Spring Travel in France: What to Wear

The weather in France in spring – that mercurial season stretching from March 20 to June 20 – can be unpredictable and daunting to pack for. For it is not unusual to arrive in late March to beautiful sunshine and bright blue skies, only to depart in early June in rain and gloom. Indeed, the only reliable prediction one can make about spring weather in France is that it will change, and then change again, and again…

Packing a wardrobe for travel to France in such a temperamental season can be conquered with some easy tips. In this post, I share how my sister-in-law and I packed for this fickle season. We traveled to France separately in the spring months in two different years. When comparing photos, we were struck by how similar (and smart!) our wardrobe choices were. Our style is one of simple, practical elegance. It reflects one of my top goals for travel dressing, blending in more than standing out, while still looking good. It consists of pieces that can be worn together or on their own, adaptable to a variety of weather conditions and complemented by easy, packable accessories. And a testament to the versatility of our style is that my sister-and-law and I are from two different countries. Thus, our style transcends cultures.

My spring travel packing list consists of the following key items. 1) A trench coat for cooler days; 2) a couple pairs of jeans; 3) several long-sleeve and three-quarter sleeve tops in neutral tones (I prefer black) that can be layered under a trench coat or worn on their own; 4) cute but comfortable footwear for miles of walking; 5) one to two pairs of unassuming, neutral-toned earrings; 6) sunglasses; 7) an umbrella; and 8) hands-free yet secure purses such as a cross-body or backpack. In order to maximize space in my suitcase, I wear my trench coat on the plane and store it in the overhead bin.

If I am traveling toward the end of spring when there are more warmer days than cooler, I’ll also include short-sleeve and sleeveless tops, a casual dress (simply because I like wearing dresses when the weather is warmer), and a pair of transitional shoes such as sandals. But the sandals must be comfortable! And I may swipe out the trench coat for a cardigan sweater.

For those sunny and warmer spring days, it is a relief to leave the trench coat back in the hotel room! On those days, I wear a neutral top all by itself. I’m partial to the Cyprus Top by Peruvian Connection. One of their best sellers, Peruvian Connection carries it in lots of versions – long-sleeve, three-quarter sleeve, sleeveless, print, and solid – year after year. And if the top is low in stock at the moment, never fear… it will reappear! I also like the retailers Velvet by Graham & Spencer and Michael Stars, although you can find cute tops just about anywhere! I complete my sunny day ensemble with sunglasses and, as always, regardless of the weather, a neutral pair of earrings. My go-to earrings are the Elle by Kendra Scott. A Kendra Scott staple, the Elle comes in a wide range of colors and is available season after season. And bonus, all Kendra Scott earrings come with a tiny cloth storage pouch ideal for packing.

Lately, I’m also partial to the simple and sleek long sleeve drop shoulder top by Norma Kamali, in black. While I bought this top over a year ago, Norma Kamali has some version of it available at all times. A Google search indicates that other retailers carry it as well, for example, Bloomingdale’s and Zappos.

Once late spring arrives, it’s warm enough to wear sleeveless shirts and summery dresses. Although the weather is warmer, I still favor clothes in neutral tones.

Now, let’s talk purses. I have carried both cross-body and backpack purses, which are convenient for travel due to their hands-free nature. When deciding which kind to carry, I consider what I need on that particular day. If it’s just the bare essentials, for example, passport, wallet, and phone, a cross-body works well. If I’d like to add a water bottle, umbrella, camera, and guidebook, I carry a backpack purse. When selecting a backpack purse, I look for one with a zipper to prevent pick pockets from reaching in. No matter what I carry, I’m partial to black leather, a classic that never goes out of style. In terms of brands, lately I’m liking Hobo.

And from the archives, as in, late last century! I spent my junior year of college studying abroad in Paris so consulted my photos from that memorable time to see what insights they could provide for spring dressing in France. While it was the 1990s, I was pleased to discover a classic piece that is still en vogue today: the navy blazer. Now, of course some fashion trends have changed since the 1990s, for example, shoulder pads are no longer in style, but the jacket’s overall look and versatility remains the same. I also purchased a pair of espadrilles that spring, a comfortable transitional shoe for the spring to summer months. Not only did I wear them all over Paris, they held up for over a decade. A great souvenir!

We mustn’t forget the kiddos! Since becoming an aunt, I’ve picked up on some ingenious tips for dressing children when traveling. For younger children prone to wandering off, pack clothes in bright colors so they are easy to spot and keep track of. And for slightly older children, allow them to carry their belongings in their own backpack or cross-body purse. Not only do they learn responsibility, it’s less stuff for the parents to carry!

And perhaps my most favorite photo of this post…

In closing, even with all its wardrobe challenges, spring is my favorite time of year to visit France. Although there are some gloomy, cooler, and wet days, the days are getting longer and it isn’t too cold or too hot. And when the sun comes out, it is just right. While tourism is a reality in France all year long, the vibe is a bit calmer in the spring, much more so than the exceptionally busy summer season that follows. Bon voyage!

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