What to Pack for Paris in the Winter

Paris in the winter is absolutely beautiful, but definitely chilly. Because winter often means heavier clothing, it can make packing light feel that much more challenging. In this post, I’m going to share what to pack for Paris in the winter when you’re using a medium-size suitcase like I typically do.

What is the typical weather in Paris during winter?

Before I share what to pack, I want to first point out that even if you’re used to cold weather, the winter months can feel brutally cold in Paris. There is a certain chill in the air that just hits you straight to your bones that’s different than the cold I’ve experienced in the mountains for a ski vacation.

I was talking with a friend from Indiana who knows what cold winters can be like, and even she admitted that she couldn’t believe how cold she felt in Paris when she took a trip last January. I share this because the weather forecast can read 34-38 degrees F some days in the winter, but it feels much, much colder than that.

Traditionally, the chilly weather starts appearing in November in Paris, then gets colder and colder, all the way through February and early March. The coldest temperatures tend to be low 30’s and the highs tend to be mid 40’s.

If you layer properly and wear the right fabrics, you should still be able to have a fabulous time in Paris and enjoy the perk of less crowds and tourists during winter.

The Winter Essentials

Of course in every packed bag, you’ve got to have your basic cosmetics, skincare, dental care, undergarments, warm socks (wool or fleece), and pajamas. I won’t mention these beyond this as they’re not the real intention behind the packing inspiration for this post.

What I will say, however, is that I tend to pack warm pajamas and at least 1 pair of underwear per day, plus a couple of extra in my handbag/carry-on item just in case of delayed baggage.

I’m also never without hand sanitizer and am utterly obsessed with these Klorane eye patches, which I wear for the first few mornings of my trip (it really helps de-puff and fight the jet lagged look!).

It’s smart to also pack one set (of 2 total) pajamas and a small cosmetic/personal items kit in your carry-on too. These days, flying can be a mess and it’s not uncommon for baggage to be delayed with international flights.

The other couple of items that I pack and wear but I haven’t shown in the outfits below a knit beanie and a pair of leather gloves.

I pack all of my items in packing cubes to help keep things tightly packed, neat, and organized!

What to Pack for a Winter Getaway

So, for a week-long trip to Paris in the winter, I plan for 6 outfits (1 for each day) + 1 outfit for airport travel. I’ve usually got the following wardrobe planned in my Paris packing list:

• 1 long, wool, black coat
• 1 pair of black ponte leggings (or you could do do black skinny jeans)
• 1 pair of thick, black, wide-leg trousers/pants
• 1 neutral knit skirt
• 1 neutral sweater dress
• 4 neutral color sweaters, turtlenecks, or long sleeve tees (in merino wool is great!)
• 1 knit loungewear set (for travel days)
• 1 pair of stylish sneakers (for travel days and as backup during the trip)
• 1 pair of lug boots/ankle boots
• 1 pair of knee high boots
• 1 crossbody bag
• 1 tote bag (used as a personal handbag/carry-on)
• 1 medium size suitcase
• 1 scarf
• 1 belt
• 1 pair of statement gold earrings or any other staple accessories
• 1 pair of tights (fleece lined on the inside are best!) or thermal leggings

and like I mentioned, a pair of gloves, tights, and a beanie when I need them.

When flying international, I like to keep it casual and comfortable, but still look put together. I do not understand why anyone would show up in mismatched sweats or, worse, pajamas when there are so many chic and affordable loungewear sets.

Some of my favorites come from the Gap. Just know that their pieces tend to run large, so it’s best to size down. Here’s what a flying day outfit would look like:

To save room in my suitcase, I usually wear my heavy winter coat and then carefully fold it and tuck it away in the overhead compartment of the plane. If you’re in business class, then you’ll get a hanger provided to you and the flight attendant will hang your coat in a closet.

You’ll want to skip any lightweight jackets that you normally might pack in the fall; this is the time for the long wool coat or down coat. I prefer the wool because it’s more stylish, in my opinion, but if you’re extremely averse to cold weather, then a warm down coat might be better.

A large, travel tote bag is also helpful because I don’t always bring a carry-on and use the tote bag as my version of a lighter carry-on. I usually put a toothbrush, a small pouch with make-up essentials like lipstick, mascara, and concealer, and then 1 set of pjs and some underwear for emergency cases.

If you fly business class, you’re usually given a great little pouch with some of these essentials (aka toothbrush and skincare).

For the days that I actually spend in Paris, I definitely put away the loungewear. This isn’t considered appropriate in France, and I’m more than happy to wear some more elevated pieces as I explore the city.

That said, something you have to know about Paris is that it is the city for walking. You’ll often find yourself walking 20,000 steps a day, from one point in the city to another, stopping at cafés along the way, or grabbing dinner at the end of the day without making a stop at your hotel.

This is often how it goes during the retreats I host, so trust me, I know a thing or two about packing smart for Paris winter fashion!

That’s why you want to wear clothes that are chic and presentable, but still comfortable, cozy, and in fabrics that provide extra warmth!

The outfits I’ve shared here can easily be worn out to dinner at a restaurant or brasserie in Paris, and yet they’re also casual enough to be worn sitting on a park bench in the middle of the Tuileries garden, having a cup of hot chocolate.

You’ll also notice that I mix and match some of the items here, which is why neutrals are so important. Not only is it the preferred color scheme by a lot of Parisian women, but it makes it so much easier to mix outfit pieces together and keep your packing light.

Colors like black, navy, gray, camel/beige, white, and brown all make it easy to repeat pieces, and mix and match.

Because the City of Lights is a city for walking, you’ll be getting plenty of steps in as you explore the streets of Paris. It’s best to leave any heels at home. Instead, opt for comfortable boots in the winter, and keep those stylish sneakers on hand should your feet be desperate for them by day 3!

Oh, and don’t forget your travel umbrella! You always need one in Paris!

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