Packing for Paris in May

I have spent May in Paris for many years and the weather is not very predictable. It is temperate, but rarely really warm. It can be rainy endlessly and chilly and will certainly be chilly in the evenings. Usually it showers a bit but we have been in May when it poured relentlessly.

I travel with a knee length windbreaker jacket which I can layer under for warmth and which I spray before each trip with waterproofing. And I always have a pair of lightweight water proofish hiking shoes that I also spray before each trip. You really want some water proofish footwear and a raincoat. A skirt and blouse with a sweater or travel shirt as a top layer will work well for most days. I wear black jeans that read as slacks at that time of year so I don't have to worry about footwear -- my hiking shoes and my dressier black flats are all I need. I dress up for Opera, fine dining or going out with friends by having a fancier top I can throw on over basic black with a necklace.

The main thing is layers and flexibility; you might want to have a small packpack with sweater and umbrella if your purse doesn't hold those. I use a lanyard phone case with a very small attached purse and so If I need to lug sweaters or have a place to put my coat if it is too hot, I have one of those small nylon bags in a pocket that can come out for a few groceries or to hold a layer. You will want a raincoat or trench or whatever and then a couple of warm layers like a wool sweater or polartek cardigan for rainy or cooler days or for that evening Seine cruise.

I would not take an orange poncho -- you will probably want a raincoat many a day and it works as a lightweight jacket on a windy day -- get a lightweight raincoat. This is what i have now and it really works well -- it is not that rainproof so it is important to also spray it with waterproofing -- but I did that with my heavier trench too -- anything short of a rubberized cloth isn't really rainproof and a real raincoat is too hot and steamy. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098WKMP97?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1&psc=1. I got it on the large side so I can layer under it and has been a great travel choice for spring and fall in Paris.

I always take a raincoat when I travel and use it even if it doesn't rain for a light coat. Also, I figure if I take it, it won't rain....magical thinking, I know. I think what you mention for your usual outfit choices works well in Paris. I always take more scarves and costume jewelry when I go to Paris because it does tend to seem a little more dressy environment. l usually take a black skirt or slacks as one of my options and have a couple dressier tops I can wear them with. As to weather, I also usually pack for layering and then I'm prepared for warmer and cooler temperatures. I have a lightweight black cardigan I've packed so often it probably feels quite at home in my suitcase. The important thing is to dress in what makes you feel comfortable and put together. I remember one trip to Paris I had packed only athletic shoes and my daughter had a fit and made me buy a comfortable pair of mary Jane type shoes as she just didn't think I should wear my usual 'tennies' in Paris. I did feel more put together in the shoes, but they weren't as comfortable for long days of walking. SO, after that I found a lightweight pair of black ballet type slippers for evening instead.

FWIW the days where 'no one' but tourists wore athletic shoes and jeans is long long gone. Sit on the metro and look at the 20 people closest to you and 15 will be in jeans and most in athletic shoes (although women are trending towards yoga pants in place of jeans -- I like to have an unobtrusive pair of black shoes for dressier occasions, but on a rainy day would still wear the black hiking shoes with black pants to the opera.

If you have a neutral color dress-black, navy or khaki that would be a perfect basic. Then you can jazz it up with scarves (tres popular in France!) or costume jewelry. Fun stockings can add some more panache, though probably not with khaki. I personally would go with black or navy.

No to the orange poncho. If your raincoat is a trench style that could work.

Long pants or jeans are a great idea.

Water proof jacket would be great-- My black marmot gortex gets packed first thing. It has a hood, so I don't bring an umbrella.

Cardigan sweater with tee shirts-another Parisian type look that doesn't break the bank. Again, toss on a scarf to complete the look. The cardigan can go over your dress, or wear with your long pants.

Consider bringing another pair of shoes also suitable for walking. It will give your feet a break with all the walking you will do.

A jeans jacket could also work. Look on Pinterest for outfit ideas too.

Wear what is most comfortable for you, not what you perceive as dressing like "Parisiens dressing in coordinated fashion." I'm not even sure what that means, except nobody stood out in Paris to me except one young handsome couple who strolled through the pebble path of Rodin Gardens; he is dress shoes and she in stilettos. I assure you, that young couple wasn't looking at us in our Hoka's.

We were there in the middle of April. Arrived to very warm bordering on hot spring days. After 4 glorious days we had wind and rain. There's no telling what the middle of May will bring. Layers in neutrals is the best answer. I like to buy a scarf where I travel, rather than bring one; for a souvenir to bring home. I'd suggest that if you feel you must buy a new raincoat, search for a packable raincoat from Land's End or Eddie Bauer which pack down to nothing! I think back to my first trip to Paris nearly 40 years ago as a young newly engaged woman proudly wearing my London Fog coat (I'm from SoCal so this was a big deal to purchase) which probably weighed 20 pounds!

As has been, said the weather can be unpredictable. About 2 weeks before you leave home start monitoring the weather reports. You may decide to leave the umbrella or toss in an extra sweater. The closer to your departure date you may decide to add it remove or add items because the temps have changed.

You'll be fine with your dresses, skirts and blouses. You'll see many women of a certain age dressed similarly. You certainly don't need a new wardrobe. If you don't wear pants and jeans at home, you don't need to wear them in Paris.

If you do purchase a new raincoat, make sure it's something you will want to wear again after Paris. Keeping it lightweight, packable and neutral and you can take it on all future travel. Mine is about mid thigh length and is perfect for sight seeing or an evening at a nice restaurant.

I'm an oddity on these forums because I don't worry about having waterproof shoes for a city destination. I can always go inside if it's raining buckets. As long as I have a pair of comfortable walking shoes, I'm good.

And in a city, I never carry a day pack. I don't do it in Chicago, I'm certainly not going to do it in Paris. Your other posts has given me the impression that you are not the type of tourist that leaves their hotel in the morning and is on the go all day until after dinner.

KD has given you some good advice.

KD, I still have my London Fog raincoat from 40 years ago, perfect condition and I haven't worn it in eons.