What to wear during Christmas season in Paris

What to wear during Christmas season in Paris

What could be more romantic than the city of love, dusted in snow? Between the months of December and February, you may just be lucky enough to experience such a sight. Though snow is somewhat of a rarity in Paris, temperatures have been known to drop below zero. Snow or no snow, you can be guaranteed there will be rain.

Snow in Paris – by Robin Benzrihem – Unsplash

It is advisable to prepare in advance for what to wear during Christmas season in Paris – because it’s cold, yes, but more so because according to many, it’s the fashion capital of the world. We wouldn’t want you looking like the Christmas pudding you might find yourself next to, so we have put together this guide to help you chic-up your winter wardrobe.

Underwear

Where better to start than right at the beginning: underwear. No, not the kind you may already be donning on a daily basis – we’re talking Long Johns (thermal leggings) and thermal vests. As we mentioned, you may get that little taste of Parisian snow. And for it to snow in Paris, it has to be COLD. You’re going to have to layer up and your undies will be where it starts!

Jeans

Great for winter weather, a hardy pair of denims will break the wind and offer casual comfort at the same time. Skinnys are great for keeping you cosy over those Long Johns. They also fit in under one of the most fundamental elements of Parisian fashion: immaculate tailoring. That being said, the French also pull off the mom/dad mid-waist, straight leg, cut-just-at-the-ankle jean, with flair.

Denim, denim, denim! – by Ricardo Gomez Angel – Unsplash

Striped Long Sleeve Top

No Paris wardrobe would be complete without the inclusion of an iconic Striped top or marinière. Originally part of the French Naval uniform, this design has been adapted and reformed, all over the world. Coco Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier all worked to take the concept to a new level, time and time again and helped to solidify its place in any French closet. A staple of the stylish, this is a look that will never go out of style.

Crisp white or light blue button down shirt

Continuing with the immaculate tailoring, a crisp white shirt that will bring a touch of formality to your look, is a must-add. Tuck it into your jeans, with the top few buttons left open to reveal that décolletage and no one will ever expect the words “je ne parle pas Français” to be uttered from your stylish lips. 

Cashmere jersey

This can be worn over your marinière, or white shirt with the collar peeping out, to give you that extra bit of warmth. For men, take it up a level and go for a Cashmere roll-neck. Colour wise, you can never go wrong with neutrals here. Black, navy, beige or camel are go-to’s for sure. For those bolder few, bright red, green and electric blue are fail safes.

Coat

Worn while moving from A to B, and the central heating provided at both, you will want something lightweight and easy to throw on and off. A typical beige trench coat might help keep the rain off, while a mid-calf woollen number will ensure that winter nip in the air stays at bay. Keep in mind our earlier point about Parisians and their immaculate tailoring when choosing your coat, and you won’t go wrong.

Maje coat, sourced from website

Boots

The last piece we would recommend for a core Christmas-in-Paris wardrobe, is a solid pair of boots. Even though nippy, you will want to be doing a lot of walking around the city. The moody weather makes for endless photo opportunities and walking really allows you to take in the little parts of the city that can easily be missed when you’re moving too fast. This is where your boots may be your biggest blessing OR curse. These boots should be more comfortable than wearing no shoes at all. Make sure to wear them in before heading over to avoid blisters bursting your travel bubble!

Anna Wintour at Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2019. Photo from Wikimédia Commons.

Socks

Hand-in-hand with a great pair of boots, must go a great pair of socks. You will need more than one pair, so if you find a style that you like, buy a bunch! They should be thick enough to keep your toes warm but not so thick that anytime you find yourself indoors for more than 5 minutes you break out in a sweat. You would not want to have to find yourself changing socks in the middle of a Parisian cafe, after all.

Scarf

We haven’t forgotten that exposing the décolletage in winter can be a huge ask and we knew you would have your doubts. So we would also recommend bringing a scarf (or 5) with you during Christmas season in Paris. Small and silk or oversized and woolen, you can’t go wrong here. If you have never worn a silk neck scarf, you may find yourself surprised at how warm they can keep you. There are many ways of fashioning a silk scarf, so take a look online to find your favourite style.

Gucci campaign featuring Grace Kelly in Flora Scarf, alongside her granddaughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, who poses with the new design. Sourced from Daily Mail UK

Gloves

Often forgotten on packing lists, but always a good idea to have with you during wintertime in Paris (even if you never wear them), is a pair of gloves. Leather or cashmere are great options for keeping feeling in your hands, and your fingers looking chic.

Umbrella

Probably one of the most key items on this list is a reliable umbrella. No need to bring this over from home as you can find them everywhere, but as soon as you land in Christmas-time Paris, get yourself a strong, sturdy umbrella. And take it with you everywhere. Wet-dog is not a Parisian look, unless you’re on a leash.

Optional Parisian extras for Christmas season in Paris:

Image by Samantha Green on Unsplash

Red lipstick; beret; loafers and a blazer (for those slightly warmer days); chic sneakers (Louis Vuitton perhaps); large pair of black sunglasses (to keep the cloudy glare away); fringe.