If you are considering a romantic winter break in Paris, you are in for a treat. Even when it’s bitterly cold, the City of Lights still impresses. However, you need to pack carefully for winter in the French capital.
But don’t worry, I’m here to help. I studied fashion for two years and I have visited Paris several times, as I live just 1.5 hours away by train.
Here’s what to wear in Paris in winter to look chic and stay warm. Read on for my perfect guide to Paris winter fashion 2024.
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How to dress like a Parisian in winter
At this point, you may be anticipating what Parisian winter fashion will look like this year, on the streets of this notoriously style-conscious city. How do people dress in Paris in winter?
If you want to know how to dress like a French woman in winter, check out the street style. Look past the tourists and you may see nonchalant local ladies with Paris winter outfits that seem at once carefully put together and carefree. That je ne sais quoi. You can emulate this too with your Paris winter fashion 2024 ideas, if you are smart with your packing list.
What’s the weather like in Paris in winter?
The coldest months in France‘s capital city of Paris are usually from November until March. But being Europe, the weather is unpredictable.
- While Paris in October is normally cold, you may occasionally find it is still enjoying the tail-end of a hot summer with daytime temperatures reaching 18°C (64°F).
- Snow is possible in November, but more likely are sudden rain showers which can put a dampener on things if you are not prepared. Temperatures normally max out at 11°C (52°F) with lows of around 6°C (43°F). Pack a chic and lightweight travel umbrella – the perfect, practical Paris winter fashion accessory.
- If you’re wondering what to wear in Paris in December 2024, bear in mind this is when the weather really starts to cool, with the average temperature reaching a high of 6°C (43°F), dipping to as low as 3°C (37°F). At this time of year, there’s a 42% chance of rain.
- January is often the chilliest month here, when temperatures can dip to 4-5°C (around 40°F). If you are unsure what to wear in Paris in January, the key is warm layers. Outside, you will want to cover every inch of skin, otherwise the biting wind will seem to find its way into your bones.
However, you will want to be able to peel off layers if you’re walking around the city’s museums and don’t want to get too hot. Layering your clothing is essential for a stylish winter trip to Paris.
So what exactly should you take? Read on to find out exactly what to pack and what to wear in Paris in winter, starting with the essential packing list.
What to wear in Paris in winter: The perfect packing list
Clothing
- Cashmere Sweater – Opt for neutral tones that pair well with both skirts and trousers. Try this one.
- Turtleneck Sweater – A charcoal or black turtleneck is perfect for layering.
- Faux Leather Pants/Trousers – Stylish and warm for a fashionable edge. These are great.
- Straight Leg Jeans – A versatile option that can be dressed up or down. Try these.
- Corduroy Pinafore Dress – Layer over a black roll-neck bodysuit for warmth. This one is cute and comes in a range of colours.
- Dark Floral Maxi Dress – Perfect for layering with a blazer and tights. This one is lovely.
- Black Roll-Neck Bodysuit – Ideal for layering under dresses or sweaters. Check out this option.
- Faux Fur Coat – A cozy and luxurious outer layer for evenings. This one is fabulous.
- Teddy Bear Jacket – Super warm and on-trend, ideal for daytime explorations. This is cute.
- Classic Beige Trench Coat – Timeless and perfect for layering. This one comes in a variety of colours.
- Blazer – A must-have piece for smart-casual outfits. Try this houndstooth blazer.
- Long Sleeved Mini Dress – Great for daytime or evenings paired with opaque tights, such as this stylish jumper dress.
Footwear
- Chunky Boots – Comfortable for walking around the city while keeping your feet warm. Try these.
- Flats – Stylish yet practical for Parisian chic without the pain of heels. These loafers come in different colourways.
Outerwear
- Faux Fur Coat – To wear for evening outings over dresses. This one comes in a choice of hues.
- Teddy Bear Jacket – The warmest option for day-to-day activities in Paris. This one is a bestseller.
