Chris, Grant, Mike… merci for writing in.
For whatever reason, the Hey Sid inbox is full of guys asking about Paris. The fall is a really beautiful time to visit, and if you've layered right, you can walk around the city all day without sweating to the oldies. (Grant, this'll be true in January, too.) You're gonna have a great time.
But let me just preface this by saying… it's been a few minutes since I've gotten over there. Ann and I travel to Europe for work quite a bit, but it's been over two years since we've been to France. Luckily, a lot of my favorites are pretty evergreen:
I almost always go by Deyrolle for inspiration.
I almost always swing by a pharmacy for sunscreen… the EU regulates those differently so their options are a bit more advanced, ingredients-wise.
I almost always go by Buly (the one on Rue de Saintonge is my favorite… a bit funkier and has a cafe.)
I love going by the Hermes store on Rue de Sevres, built in a former Art Deco swimming pool. Super inspiring.
I like poking around Merci.
I love a coffee and a pastry at Poilâne.
I like the grocery store at Bon Marché.
I like the Musee Picasso and the rooftop patio.
I think Maison Bonnet is the best eyewear shop in town. Even if you don't wear glasses.
I like looking around at E. Dehillerin on Rue Coquillière.
I like the walk up or down from Sacre Couer and, of course, the view from the top.
I like just… walking around. Everywhere you look is beautiful, even when there's trash in the street.
The great thing for me about Paris is that it doesn’t really change at its core.
But I'll tell you who you need to go to for shopping and eating and super current stuff. Yolanda Edwards of the fan-tastic travel magazine and online resource YOLO JOURNAL (her husband Matt Hranek runs the equally fantastic Wm Brown magazine).
Those cats are — literally — professional travelers. A subscription to their site is worth every penny and they stay on top of the best intel. Do yourself a favor and scan through one of their Black Books before you visit a new city and you'll see what I mean.
So I'm not gonna be your best Parisian travel agent, but I can tell you what to wear and pack. I'm pretty good at a capsule wardrobe and fitting everything into a carry-on. (Chris, I almost never check a bag, so I'm with you, man. I like to keep my stuff on me and close by.) Because the other really great thing about Paris is the approach to dressing there… super elegant. Guys there wear blazers like outerwear, or like sweaters, and you know I like that. Absolutely no one is gonna look twice at you — or ask you why you're so dressed up — if you're walking around town in a sport coat. In fact, you'll look more Parisian. With that, here's what I'd pack if I were headed to Paris for a week right now.
All of this stuff will mix and match nicely, with a few exceptions — the tattersall shirt won't go with either of the glen plaid pieces or the laurel tie. But you'll have a lot of range, so you can really do it up with a full suit (maybe for the jazz club) or tamp things down with sneakers and cords for the flight. The glen plaid pants on their own will be killer with the green sweater and a chambray shirt and boots, and the Dainite sole will be great for trekking around town. The Cashpad trench will do well if it rains (I hope it doesn't) or if it shines (I hope it does). And the Traveler's jacket folds up into its own pocket so it's a great take-along layer (or impromptu pillow) if you're not going to swing by the hotel before the sun goes down and the temperature drops. (Same deal with the ties… that's the beauty of a knit. Roll it up and it can live in your pocket until your dinner reservation.) The solid and striped shirts will go with everything else in your suitcase, as will the navy Ghost Blazer. I never travel without that anymore. I won't keep prattling on — the point is, this packing list will give you a lot of combos and a lot of variety. You may even get a compliment or two.
Bon voyage, y'all. And check out Yolo Journal.
