Coucou readers! My sister-in-law is coming to Paris in May! She should not be arriving solo either or else, and this is a big ELSE, girlfriend is going to need to find another place to plop her suitcases. Ma belle-sœur better be accompanied by my dear friends Peanut Butter, Butterfinger, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. I'm sure you've met them before. Aren't they lovely?
In addition to her mouthwatering entourage, my sister-in-law will be joined by a group of her university classmates who are finishing up a spring semester course in Paris. The class has sent me questions to help them prepare for their trip, and since I've never posted about studying abroad-ish things before I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share my two cents. But let's be honest. I'm not the end all be all resource for Paris (not by a long shot!) so I've enlisted mon mari and a few friends to help round out my answers to their questions. I've also included links to posts by other bloggers where they've already written on the topic and can provide expert knowledge.
In addition to her mouthwatering entourage, my sister-in-law will be joined by a group of her university classmates who are finishing up a spring semester course in Paris. The class has sent me questions to help them prepare for their trip, and since I've never posted about studying abroad-ish things before I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share my two cents. But let's be honest. I'm not the end all be all resource for Paris (not by a long shot!) so I've enlisted mon mari and a few friends to help round out my answers to their questions. I've also included links to posts by other bloggers where they've already written on the topic and can provide expert knowledge.
To begin, let's let my OCD really shine and start with the what clothes to pack question. But before you can really figure out which clothes to bring, you need to determine how many and what kind of outfits you'll need. There are some simple things to consider to get this semi-stressful task crossed off your pre-trip checklist:
--> You need an outfit for the airplane rides (a comfy, but not sloppy looking ensemble--boys too!)
--> How many times will you need to look professional?
--> How many times do you think you'll actually hit the town in a crazy club night kind of way? (Unless you're going to go the club clubs, you don't need your Forever 21 gear or tight Aéropostale shirts like you might in the U.S. What people wear to work / during the day turns into evening wear.)
--> Are you doing anything out of the ordinary that needs special equipment? (ex. Will you be taking a day trip to Fontainebleau to go bouldering? Fontainebleau has some of the best bouldering spots. Not that I boulder. I save that for my friends.)
--> Can you do laundry? Will you want to spend a few hours of your time in Paris doing laundry?
If you can think about these things before you start writing your packing list the whole process will be easier. Once you've nailed down the kinds of clothes you'll need, the next step is to plan out what you'll wear each day. Seriously. Really. Do it. This allows you to see where you can overlap your clothes to make more than one outfit and ultimately save space for souvenirs! Like big round boxes of macarons from Ladurée. Priorities people. And if you want to take it to the next level, packs said outfits in individual Ziploc bags. You think I'm joking, but I'm not...
--> You need an outfit for the airplane rides (a comfy, but not sloppy looking ensemble--boys too!)
--> How many times will you need to look professional?
--> How many times do you think you'll actually hit the town in a crazy club night kind of way? (Unless you're going to go the club clubs, you don't need your Forever 21 gear or tight Aéropostale shirts like you might in the U.S. What people wear to work / during the day turns into evening wear.)
--> Are you doing anything out of the ordinary that needs special equipment? (ex. Will you be taking a day trip to Fontainebleau to go bouldering? Fontainebleau has some of the best bouldering spots. Not that I boulder. I save that for my friends.)
--> Can you do laundry? Will you want to spend a few hours of your time in Paris doing laundry?
If you can think about these things before you start writing your packing list the whole process will be easier. Once you've nailed down the kinds of clothes you'll need, the next step is to plan out what you'll wear each day. Seriously. Really. Do it. This allows you to see where you can overlap your clothes to make more than one outfit and ultimately save space for souvenirs! Like big round boxes of macarons from Ladurée. Priorities people. And if you want to take it to the next level, packs said outfits in individual Ziploc bags. You think I'm joking, but I'm not...
