And yes, it's quite HOT pink in color, like the photo.

Parisian adults don't typically wear bright pastels. You will look very american - as long as you don't mind that.

<<<<<You will look very american - as long as you don't mind that.>>>>>

Well, it would be silly to try and pretend to be from Paris/Europe when I'm not. As soon as I pull out a map or start talking, it will be obvious I'm American However, I don't want it to be GLARING. And if this is, I'll leave it at home! Funny, it's the only pink item I own, my husband was shocked when I bought it. Wild hair, I guess. But it's warm and comfortable and fits well. The rest of my wardrobe is black, grey, cream, camel, navy and burgundy with scarfs and accessories of varying colors.

Maybe I should dye it black.. ?

You're quite the chic chick! You will stand out but if this is an expensive jacket I'd leave it at home. You're going to be around a lot of people and it may get dirty.

When are you going? Will it be warm enough?

It's very pretty.

We were posting the same time so you answered my warmth question.

You only live once - take it with you. I doubt anyone would stare. I've seen some awful things on tourists. At least you'll look good.

If you've been complemented on it before, and it makes you feel good to wear it, then go for it!

I think it's great! And I don't think it's going to single you out as American, or anything else for that matter. People in Paris wear all kinds of things, including bright colors. Take it and enjoy!

It's a little (way) too bright for me. I wouldn't use it for traveling because of the solid color that will show any dirt or stains. I travel with more neutral darker colors (not black only, but gray, olive, brown). But what the heck if you like it, look good in it, and it's the right weight for the weather, take it.

Sounds good, thanks everyone!

I may re-think when we get closer to packing though. We aren't taking a lot of luggage and if I only take one jacket, I may take one in black or gray. Thoughts?

Hmm, I do really like the jacket, but wouldnt bring it to Paris, usually bring more of a cargo/industrial look and only do Europe w/ black/gray/khaki + 1 accent color. I too wish to 'blend.' In April in Madrid, our friend and myself were one of literally 3 other women wearing sandals (it was so cold had to buy tights to wear under my skirt) as everyone was wearing black puffy jackets & boots. What month? Leave it as a 'maybe' when you pack everything else, and if there's room, throw it in.

I love it, and I would bring it.

My French wife thinks that jacket is fine and that you'll blend right in.

If you're trying to pack light and only take one jacket, then probably not.

What I do several weeks ahead of the trip is lay everything (pieces of clothing) you are considering out. I use the spare bed in my guest room or all hanging separate from your regular clothes somewhere. Then you can really look at each piece, see how they work together (or not), and decide what will really be the most practical to pack. Even do a 'test pack' folding and putting things into the suitcase to see what you have room for.

Great advice Suze and aliced. I'm glad most of you like it, I always get compliments on it. I think I purchased this because I was bored with my dark/neutral wardrobe, and this really caught my eye!


I think I'll take it along with another jacket. Darn it, I'll fit in in there somehow.

I love it but for me it would have to be in black. Black goes everywhere and with everything. You can dress it up or down. My black jacket I use for travel has been everywhere from a high end dinner to the park with jeans. For me I'd save the bright colors for a scarf to go with it.

I think it looks great. Team it with black slacks. Yep, people will notice it - excellent!

You know springfling, you may "fit in" with black but are you really going to be comfortable? That's a beautiful jacket, you get compliments on it and your comfortable in it.

Not everyone would be. I think that a lot of women wear black clothes because it's easy and they don't have to take a chance and perhaps they don't have a lot of other clothes.

Wear what gives you confidence. After you leave Paris, hot pink may be the new spring color.

A friend of mine is from Paris and I rarely see that woman in drab clothes. She always looks chic and just a little bit edgy.


"I purchased this because I was bored with my dark/neutral wardrobe, and this really caught my eye!"

And it's served you well so far. You have great instincts. Pair it with black clothes. Once you get to Paris you'll see other elegant women in colors and wish you were in your jacket.

Springfling, go for it. The jacket is pretty, it would look great with black or gray pants as well as blue jeans. Owe it!

I actually love bright colors and wear them at home but since I travel with 1 carry-on only it has to be with neutrals and colorful accents.

Yes, I leave my closets full of clothes at home and wear black when traveling in Europe because it's easy and smart looking. After dealing with lost luggage or hauling too much luggage around in airports, etc.---never again. It actually was losing luggage that taught me that I didn't need all that stuff. Traveling light is much better.

So, IMHO, if you can fit it in your carry-on, take it. If not, leave it home.

Some of you are so ridiculous you could be characters in any of Anthony Trollope's novels.

