clothing choices in Paris

What time of year will you be there?

May 9th 2013

My husband and I will be there exactly 4 days after you on the 13th. This will be my second visit having vacationed there two years ago. Basically you can wear whatever is comfortable for you. I am nearing 60 and my husband is mid 60's so comfort is what we are all about also. I always bring my sneakers plus another comfortable walking shoe so I can change off. Trust me your white ones will be fine. Mine are lavender and pink (yes you heard me right) but I changed the lavender shoe laces for black ones to tone them down a bit. As far as other clothes just bring layers. Last time we went in April and it was in the 70's. We are also going to the Baltics so I am bringing a little of everything, long sleeve, short sleeve and light jacket with rain jacket. Just wear what is comfortable for you....you will be fine. Enjoy your flight and trip.

Wear whatever is best for your feet. Nothing can ruin a vacation like sore feet.

I agree with Carroll, wear what is comfortable for you. White Nikes are fine, absolutely no one will care.

Thank you all for your insight and excellant observations. Our trip should be a success now thatw we have resolved the clothing/shoes issue.
Michael

I would rule out the Nikes and go instead with Stan Smiths...

Wear and or bring your most comfortable worn in shoes or runners, no matter what anyone says. I have dozens of dozens of visits under my belt and nothing, but nothing ruins your visit more then blistered sore aching feet. Period. Be prepared for rain, bring a light rain jacket and a sweater or whatever to layer under it in case its cool( as it can be) take some clothes for warmer weather also. Check forecast day before you leave, but take it with a grain of salt.

I've been in Paris for the past few days. The weather has been cold/warm/rainy/dry. People are dressed in a variety of ways and styles. Bring layers and a scarf; rain gear is optional (I don't use an umbrella, but I always travel with a light-weight raincoat). For shoes, wear what is comfortable for walking.

Several shoe lines feature the same lines of walking and athletic shoes in black as well as white. I use white New Balance 608s in the gym and the black version as walking shoes both at home and on trips, including Paris.

I'm with Roy. I am on my second pair of black New Balance which, however clunky, do look a little more formal, or at least are less obvious than white. Plus they are measured in widths as well as length.
Not that Paris cares; the locals have the ability to look straight through tourists.

I certainly wouldn't recommend buying a new pair of shoes four days before your trip. Wear your white Nikes; I doubt the Parisian fashion gendarmes will arrest you.

I wear my somewhat clunky looking white Shape-ups all year round, no matter where I go. Have never noticed anyone looking at my feet, nor am I mistaken for a tourist, as Germans constantly ask me for directions at the train station, on the street, etc. With arthritis in my big toe, it is the only shoe that lets me walk with-out pain. When I go out to eat in a decent restaurant, my jeans are long enough, that one barely sees the shoes at all. If I have to dress up, I have some black loafers, with rounded soles that I wear, with dressy pants.

We have been to Paris three years in a row. Our daughter's relatives own a hotel outside of Paris. One of our daughter's relatives visited here, a few years ago. She said that people in France don't wear white athletic shoes over there. I found that to be true also. As everybody says though, wear what is comfortable. I have worn "Munro" shoes when I have been in Europe or Australia. I wear them year round here. When we return to Australia and New Zealand in October, I will wear the same black "Munro' shoes. They make a number of styles, which look classier than regular white athletic shoes. They are definitely nice looking and very supportive. You can find them at Nordstrom stores, Nordstrom.com or on Zappos.com. Nordstrom offers free shipping one way. You can return the shoes to any Nordstrom though for free. Zappos offers free shipping both ways. Have a great trip.