What To Pack 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.
What To Pack For Paris In January
Weather In Paris In January
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 and shoes.
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 quite a bit of walking and if you’re out in January, you want to be prepared with the right kind of shoes. During January and the winter months, you will want to pack at least one pair of waterproof boots to keep your feet warm and dry.
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.
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.
WATERPROOF BOOTS
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 also make sure to pack versatile pieces that can easily mix and match 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 your sweaters and jackets.
Packing basics will go a long way and 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 will also work.
You will see a lot of Parisian women in mostly jeans and trousers. Some may even be wearing dresses with tall boots and tights underneath. No athleisurewear so leave your yoga pants at home, please.
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.
Layers For Paris In January
I always say pack layers for Paris no matter the season. The weather in Paris is so unpredictable and can change instantly. With a good selection of camis, tanks, and short and long-sleeve tees, you will be covered. You might also think about cashmere wraps and any other cold-layer pieces you would want to wear.
Layers
COLD WEATHER ACCESSORIES
You also want to be prepared with all the cold-weather accessories you will need such as a cashmere scarf or gloves, hats, a travel umbrella, warm socks, and these wool felt liners which provide extra warmth.
Here are 24 items to help inspire your packing list for Paris in January. I have also included several ways to wear the pieces together.
Mango Wool Coat
A long wool coat will keep you nice and warm while walking around Paris and is a must during January and the winter season.
GAP
Striped sweater you can easily layer a denim shirt under and wear it with jeans and black pants.
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.
MANGO Tweed Jacket
A timeless option to always have for Paris is a tweed jacket you can dress up or down.
& 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.
A.P.C. Grace Leather Bag
Beautiful, classic, leather French brand handbag with designer looks but half the price.
J.Crew Suede Booties
A dressier boot option for dinners or nice evenings out. In addition, the heel is not too high for walking along the cobblestones.
COS Turtleneck
A turtleneck is always a good idea to pack for Paris to use as a base layer or by itself.
Banana Republic Cashmere Sweater
It’s always nice to have at least one cashmere option to keep you extra warm.
GAP White Button Down
A great layer to always have is a white button-down to go under a blazer or a sweater.
Cuyana Silk Cami
My favorite camis to layer with under blazers or sweaters.
J.Crew Black Leather Belt
A classic leather belt is always a great accessory to have to feel put together.
AGOLDE Jeans
Straight-leg denim is what all Parisians wear, they are so comfortable and help elongate the legs.
Black Cashmere Scarf
You will also need a scarf to wear around your neck to stay warm.
Ivory Cashmere Beanie
To keep your head warm make sure to pack one or two beanies.
J.Crew Denim Shirt
A classic denim shirt can easily be layered under a blazer, or a sweater, or worn by itself with a cami and jacket.
Umbrella
An absolute must during January in Paris.
Isotoner Gloves
To keep your hands warm but still able to use your phone while wearing them. These are the ones I pack for Paris in winter.
Blondo Waterproof Boot
Waterproof boots are a must for the city during January when it’s rainy and cold.
Longchamp Tote
A practical crossbody tote to carry around the city. This is one of my favorite bags to carry in Paris plus it’s a favorite among French women because it’s so functional.
Everlane Cashmere Sweater
Classic and versatile and can be worn with jeans or trousers.
J.Crew Pants
A classic pair of black pants to walk around the city. You can always wear tights or leggings underneath for extra warmth if needed.
J.Crew Skinny Flare
These flare jeans are incredibly flattering plus the dark denim goes with everything and is a bit dressier looking.
Veja Sneakers
These are some of the most comfortable sneakers to wear while walking around the city plus you’ll look like a local.
Shop Tops
Shop Bottoms
Shop Accessories
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.
If you’d like a guide to all my favorite shops, places to eat, and things to do while in Paris, you can find all of this included in the La Vie On Grand membership.
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I need more layers for Paris in winter, I have been there in January and spent the whole trip freezing cold. I have also been in October and it was very wet and cold and April was also wet and still not warm. I think that I need to go in July or August.
Yes, it can be tricky! The weather in Paris is always questionable. But I think the summer months are your best bet for warm weather. But, then can be too hot sometimes. Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!- Noelani