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What I Wore in Paris in April: 10 Days of Real Outfits

I’ll be honest with you that I’ve been coming to Paris for years, and April still managed to surprise me. I packed for spring. I arrived to temperatures that felt far more like early March.

The first few days hovered around 50°F (10°C), with wind that made the Seine feel very dramatic and very chilly. By the end of the trip, the sun finally showed up, but even then, a jacket was always the right call.

If you’re planning a Paris trip and wondering what to pack, I also have Your Essential Guide to Paris which covers everything from neighborhoods to navigation to packing, and it’s the resource I wish I’d had on my first trip.

First, Let’s Talk About the Weather

April in Paris has a reputation for being romantic and mild. And it can be but you have to be prepared for the full range. During my 10 days, temperatures ranged from the low 50s°F to the mid-60s°F.

Mornings were reliably cool, evenings required a real layer, and the in-between moments were unpredictable enough that I was always grateful I had packed layers with cashmere tees and button up blouses.

My advice: pack for layers, not warmth alone. You want pieces that work together, that can be added or removed easily, and that still look put-together.

The Shoes I Brought

Before we get into the outfits, let’s talk about shoes because this is where Paris trips go wrong. I brought five pairs, which felt like exactly the right number for 10 days:

Navy and white sneakers — for the long walking days and cobblestone-heavy neighborhoods. These were on my feet constantly.

Black square-toe flats — my most-reached-for “nice but comfortable” shoe. I wore these probably six times.

Nude pointed slingbacks— for elevated casual days when I wanted a cleaner line.

Yellow woven loafers — a fun statement shoe I wore for one specific outfit. Worth it.

Gold strappy sandals — for the dressier evenings. Paris evenings call for something special.

If you’re packing for a spring Paris trip, don’t skip the sneakers, and bring at least one flat that can go from a museum to dinner. That’s the move.

The Outfits, Day by Day

Here are the outfits I wore plus sizing notes for each product. Keep in mind I am 5ft, 5 1/2 inches tall and normally a size 6 in bottoms and a small or medium in tops. I also have a long torso and more petite legs, so I tend to buy a short in length if available so I don’t have to have the item shortened.

Along the Seine: Navy Jacket, Wide-Leg Jeans, Longchamp Mini

Veronica Beard Trench– Mother Denim–Kujten Scarf (similar)- Quince Navy Sweater– Veronica Beard Sneakers– Longchamp Handbag

This was a classic early-trip look one of those mornings where you grab a coffee to go and end up walking the banks of the Seine. The navy belted jacket was doing serious heavy lifting here: it’s polished enough to not look like you’re hiking, but the belt gives it a shape I love.

Wide-leg dark denim, a Kujten scarf I purchased on the first day, and my mini Longchamp. The sneakers were the right call for this day specifically.

Sizing Notes: The sneakers take a few times to break in but after this are incredibly comfortable.

• Veronica Beard Trench: Wearing size small
• Mother Denim: Wearing size 27
• Quince Navy Sweater: Wearing size small
• Veronica Beard Sneakers: Sized down half size

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Hotel Courtyard Chic: Black Blazer + White Trousers

Zara Blazer– Dior Belt– Aritzia Trousers– Quince Cashmere Tee– Sézane Gloria Sandals– Le Tanneur Handbag

For an afternoon at the Four Seasons for Tea Time I wore this combination that I now want to wear everywhere. A structured black blazer with a slight pinstripe and mandarin collar.

A Dior belt with a gold statement buckle, that was the outfit maker and white wide-leg trousers, gold sandals, and the ivory and tan structured bag. This by far was one of my favorite outfits of the trip.

Sizing Notes:

• Zara Blazer: Wearing size small but could have gone with the XS.
• Aritzia Trousers: Wearing size 6S. These trousers come in short, regular, and tall. I go with the short so I don’t have to get them tailored.
• J.Crew Cashmere Tee: Wearing a large.
• Sézane Gloria Sandals: Sandals fit true to size.

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Street Style by La Taverne: Military Jacket, Black Trousers, Silk Scarf

ba&sh Paris Tweed Jacket– Shopbop Crop Blue Blouse– La Ligne Trousers–Carel Paris Slingbacks– Hermes Scarf

This ba&sh Paris tweed jacket with gold buttons is one of those pieces I’ve had for a few years and reach for every single Paris trip. Here I wore it over a crop blue button-down with a printed silk scarf loose at the neck. Navy wide-leg trousers, denim cap-toe flats, and the burgundy structured mini bag.

