Packing For Paris In January

If you’re looking to head to Paris in January, here’s a helpful packing list to inspire what to take to the city of lights during the month.

January is a great time to visit Paris as the holiday festivities have ended, the crowds of people have dissipated, and you can almost wander the city with a laid-back and quiet atmosphere.

January is the coldest month of the year for Paris, but still reasonable to enjoy the city during this month. You can expect some rain and chilly days ahead but with the right packing list, you’ll be prepared and ready to enjoy the city.

Weather

The weather during January in Paris tends to be very cold and cloudy. Average temperatures range from being in the 30s in the morning to the high 40s in the afternoon.

With the weather being cold and cloudy, you will want to make sure you pack appropriately and with the right accessories which include an umbrella and waterproof boots.

Some pieces to keep in mind will be layering tees or camis. You will want to bring a raincoat or some type of warm wool coat to keep you warm and dry. Of course, you can always stop into a local café for a warm glass of red wine to warm you up.

Shoes For Paris In January

Paris always involves a lot of walking no matter what season but you will want to pack a pair of sneakers. Everyone in Paris wears sneakers these days, popular ones are VEJA, Stan Smith, and Converse. You can also take a pair of ballet flats and waterproof booties for when it rains. If you’ll be wearing a lot of dresses or skirts, you might want to pack tall boots as well.

You can see my entire post dedicated to the best walking shoes for Paris here and the ones I find the most comfortable during my trip.

My one tip is to make sure you take along some sort of gel insoles and these Moleskine pads to put on the back of your shoes.

I also carry around my Longchamp tote with an extra pair of shoes for the day. That way, if I want to stop and take pictures in one shoe but wear my sneakers to walk around, I can switch them out.

Also, Paris is not the place to break in new shoes so make sure you don’t bring a brand new pair to walk the city.

Neutral Outfits

Whenever I travel to Paris, I prefer to look more like a local vs. a tourist so I try and stay very neutral when it comes to my outfits. I make sure to pack versatile pieces which can be mixed and matched with each other.

Make sure to pack pieces that you can use for layers. Since the weather will be cold and damp, it’s best to have layers you can wear under sweaters, a trench coat, or a blazer. My favorite layering tops are from Cuyana.

Packing basics will go a long way and actually give you more outfits. A good list to start with would be a pair of blue or black denim. A pair of brown or black trousers and a long black skirt or dress.

You will see a lot of Parisian women in mostly jeans and trousers. Depending on the weather some will still have on dresses or skirts with a jacket. No athleisurewear so leave your yoga pants at home, please. Shoes will be mostly sneakers,  booties, or tall boots.

Another thing to think about is if any of your pieces need to be tailored before your trip. I always make sure to take anything to the tailor a few weeks before the trip to ensure they are ready in time.

Travel Gear For January

When it comes to travel gear, I’ve learned over the years what works the best and items you may not think about but have helped me. When it comes to traveling on a plane this is what I always have with me. A great carry-on bag for the plane which is comfortable enough to carry everything I need. I have this carry-on bag but Everlane also has an affordable option. Inside the bag, I pack my eye mask, travel pillow, water bottle, and slippers ( I like to put these on when I am on the plane). Of course, my headphones are always with me as well as my Mer Sea wrap that goes everywhere.

Here are a few beauty tips for when I travel to Paris. I try to stay away from more than one alcoholic drink on the plane due to hydration. I also put this hydrating face mask on when I board to keep my face hydrated and use this eye cream when we land to help with puffiness.

For my suitcase, I use these Amazon suitcases and they have been great. I also use these packing cubes to help so I can pack more and these laundry bags. This luggage scale always goes with me so I know how heavy my bags are, and this travel steamer is perfect and works very well.

Other important items not to forget would be adapters, phone and camera chargers, and travel wallet if you want ( I use one and love it because I carry paperwork in there as well).

Included is a downloadable PDF packing list. Print this and check it off to ensure you have everything for your trip. You can download the packing list HERE.

1. Mango Wool Coat– A long wool coat will keep you nice and warm while walking around Paris.
2. Alex Mill Striped Sweater Cardigan– This sweater is perfect because it can double as a sweater or a cardigan, just by layering a long tee or cami underneath.
3. J.Crew Navy Blazer– Parisians love to wear navy and black so give it a try while you’re there. It’s a very unexpected yet elevated color combination.
4. Mango Pea Coat– Another classic and timeless coat is a pea coat, you are definitely going to look like a local wearing this coat.
5. & Other Stories Tie Neck Blouse– A beautiful silk tie-neck blouse to wear with denim or dress it up and wear with pants. Very Parisian.
6. A.P.C. Grace Leather Bag– Beautiful, classic, leather French brand handbag with designer looks but half the price.
7. Square Toe Waterproof Boot– You will need boots for the elements while you are out walking around.
8. Everlane Cashmere Turtleneck– One of my favorite sweaters to pack for Paris, so nice and cozy yet beautiful.
9. Alex Mill Lambswool Sweater– A lovely color to wear with denim or pants and to keep you warm at the same time.
10. Everlane White Button-Down– A great layer to always have is a white button-down to go under a blazer or under a sweater.
11. Cuyana Silk Cami– My favorite camis to layer with under blazers or sweaters.
12. J.Crew Black Leather Belt– A classic leather belt is always a great accessory to have to feel put together.
13. MOTHER Straight Leg Denim– Straight-leg denim is what all Parisians wear, they are comfortable and help elongate the legs.
14. Black Cashmere Scarf– You will need a scarf to wear around your neck to stay warm.
15. Grey Cashmere Scarf– To mix up the colors a bit go for a black and a grey scarf.
16. Mango Chambray Top–
17. Umbrella– An absolute must during the month of January in Paris.
18. Tech Cashmere Gloves– To keep your hands warm but still able to use your phone while wearing them.
19. Blondo Waterproof Boot– Waterproof boots are a must for the city during January when it’s rainy and cold.
20. Longchamp Tote– My favorite tote I use to walk around all day and carry my essentials plus anything I pick up on the go. Longchamp is a favorite among French women because it’s so functional.
21. Everlane Cashmere Sweater– Classic and versatile and can be worn with jeans or trousers.
22. J.Crew Wool Pants– If you want to swap out your denim for something warm, go with these wool pants from J.Crew.
23. PAIGE Denim– These boot-cut jeans are incredibly flattering plus the dark denim goes with everything and is a bit dressier looking.
24. Adidas Stan Smith Sneaker– These are some of the most comfortable sneakers to wear while walking around the city plus you’ll look like a local.

Need some outfit inspiration for your Paris in January trip, here are several ideas to help you along the way. These combinations are all meant to help when deciding what to pack for your trip.

Paris In January Outfit Ideas

Hopefully, this has helped with your Paris in January packing list to help you feel put together, confident, and ready for your trip to Paris.

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OTHER PARIS INFORMATION

Are you heading to Paris anytime soon? I have a lot of information that can hopefully help plan your visit.

• 10 Essential Tips To Know When Visiting Paris
• How To Order Coffee In Paris
• Guide To Saint Germain
• Things To Do In Paris With Kids
• Paris Essentials Not To Leave Home Without
• Best Walking Shoes For Paris
• How To Travel To Paris Cheap But Still Chic
• My Ideal 3 Days In Paris