Paris in winter is pure magic—glittering lights, crisp air and enough chill to justify that second vin chaud. But beware—the City of Lights can quickly become the City of Biting Winds. Creating outfits to wear in Paris in winter isn’t only about staying warm – it’s about looking fabulous while doing so.
I studied fashion for two years and I’ve visited Paris several times, as I live close to France. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best outfits that will keep you chic, cosy and très Parisienne this winter, complete with photos of me wearing these stylish Paris looks in this fashion-forward, ever-stylish city.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Quick overview of the best outfits to wear in Paris in winter
- Café-hopping in Montmartre: Straight leg jeans, cashmere sweater, teddy bear jacket, chunky boots and classic beret
- Museum strolling in the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay: Chunky sweater with flared trousers, shearling biker jacket and chunky flat boots
- Luxury shopping in Saint-Germain-des-Prés: Dark floral maxi dress with a houndstooth blazer cinched with a waist belt, plus kitten-heeled ankle boots and a trench coat on top
- Dinner in Le Marais: Long-sleeved mini dress with opaque tights, wrapped in a faux fur coat, plus ankle boots and bold earrings
- Rooftop cocktails in Montmartre: Corduroy skirt and fine-knit sweater topped with a tailored blazer, plus knee-high boots and a wool coat
- Travel day (Eurostar/flights): Faux fur coat, straight leg jeans, cashmere sweater and chunky boots (wear your heaviest pieces)
Each outfit works in 3-6°C weather and layers easily for transitioning between heated indoors and chilly Parisian streets.
What’s the weather like in Paris in winter?
From November to March, Paris swings between brisk, breezy and downright bone-chilling. Snow is rare, but rain? It loves to make surprise appearances.
During winter, expect highs of 6–11°C (43–52°F) and lows around 3–6°C (37–43°F). This means, pack layers and a hat that won’t fly off in the wind.
If you’re wondering what to wear in Paris in December 2025, this is when the weather starts to cool, with average temperatures from 3°C (37°F) to 6°C (43°F). There’s a 42% chance of rain, so pack a chic and lightweight travel umbrella – the perfect, practical Paris winter fashion accessory.
However, you will want to be able to peel off layers if you’re walking around the city’s museums. There are only a couple of hours of sunshine a day at this time of year, so it’s a good opportunity to visit one of the city’s remarkable art galleries and museums. On the plus side, shorter days means more time to see the Eiffel Tower at night, decorated in the glittering lights for which it is famous.
Book your place on a guided tour of the recently renovated Notre-Dame cathedral here.
The French formula for winter outfits in Paris
Dressing like a Parisian in winter is all about balance: effortless elegance with a dash of practicality. Think timeless staples, neutral tones and the art of strategic layering.
For Parisians, comfortable chic is an attitude. This mindset is key when planning what outfits to wear in Paris in winter.
The secret? Every piece should serve multiple purposes. A blazer that works for museums and dinner. A coat that’s warm enough for outdoor markets but stylish enough for evening strolls. Boots that handle cobblestones during the day and look elegant at night.
The perfect packing list for Paris in winter
Tops
- Fine-knit cashmere sweater – Perfect for layering or draping over your shoulders in effortless French style. Try this one.
- Turtleneck sweater – A charcoal or black turtleneck is a practical investment.
- Chunky jumper or cardigan – Cable knits or turtlenecks in neutral tones are key. Browns are having a moment this season.
- Black roll-neck bodysuit – Ideal for layering under dresses or sweaters. Check out this option.
- Blazer – A must-have piece for smart-casual outfits. Try this houndstooth blazer.
Bottoms
- Straight leg jeans – A versatile option that can be dressed up or down. Try these.
- Faux leather pants/trousers – Stylish and warm for a fashionable edge. These are great.
- Flared jeans or cords – Comfortable, casual and Parisian-approved.
- Corduroy skirt – Playful yet polished, perfect with a turtleneck and black tights.