Sizing Notes: The ba&sh jacket is comfortable enough in sizing to wear either a button down or lightweight sweater underneath.

• ba&sh Paris Tweed Jacket: Wearing size medium or size 2.
• Crop Blue Blouse: Wearing a size small.
• La Ligne Trousers: Sized down to a 4.
• Carel Slingbacks: Wearing my normal U.S. size.

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Place Dauphine: Tweed Jacket, Lace Blouse, Wide-Leg Jeans

Sézane Chlo Blouse– ba&sh Paris Tweed Jacket– Mother Denim– Veronica Beard Sneakers– Celine Sunglasses

Place Dauphine is one of those spots in Paris that never gets old for me. The way the light comes through the chestnut trees in April when they’re just starting to bloom and drop pink petals on the cobblestones; it’s almost too much.

I wore this navy tweed jacket with gold buttons (yes, I wore it multiple ways this trip) over a lace-trim white blouse with wide-leg jeans. The sneakers kept it casual and practical for the miles of walking.

Sizing Notes:

• Sézane Chlo Blouse: I sized up to a size 40.
• ba&sh Paris Tweed Jacket: Wearing a medium or size 2.
• Mother Denim: Wearing my normal size.
• Veronica Beard Sneakers: Sized down half a size.

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Scarf Styling on the Balcony: A Moment Worth Capturing

Nordstrom Scarf– Veronica Beard Top–Mother Straight Leg Denim

Some mornings in Paris you stand on your Airbnb balcony in your sweater and jeans and just exist for a few minutes before the day begins. This was one of those mornings.

A navy ribbed sweater, jeans, and this blue floral silk scarf that I’ve been wearing every possible way. Here it’s tied loosely in a bow at the neck ; one of the easiest, most French things you can do to elevate a simple outfit.

Sizing Notes:

• Veronica Beard Top: Wearing a size medium.
• Mother Straight Leg Denim: Wearing my normal size.

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Inside the Airbnb: Scarf-as-Blouse Styling, Flare Jeans

Veronica Beard Navy Scarf Jacket– Quince Cashmere Sweater– Mother Denim– Sézane Sandals

The minute I saw this Veronica Beard blazer with the scarf, I knew it would be perfect for Paris. I love the detail of not only the scarf but the cuffs coming out of the jacket as well, incredibly elevated. The scarf and cuff can also be removed as well to wear as a plain navy jacket. I wore the jacket with some straight leg denim and these comfortable block heel sandals from Sézane.

Sizing Notes:

• Veronica Beard Navy Scarf Jacket: Wearing size 6.
• J.Crew Cashmere Sweater: Sized up to a large for a roomier fit.
• Mother Straight Leg Denim: Wearing my normal size.
• Sézane Sandals: Fit true to size.

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Rooftop Morning: Breton Stripe + Silk Scarf + Ivory Trousers

Quince Cashmere Tee– Saint Laurent Scarf (similar)- Aritzia Trousers

This photo was taken on the rooftop staircase of our Airbnb on one of the cloudy-but-beautiful mornings that April in Paris specializes in. A cream and black striped short-sleeve sweater one of my favorite additions this trip with ivory wide-leg trousers and a black-and-cream striped silk twilly tied at the neck.

Sizing Notes:

• Quince Cashmere Tee: Sized up to a large for a roomier fit.
• Aritzia Trousers: Wearing a size 6S.

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Along the Seine Again: Denim Jacket, Ivory Trousers, Two-Tone Sneakers

Tuckernuck Denim Jacket– Quince Stripe Cashmere Tee– Aritzia Trousers– Veronica Beard Sneakers–  Le Tanneur Handbag– Saint Laurent Scarf(similar)

By mid-trip the sun had started making regular appearances and this felt like the perfect transitional look. A light-wash denim jacket almost workwear in its cut, with a slightly oversized feel.

I wore it over the striped sweater from above, with white wide-leg trousers. The two-tone sneakers and the ivory/tan bag kept everything cohesive. This is the kind of effortless, put-together look I think about when I think about French style: nothing is trying too hard.

Sizing Notes:

• Tuckernuck Denim Jacket: Wearing a size small.
• Quince Stripe Cashmere Tee: Sized up to a large for a roomier fit.
• Aritzia Trousers: Wearing a size 6S.
• Veronica Beard Sneakers: Sized down half a size.

