Parisians do wear jeans and over the years they have become more of a classic French wardrobe staple. Jeans can easily be worn year-round and dressed up or down in that chic French way.
You can wear jeans, if they are discreet, dark and well cut, but not in the evening, and not with a tee shirt and sneakers – you would look too casual. If you're planning to enjoy a night out on the town, this is a good rule to remember. Most nightclubs won't allow you in if you're wearing sneakers and jeans.
Our advice? Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes. Use tote bags or earth-toned simplistic bags if you really want to dress in France to fit in with the locals.
Smart jeans
French women know good jeans – look for straight-leg, in classic denim blue. To be paired with smart blazers or casual knits, flats or heels. Denim should be one colour, not faded, with no fraying or ripping.
In summer, Parisians favor lightweight, comfortable, and chic clothing in neutral colors. Classic items like straight-leg jeans, white tees, summer dresses, and tailored shorts are popular. The key is a minimalist, effortless look, often accented with accessories like a straw hat or a silk scarf.
It is important to keep in mind that the French tend to dress more formally than others for everyday activities. Khakis, button-down shirts, sundresses, designer jeans, skirts and sweaters are common on the streets of Paris during the day. Forgo tennis shoes for comfortable loafers or sandals.
To achieve a modern and effortlessly chic Parisian style, blend masculine shapes with feminine silhouettes, such as tailored pants with a silk blouse, a black leather jacket over a silk midi dress, an oversized button-down shirt with high-rise straight jeans, or a masculine blazer with a waist belt.
The French style of dressing denim is simple, yet chic. The jeans that French women wear are usually a straight leg pair that are a bit loose. French women tend to shy away from skinny jeans, and prefer a high waist dark denim pair. Scroll below to see the French style of dressing jeans.
Paris is the world's fashion capital for a good reason; its residents are known for their impeccable sense of style! But be as it may, many people still wonder whether it's appropriate to wear jeans in Paris. The answer is yes; you can definitely wear jeans in Paris!
This DOES NOT mean business clothing. For Paris clothing styles, think dressy top (or the type of top you'd wear to work) plus nice jeans (dark colors are always a good choice). In general, ankle-length slim or skinny jeans are the preferred denim option for your Paris attire.
Wear them in the street with no shame. You will blend in without any problem if you wear jeans and a pair of sneakers. Nike is an American brand, and it is very popular in France. Levi's, Diesel, Wrangler, and Calvin Klein are American brands, and they rule the jeans world in France too.
13% of French women under 25 go braless, according to a poll* in June 2022, a stunningly higher figure than Spain (3%), Italy (2%), the United Kingdom and Germany (1%.).
Most restaurants in Paris are what Parisians would consider 'casual' – jacket & tie are very rarely required. However, casual in Paris is a notch or two above casual in many other parts of the world, for example the USA where wearing sweatpants to a casual restaurant is not out of the question.
Stylish Parisians love to counterbalance the casual and relaxed nature of low-slung, baggy jeans with a fancy and fitted going-out top. Perfect for a night out.
Along with short shorts, leggings are equally banished to the back of a French closet. There is a reason that Lululemons are not big in France. Leggings are and should only be worn at the gym. And I mean at the gym, not on the way to the gym!
Are jeans acceptable in Europe? Jeans are not only acceptable to wear in Europe, but very popular. Jeans are part of the dress code in most Cities across Europe and are always a huge part of European fashion! It's not recommended to wear them in the summer but any time of year they are a great choice.
North Korea. North Korea has declared wearing blue jeans as illegal as it symbolises American imperialism, which the east Asian nation terms as its enemy. The country, in an attempt to restrict western influence on its people, has also banned piercings, and issued ...
A chic and classic look for the plane ride to Paris is a navy cashmere sweater with a pair of black pants. Go for comfort with these sweater pants from Banana Republic while still looking timeless. Add a scarf for a pop to the outfit while also helping to stay warm on the plane if needed.
From '70s style icons to those who subscribe to the Y2K aesthetic today, Levi's 501 jeans are a commonality among them, though it seems as if French women have remained most loyal to the denim, as they continue to wear them on the regular.
Consider Location and Weather
Unless you're at the beach, a standard pair of jean or khaki shorts won't fit in with Paris fashion. Even when it's warmer out, you may instead want to wear a skirt or pair of capris instead of shorts. One reader adds, “shorts are the first major giveaway that you're a tourist.
French women usually style their favorite white denim with classic items, such as a timeless trench coat, a chic blazer, an oversized blue shirt, a nautical polo shirt, and stylish footwear.
If you were wondering if French women wear sneakers —and even in the streets of Paris, the answer is: yes, definitely! Sneakers or trainers are an essential shoe style that is found in every French woman's closet. If you went to Paris, you might have seen that uncomfortable high heels are not very “French”.
The no-bra movement has been predominant among French women, who seem to be more conscious about freedom from traditional clothing norms. In 2020, 18% of French women aged between 18 and 24 years said they never or seldom wore bras.