Visiting Paris in the winter is often low on people’s lists as they often op for spring, summer or fall but I love the quietness of visiting Paris December through March. As the founder of En Route to Rêverie I have helped hundreds of people plan a trip to Paris via Rêverie in Paris. I have been to the city of Paris in all seasons. In the wintertime the city has less tourists and you can bundle up and set out to explore the best sites and attractions with less crowds.
There’s also always plenty to do indoors in Paris so you can always escape to the heated indoors if it gets too cold for your liking. If you’re visiting Paris in the Winter to take advantage of the less crowded, quiet city and wondering what to wear, this post is for you! I’m sharing a variety of outfit ideas to inspire your packing as you look to plan cute, warm, comfortable and stylish outfits for your trip.
Have you ever been to Paris in the Winter? I am rather formulaic in what I pack for Paris despite the season as I always lean into staples and stylish layers, particularly in neutral colors. If you’re looking to get more inspiration, don’t miss my What to Pack for Paris in the Winter post.
What To Wear To Paris In Winter
When is Winter in Paris
Winter weather in Paris really starts in December and carries through to early March when Springtime sunshine begins to make more frequent appearances and the trees see the first sign of blooms.
What The Weather Is Like In Paris In The Winter
Paris never gets too, too cold and it very rarely experiences snow in the winter. Usually winter days are in the high 30s/40s Fahrenheit. It can feel a bit colder than that if it is raining or windy but in general I don’t find it as cold as it can get in New York City or Chicago.
But it can surprise you! December, January and February may have “feels like in the 20s” days from time to time. So you’ll be want to be sure you check the weather as you’re packing and look at the expected highs, lows and “feels like” temperatures. Pack for cold weather but not the coldest weather you’ve ever felt. Aka: you can leave the heavy duty winter boots at home.
Winter weather in Paris is gloomy. You’ll have some rain (so don’t forget an umbrella!) and it can feel dark and gray all throughout the day. But you’ll also be greeted by bright sunshine on certain days. Your best bet is to plan for the worst and expect the best – this will also help you plan as you prepare what to pack.
How to Pack for a Week in Paris
Paris Winter Outfits
Overcoat + Trousers + Sneakers + Beanie
I love the European cool girl look and Parisian women look of trousers with black converse. Add a good cashmere sweater for warmth and a great coat and you’ve got an instantly chic yet comfortable for exploring look.
Straight Leg Jeans + Blazer + Ballet Flats
An easy look that can be mixed and matched throughout your trip. Wear the blazer with black pants or dress up the jeans with a low heel for evenings out. Top it off with an oversized wool belted jacket.
Monochromatic Look
I almost always have a slip skirt in my suitcase when I go to Paris as it can easily go from day to night when you swap out the shoe. In winter I think it is great paired with a sweater in a similar color and dressed up with a pair of boots for a dinner out.
Striped Tee + Oversized Blazer + Trousers with Converse
Effortlessly Parisian cool girl. Top this look with an oversized wool belted coat for an added layer of warmth.
Ponte Pants + Camel Coat + Sweater
I love wearing black ponte pants in Paris. I pair them with ballet flats or a sneaker and in this look I wore an oversized button down topped with a cashmere sweater for warmth. And you can’t get more classic than a camel wrap coat.
Oversized Blazer + Gray Jeans + Striped Tee
Instantly achieve Parisian cool girl status with an outfit like this. You can easily add an oversized top coat to this for colder days.
Faux Leather Pants
I love bringing faux leather into my winter wardrobe and a cool pair of trousers in the material is a perfect evening look for Winter in Paris. I paired mine with a cropped cashmere sweater and slingback heels.
Tweed Skirt + Sweater + Boots
You’ll no doubt want tights when you’re in Paris in Winter. I usually pack two pair in case I snag one of them. I love to wear winter fabrics like tweed in Paris and a tweed skirt is perfect for an evening out on the town. Add leather boots or suede ankle boots to complete the look.
Trench Coat + Scarf
I always bring a more oversized trench coat with me to Paris year round to layer over my leather jacket. It’s perfect for rainy days when you want to be wearing something more water resistant. And don’t forget to pack a scarf or two for colder days!
Matching Set
For a more fashion forward outfit in the Winter, pack a matching set to be paired with knee high boots. You could transition the set into summer by pairing it with sneakers.