SHOP THE LOOK

Burgundy Door Moment: Navy Sweater, Wide-Leg Jeans, Dior Scarf

FRAME Denim– Veronica Beard Top– Dior Scarf (under $50 style)- Carel Paris Slingbacks– Le Tanneur Handbag

This was a day of shopping and walking around so I wanted to look a bit polished. It was also warmer this day so I didn’t need to wear a jacket. The outfit overall is pretty basic but the scarf and shoes bring it together.

Navy ribbed puff-sleeve sweater, wide-leg jeans with a wide hem, denim cap-toe flats, and the Dior silk scarf tied softly at the neck. The Le Tanneur crossbody barely visible at the side. Simple, classic, très Parisienne.

Sizing Notes:

• FRAME Denim: Wearing my normal size.
• Veronica Beard Top: Wearing a size medium.
• Carel Paris Slingbacks: Wearing my normal U.S. size.

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Evening in Paris: Black Blazer, Ivory Trousers, Gold Chain

Aritzia Trousers– Quince Cashmere Tee– Rag and Bone Blazer– Celine Belt– Margaux Slingbacks– Sézane Necklace

Paris at night is something else entirely. The street lights, the quiet, the way the city just glows. For an evening out near the Louvre, I went back to the formula that never fails me: white wide-leg trousers, a black blazer, a belt with a gold buckle, a chunky gold chain, and black cap-toe flats.

The black structured mini bag finished it off. This is my version of the classic French evening look; no fuss, no overthinking, just the right pieces in the right proportions.

Sizing Notes:

• Aritzia Trousers: Wearing a 6S.
• Quince Cashmere Tee: Sized up to a large for a roomier fit.
• Rag and Bone Blazer: Wearing a size 6.
• Margaux Slingbacks: Wearing my normal size.

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Apartment Morning: Black Utility Jacket, Flare Jeans, Gilt Mirror

Rag and Bone Blazer– Quince Cashmere Tee– Mother Denim– Saint Laurent Scarf (similar)- Celine Handbag– Margaux Slingbacks

The apartment backdrop in this one is doing a lot of work; that gilded mirror, the ornate ceiling molding, the French windows. But the outfit holds its own: a black blazer over a cream blouse, dark flare jeans, two tone pointed slingbacks, and a stripe print scarf tied loosely.

The black crossbody bag. This was a “heading out to do everything” outfit comfortable enough for a long day but composed enough to feel like you meant it.

Sizing Notes:

• Rag and Bone Blazer: Wearing a size 6.
• J.Crew Cashmere Shrunken T-Shirt: Sized up to a large, can also wear this one.
• Mother Denim: Wearing my normal size.
• Margaux Slingbacks: Wearing my normal size.

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7th Arrondissement: Belted Trench, Light Blue Shirt, Wide-Leg Jeans

Aritzia Trench (similar)- AYR Button Down– FRAME Denim– Nomasei Paris Loafers– Le Tanneur Handbag– Sézane Gold Necklace– Sézane Morgane Necklace

I packed this AYR button down that runs a little long. I didn’t necessarily want to tuck it in, so I decided to let it hang out and wear the trench on top. I pulled up the sleeves of the trench a bit so you could see the shirt peeking out. I added color by way of my loafers which I own in two different colors.

This was also the outfit that stopped a French woman to stop me and ask about my outfit.

Sizing Notes:

• Aritzia Trench: Wearing a size small. Sold out so try this one.
• AYR Button Down Blouse: Wearing a size XS, this top runs large and is very long on my petite frame.
• FRAME Denim: Wearing my normal size.
• Nomasei Loafers: Wearing size 36.5 which equates to a 6.5

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What I’d Pack Again (and What I’d Leave Home)

Ten days in Paris in April confirmed everything I already believed about building a travel wardrobe: you need fewer pieces than you think, but they have to work harder than you expect.

The things I’d pack again without question: wide-leg trousers in ivory (wore them at least four times), my navy tweed jacket, the cashmere tees, the denim jacket, and every single silk scarf I brought.

Scarves are the best-ROI item in your Paris packing list because they change the entire feeling of an outfit and they weigh nothing.

What I’d reconsider: the yellow loafers were a wonderful idea but I only wore them once. Next time I’d swap them for a second pair of flats. I also would only pack two pairs of denim versus three pairs.

The real lesson of April in Paris: bring more layers than you think you need, trust your classic pieces, and always have a scarf within reach.