If you are visiting the big cities, leave your swimsuit at home as it's very unlikely that you will find facilities to use it.
Outside of Paris and the cities, whether you are in the countryside or at the beach, dress is more relaxed, conservative and practical but still stylish and smart.
If you are looking for a highly versatile travel jacket to bring along we highly recommend the SCOTTeVEST range. Their range of jackets have been specifically designed with traveling in mind and include RFID security (to protect your passport information), 23 secure pockets and personal connectivity integration.
Shoes to pack for France
There is no doubt that the best way to see Paris is on foot, and be sure to include a stroll down the famous Champs-Elysee dotted with cinemas, cafes and fashionable boutiques. So our advice is to pack comfy footwear for daytime (we love Hotter shoes, they're just so comfortable – and look great too!).
Save your heels for evenings.
When visiting restaurants, leave sneakers behind; this is a time to get those stylish shoes on.
In the countryside and at the beach you're best advised to leave your high heels at home completely in favor of stylish flats. We love the Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops range – using interchangeable shoe and flip-flop bases with snap-on decorations, you can change your look from day to evening in an instant whilst still packing light.
Pack for the weather
The weather is very changeable. Temperatures can vary rapidly and dressing in layers is the best way to cope with this.
It can rain at any time and our advice would be to pack a lightweight raincoat and small travel umbrella even in the summer.
Winter – November, December, January, February and March – can be very cold so dress warmly, with layers, and take a warm smart coat, gloves, warm hat and scarf.
In the summer – June, July and August – wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), sunglasses and a sunhat.
Spring (April and May) and Fall (September and October) are cooler and dressing in layers will help you cope with the temperature changes.
We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip 🙂 Download for iPad/iPhone or Android
Clothing tips for women
Paris is well known as the home of Haute Couture. Parisian women dress with great style, and throughout France women dress with understated style. Stick to classics… and pop on a bright red lipstick.
If you want to blend in and feel at your most comfortable then pack smart casual dress.
A few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry and a smart pashmina or scarf (very popular with French women) will transform any outfit.
Restaurant dress is smart casual – simple dresses with jewelry and a pretty scarf, or pants with a wrap will work well.
Clothing tips for men
Restaurant dress is smart casual but there is no need for ties.
In public pools, men are required to wear Speedo style trunks rather than shorts – swimming shorts/Bermuda shorts are NOT allowed and you won't be able to enter the pool if you are wearing them.
A lightweight daysack or shoulder bag will come in handy to carry your sightseeing essentials.
If you tend to buy bottled water, consider carrying a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle – fill up from any source and get clean, safe drinking water without wasting plastic bottles.
Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! Chocolates and macaroons make popular gifts, and silk scarves are very French.
