my eye. One of my favorite times of the day to explore Paris is early in the morning before the city wakes up. The light is magical this time of year.

Travel Insurance for Paris

I hope this post helps prepare you for your next trip to Paris. Travel insurance is always a good idea. I use World Nomads. With insurance, I can insure my laptop and camera and have health coverage for traveling in European countries. It is an added cost, but it provides peace of mind when traveling outside of the US and staying in a hotel room.

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