How to Dress for Springtime in Paris

Spring is arguably the best season for dressing up in Paris. Everything is just right: the weather is pretty mild, it's often sunny, and the temperature is just right (not too cold and not too hot). I've always found that spring gives me a ton of options on what to wear. I can go out in a light sweater, a breezy set of separates, or even a nice sundress and still be comfortable. While I do wear those things, I prefer to dress up the Parisian way in spring. What does this mean, exactly? It means going for white shirts, form-fitting jeans, and still taking out the trusty trench coat now and then.

Always Choose The White Shirt

You've likely heard many people or read in countless magazines that the white shirt, specifically a white button-down, is a Parisian wardrobe staple. I'm happy to confirm that yes, we Parisians love the white shirt and wear it often. I especially love wearing it in spring, when the weather is mild enough that I can go out in a white shirt with a nice pair of jeans or a lovely skirt and still look like I'm dressed like a Parisian for a fashion magazine shoot. The ones I have from Céline are so crisp and clean, they always look as good as new after every wash. You can't replace such staples!

Go For Flattering Jeans

I've already mentioned jeans and yes, this is yet another Parisian fashion staple. But in this instance, what I mean by flattering jeans is what compliments your figure and what a complete look you're going for. This doesn't always have to be skinny jeans, which the rest of the world considers to be the signature French denim piece. In my opinion, Boyfriend jeans paired with a nice button-down or an oversized light sweater still makes for a cute springtime Parisian look. Wide-leg jeans with a tailored jacket give a business-ready touch too, especially when we all go back to work.

Choose Organic Fabrics

Before I expound on this further, you're probably asking: what exactly are organic fabrics? Well, they include cotton, linen, hemp, and even some types of silk too. Now, why do these materials work for dressing like a Parisian in spring? Because they're all light, airy, and some are sturdy enough to give a sophisticated silhouette. As I've mentioned earlier, a cotton white shirt is more than enough to look as chic as a French woman smoking a cigarette near the Eiffel Tower. If you want to avoid looking like a tourist in Paris, these organic fabrics will help you easily!

Be Courageous with Color

As a Parisian, I'm frankly tired of people saying we only go for neutrals when we dress up. I admit I do love black & white myself, but my wardrobe is not so boring that I always look like a walking Ralph Lauren ad. I, and many other French women who also live in Paris, step out in other colors too. My favorite color is tangerine and I have a lovely vintage Chloé dress that I always wear once springtime arrives. My neighbor is also courageous with her color choices in her spring wardrobe, often going so far as to dress up in neon shades around May when the weather is getting so hot that it's practically summer already.

Florals for Spring Can Still Be Groundbreaking

Miranda Priestly may not agree, but I certainly believe that you can still look chic (not cliche!) when you wear florals in spring. Many of us who live in Paris are still romantic at heart, so we don't stray away from more feminine prints and silhouettes. We don't always look like Jane Birkin in a white shirt and jeans—that's not the only Parisian look to go for. We still wear florals every springtime, but we do so in a way that never looks old and boring. I, for one, love pairing my floral tops with more structured skirts and bottoms. I love balancing those feminine and masculine styles.

Keep The Knitwear

You may think that knitwear is only reserved for dressing up in autumn in Paris but it has its place in springtime too. I assure you that while the weather is milder in spring, the temperature isn't always warm. On the days when a white shirt or a cotton sundress isn't enough to keep you comfortable outside, a light sweater or even a cashmere dress is more than enough. You won't even look too hot to others when you wear it out on the street. Instead of confusion, you'll likely be looked on with envy!

Remember Your Blazer

Springtime, as well as summertime, shouldn't excuse you from still looking your best, especially when you work in Paris. We're not necessarily as fussy about how people dress as the rest of the world makes us out to be, but we do appreciate a sense of decorum in the workplace. So even when spring arrives and brings about warmer weather with it, this still shouldn't stop you from foregoing your blazer at the office (or any other place or event that requires a business-ready look, for that matter). I've always found that the right blazer can instantly turn a look as simple as a t-shirt and jeans into a street-style-worthy shot.

Don't Hide Your Trench Coat Away Yet!

Remember when I said that spring still gets a bit chilly at times? Well, I ought to mention too that the temperature can still go so low that you'll need a coat when you go out. A Parisian's coat of choice? A trustworthy trench coat! Yes, we wear it all the time in autumn and winter, but we also put it on from time to time in spring. You'll also find that many of us who live in Paris have two types of trench coats, one for the colder seasons and a lighter one for spring. We love pairing it with our simpler looks, specifically when we sport our staple jeans.

Dressing for spring in Paris is easier than you think. Parisians are pretty courageous with their wardrobe for the season yet they still feel comfortable at the same time. Keep note of what they wear and you might learn a thing about cool springtime style.