Now for the actual clothes themselves. It's easier for me to play Stacey from What Not to Wear than to pretend I'm in know with the Paris fashion scene. Please. I get into sweat pants as soon as I walk through the front door. The important words in that sentence being front and door, which leads me to my first what not to wear "rule." (Take these with a grain of salt--these are just things that catch my eye and immediately tell me someone isn't from Paris. If potentially sticking out doesn't bother you, then disregard the rules as you please :-)
#1 Do not wear athletic gear or baseball caps. Full disclosure? I break this rule everyday, but I'm walking from the gym to my apartment or vice-versa. Okay...and maybe sometimes I'm guilty of getting on the metro in running gear. But, there's no touring Notre Dame in your basketball shorts or wearing your favorite sweatshirt to dinner.
#2 North Face jackets are out. You know the kind I'm talking about.
#3 Flip flops outside of the public shower are a no no. Say sayonara to those Rainbows until your feet are firmly planted back on American soil. The no flip flop rule is two fold. One, you don't want your bare feet getting near whatever gunk lurks on Paris sidewalks or the floor of the Metro cars. Trust me. Ick. Two, the thong sandal is just not worn around this town like it is in the U.S. Invest in a nice pair of sandals to really show off those polished piggly wigglies.
#4 Black is in. Always. Read this.
UPDATE: #5 Do not wear clothes that have French writing on them or anything Paris related that you might buy on your trip. I can spot a gaggle of tourists a kilometer away when they've slipped on their "Paris, je t'aime!" t-shirts.
And more generally...
For the ladies: dark jeans, skinny jeans, skinny pants, nice tops that go from day to night, spring dresses, and skirts, good walking shoes that aren't your grandma's Reeboks, stalk the trends at H&M and Zara, stare at the lookbook on this blog and realize how fashion challenged you are (maybe that's just me) and then pack accordingly
For the gents: jeans (no hammer hooks please), nice trousers, non-sneaker walking shoes that can go from day to night, normal collared shirts and T-shirts (you're lucky--it's not too complicated for you guys)
#2 North Face jackets are out. You know the kind I'm talking about.
#3 Flip flops outside of the public shower are a no no. Say sayonara to those Rainbows until your feet are firmly planted back on American soil. The no flip flop rule is two fold. One, you don't want your bare feet getting near whatever gunk lurks on Paris sidewalks or the floor of the Metro cars. Trust me. Ick. Two, the thong sandal is just not worn around this town like it is in the U.S. Invest in a nice pair of sandals to really show off those polished piggly wigglies.
#4 Black is in. Always. Read this.
UPDATE: #5 Do not wear clothes that have French writing on them or anything Paris related that you might buy on your trip. I can spot a gaggle of tourists a kilometer away when they've slipped on their "Paris, je t'aime!" t-shirts.
And more generally...
For the ladies: dark jeans, skinny jeans, skinny pants, nice tops that go from day to night, spring dresses, and skirts, good walking shoes that aren't your grandma's Reeboks, stalk the trends at H&M and Zara, stare at the lookbook on this blog and realize how fashion challenged you are (maybe that's just me) and then pack accordingly
For the gents: jeans (no hammer hooks please), nice trousers, non-sneaker walking shoes that can go from day to night, normal collared shirts and T-shirts (you're lucky--it's not too complicated for you guys)
Onward to Question #2 then I need to take a little break because this puppy is getting too loooooong. Here we go:
Do you have any suggestions about key items that someone might not think to bring to Europe? For electronics? Hair stuff for girls (ideas for straighteners)?
--> CORKSCREW! I've lost 4 since moving here. I know one is stuck behind the seat on the train between Paris & Venice.
--> A WELL MADE UMBRELLA! I've bought more umbrellas in Paris than I can count and they've all died on me. Bring one.
--> Adapter, but check that all of the electronics you're bringing can operate on 220V.
--> Double up on products--buy your normal size shampoo, face wash, etc. and then get those cheapo travel kits and fill up the little bottles with some of each product. Store the travel kit along with travel size deodorant, shaving cream, etc. in a small plastic bag and bring that with you in addition to your the larger bottles. If you decide to go on a 1 or 2 day trip while you're based in Paris, you can easily throw your travel kit in a small weekend bag and not waste time transferring products. I have multiple toothbrushes, hair brushes, and mascaras just for this reason.