Nobody in Paris cares what you wear, nor will likely know whether or not you are American or Albanian.

Do you really think that people who live in large cities wonder about strangers they see on the street?

You will see every type of tarted up individual or slob imaginable on the streets of Paris.

My grandparents lived on Avenue Kleber for 30 years.

Thin

I live in a large city and I think about what people on the street are wearing. I don't think too much about clothes that I don't like but I notice.

It's not like a I carry it around with me all day. And I certainly don't care if they are tourists or not but I like to see people wearing nice clothes. I get compliments from strangers on my clothes sometimes. It's nice

BTW, I wear what I want.

I spent a week in Paris the first week in February so I needed a great new wool coat. The one I kept coming back to was a pale baby blue full length double breasted with a flared skirt. I too thought it was too light, that it would be soiled on the Metro or buses, that I stand out in a crowd, that a darker color would be a better choice. But in the end I did buy the lovely shade of light blue, I did stand out, but in a good way, I got compliments from the ladies in the cloakroom at every museum when I checked the coat. My husband could easily find me in a crowd and I looked great in our photos. What more could I want in a coat.

Go for the jacket that will make you feel beautiful and happy when you wear it. The Parisian's won't care and you'll come home with great photos of you smiling in a jacket that makes you feel and look wonderful. In the end what does it matter what people think of your style, you'll never see them again, and who elected such critics to the fashion police force anyway.

"The Parisian's won't care and you'll come home with great photos of you smiling in a jacket that makes you feel and look wonderful."

BINGO!!!

The .all black went the way of you can't wear jeans and sneakers. They are everywhere and windows fulll of bright colors. Check the fashion blogs in Paris

I bought a Hot Pink Trench (from Zara) in Paris a few years ago. I think this jacket will be fine.

I do wear a lot of black and grey when traveling but that's more to make the clothing stretch to multiple outfits than to fit in with locals.

Enjoy Paris!

I wasn't thinking about the opinions of the fashionista of Paris so much (who cares?) rather what would be the more versatile when you are trying to pack light for a trip.

This jacket is a 'statement piece' and certainly will stand out. I just don't think it's practical if you only have *1* jacket for an entire trip. Do you really want to put on that bright color every single morning when you get up? Wear it out to dinner every single night. As a 2nd jacket, I say great.

What I do several weeks ahead of the trip is lay everything (pieces of clothing) you are considering out. I use the spare bed in my guest room or all hanging separate from your regular clothes somewhere. Then you can really look at each piece, see how they work together (or not), and decide what will really be the most practical to pack>>


you mean you don't just grab anything that's clean and fits and stuff it all into the nearest case you can find?

so THAT'S what I'm doing wrong.

You probably don't actually need another "yes" vote, but I'm going to give it to you anyway. You sold me way up thread when you said "comfortable & fits well." Sounds perfect for travel! I like it - it's so very feminine.

Signed,
Has tons of black (and neutrals) in her closet, but just bought a lightweight lime green jacket/coat that I plan on bringing to Paris - sometimes a girl just needs some color in her life.

Nuf said -- most pleasantly, few not! Springfling, do comment upon your return and let us all know what you did!

From a European point of view, it is a quite elegant jacket and you can wear it in a nice restaurant and for any other occasion where a semi-formal outfit would be accurate.

annhig, Nope. I am a very thoughtful (perhaps overly so) packer. But I do pack light, use every thing I bring, and have every thing I need... so to me is worth the extra effort.

If I like something a lot, I want to wear it. So, wearing it every day wouldn't bother me a bit, I often wear the same clothes a few times a week b/c I don't see the same people. If I worked in an office, I'd wear something different but sometimes I get stuck on my favorite thing.

This reminds me of our trip to London in the winter around 1970. I had just bought a nice wool coat in a red/green/white plaid with a fur collar; it was just below knee length. When we got to London, nearly every other woman was wearing a black maxi coat. I

Was it just great not to be dressed in the expected uniform Underhill?

For at least my last 3 trips, I have worn a light weight bright pink jacket. It brightens up my photos!

<<you mean you don't just grab anything that's clean and fits and stuff it all into the nearest case you can find?

so THAT'S what I'm doing wrong.>>

Join the club, annhig! You gave me a good laugh!

It's beautiful! I love to wear clothes that make me feel good. I have never "gotten" the notion of "not looking like an American" as tho there's a shame in it. I applaud diversity. Wear that gorgeous jacket and enjoy.

The jacket is beautiful. I love to wear clothes that make me feel good. This obsession that some people possess of "not looking like an American" is ridiculous to me - as tho there's a shame to it. Wear your jacket and enjoy!