It's no wonder that probably the most famous fashion designers come from France. The French are known for their sense of style, but there's also many fashion myths all around the French. The stereotype of striped shirts and berets is, of course, not a reality!
The French have a different look at fashion from many Americans. In the United States, fashion is viewed as a personal choice and that we often think, "Anything goes!" In France, however, society has stronger ideas by what is and is not appropriate to wear in line with the situation. It's not uncommon for any French person to discuss what you're wearing, such as "Flip flops should only be worn in the beach" or "You should have worn a scarf today." It may seem rude, but they're just helping you understand the French mindset.
Another major distinction between American and French fashion is important for college students. While college campuses are filled with girls in leggings, sweatpants, or yoga pants and guys in hoodies, that sort of casual loungewear isn't worn in public. If you are just running towards the corner boulangerie for a baguette, it's important that you're fully dressed up in "real" clothes or else you could get some strange looks!
The French also tend to wear more clothing than Americans. When the sun arrives and the temperature hits 60, US campuses in many cases are filled with students sunbathing. In France, it's not uncommon to see people wearing sweaters and scarves even during the summer months. It's unlikely that you'll see women in strappy tank tops or dresses or men in shorts, unless you're by the pool.
Whether you are going to France for a week or perhaps a semester, packing everything you'll need into a suitcase or two is tricky. Fortunately, it's not hard to follow French the latest fashions and pack relatively light. First, stay with neutral colors - black, brown, beige, gray - and pick classic pieces, like nice pants or skirts, simple dresses, cardigan or pullover sweaters, and collared shirts. Jeans will also be common with French college student, but stick to darker washes and slim or skinny fits. Packing basics with dark or neutral colors will this permit you to combine pieces easily, but the neutral colors will help you merge. In france they tend to shy away from bright colors and patterns. When you can obviously wear whatever you would like, sticking with black or gray will make you look automatically more French, while hot pink and bright blue can instantly label you being an American.
If you think a semester of black is going to be too depressing, don't worry! You can jazz up your outfits with some accessories. The French LOVE scarves, so you can pick up a few upon your arrival and easily tie outfits together. Earrings and necklaces are also easy ways to liven up a dress-up costume, and they fit nicely into a suitcase.
You cannot forget about the pair you want when packing your suitcase. One important thing to remember is that running sneakers and tennis shoes are worn only if working out in France. Wearing sneakers, especially white ones, will instantly label you like a tourist. The one exception to this Converse All-Stars, which are very popular with college students. For females, a pair of boots assists you well, as they'll opt for skinny pants and dresses.
In the end, clothing in France is entirely your decision. In case your goal would be to assimilate whenever possible, wearing what college students in France wear is a superb way to start. Start by packing the fundamentals, and you may always buy some clothes in France.