There are few trips more fun to plan than a girls’ getaway to Paris.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, planning a mother-daughter escape, organizing a long weekend with friends or finally taking that trip you’ve been talking about for years, Paris calls for a wardrobe that feels equal parts comfortable and polished.
After dozens of trips to Paris over the last decade, I’ve learned that the key isn’t packing more, rather it’s about packing smarter. Your days will likely include miles of walking for museum visits, long lunches, shopping, café stops and dinners that somehow stretch late into the evening. Your suitcase should work just as hard as your itinerary does and I’m here to help you do so.
This is exactly what I’d pack for a typical four-to-five-day girls’ trip to Paris.
Be sure to also browse my guides to What to Wear in Paris, my Paris Packing Lists by Season and my favorite Shoes for Paris for even more inspiration.
What to Pack for a Girls’ Trip to Paris
What Makes Packing for a Girls’ Trip Different?
Unlike a solo trip or romantic getaway, in my experience girls’ trips tend to involve a little more of:
- Taking photos together
- Nice dinners every night
- Cocktails at beautiful hotel bars
- Shopping
As someone who has done a lot of girls trips to Paris, here’s my recommendations of what to pack and how to plan your outfits.
If your girls’ trip to Paris is still in the planning stages, my travel company, En Route to Rêverie, specializes in creating bespoke itineraries throughout France. We help clients choose the right neighborhood, match them with the right hotel and unlock exclusive perks at many of our favorite Paris properties. Learn more about our planning services for Paris here.
My Paris Girls’ Trip Packing Formula
2 Dresses
I always pack at least two dresses.
One is an easy daytime dress that’s comfortable enough for museums, cafés and wandering neighborhoods like Saint-Germain or Le Marais. Particularly for a trip to Paris in summer! I love to wear my favorite dresses during the day.
The second will always be something slightly more elevated for dinner reservations or a special evening. I absolutely love a fun and fancy girls night out in Paris all dressed up.
2-3 Pairs of Jeans or Trousers
Paris is made for great denim. Depending on the season, I typically alternate between:
- Straight-leg jeans
- White or ecru jeans (spring/summer)
- Tailored trousers
These instantly make every outfit feel polished while mixing easily with multiple tops. You can shop my favorite bottoms that I own here.
For jeans my favorite sources are: AGOLDE, Veronica Beard, Levi’s, Citizens of Humanity, Mother, Reformation (but size up at least one size if not two!), Paige, DL1961.
Related: How to Style Trousers
5-6 Tops
This is where versatility matters most I think in terms fo what you pack. I try and ensure the tops I bring can mix and match with the bottoms I’ve packed at least several ways.
I generally pack:
- Breton striped shirt (Favorite Sources: Kule, Sezane, Saint James, J.Crew)
- White button-down (Favorite Sources: Sezane, AYR, Jenni Kayne)
- Good knits (Favorite Sources: Jenni Kayne, La Ligne, J.Crew)
- A lace blouse or silk cami for evenings
- Elevated t-shirt (Favorite Sources: M.M.LaFleur, LeSet, Sézane, AYR. And for layering tanks, M.M.LaFleur’s washable silk ones are my favs).
Shop the tops in my closet here.
Exactly How I Plan Outfits for Travel
A Blazer
If I could only recommend one layering piece for Paris, it would always be a blazer. Favorite Sources: Veronica Beard, J.Crew, Mango, Sezane, M.M.LaFleur, Aritzia.
It instantly elevates jeans, the right style of one can work over dresses, it’s a versatile layer and it somehow always feels right in Paris. I’d say the only exception is a girls trip to Paris in summer where usually outerwear isn’t really necessary!
One Lightweight Jacket or Trench
Depending on the season, I usually pack:
Even summer evenings can surprise you so have a light layer or a good light sweater. Obviously if your forecast says Paris is going to be hot, you won’t need a layer.
Shoes to Pack
The biggest packing mistake I see people make when going to Paris on girls trips? Packing shoes for photos instead of walking.
You’ll easily walk 20,000+ steps most days so you’ll want shoes you have broken in and are comfortable logging a lot of steps in.
Think:
- Comfortable leather sneakers
- Ballet flats or loafers
- Low block heels or elegant sandals for evenings out on the town
Leave the brand new shoes at home, trust me, you’ll thank yourself on the cobblestones.
Don’t miss my guide to The Best Shoes to Wear in Paris.
Accessories That Pull Everything Together
Accessories take up very little room but completely change an outfit. I personally never travel to Paris without:
- Silk scarf
- Sunglasses
- Crossbody bag
- Small evening bag (mine above is this one)
- Jewelry I wear every day
- A baseball hat or sun hat depending on the season
Shop all my go-to accessories here.
Don’t Forget These Travel Essentials
Alongside clothing, I always pack:
- Portable charger
- Reusable water bottle
- Umbrella
- European outlet adapter
- Mini steamer (if space allows)
- Dual voltage curling iron
- Small medicine kit
- Lip balm and hand cream
- Earplugs
- Your favorite makeup to travel with
If you want even more good essentials to rely on, check out All My Go-To Travel Essentials.
Outfit Ideas for a Girls’ Trip to Paris
Some of my favorite combinations include:
Morning Coffee & Shopping
- Straight-leg jeans
- White button-down
- Ballet flats
- Crossbody bag
Museum Day
- Trousers
- Breton striped sweater
- Sneakers
- Blazer
How to Style Satin Pants: Effortless Outfit Ideas for Day and Night
Dinner at a Bistro
- Black dress (Favorite Sources: Reformation, La Ligne, Theory, J.Crew, Aritzia, Staud, Veronica Beard)
- Gold jewelry
- Low heels
- Small shoulder bag (Shop My Bag Collection).
Cocktails at a Hotel Bar
- Tailored trousers (Favorite Sources: M.M.LaFleur, Aritzia, J.Crew) or a fun skirt
- Silk camisole
- Blazer
- Kitten heels or block heels
What Not to Pack
There are a few things I almost always leave at home.
- Too many shoes
- Athletic clothing unless you plan to work out
- Bulky handbags
- High stilettos
- Anything uncomfortable
- Pieces that only work with one outfit
Related: What Not to Wear in Paris
. . .
Shop for your Paris Girls Trip
One of my favorite things about Paris is that getting dressed becomes part of the experience. You don’t need an entirely new wardrobe, you simply need pieces that make you feel confident, comfortable and pulled together from morning coffee to your final dinner reservation.
If you’re thoughtful about what you pack, you’ll spend less time worrying about outfits and more time soaking up everything with your friends that makes Paris so magical.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear on a girls’ trip to Paris?
Aim for polished, comfortable outfits built around classic wardrobe staples like great denim, dresses, blazers, lightweight layers and comfortable walking shoes. Parisians generally dress in an elevated yet effortless way. And definitely pick at least one night to get dressed up! It is so worthwhile in Paris.
What to Wear in Paris at Night
How many shoes should I pack for Paris?
Three pairs are usually plenty: comfortable sneakers, ballet flats or loafers and one dressier option for evenings.
Should I pack heels for Paris?
Only if they’re comfortable. Low block heels or elegant sandals are far more practical than stilettos on Paris’s cobblestone streets.
How do I avoid overpacking for Paris?
Plan your outfits before you leave, choose a cohesive color palette and make sure every top works with multiple bottoms. A capsule wardrobe approach makes getting dressed effortless while keeping your suitcase manageable.
You May Also Like:
- The Best Coffee Shops in Paris.
- Little Things I Do To Make My Travels Smoother.
- What Shoes to Wear with a Black Dress.
- How to Plan a Girls Trip to Paris.
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