Updated July 31, 2025
As a three-time American traveller to Paris, here’s my honest take on what to wear in Paris in the summer (to like a local)!
I definitely love to flaunt the on holiday in Europe vibe as an American traveller.
But when in Paris, some temptation must be retracted (we’re tryna be thaaat tourist, right folks?!).
Here’s my honest & practical guide to what to wear in Paris in the summer!
The Low Down: What to wear in Paris in the summer
While it can get really hot in Paris (given there’s no AC!), it’s generally cooler and drier in Paris compared to most of America.
👖More coverage > revealing
We Americans love to strip down during the summer.
✅ Parisians, however, tend to dress slightly warmer than people would in the same temperatures in NYC. Many wear long pants (jeans) and cover their shoulders during the summer (t-shirts and loose but fitted tops).
❌ People cover up more, and I felt kind of awkward being the only one wearing a short dress.
👕Looser fitting > tight & short
❌ Americans (like me!) love form-fitting clothes, like tight tank tops and revealing high-waisted shorts.
✅ I don’t really remember seeing any Parisians with super tight or revealing clothes, even with girlies in their 20s.
I did see people pair a tighter t-shirt (with looser jeans).
But even at wine bars, a lot of girlies wore interesting-looking but not super revealing tops. Think a cool loose top (solid color) with short sleeves and frills on the shoulders.
⏳Timeless fashion > trendy pieces
❌ NYC is more trend sensitive. You’ll see swathes of girlies sporting the same fit — whatever is on trend.
✅ In Paris, I saw more classic, timeless styles. Many 20s girlies wore true blue high waisted jeans, a leather belt and a simple top. Rather than busy floral patterns, people often wear solid colors and stripes, or thrifted vibe cotton tees.
🍁Muted colors > neutrals
❌ In NYC, we love our whites and beige tones during the summer.
✅ While white t-shirts were common (mostly among men), Parisians didn’t sport the light neutral look as much.
Instead, Parisians incorporated what I consider more autumn colors. The best way I’d describe is are Patagonia’s colors… muted red pants, aubergine tops, navy green chino pants, and roasted orange.
🖤All black everything is OK
✅ All black everything is common, even on warmer (and sunnier) days
🔩Grungy is welcome
🩶 Textured (oily?) hair, shorter hair on women and longer hair on men are all cool!
🔩 Studded black leather bags & silver pierced jewelry are welcome even on hot days.
Sneakers galore
✅ A lot of people wore comfortable close-toed shoes (sneakers), which is also common in a walkable city like NYC.
✅ More women wore mid-height block heels or platformed comfortable sandals in Paris. (In NYC, I feel like people are either wearing sneakers, a trendy shoe or are dressed to the 9s, rather than sporing a kind of nice shoe that is still casual enough.)
💁🏻♀️Comfy chic > gaudy & planned
🥵 Disclaimer: If you want to dress to the 9s, you do you, girl!
❌ Maybe I wasn’t going to the fancy places.. but generally girlies don’t dress up as much as they do in NYC.
I got a satin brown slip dress from Uniqlo, and I even felt like I had to dress that down (by wearing sneakers & tying a white shirt on my shoulders). Otherwise, I felt like I stood out badly.
Honestly, occasionally when I saw couples dressed like they were going to a fancy hotel brunch, it was super clear to me that they were on holiday.
Which is not bad, but if you want to feel comfortable and not scream “tourist” with your outfit, I would recommend you either dress down, or bring layers/shoes that could add flexibility (like white leather sneakers).
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