Dresses
- Corduroy pinafore dress – Layer over a black roll-neck bodysuit for warmth. This one is cute and comes in a range of colours.
- Dark floral maxi dress – Perfect for layering with a blazer and tights. This one is lovely.
- Long sleeved mini dress – Great for daytime or evenings paired with opaque tights, such as this stylish jumper dress.
Outerwear
- Faux fur coat – A cozy and luxurious outer layer for evenings. This one is fabulous.
- Long wool coat: Your glamorous go-to for evening events or chic winter walks.
- Shearling jacket – Super warm and on-trend, ideal for daytime explorations. This is cute.
- Classic beige trench coat – Because nothing captures Parisian style quite like a trench. Perfect and practical for less chilly days. Try this one.
Footwear
- Chunky boots – Comfortable for walking around the city while keeping your feet warm. Try these.
- Leather knee-high or ankle boots: Whether flat or kitten-heeled, they’ll carry you from day to night with ease.
- Flats – Stylish yet practical for Parisian chic on the cobblestone streets without the pain of heels. These loafers come in different colours.
Accessories
- Travel umbrella – Light and foldable for unexpected rain showers. This one is from Kate Spade.
- Faux leather gloves – Essential for keeping your hands warm in style. These are elegant.
- Waist belt – To cinch your cashmere sweater or blazer, adding shape to your outfit. This two-pack is great value.
- Baker boy hat or classic beret – Adds a touch of Parisian flair while keeping you warm. This hat comes in a variety of colours and fabrics.
- Soft scarf – Essential when it’s chilly. This warm pashmina doubles as a stylish wrap for evenings.
- Elegant jewellery – Keep it minimal and choose one key piece for evening outings.
How to pack like a pro
- Layer, layer, layer: Museums are heated, the streets are not. Be prepared to peel off your outer layers.
- Wear bulky items for travel: Save space in your suitcase by wearing your chunkiest coat and boots en route.
- Embrace minimalist accessories: Channel Parisian elegance by removing one accessory before stepping out. Do you really need both a necklace and earrings? Non.
Outfits to wear in Paris in winter for every occasion
Paris is more than a city; it’s a mood. When you’re wandering cobblestone streets, sipping champagne in a bar or admiring art in a grand museum, your outfit should match the vibe. Here’s how to nail it:
Café-hopping in Montmartre
The Scene: Artsy and atmospheric, Montmartre is perfect for whiling away hours in cosy cafés, like the main character in a romantic film.
What to Wear: Straight-leg jeans paired with a turtleneck jumper and chunky boots. Layer with a shearling jacket for warmth and don’t forget a beret to channel your inner bohemian. Bonus points for carrying a leather-bound notebook for journalling.
You can even visit the real café in Montmartre featured in the film Amélie.
Luxury shopping in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
The Scene: Boutique chic meets high-end fashion houses—Saint-Germain-des-Prés oozes sophistication.
What to Wear: A dark floral maxi dress layered under a houndstooth blazer, cinched with a waist belt for a tailored silhouette. Add kitten-heeled ankle boots and minimal jewellery for understated glamour. Swap your bulky coat for a timeless trench—because nothing says effortless like a classic beige number.
Museum Strolling at the Louvre or Musée d’Orsay
The Scene: Opulent architecture, priceless masterpieces and a crowd of art-loving tourists. Style and comfort are key.
What to Wear: A chunky sweater with flared trousers, layered under a shearling biker jacket for a touch of edgy luxe. Choose chunky flat boots—no one wants to hobble around a museum. Layers are essential: you can leave your jacket in a locker, so ensure your under-layers are equally as stylish.
This is me, warm in my shearling biker jacket and baker boy hat, outside Le Louvre.
Even in winter, the queues can get long at the Louvre – skip the line on this fabulous guided tour.
Dinner and drinks in Le Marais
The Scene: Le Marais is the heart of cool, where trendy eateries meet historic charm.
