Let’s just say that the weather in Paris was a bit unpredictable. I had it in my mind that I was going to wear vintage dresses, giant skirts with beading, and prance along the Seine in them. Pas de tout (not at all). In my head, this was what I wanted to look like walking through the gardens of Paris.

In reality, it was 70 degrees and sunny one day, then 45 degrees and rainy the next. I had packed impractically. And even more to my chagrin, no one else was dressed like this. Sure, there were some fabulous older women here and there on their bikes, but even they knew that tights were a necessity. Most of the younger crew, they were in jeans and leather jackets. Every day.

I guess the biggest lesson that I learned was that every major urban area has a dress code simply because of practicality. You’re out and about all day long. I left my apartment at 10 AM and didn’t return until after midnight. Flats were a must. Most people can’t afford car services everywhere. Yes, it’s nice to have a little something extra for that nice dinner you’ve got planned, but for the most part, jeans are fantastic. As long as casual is done thoughtfully with rich textures and layers, it’s the best route to go.

Next time, I think things will look a little bit more like this: