Living in a city crawling with tourists makes you fear being that tourist. It impacts my actions and packing, whether I’m working my way through every barbecue joint in Birmingham or drinking around the world at Epcot. So when I traded New York City for Paris in January for a weeklong vacation, I tried to pack mindfully. French girls are notoriously chic and carefree, which is something that American girls desperately try to emulate. (At least if the multitude of click-y articles named things like “10 Things French Girls Would Never Wear” and “5 Skin Secrets Every French Girl Knows” are any indication.) So I read all the articles, filled my biggest suitcase with my chicest gear, and regretted bringing so much stuff as I dragged it through the Charles de Gaulle Airport, onto the RER train to Les Halles, and through the streets of Sentier to my friend’s apartment door. (Did I mention that my friend has an in-unit washer and dryer, too?) In short, I could’ve packed a carryon and dropped a lot less F-bombs during my first hour in France. Here, the rules I wish I’d stuck to when packing, along with some glamorous travel photos.
1. Stick to a color story
An all-black ensemble is an easy way to stick out while visiting Napoleon III’s apartments at The Louvre.
Call it the curse of the New Yorker, but I went with a nearly all-black color palette. This was one of my only savvy packing choices. Black is easy and universally flattering. Plus, it plays well with others, like a fuchsia blazer or red flannel button-up.
2. Bring one coat and wear it on the plane
Coats are suitcase hogs and stashing one in the overhead during a flight is totally kosher. Choose wisely with a coat that’s dark and photographs well. (Accidents happen. Sometimes your friend bumps into you in front of The Tower of London and spills hot chocolate all over your ivory coat. Sometimes your friend is this story’s author.)
3. Pack a leather jacket or blazer, too
Take a master class in layering by donning a lighter piece of outerwear under your trusty coat. But pack just one! (I made the mistake of packing a leather jacket and a chunky blazer.) Pockets are essential for stashing your phone, wallet, and passport.
Keeping the important goods under your zipped coat makes it tougher for the sketchy pickpockets outside of Sacre Couer in Montmarte!
4. Carry a cross-body bag
A medium-size bag will fit travel guidebooks, brochures, and makeup for touchups, even by the gusty ice-skating rink on The Eiffel Tower.
Forget a clutch or your large tote. Give your shoulders a break while you’re exploring the city with a cross-body bag that meshes with the rest of your ensembles. Like Paris, black is always a good idea. The same goes for a zip-top bag with some inner pockets. It doesn’t hurt to fold up a small fabric tote in said cross-body if you think you’ll be doing a lot of shopping.