What to Wear: A long-sleeved mini dress with opaque tights and ankle boots. Throw on a faux fur coat for drama and accessorise with bold earrings or an understated clutch. Parisians love a good monochrome look, so keep your palette chic and muted.
Cocktails at a rooftop bar
The Scene: The Eiffel Tower sparkling in the distance, a glass of champagne in hand and (hopefully) heaters to ward off the Parisian chill. The rooftop bar at Terrass’’ hotel in Montmartre is a perfect spot—especially if you can snag a table by the window.
What to Wear: A corduroy skirt paired with a fine-knit sweater for a cosy yet polished look. Add a tailored blazer for structure and a long wool coat for warmth. Finish with knee-high boots and let your confidence steal show.
What to wear when travelling to Paris
As you will probably be wheeling along a small suitcase containing your capsule winter break wardrobe, this is the time to wear your bulkiest items. Read on for more perfect Paris winter outfit ideas.
Many international airlines operate cheap flights to Paris or within Europe you can travel by train on the Thalys or Eurostar networks, which are comfortable and fast, speeding along at up to 300 km per hour (186 mph).
For optimum French winter style, try wrapping a faux fur coat over straight leg jeans. Style-conscious Parisian women are obsessed with knitwear, so pair it with a cashmere sweater. This outfit will keep you super cozy and feeling luxurious as you step into the crisp Parisian winter air.
In this photo, I’m wearing this exact outfit at the Eurostar terminal at Paris Gare du Nord.
Stylish Paris hotels for every budget
I loved the arty Mercure Paris 17 Batignolles hotel in the city’s north-west Batignolles neighbourhood. This area is more the ‘real’ Paris, with its organic market, up-and-coming restaurants, and quirky bars and boutiques. Alternatively, consider the Mercure Paris Montmartre Sacré Coeur, where you can wake up to stunning views of either the Sacré Coeur or the Eiffel Tower—an unforgettable way to start your day.
For ultimate Parisian elegance, the Hotel Lutetia, a legendary luxury hotel in Saint-Germain-des-Prés is as chic as it gets. With a Michelin-starred restaurant, impeccable service and a rich history, Hôtel Lutetia is perfect for those looking to indulge in Parisian opulence.
If you are looking for a more affordable hotel, try the Holiday Inn Paris – Gare de Lyon Bastille. With spacious rooms, it serves hearty breakfasts, perfect for fuelling a day of exploring. Its practical location near Gare de Lyon means you’ll have quick access to all corners of the city without sacrificing comfort.
Check the latest accommodation deals for your dates in Paris by exploring the map below:
Your Paris winter outfits shopping and style guide
Ready to build a wardrobe that works? Now you know exactly what to pack and how to style each piece, let’s go deeper. The following sections will help you invest in quality pieces that will serve you well beyond just one Paris trip. From choosing boots that can handle cobblestones to understanding why French women swear by certain coats, consider this your insider’s guide to shopping and styling like a true Parisienne.
How to choose the perfect Parisian blazer
No stylish French woman’s wardrobe would be complete without a blazer. Simply worn with a white t-shirt and jeans, this ingenious tailoring pulls together a smart-casual outfit like nothing else.
For the most up-to-the-minute look to wear in Paris now, you can’t beat a cropped or hourglass blazer. When choosing Paris blazer outfits in winter, layers are key. Below I’m wearing a corduroy blazer over a floral maxi dress and black turtleneck.
Practical footwear for Paris in winter
Fortunately, Parisian winter style doesn’t mean tottering around in heels. Classic designer women’s shoes in France are often flats. This is good news for staying chic yet comfortable on your city trip.
The best walking shoes for Paris winter fashion in 2025 are stylish, without leaving you wincing in pain as you take in the sights of this stunning city.
Why not follow the front-row fashionistas and pack a pair of chunky boots to wear with cropped jeans or a midi-dress.
The warmest winter coats for Paris
Fashionable French women like to invest in their outerwear. Stay cozy yet stylish in the Parisian winter months with a super warm coat, such as an on-trend teddy bear jacket. The shearling will keep you feeling toasty despite the winter chill, as you admire the art in the Louvre.