- Classic Beige Trench Coat – A stylish yet practical outerwear option for less chilly days. Try this one.
Accessories
- Travel Umbrella – Light and foldable for unexpected rain showers. This one is from Kate Spade.
- Faux Leather Gloves – Essential for keeping your hands warm in style. These are elegant.
- Waist Belt – To cinch your cashmere sweater or blazer, adding shape to your outfit. This two-pack is great value.
- Baker Boy Hat or Classic Beret – Adds a touch of Parisian flair while keeping you warm. This hat comes in a variety of colours and fabrics.
- Soft scarf – Essential when it’s chilly. This warm pashmina doubles as a stylish wrap for evenings.
- Elegant Jewellery – Keep it minimal and choose one key piece for evening outings.
Bonus: Top tips for staying warm
- Layer up with warm fabrics like cashmere and faux fur.
- Cover every inch of skin, especially on the coldest days, with turtlenecks and gloves.
- Keep accessories minimal, in line with the French style mantra of removing one accessory before leaving the house.
This list ensures you’ll be both stylish and comfortable while exploring Paris in the winter months, allowing you to enjoy the City of Lights even in the chill. Read on for a deep dive into what to wear on your way there and during your trip, including photos of what I wore on my winter trip to Paris.
What to wear when travelling to Paris
As you will probably be wheeling along a small suitcase containing your capsule winter break wardrobe, this is the time to wear your bulkiest items. Read on for more perfect Paris winter outfit ideas.
Many international airlines operate cheap flights to Paris or within Europe you can travel by train on the Thalys or Eurostar networks, which are comfortable and fast, speeding along at up to 300 km per hour (186 mph).
For optimum French winter style, try wrapping a faux fur coat over straight leg jeans. Style-conscious Parisian women are obsessed with knitwear, so pair it with a cashmere sweater. This outfit will keep you super cozy and feeling luxurious as you step into the crisp Parisian winter air.
In this photo, I’m wearing this exact outfit at the Eurostar terminal at Paris Gare du Nord.
Where to stay in Paris (and what to wear while you’re there)
If you are looking for an affordable central hotel, the Holiday Inn Paris – Gare de Lyon Bastille, is a great choice as it has good-sized rooms and a tasty breakfast.
A marvellous mid-range hotel option is the arty Mercure Paris 17 Batignolles hotel in the city’s north-west Batignolles neighbourhood. This area is more the ‘real’ Paris, with its organic market, up-and-coming restaurants, and quirky bars and boutiques. Here’s a map:
In this photo, I’m on the beautiful balcony of my room at the Mercure Paris 17 Batignolles, sipping espresso. I’m wearing a gorgeously soft corduroy pinafore dress in rust, my new favourite colour for winter, layered over a black roll neck bodysuit.
If the weather isn’t too chilly, you will be able to follow the French fashion rule of bare legs and cover up for a neighbourhood stroll with a classic beige trench coat. A wool trench would be perfect to wear in Paris in winter. You can’t go wrong with a trench – they never go out of style, so it’s a good fashion investment. Otherwise, a long faux fur coat is perfect to keep you warm and chic.
In the photo below I’m on a Paris rooftop bar (you can see the Eiffel Tower in the background!), wearing a charcoal turtleneck sweater with faux leather pants.
Next up, discover the essential item for your Paris winter fashion 2024 packing list.
The essential item for your Paris winter fashion 2024 packing list
No stylish French woman’s wardrobe would be complete without a blazer. Simply worn with a white t-shirt and jeans, this ingenious tailoring pulls together a smart-casual outfit like nothing else.
For the most up-to-the-minute look to wear in Paris now, you can’t beat a colour-forward or hourglass blazer. As we’re talking winter in Paris outfits, layers of clothing is key.
Dark floral dresses are in fashion right now. In this photo, I’m wearing a double-breasted corduroy blazer with a beautiful wrap floral maxi dress layered over the black roll neck bodysuit for extra warmth.
Next up, find out the best shoes to wear in Paris in winter.
