Speaking of Paris clothes...

Wray, if only we could add photos to our Forum entries. I think you are exactly the kind of practical, woman of a certain age (not old) who can pull this off. You probably fly out of Boston. I fly out of Minneapolis/St. Paul, so will probably never have the opportunity to see you in your wonder jacket WITH POCKETS. Je regrette.

I vote YES!

@Laurie Beth, I should have said "a woman of a certain age". You're right. Or I once read a novel about "a woman of substance". LOL

@Vandrabrud, It's the Swede in us.

I have to say I was waffling already, but I like Laurie's "my wonder jacket with pockets" description. It does mean packing one more outer layer because it is not for all activities. But, maybe I could pack the 3-3-3 method.

Absolutely! My whole travel wardrobe is based on comfort and practicality. I'm a stout older woman and, while I'm not a Miss Marple I am maybe a little Vera.

Huge jackets are back in style. I’ve seen several on TV and the internet recently. Black pants, black t-shirt, white Altras, large checkered jacket. Put a decorative pin on the lapel. Perfect. Great idea. I’m going to search my husband’s closet for our upcoming trip to the US.

Wear what you like! If it feels good and you like the look of it, then it's a perfect match. But I want to see photos, Wray, as I may have to concoct one of those myself! :-)

@Elizabeth, I've never been on top of a fashion curve before! LOL. I love your pin idea.

@Mardee, I'll work on that. I keep seeing your name go by on my FB friend recs. By the time I put a photo up you will not remember who I am or why I put it up, because months go by... LOL.

@Nancy, LOL. I get it.

In March 2023, I was in Paris and one of these YouTube vloggers was there making a video. I saw her several times. All I’m going to tell you is the Parisians were laughing at her so maybe you should not follow their advice. The Parisians thought she looked overdone . One woman told me “you do not dress to attract attention that is not elegant.”

As for your suggestion to wear your husband‘s blazer. Go for it. you’ll get a lot less attention than the wannabe dressing in totally inappropriate clothing for the weather because they’re making a video in March that they want to post in June and pretend like it was warm when they were in Paris.

Wear what you like and don’t give a thought to what anyone else thinks.

Love the idea of wearing the blazer. It will look fantastic esp with the scarf or jewelry you mentioned. Personally I love men's socks

I too vote yes. Yes, a lot of the people on Not So Blonde are wearing vintage clothes and many of them look "interesting." Thrifting is a big thing with most of the people in the videos. Many of the younger people are wearing things that they thrifted or got from their parents or grandparents. Thrifting is big in Paris and I notice that it is big with the younger generation of my family all of whom buy pre-owned items all the item for environmental reasons.

I'll make a deal with you -- if you wear a men's blazer in Paris then I will wear a women's beret and a women's floppy beach hat.

I'm going to do that anyway, actually.

Have seen many clothing catalogs with the women models wearing a blazer from the men's section. Must be the new thing. Wear it and enjoy! Wish women's clothing had pockets.

Wray, I'm so glad you posted this, I too (briefly) looked through the Not So Blonde link and just thought, "UGH, how uncomfortable, I bet they're not walking far!" You should absolutely wear his travel blazer, but I'm wondering what he's going to wear? (Matchy matchy might be a bit too much?)
It's like a boyfriend's dressier blazer on a busty woman with gray hair. Perfect!!

Thanks Carol - The Parisians thought she looked overdone . One woman told me “you do not dress to attract attention that is not elegant.”

After reading your question, I went down the rabbit hole of what Coco Chanel said about fashion & style, such great quotes! "You can be gorgeous at thirty, charming at forty, and irresistible for the rest of your life."
"You live but once; you might as well be amusing." I REALLY want to see a picture of you all dolled up in your man-style blazer with a dashing scarf and pin.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/g32971271/best-coco-chanel-quotes/

Allow me to suggest that you hit the vintage sites looking for wither Willis and Geiger or J Peterman. Both of those companies made very good travel blazers with extra inside pockets. Get one that's close, and then get it tailored to you.