--> Bottles of hand sanitizer. Am I sounding like a total germaphobe now? Pastries taste good, but not when they're covered in microbes!
--> Copies of the back and front of all of your credit cards, identification documents, etc. Store one copy with your parents and bring one copy with you. Or better yet, scan everything and store securely in your email.
--> For zee girls, I might leave the hair paraphernalia stateside. Parisian girls love to rock the messy hair look! Somehow they've mastered a bed head coif that's perfectly acceptable at the office. If you hair goes Diana Ross on you, then throw it in a messy bun and you'll fit right in. You can also buy hair straighteners super cheap here. I bought one for 14 euros at Darty. Oh, and for "personal products"? You can buy normal brands here, but just save yourself the worry and bring them with you.
Obviously there are a billion other items you should absolutely not forget (i.e. your camera & camera charger, medications, products you cannot get in France...ummm Pepto Bismol anyone?), but you're smart grown-ups and can figure this out. Plus, you'll have written a packing list wayyy in advance that includes must have items. Right? Right!
C'est tout for now, but I'll be back soon. Or as soon as I can figure out what other important phrases one should know other than "je vais prendre un croissant s'il vous plaît." Question #3 is a toughie when you're as good at miming as I am. Input anyone? What top phrases would you suggest people learn before coming to Paris?
Answers to question #3 and 4, and 5, and 1,000 to come...
Love your semi-knowledgeable trip adviser,
Do you have any suggestions about key items that someone might not think to bring to Europe? For electronics? Hair stuff for girls (ideas for straighteners)?
--> CORKSCREW! I've lost 4 since moving here. I know one is stuck behind the seat on the train between Paris & Venice.
--> A WELL MADE UMBRELLA! I've bought more umbrellas in Paris than I can count and they've all died on me. Bring one.
--> Adapter, but check that all of the electronics you're bringing can operate on 220V.
--> Double up on products--buy your normal size shampoo, face wash, etc. and then get those cheapo travel kits and fill up the little bottles with some of each product. Store the travel kit along with travel size deodorant, shaving cream, etc. in a small plastic bag and bring that with you in addition to your the larger bottles. If you decide to go on a 1 or 2 day trip while you're based in Paris, you can easily throw your travel kit in a small weekend bag and not waste time transferring products. I have multiple toothbrushes, hair brushes, and mascaras just for this reason.
--> Bottles of hand sanitizer. Am I sounding like a total germaphobe now? Pastries taste good, but not when they're covered in microbes!
--> Copies of the back and front of all of your credit cards, identification documents, etc. Store one copy with your parents and bring one copy with you. Or better yet, scan everything and store securely in your email.
--> For zee girls, I might leave the hair paraphernalia stateside. Parisian girls love to rock the messy hair look! Somehow they've mastered a bed head coif that's perfectly acceptable at the office. If you hair goes Diana Ross on you, then throw it in a messy bun and you'll fit right in. You can also buy hair straighteners super cheap here. I bought one for 14 euros at Darty. Oh, and for "personal products"? You can buy normal brands here, but just save yourself the worry and bring them with you.
Obviously there are a billion other items you should absolutely not forget (i.e. your camera & camera charger, medications, products you cannot get in France...ummm Pepto Bismol anyone?), but you're smart grown-ups and can figure this out. Plus, you'll have written a packing list wayyy in advance that includes must have items. Right? Right!
C'est tout for now, but I'll be back soon. Or as soon as I can figure out what other important phrases one should know other than "je vais prendre un croissant s'il vous plaît." Question #3 is a toughie when you're as good at miming as I am. Input anyone? What top phrases would you suggest people learn before coming to Paris?
Answers to question #3 and 4, and 5, and 1,000 to come...
Love your semi-knowledgeable trip adviser,
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