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Packing For Paris In February

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I made sure, when I was packing for Paris, that I wasn’t going to look under-dressed.

In Copenhagen, the month beforehand, I’d trudged around in biker boots and a Berghaus parka; the snow and sub-zero temperatures not conducive to looking anything but, well, rugged up.

But in Paris I knew that just would not do.

In Copenhagen, everyone was wearing boots and parkas, hats pulled down as far as possible, scarves around their necks. I fitted in, and I intended to in Paris too.

Do women strut around Paris in stilettos? Well, not really, unless you’re Carrie Bradshaw. And it’s a good thing I’m not Carrie Bradshaw because walking around in heels all day? Noooo thank you.

In Paris, though, it’s not really about being dressed up every day, it’s more about just being neat and tidy: clean lines, simple clothes.

Of course, I’d encourage you to wear whatever the fuck you want when you travel. YOU DO YOU. Seriously. Because the best way to feel good about solo travel is to wear whatever makes you feel comfortable.

And, while I definitely didn’t buy anything new to wear in Paris, or even take anything particularly dressy, I did feel good. And, from years of solo travel, I know that feeling good is half the battle when you’re travelling on your own.

So, here’s what I packed for Paris – maybe it’ll give you some ideas for what to take if you’re heading there yourself.

Packing For Paris

packing for paris

#1. Red Checked Scarf

Can anyone actually remember what it feels like to leave the house without a scarf on? Nope, me neither. Like, people keep saying Spring is just around the corner but IS IT? Is it really??

Anyway, I picked up this scarf in the sale at New Look (all sold out now but there’s a similar one here) and, because it wasn’t too big and bulky (you know, like those blanket scarves we were all wearing in January because HI SNOW) it still looked pretty sophisticated. You know, apart from when a gust of wind blew it in my face.

#2. Leather Gloves

I always *always* opt for leather gloves over a wool pair. Firstly because I’m allergic to wool, and secondly because I think leather gloves (real leather gloves) are actually warmer AND waterproof. I took the pair I’ve had for years from M&S but this pair with fringing on the side are so nice that I’m wondering if I should maybe get them for next winter. Or is that a bit *too* organised??

#3. Pinafore Dress

I picked up this denim pinafore dress in the ASOS sale at the start of the year and I think it’s safe to say that I’ve worn it. to. death. I can’t see on the site anymore, but this one’s pretty similar. What I love about pinafore dresses is that you can literally just chuck a t-shirt underneath them and go – one outfit, 2 pieces of clothing. DONE.

#4. Black jumper

I’m not sure this jumper’s overly flattering on me. It just kinda hangs and makes me look a bit, well, preggers. But anyway, it’s really flippin’ warm so I packed it for Paris to wear with black skinnies and Chelsea boots because, honestly, you really can’t go wrong in Paris with an all-black outfit.

#5. Sony Cybershot

This camera’s a proper little globetrotter, it’s been *everywhere* with me. I like a small point and shoot like this Sony one because it’s easy to just slip it in your pocket. If I’m using a bigger camera I get a bit paranoid about being too flashy with the ol’ gadgets, especially as a solo traveller.

#6. Heeled Chelsea Boots

I’ve worn these boots from New Look so much around London that they’re starting to look a bit worse for wear but I love them so much that I can’t bear to part with them yet. I wouldn’t normally take these when I travel, but the beauty of the Eurostar is that there’s no weight limit on your bag which means you can take as many pairs of shoes as you want. Whenever I wear these boots I just feel like me. They make me feel confident, like I can do *anything*.

#7. Striped long-sleeved t-shirt

Because no trip to Paris is complete with a striped top, amirite? This one’s from H&M, but I also love this cream and navy number with 3/4 sleeves, and this oversized one which I know is going to perfect for spring (when it actually decides to, you know, arrive).

#8. Silver Tote Bag

You know when you buy a bag and you’re, like, THIS. This is the last bag I’m ever going to buy. I never need buy a bag again but THIS. IS THE ONE. And then a week later you find yourself browsing for handbags on the internet because, urgh, bored of this now. When I bought this bag from Topshop, I vowed to not buy a new ‘adult’ bag for at least a few years. I wanted something that would a) go with everything b) be big enough to fit my laptop in and c) wasn’t black and boxy, so like so many bags are. I’ve made a lot of bad decisions in my life, but buying this bag? Not one of them. Nope.

Anyway, again, normally I don’t travel with this bag. Many will argue that taking a bag that doesn’t have a zip at the top and can’t be safely worn across your body is a big no-no for solo travellers. And, sure, a silver tote bag probably isn’t the best accessory to take if you’re, I don’t know, backpacking around South East Asia. But this is my everyday, living in London bag, and so I saw no reason not to take it to Paris. Again, annoyingly Topshop aren’t selling it anymore, but there’s a very similar (even shinier) one here which I’m totally bookmarking for when my current one gives up on life.

#9. Black skinny jeans

Like any 30 year old who’s been encasing her thighs in close-fitting denim since she first laid eyes on a pair of Topshop Baxters in 2004, I am now the proud owner of approximately 72 pairs of black skinny jeans. They go with every pair of shoes, every top, and this is really convenient for travel because one pair of jeans can literally see you through a whole weekend away.

Seriously, absolutely no-one is going to look at your bottom half in horror and ask “Erm, aren’t those the jeans you were wearing yesterday??”

Aaaanyway, my go-to skinnies nowdays are ASOS Ridley jeans. I find them a little bit longer in the leg than Topshop Jamies (my previous go-to) so I tend to get a 30″ leg instead of a 32″, but they’ve also got a bit more stretch in them meaning you can wear them out to dinner and eat a normal meal and not feel like your insides are being slowly pulverised.

#10. Kindle

I rarely go anywhere without my Kindle, to be honest. I still buy ‘real books’ (so much so that I’ve now had to start using my windowsill as a bookshelf because my *actual* shelf is full) but, for travel, Kindles are so much more convenient -who has room for more than one book in their carry-on?? Not me.

#11. Chelsea Boots

Obviously I wasn’t going to wear my heeled boots every day in Paris – I mean, they’re comfy, but have you BEEN up the Arc De Triomphe?? Have you SEEN how many stairs there are? Wearing anything but flats is just asking for trouble. This pair basically go with anything so, again, perfect for travel.

#12. Coat

I’ve written about this coat before so I won’t bore you with the details, except to say that I still love it and I’m genuinely worried about the day when I have to go shopping for a new winter coat because this one is so warm and flattering.

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Packing for Paris in February

 


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