A wool trench would be perfect to wear in Paris in winter. You can’t go wrong with a trench – they never go out of style, so it’s a good fashion investment.
If the weather isn’t too chilly, you will be able to follow the French fashion rule of bare legs and cover up for a neighbourhood stroll with a classic beige trench coat.
Otherwise, a long faux fur coat is perfect to keep you warm and chic. In the evenings, it looks divine over a long-sleeved lace mini dress and opaque tights, as I’m wearing in the photo below. With these Paris winter coats, it won’t matter how cold it gets.
Essential accessories for your Paris winter outfits
When packing for Paris, there are some essential accessories you will need. Do as the Parisians do and remember to wear only one or two of these items at a time, or dial down your outfit accordingly.
Elegant faux leather gloves will stop your fingers from freezing. Bring a waist belt to cinch in a cashmere sweater or blazer and define the slimmest part of your body, Parisian style, for winter chic. Add a piece of elegant jewellery for evenings out. Plus a hat and scarf, of course to keep in your body heat. A baker boy hat or classic beret will stylishly top off your outfits to wear in Paris in winter. This warm pashmina scarf doubles as a stylish wrap for evenings.
Don’t forget the old French style adage: remove one accessory. Do you really need to wear a necklace and earrings? Just wear one and walk out into the city for Paris winter style and confidence, as if you made no effort at all.
Top tips to stay warm while you explore Paris in winter
When deciding which outfits to wear in Paris in winter, the key is to layer up with warm fabrics like cashmere and faux fur. Cover every inch of skin, especially on the coldest days, with turtlenecks and gloves. Keep accessories minimal, in line with the French style mantra of removing one accessory before leaving the house.
While Paris is a stunning city to walk around, as it’s cold you will no doubt want to step into shops and attractions to warm up. There are some excellent clothes and shoe shops near the Pompidou Centre, where you can make the most of the heating while browsing the latest displays.
This photo is of me at the Musee D’Orsay, where you can browse the art exhibitions, then shrug off your winter coat, as you enjoy lunch in this opulent setting and marvel at how lucky you are to be in Paris.
Buy the Paris Museum Pass for fast track entry to more than 60 attractions – perfect for a cold day.
Frequently asked questions about dressing for Paris in winter
Can you wear sneakers in Paris in winter?
Yes, but choose leather or waterproof materials over canvas. White leather sneakers work for casual daytime looks but avoid them on rainy days. For clubs and upscale venues in Le Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés, stick to boots or kitten heels instead.
How do you dress cool in Paris?
Parisians define ‘cool’ as effortless. Focus on quality basics in neutral tones, master the art of layering and follow the rule of removing one accessory rule. It’s about confidence and comfort, rather than following every fashion trend.
What should men wear in Paris in winter?
Men should follow the same layering principles as women. For example, wear dark jeans or chinos with a merino wool sweater and a quality peacoat or wool overcoat and a wool scarf. Leather boots like Chelsea boots or desert boots work well. Parisian men prefer fitted, tailored pieces in navy, grey, black and camel.
Final thoughts on the best outfits to wear in Paris in winter
Parisian winter fashion is about getting the essentials right and dressing with intention. Every piece serves a purpose, whether it’s a well-cut blazer for effortless structure, a scarf that’s equal parts functional and fabulous, or a coat that feels like a warm, stylish hug. Combine these with confidence (and perhaps a croissant in hand), and you’re ready to conquer the City of Lights.
After all, the Eiffel Tower sparkles brighter on cold, dark nights, and so should you. Pull out your most luxurious fabrics and faux furs, pare down the look with jeans and flats, adopt a nonchalant attitude and head out into the sensational City of Lights. Now, off you go—Paris is calling.
Now, discover France’s fairytale abbey on an island, just a few hours from Paris: Mont Saint Michel.
No Comments Yet