If there is any city known for its chic fashion, it is Paris (and NYC, of course). As such, I put together a Paris winter travel capsule wardrobe that is as stylish as it is functional. The best part is that this packing list is carry-on friendly. I followed this exact recipe for my recent 7-day trip, and still had plenty of room to spare for shopping and souvenirs. You can catch some of my other travel capsule posts here:
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Packing Notes for Paris in the Winter
Paris is a walking city, so if you are visiting in the winter months, expect to dress comfortably for 20 to 30-degree weather. We also visited a handful of fancier restaurants that asked for a smart-casual dress code. While it was not strictly enforced, you may want to have a few options handy to look your best. Obviously, this Paris winter travel capsule can be tweaked according to other places you visit.
Shoes to Bring to Paris in the Winter
Even though Paris is super well-connected by metro, I walked an average of 6-7 miles a day! Between roaming museums and meandering around shops, I accumulated a lot of steps, which makes choosing the right shoes the most important fashion decision of this trip.
Paris is also a damp city. We were lucky to only receive 1-day of rain during our time there. However, I strongly suggest packing a pair of water-resistant boots that go with both a casual and dressy outfit. My under $20 rain boots looked sleek enough to do the job, but you can also opt for a lug sole boot such as the ones below.
- Nisolo: Their Ana Go-To Heeled Chelsea Boot is one of the few styles I didn’t need breaking into, and has a water-resistant upper. Size half step up if adding insoles. Use code ‘STYLEDBYSCIENCE‘ for 20% off!
Pro Tip: Bring insoles. I used this pair of memory foam insoles that made my rain boots so much comfier! You can also get thinner ones (e.g. gel inserts), or insoles that are fur-lined if you get cold easily. Linking all the possibilities below.
Lastly, bring a pair of neutral sneakers. These will go with your everyday outfit, and still look sharp enough for a smart-casual look. I loved my New Balance 327s, which are still in-stock in a few colors. Another favorite in France would be Veja.
Paris Winter Travel Capsule: Outerwear
Due to the cold temperatures, I found that the best space-saving approach was to bring one trusty puffer coat. If you are looking for warmth and style without bulk, I highly recommend Mackage. These coats are a splurge, but there is value behind the price tag. Their puffers are beautifully designed to last, with 700+ fill power (warm enough for 20-degree weather).
- Related Post: Animal-Free Alternatives to Down – I shared some affordable puffer coat versions here as well, including the budget-friendly brand Bernardo which I’ve loved for years.
Outfit Details: Navy Puffer with Leather Trim (XS) | Fleece Tights | Crossbody Bag | Rain Boots
Tops & Sweaters Packing List: Winter Trip to Paris
The best part about traveling in the winter is you can bring lightweight base layers, and rewear your outer layer multiple times. This strategy is how I get the most wears out of my travel capsule. For a one-week trip, I recommend packing 3 sweaters, and 3 base layer tops.
What You’ll Need for a Parisian Travel Capsule: Neutral Sweater, Striped Sweater, and Sweater Jacket.
- Striped Sweater: The classic item almost every Parisian owns in their closet. I love my 100% cotton one that is machine-washable.
- Neutral Sweater: You can opt for a warm material here (e.g. cotton, wool, cashmere)
- Sweater Jacket: Some a little more elevated for a smart-casual look that feels really Parisian. I’ve always loved the options from Mango, Sezane, and occasionally Abercrombie.
Base Layers: Maximize your wears with a base layer underneath. This step keeps you warm, and from wearing through your items every day. Abercrombie, NEIWAI (use code ‘STYLEDBYSCIENCE‘ for 15% off), and Uniqlo are my go-to for good base layers.
Bottoms: Jeans, Leggings & Thermal Tights
Now that we are squared away with tops, here are some options for bottoms that will allow you to endlessly mix and match. On my Paris trip, I cheated by packing only 1 pair of jeans and 2 pairs of leggings. But you can also do: 1 blue jean, 1 white jean, and 1 black legging. My current favorite straight-leg jeans are from Mango.
Also make sure to pack some thermal tights for extra warmth. I brought a regular pair as long as a fleece lined one to wear with my sweater dress. I love my Uniqlo Pile Lined Tights, but have had much better luck finding them in-stock at the store than in person.
Paris Winter Travel Capsule: Pack a Sweater Dress!
Normally, I would not bring a dress on a winter trip. However, I wanted to have a warm and stylish option handy for photos. I found that wearing a sweater dress with fleece lined tights was sufficient in the January cold. This combo also looked fine with my sleek black rain boots.
Paris Winter Travel Capsule: Finishing Touches (Accessories)
Last but not least, I am closing off this post with a few essential accessories: a handy crossbody bag, and a scarf. If you’re looking for a small, yet still spacious bag, I can’t say enough positive things about my MZ Wallace Pippa Crossbody. You can read the full review here. After taking this bag with me to Italy and Paris, I can say that it is one of the best small travel purses that still manages to fit a long wallet and passport. Not to mention, this bag comes with 3 detachable straps for extra versatility.
If you are stuck on how to pack for your next trip to Paris, I hope this post gives you plenty of ideas. Remember that you can create a ton of outfit combinations with just a few wardrobe staples!
