Paris in winter: stylish yet comfortable and practical winter clothing options for women

Footwear - for cities I find a fairly-stylish flat ankle boot looks nice and is warm and comfy. Not suede-like material- that gets messy if wet. Go with leather or fake leather. Wear it with merino wool socks for extra warmth and spray with water-resistant spray. This won't work for muddy hiking but you're in Paris, not the woods. Wear the boot with any pants you like, or a dress and tights for dressier things like nice restaurants.
I'm thinking something like this, but there are a lot of versions. Find one that is comfortable!
https://www.dsw.com/en/us/product/anne-klein-lucille-bootie/404336?activeColor=001

Edit to add what I'd wear inwinter - slim jeans or pants (gray or black looks dressier), ankle boots,long sleeve blouse and cardigan, scarf, and a nice jacket. Trench style if it's rainy-cold, wool pea-coat style if it's snowy-cold. Gloves as necessary. For winter travel a coat is important. Wear or carry it on the plane because it will take up a lot of room. But you want one that's warm and looks the way you want. It's what people will see most so don't plan all sorts of nice outfits then wear an ugly ski jacket if you care about looks!

Here's a nice article on the topic
Une Femme

Light layers, a puff jacket, a good scarf go a long way.

Consider a light sweater dress with leggings and boots.

I use Zappos to find waterproof comfort ankle boots.

For Paris:
Black
Gloves
Scarf

I'm collecting merino wool items as I run into them (thrift store, Costco

Cashmere sweaters are warm and stylish. Plus, they tend to be easy and light to pack.

Merino socks
Nice jeans and cords
Thermaskin top and bottom- you'll probably only need the bottoms on very cold or windy days
Regular long sleeve shirts that dry within 24 hours
Teva de la Vina mid calf boots in color of your choice- the mid calf kept my legs much warmer than my ankle boots. Best boots I've ever walked miles in.
Fleece vest and/or fleece lined coat (mine is a raincoat)
Scarf (buy it there if you want a souvenir)
Cap
Gloves
All of my outdoor pictures looked the same with my coat, scarf, and cap.

Une Femme article is pretty good - particularly the coat. Isn't waterproof, but lightweight and windproof and many of them stuff into a small bag making them very packagle - also I use my down jackets as pillows because most hotel pillows are terrible for me.
I would, however, nix the pullover sweaters using long sleeve tops and merino cardigans instead. Sweater dress or tunic is a good addition.

@ Cindy H - loved the "Une Femme" website, thanks !

Don't forget some insoles to help you with the walking and standing. Comfortable feet really make a wonderful trip. A scarf is important too, because it does get windy in Paris.

If it's really chilly, you can add a layer of tights or "old-fashioned" pantyhose under your slacks -- they add a layer of warmth but no bulk in your shoes or slacks.

I will be in Paris, where a visitor is certainly treated better if they look "put together**

huh? but don't undermine that i.e. forgetting to say Bonjour

I find a knee-length or 3/4 length puff coat excellent for added warmth. Layers are essential as we have found anything from light snow to partly sunny and warmish in January. Love visiting Paris that time of year.

I'm with Christi on the long puffy coat. I have a mid-calf one I have used in Paris, London, Rome, and Torino in winter. Lovely!

I am also a fan of nice jeans and merino wool layers. Pendleton-USA usually has some nice ones as does Talbots the past few years. A nice scarf helps with both fashion and warmth.

Many thanks! These posts are so helpful!
I have been trying to find suitable footwear online (very difficult to do), and to have a personal high recommendation (for the Teva de la Vina) is just what I needed to have the confidence to order it and go from there.
I'm going to check out that link, and then be off to look for a mid-calf, packable "puff" coat.
Please keep the tips coming :)

Re: jeans. A while back I read that black is the typical jean color in Europe, and, as a solo female traveler wanting to blend in as much as possible, I brought black jeans, though I much prefer blue. Does anyone know if blue jeans are more common over there now?

Blue jeans are common as is black. What you will notice is that pants will fit better. There may be young men in the super-baggy pants trend but outside that subculture more people wear their jeans well-fitted and neat. Not necessarily tight, and not necessarily "skinny jeans" (but those are fairly popular) but just not baggy and shapeless.

A black jean with a dressier shoe might be more accepted at a theater or fancy restaurant, and can also be worn sightseeing. So it's more flexible, but for general touring any normal color pants works.

I dress as I do in NYC. I wear monochrome black because of the practicality of being easy to mix and match outfits. Black tops, skirts, black skinny jeans, black slacks, black boots. Very "put together" as you say. I add a dash of color with scarves. February is when I typically go to Paris. Expect clouds/some rain/some drizzle/some sun. It's much more temperate climate-wise (aka warmer) than February in NYC.

Just one example: finding footwear to withstand the cold and wet, yet
look fairly stylish, and be very easy on the feet?

I love these boots...stylish, WARM, WATERPROOF and super comfortable.

Re: jeans. A while back I read that black is the typical jean color in
Europe, and, as a solo female traveler wanting to blend in as much as
possible, I brought black jeans, though I much prefer blue. Does
anyone know if blue jeans are more common over there now?

If you prefer blue jeans, wear blue jeans. Many times, I too am solo female traveler, I also don't want to stand out which is why I go for the monochrome black which is what I wear at home in NYC. But you can certainly wear blue denim and not stand out especially if you PREFER blue to black.

My only black clothing are -

a little black dress
black leather jacket
black leather boots

My wardrobe is full of color! Bright yellow, pink, orange, lime green, and purple! I have noticed a lot of colorful clothing here - black on black seems more common with the working crowd and the tourists! I have not felt out of place nor been treated less than stellar - it is what I wear at home so I am perfectly comfortable with what I am wearing. I have learned over the years if I wear something I do not care for I feel uncomfortable all day.

So wear what you like and are most comfortable with - black, blue, color - I'm in Paris now - the ripped up jeans are all over the place.

Pants of any color, a nice top or sweater, and comfortable walking boots - a scarf is a must, hat and gloves too - you'll look more "put together" if those match.

Above all - relax & enjoy!

Blue jeans are okay. But you might want a sharp pair of very dark ones--something sophisticated looking, not acid washed or very faded. Unless you are young or very thin and can pull off the shredded, very faded boyfriend jean thing.

How do you (women) dress for "stylish" winter travel?

How? I dress like I do at home which is NYC. I don't have separate "travel clothes". I wear a base black with colorful accents including scarves, cardigans, gloves, earmuffs, and hats all of which are easily packable and lightweight.

Don't forget your feet which need to be warm, dry and comfortable or else you'll be miserable. That means waterproof, warm boots without sacrificing a beautiful look.

Consider Merrell Women's Chateau Tall Zip Polar Waterproof boots in black.

I am going to be in Paris at the end of the month. I am planning on taking skinny jeans in a dark blue and two pairs of knit pants. I find the knit is warmer than jeans when the wind blows. They are in grey and black. For warmth I am taking a cashmere wool blend duffel coat with a hood.

I also have several fleece tunics that are very soft and look like wool. Warm socks are a must as my feet tend to get very cold. Also a good pair of gloves is important

These are the boots I have worn all over Europe, on two trips and my standard work boot at home. I have fussy feet and these are always comfortable and I feel sure footed:

https://www.zappos.com/p/vionic-country-logan-ankle-boots-black/product/8900243/color/3

I use normal ankle socks (allergic to wool) and my feet stay warm and dry.

Layering top's I buy at Old Navy. They usually has basic solid colors, are thin and fitted.