Remember that when you arrive in Paris you will probably be taking mass transportation to get to your destination. The more you pack, the more difficult this process will be. Hotel rooms are small, too, making storage of suitcases a bit cumbersome.
The essentials? A good pair of walking shoes, a jacket (even in the summer, as it can be quite cool), an umbrella, a good map of Paris “plan de Paris”, which can be purchased at any large bookstore. Everything else is up to you. If you want to blend in, a stylish scarf around the neck and some simple black clothing will get you far. If you plan on a five star fine dining experience, men should be sure to bring a jacket and tie, and women a dressy outfit that covers the shoulders. For the rest of the time, dress casual yet smart and you will be fine.
Men: A nice pair of jeans will be fine, a good pair of trousers as well. Sweaters in the cooler months, short sleeved collared shirts in the warmer months. Leave your tee shirts and tennis shoes at home. Shoes like Clarks or Mephistos are great for touring around. No shorts but light trousers during the warmer months.
Women: I would bring a decent pair of “goes with anything” pants, a similar skirt, a dressier outfit for cocktails or dinner out. Easy to wear pull overs or light sweaters in the summer. Be sure to layer, especially in the cooler months. Add to this a pair of comfortable shoes and a nice scarf. As with the men, leave your tee shirts and jeans behind. Ditto for the high heels, unless you are taking a taxi to dinner. Don’t bring your flashy jewelry, it just makes you a target.
The French - and Europeans in general- tend to be very put together when they leave the house. No doubt, a true blue American tourist will wear a ball cap, shorts and tennis shoes while vacationing. This is not what I would recommend, but to each his (or her) own!
