Dress code in Paris

Restaurants go from very casual to formal, Michelin-starred places. In 95% of places you'll be fine wearing jeans that aren't too ripped, a fresh t-shirt, and clean sneakers. In fancier restaurants (like, 60 euros a head and above), I would wear a collared shirt and perhaps darker jeans or khakis. I would avoid shorts for dinner, except in a heatwave.
Church concerts, moulin rouge, no idea.

IME nice, well-fitted, jeans go everywhere. Europeans can usually recognize Americans immediately by our shoes - trainers they call them. Although the sportier shoes are becoming more common. I usually travel in a well-broken-in pair of Reebok dress shoes, but any good shoe will do that you can walk miles comfortably. As already noted, a collared shirt, preferably a no-iron, dressier shirt is ideal. But, even a polo shirt can be dressed up with a nicer jacket.... I have had several travel blazers that have gone everywhere until worn out, and when pressed they look fine enough for anything I can afford. 60 euros apiece for dinner of, course, does not include wine.

Most people you see on the streets in Paris -- locals -- will be wearing jeans and trainers -- these days even white trainers as that has been a fad the last few months (may be over now -- it was big in May when I was there last). Stand on a metro platform and look right and left and 80% or more of the people will be in jeans -- with most others in tights or similar. Khakis are what USers think are dressy casual -- not so in Europe (although they were briefly a fad). Khakis just represent American tourists 'trying.'

In very nice restaurants there might be a dress code - we have been to some that require a coat for men but generally something other than beach wear does fine. I wear basic black pants and top and throw on a bit dressier jacket or top over that for dinner. My husband wear a jacket usually but you see plenty of people in sweaters and slacks and or jeans and jackets.

For church concerts I either wear black pants with a pretty blouse or a washable dress with a cardigan. My husband wears black pants and either a light sweater or dark-colored golf shirt. That’s our typical clothes for an evening dinner, too, unless we’re going somewhere for pizza.

You can wear anything half decent to Moulin Rouge - trust me the bus loads of tourists that file in are usually dressed in jeans and T-shirt’s lol

janettravels is correct... i’ve been in Paris for 5 wks - the hottest style now is cute/sporty white or black trainers with bare ankles showing (bare ankles is essential for this look). 80% or more stylish women (70-ish and under) are wearing them with cropped jeans, cropped black pants, dresses, skirts... even haute couture looking dresses and skirts.
It’s a cute and practical style - and what i’m wearing...

When the weather turned cooler a few weeks ago, women also started wearing leather ankle boots with cropped pants, skirts and dresses. But the vast majority are still in trainers.

Check an individual Michelin star restaurant’s website for a dress code - otherwise what janet said.

No dress code in churches in my experience.

Other than that, there is no dress code in Paris - never has been - just like San Francisco, NYC, Chicago, etc has no dress code. You will see everything here from good to awful... even on locals.

For years now men and many women have worn dark trainers; my husband always buys new ones in Paris as there is always a nice selection. I always smile at the miserable tourist 14 year olds in khakis and shoes that there mothers have insisted they wear surrounded by French kids all in jeans.

these days even white trainers as that has been a fad the last few months (may be over now -- it was big in May when I was there last).

I've been wearing white trainers since I was a kid in the 80's and so has everyone else I know. Go into any sports shop in Europe and the vast majority of trainers are white. I have no idea where this idea (and it's very well perpetuated) that white trainers aren't worn in Europe comes from!

Exactly right JC. I, and others, have been wearing white trainers in France/Britain/ Europe for decades.

Several years ago on this forum posters were opposed to “white” trainers or any other name for them! They condemned any supposed American tourist wearing them! The same went for jeans, shorts, etc.! How soon everyone forgets!
Wear anything you want and feel comfortable wearing as long as it is respectful!

Diane is right about white trainers and shorts since the heatwaves began a few years ago, but not jeans; those have always been worn, though tighter to the body and more tailored in some circles.

But to clarify gym shoes though, at least in France, young people have favored the flat-soled Vans, or sneakers for decades. Those are still more popular than other styles. I’m assuming that trainers are those thick-soled things I put on for the gym and walking but end up wearing all the time; if so, they aren’t as popular as flat-soled sneaker/skateboard type shoes. But at this point, nobody cares. The town is so overrun with tourists that you see everything.

Decades ago on a trip to England with my daughter, I had white trainers because they were comfortable -- was stopping off on a work trip so just had the one pair of comfortable shoes. I was ridiculed several times for wearing them as I toured here and there in London, once by the person guiding us in a small museum. It was that smug superior 'you are American and so we are better than you' sort of deal. In fact we had so many unpleasant experiences on that trip -- mostly extreme rudeness directed at my daughter who was 12 and very well behaved and didn't invite any of it, that we actually didn't return to the UK for about 20 years. So there was a time when making fun of Americans with their big white shoes was a thing.

Most French people wear athletic shoes on the street that are dark colored (except for this recent white trainer fad). You can have a 100 choices if you are shopping for sharp looking comfortable athletic type shoes in Paris.

Today in my Paris park watching feet besides lots of sandals as it was warm today, I noticed among the white and black tennis like shoes, all colors even pink and teal and red and gold and chartreuse and tiger striped. But the fashion police are not active in this area of Paris so just about anything and everything goes. Some menwere in shorts and colored pants. Some older really older women were in ballet slippers, espadrille wedgies and an absolutely stunning pair of oxblood oxfords that shouted money and handmade in Italy.. (I'm not at all up on the varieties of athletic shoes, baskets, hiking, vans, so I use the generic tennis)

Most French people wear athletic shoes on the street that are dark colored (except for this recent white trainer fad).

It's not a recent fad!!! I've lived in and travelled throughout Europe for many years (lived since birth) and white trainers have always been popular. It's not a recent fad.

Wait, Paris has a dress code???!!!

5, 8, 2.

I thought Barcelona is in Spain...

I have spent a lot of time in Europe over the last 30 years and white trainers as street wear has not been something I have seen much of till recently -- there was a noticeable change in this a couple of years ago. Just as most people are in jeans; most men are in dark colored athletic shoes until recently.

Francis,
What is 5, 8, 2. , please?

My observation:

Yes, in May a white Stan Smith style tennis shoe will be great. Women usually have something more decorative like a metallic or glitter finish on part of the shoe. In September, however, the white is gone and the norm is a black Stan Smith style tennis show with white soles (I'd guess 60 percent of locals on the street will be wearing something along that line).

Nice slim fit pants are always fine. Jeans or slacks work well if they're clean, in good shape and fit nicely. I don't see beige/khaki pants there often. Usually it's a dark jean, gray or black slack. Some kids wear baggy clothes but they're the exception rather than the rule.

No-show socks are pretty stylish too.

Shirts can be anything that fits well from a graphic t-shirt to button up long sleeve shirt. To look nice, I'd go with the latter in a pattern (not solid white or blue). I prefer something in a travel fabric so it doesn't need ironing.

To dress up, add a blazer or sport coat - no tie. The most important part is fit, anything baggy looks awful. If it doesn't fit well, better to wear a sweater and leave the coat at home.

Virtually every man in France averages a three day beard. No need to be freshly shaven.

Brad, i’ve been in paris for over a month now, it’s mid-october, many, many french women are still wearing white trainers/tennies. Cute, fashionable ones, including black ones. Nothing decorative on them. No show socks are an essential part of the look as i said above. You’ll see anything and everything here, but that’s the most fashionable look right now, on the street. As i said above, trainers with cropped pants, skirts and dresses.