What to Wear on a City Break in Paris in Autumn
Written by Artemis Clo
Paris in autumn is golden trees, café terraces and pavements you will walk for hours. Knowing what to wear in Paris in autumn means dressing for long days on foot and a sky that changes its mind, while still feeling polished enough for a good dinner.
What to wear in Paris in autumn: the weather and the walking
Two things shape every Paris outfit at this time of year. The first is the weather: often mild and bright in early autumn, cooler and damper by November, with showers that arrive and leave without much warning. The second is the walking. Even with the metro, most visitors cover miles a day, and many stations have plenty of stairs.
So the formula is simple: comfortable shoes, layers that come off, and one good coat. A belted knee-length trench coat is the obvious choice, and for good reason. It looks at home on any Paris street, it goes over a jumper on a cool morning and over a shirt on a warm afternoon, and its loose fit leaves room to layer. For milder days, a lighter jacket over a fine knit is enough. Browse our coats and jackets for a shape that suits you.
Underneath, think in neutrals with one colour you love. Navy, camel, grey and ivory mix with everything, so a small case gives you a different outfit each day. A rust or plum knit adds a little autumn warmth to the photos.
Coats and jackets to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Belted Knee-Length Trench Coat, Loose Fit
Oversized Denim Shirt Jacket with Frayed Hem
Leopard Print Shacket with Snap Buttons
Shoes for long walks and metro stairs
If you get one thing right, make it your shoes. Some older streets and squares are cobbled, the gravel paths in the big parks get dusty, and you will be on your feet from breakfast until dinner.
Flat, cushioned and worn in is the rule. A pair of colour-block penny loafers with a low heel looks smart enough for a nice restaurant and copes with a long day of sightseeing. On the days with the most walking, swap to trainers. Ankle boots with a grippy sole are ideal if the forecast is wet. The full shoes collection has plenty of flat and low pairs, and our guide to which shoes to pack for a holiday helps you narrow it to two or three pairs.
Whatever you take, wear it for a full day at home first. Paris is a beautiful city to discover on foot, and a rubbing heel can spoil it.
Soft knits, good tailoring and the easy Paris uniform
The look most people think of as Parisian is really just simple: good trousers, a soft knit or a crisp shirt, a coat and a scarf. It is relaxed, it travels well and it suits a day of museums, markets and long lunches.
Wide-leg trousers are a great choice for a city break. They feel comfortable after hours of walking, they look elegant at dinner, and they rarely show creases from the suitcase. Wide-leg trousers with a shirred waist are easy for long days and long meals alike. You will find more in our trousers, from straight-leg to palazzo styles.
Café terraces are a big part of the fun, and many are open well into the evening. Sitting still outside on a cool afternoon feels colder than walking, so keep a scarf in your bag even on sunny days. Change the scarf and the earrings, and the same trousers and knit take you from lunch to dinner.
Packing for Paris in autumn: the bag and the small extras
A city break bag should sit close to you, close properly and leave your hands free for maps, coffee and photos. A crossbody shape is the easiest to wear on busy streets and in crowded museums. A leather-look crossbody bag with a wide strap is comfortable on the shoulder for a full day, and the wide strap spreads the weight. There are more shapes in our bags collection.
Inside it, carry a folding umbrella, a light scarf, sunglasses and a small bottle of water. Keep your phone and card in a zipped pocket on the front, as you would in any busy city.
Travelling hand luggage only? Our guide on how to pack a carry-on for a week shows how to fit it all in one small case. Then all that is left is to choose your first café.
Next, from our bags
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Leather-Look Crossbody Bag with Wide Strap
Leather-Look Crossbody Bag with Patterned Strap
Corduroy Tote Bag with Zip Pockets and Strap
Your questions, answered
What is the weather like in Paris in autumn?
It usually starts mild in September and gets cooler and wetter towards November, with chilly mornings and evenings. Showers can come and go within an hour. Check the forecast a few days before you travel and pack one warm layer more than you expect to need.
Do I need an umbrella in Paris in autumn?
A small folding umbrella is worth the space in your bag, since autumn showers are common. A coat with a hood is a good backup. Most cafés and museums are close together, so you can usually dodge a heavy shower indoors.
Is there anything I should not wear in Paris?
There is no rule, but brand-new shoes are the classic mistake, because you will walk far more than you expect. Very large backpacks are awkward on the metro and in busy museums. A neat crossbody bag and comfortable, worn-in shoes will serve you better.
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