I love all the replies. It's quite a funny subject it seems. It might be a funny sight...

@Sundancisco,

"You live but once; you might as well be amusing.

I'm either amusing or annoying. Pick one. LOL

@KGC, I'm not a shopper. I am a sewer, but putting pockets in clothing rates as boring sewing for me and takes me forever to get to it.

The odd thing is my husband thinks it looks better than the tan corduroy blazer I wear all the time. That must say something about my poor taste. As I am busty with more narrow hips (TMI) it could be the blazer fits me better in some ways. My husband no longer does any international travel or long distance travel, so this blazer has just been sitting in his closet waiting for me.

@avirosemail, Haha. I've worn mens or boys clothes most of my life. I had my twin brothers' clothes through college that I would pick through. When I was real young I could chose from two colors. I just never wore them to Paris...well, maybe Paris, Maine.

Do it, Wray! I’ve always liked (and worn) the menswear look. I think it looks sharp and yes frequently the garments are better made with interior pockets women’s clothes never get. What’s up with that?!

Go for it Wray.
Don't forget your beret with the scarf and pin you'll be smashing.

Posted by janodavo

Wish women's clothing had pockets.

Or just DEEPEN the pockets that they do have!

Women's pants pockets seem to be getting smaller and shallower all the time.

Even the "travel pants" I've purchased recently with wonderful double pockets are too shallow.

I've been able to sew since I was in grade school, but try to find fabric for clothing anymore. And I live it what used to be a textile state.

Slight off topic perhaps, but I have found some women's pants with deep pockets, and a zippered pocket on the leg big enough for an iPhone 12 mini. https://www.rei.com/product/235254/mountain-hardwear-dynama-pants-womens

Duluth Trading Company makes women's pants with deep pockets. I have a friend who swears by them.

KGC, in MN where I live Duluth Trading CO is a outfit staple.

Your husband's blazer with pockets sounds like you could wear in well, anywhere. Classic styles are great for urban travel in Paris and most European cities.

I think that sounds like a great idea, Wray! I love pockets while I travel, especially as a standby traveler (retired airline employee). I never know if I will be wedged in a tiny middle seat in which I would have to do acrobatics to get anything out of my personal item, an exit row seat where my personal item has to be stored in the overhead, or if I am lucky and get a decent seat. So pockets while on a flight are very important to me. Your husband's travel blazer seems like a great idea and since he no longer uses it, why not?

Love the responses. I have to say that I've tried the jacket on a couple more times and I like it more and more each time. It does mean I need a casual warm item for when I don't want to wear the jacket...so maybe fleece although that seems a bit too casual, or maybe a light jacket.

Regarding pockets and pants, surely we should have functional pockets EVERY DAY. However, for traveling and going through security, I can just take my jacket off and not have to empty my pant's pockets.

I returned to my husband's closet and found a Scottevest, but that doesn't look nearly as good on me as the blazer or really looks awful on me... So, now, I need to rethink my purse choice if I have the jacket and find a casual second layer. So, one issue streamlined and two more created!

For when I don't want to wear the jacket...so maybe fleece although
that seems a bit too casual, or maybe a light jacket.

Many people are just wearing light weight Uniqlo-style puffer coats here in Europe, I see them all the time in Sweden, Denmark, Germany & Italy last December. Add a nice cashmere scarf & you will still look elegant!

Puffers, exactly. They’re very popular.
I’m sending my husband’s puffer vest to the dry cleaners today. He looks great, but I would look like the Michelin man.
How about a trench coat or other full-length raincoat?

Elizabeth, my raincoat is just above the knee so is a short trench...but mine is more a raincoat. I'm thinking of something to go under it or alone when just out in the country. I have a puffer vest from...wait for it...Costco...so I could just use that now that I think of it. Easy to pack. Now, I will never have the perfect purse. Just when I think I do, I change my mind. LOL

Edit: 2nd thought: The puffer vest might be too casual. I'm thinking a loose fitting cashmere sweater might do the trick...

Exactly. A warm cashmere sweater or lamb's wool sweater.