Blazer + Shorts
Shorts aren’t just for spring or summer and I actually don’t wear shorts in Paris during warmer months usually unless with a matching blazer. But in the Winter I think a cute outfit is shorts over tights with a plaid blazer and heeled booties. I’d add a wool topcoat over this outfit for practicality.
Shown with my favorite travel umbrella I bring on every trip to Paris.
Patterned Dress and Calf Boots
I love getting dressed up for nights out in Paris and doing so with a fun patterned dress in a winter time fabric like jacquard is the perfect formula for a cute look for nights out on the town in the city of lights.
Slip Skirt + Leather Jacket
This outfit is the perfect example of outfits I wear in Paris in Fall and Winter. Not seen? The overcoat I also was wearing. I’m wearing a pair of knee high suede boots with a low heel that are perfect for walking all over Paris.
Sweater Dress + Over the Knee Boots
A sweater dress is a comfy look in Winter. Pair it with a good winter coat like a wool overcoat and over the knee boots for daytime exploring.
Sweater Dress + Sneakers
If spending most of your day indoors exploring museums or if it happens to be a rare warmer day in Winter, pair your long sleeve sweater dress with sneakers.
Skirt + Tweed Jacket
In Winter I would add tights to this look. A cute, stylish outfit for sipping on hot chocolate at a café
Faux Leather
Faux leather is a great option for Paris at night. Here I paired a faux leather mini with a blazer dress worn as a coat.
Cashmere Sweater + Jeans
Paris is all about streamlined classics. In the Winter I am sure to pack several of my favorite cashmere sweaters for colder days. I pair them with jeans and flats for daytime and then add a walkable heel for evening.
Layered Sweater with Button Down and Mini Skirt
I am all about layering in Paris in Fall and Winter. This look is chic and perfect for daytime exploring.
Sweater + Coat with Jeans + Boots
When in doubt, easy neutrals. I love to match my cashmere sweater with a coat in the same tone. Then add Straight leg jeans and a boot with a walkable heel. This look would be easy to add a scarf and hat to as well if extra nippy.
Oversized Sweater + Coat
I love oversized coats and sweaters in Winter and if you pack them in neutrals when you’re traveling you can mix and match with other pieces in your wardrobe.
Ponte Pants
I always travel to Paris with a pair of ponte pants. It’s a nice swap from jeans and makes a very Audrey Hepburn inspired style. Pair with loafers, a sweater and your coat. This look would be perfect for a day including ice skating if you plan to take advantage of the rinks that pop up across the city during Winter.
Blazer + Skinny Jeans + Ballet Flats
An easy formula to follow to look French.
Blazer.+ Jeans + Boots
If you don’t want bare ankles, pair this look with a classic pair of boots. I love this look for exploring the Christmas markets.
Oversized Blazer with Brooch
Play with proportion by pairing a an oversized blazer with more streamlined bottoms. Then add a brooch to add a bit of visual interest!
Trousers + Cashmere Hoodie + Overcoat
This look is the perfect example of what I would wear traveling to Paris in. Comfortable, warm and full of pieces I’d mix and match the rest of my trip.
Striped Knit
I can’t get enough of striped knits and always pack a striped sweater for a Winter trip to Paris.
Camel Coat with Black Jeans
I love to pair a variety of neutrals into one outfit when in Paris as seen here. Ivory, camel and black come together for a look that could easily take you out all day and into any evening plans. Wear this look to the Eiffel Tower, for people watching at a café or museum hopping.
For another fun way to change up this look? Just add a scarf to whatever bag you’re carrying!
Oversized Stripe Knit Sweater + Trousers
This was a look I wore on the plane to Paris in Winter. Topped with an oversized coat of course!
Velvet Dress
I love wearing velvet in many forms during Winter and I loved donning a velvet mini dress with a timeless coat for a dressed up evening out in Paris.
. . .
Remember that the winter months have shorter days and less daylight as a result so you’ll want to plan your time accordingly! If you need help planning your trip, I’d love to help you via Rêverie in Paris.
20 Things to do in Paris in Winter
I hope this post is helpful as you plan on what to wear in Paris! If you need more help packing for Paris – check out my Paris Packing Lists. As you pack remember to look for warm fabrics like cashmere, merino wool and don’t forget your warm weather accessories like hats and scarves so you’re sure to stay warm.
And don’t forget to pack a travel umbrella! You’ll undoubtedly need it.
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