The best shoes to wear in Paris
Fortunately, Parisian winter style doesn’t mean tottering around in heels. Classic designer women’s shoes in France are often flats. This is good news for staying chic yet comfortable on your city trip.
The best walking shoes for Paris winter fashion in 2024 are stylish, without leaving you wincing in pain as you take in the sights of this stunning city.
Why not follow the front-row fashionistas and pack a pair of chunky boots to wear with cropped jeans or a midi-dress.
The warmest winter coats for Paris
Fashionable French women like to invest in their outerwear. Stay cozy yet stylish in the Parisian winter months with a super warm coat, such as an on-trend teddy bear jacket. The shearling will keep you feeling toasty despite the winter chill, as you admire the art in the Louvre.
Even in winter, the queues can get long at the Louvre – skip the line on this fabulous guided tour.
In the evenings, the faux fur coat is divine over a long-sleeved lace mini dress and opaque tights, as I’m wearing in the photo below. With these Paris winter coats, it won’t matter how cold it gets.
Now, we’ll dive into the best accessories to take to Paris this winter.
What to pack for Paris – don’t forget these accessories
When packing for Paris, there are some essential accessories you will need. Do as the Parisians do and remember to wear only one or two of these items at a time, or dial down your outfit accordingly.
Elegant faux leather gloves will stop your fingers from freezing. Bring a waist belt to cinch in a cashmere sweater or blazer and define the slimmest part of your body, Parisian style, for winter chic. Add a piece of elegant jewellery for evenings out.
Plus a hat and scarf, of course to keep in your body heat. A baker boy hat or classic beret will stylishly top off your outfits for Paris in winter. This warm pashmina scarf doubles as a stylish wrap for evenings.
Pro tip: Don’t forget the old French style adage: remove one accessory. Do you really need to wear a necklace and earrings? Just wear one and walk out into the city for Paris winter style and confidence, as if you made no effort at all.
Now, I’ll share the top tips to stay warm while you explore Paris in winter 2024.
Top tips to stay warm while you explore Paris in winter
While Paris is a stunning city to walk around, as it’s cold you will no doubt want to step into shops and attractions to warm up. There are some excellent clothes and shoe shops near the Pompidou Centre, where you can make the most of the heating while browsing the latest displays.
This photo is of me at the Musee D’Orsay, where you can browse the art exhibitions, then shrug off your winter coat, as you enjoy lunch in this opulent setting and marvel at how lucky you are to be in Paris.
Pro tip: Buy the Paris Museum Pass for fast track entry to more than 60 attractions around the city, which could be a saviour on a frosty day.
There are only a couple of hours of sunshine a day at this time of year, so it’s a good opportunity to visit one of the city’s remarkable art galleries and museums. On the plus side, shorter days means more time to see the Eiffel Tower at night, decorated in the glittering lights for which it is famous.
Snuggle under a blanket on a guided bus tour of Paris’s famous festive lights.
Delightful day trips from Paris
Overnight trips or day trips from Paris in winter include the Mont Saint Michel. This fairytale abbey on an island is France’s most visited tourist attraction outside of Paris. It’s located four to five hours west of the capital by train to Pontorson and then by bus (alternatively, try this top-rated organised day trip from Paris). It’s open all year round.
Just over two hours away from Paris by train, close to the historic city of Poitiers, is the technology and entertainment theme park, Futuroscope, which is a lot of fun. It’s open most weekends throughout winter, though it closes for three weeks in January.
Final thoughts on what to wear in Paris in winter
So there you have it – your guide to staying chic in the French capital during the coldest months. Choose your Paris winter fashion 2024 pieces carefully and make a statement, while staying comfortable.
Pull out your most luxurious fabrics and faux furs, pare down the look with jeans and flat shoes, adopt a nonchalant attitude and go explore the sensational City of Lights.
Now, find out everything you need to know about visiting France’s fairytale abbey on an island, Mont Saint Michel.
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