What to Wear in Paris in September: The Perfect Capsule Wardrobe

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Early Autumn a wonderful time to visit Paris. The summer heat has yet to fade but most of the summer crowds have. Autumn can be a very awkward time for planning what to pack though! So here’s my tips on what to wear in Paris in September…

We all know that Paris is the unrivalled city of style. A trip to Paris demands the perfect capsule wardrobe that is classy, simple and elegant, whilst still maintaining a sense of fun. Not to mention it has to be practical and suited to all weather conditions – you never know in Autumn what you are going to get!

My best advice is to consider your layers carefully and make sure you can match them with everything you take. Be flexible and keep checking the forecast right up until you travel. Whilst it might not be set in stone, it can give you a good indication of what end of the Autumnal scale your wardrobe needs to be.

The Leather Jacket

A trusty Autumn staple. You cannot go wrong with a simple black leather jacket thrown over a dress, skirt, jeans… anything really! It fits with the Parisian style of understated elegance.

It’s a little different but I love love love this cute cropped leather jacket with on-trend puff shoulders. Perfect for giving the classic look a new twist.

Want even more choice? More stylish leather jackets here.

The Swishy Skirt

Keep it simple with a black skater skirt. Easy to throw on it will go with everything and you can dress it warm or cold to match the weather. Tights and ankle boots for colder days and bare legs and pumps for Indian summer days. Light and versatile, it’s a pro packers choice.

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See more skater skirt styles here.

The Red Dress

You may have noticed this list contains a lot of black so far. Well fear no more, colour pop lovers! A dash of red is the perfect choice for autumn in Paris. It will match perfectly with that classic leather jacket and ankle boots.

See more autumnal styles here.

A Selection of Cute Tops

Now you’ve got your basic staples, it’s time to pair them up with your favourite t-shirts and blouses. It’s a good idea to mix in a variety of sleeve-lengths if you’re not sure about the weather. My choices:

• A cute short sleeve top in white – A low neckline is a nice way to flash a little of your summer tan before it fades but the sleeves keep it Autumnal.

Go stripy: for a full on French flavour get the striped tees out, why not! Simple and effective.

• A longer sleeve option – a simple but gorgeous chocolate hued shirt.

The Summer Staple

The chances of a full-on Indian summer are pretty high in early Autumn so it’s worth picking your favourite summer outfit and getting one last wear out of it. My choice – a pink, polka dot skater skirt and a white vest top. Some more cute skirts that I love and are perfect for one last summer fling…

The Coatigan

A coatigan or a long cardigan is perfect for those awkward in-between seasons! A light layer for all occasions. I get so much wear out of my River Island black and white check coatigan. It’s become a wardrobe staple for me! Again a monochrome piece is full of Parisienne chic.

Shoes

Ankle Boots

Perfect to match with anything and everything, the ankle boot will be your staple footwear for Paris. A small heel for the evenings or a sturdier style for daytime, they never go out of style.

Okay okay I know I said Paris is all about simple and understated but…

Trainers

An easy throw-on pair of trainers is perfect for the in-between season. You’re not quite ready for big winter boots yet! Ideal for those getting your legs out days. A word of warning though, even the comfiest of shoes can give you problems when you’re walking Paris! My biggest tip is to make sure you have two pairs of shoes that will go with most of your wardrobe. That way you can switch them up.

Other Paris Packing Essentials

Umbrella: If you really want to pack light I’d only take one if absolutely necessary. If there’s only a small chance of a shower you will probably get away with it by ducking in a shop/restaurant for a while.

Travel/Adapter Plugs

Small toiletry bottles: If you’re flying in, these travel sized bottle sets from Amazon are the best way to squeeze all your liquids through security if you’re carry on only. They come with lots of different sized bottles perfect for all your toiletries, whether its moisturiser, cleanser or shampoo. The Danielle set also has the size printed on them which is ideal as some airports require this.

Blister Plasters: If like me you like to cram a lot in you will need these! Paris demands a lot of your feet!

Portable Phone Charger: You don’t want to be stuck in beautiful Paris with a phone that’s low on battery.

More on Paris…

A Solo Travel Guide to Paris

What to Expect on Your First Trip to Paris