Before spending two weeks island-hopping in Greece with only a carry-on, I had to edit my packing list down to the bare essentials. The hardest part? Shoes. Like Carrie Bradshaw, I believe in the power of a great pair, so curating just a few that worked for ferries, dinners, and cobblestone streets felt like a challenge. But I pulled it off without repeating a single dinner look—and without dragging an overstuffed suitcase through narrow alleys or up too many marble stairs.
Years of traveling (and a few early fashion mishaps) have taught me that smart footwear choices make all the difference, especially in style-conscious cities like Paris. Whether you’re strolling through Saint-Germain or heading to dinner in the Marais, your shoes can either help you blend in or scream “tourist.” Here are the ‘it’ shoe styles French women actually wear, so you can stay comfortable and look like a local.
Stylish Shoe Styles for Paris
Mesh flats
J.Crew
When you’re navigating Provence’s cobbled streets and perched seaside towns like Taormina, comfort is key. An easy trick for a look that won’t make your feet ache and still appear polished enough for a nicer dinner? Go metallic.
This sophisticated, square-toed ballet flat at J.Crew takes pairs nicely with a casual ensemble like jeans and a t-shirt. For a dressier look, opt for wide-leg pants, a breezy, see-through silk top, and sculptural gold jewelry to add extra pop and match the metallic shade of your shoes.
Mary Jane loafers
Free People
An instant giveaway that you’re an American? Boat shoes. They may serve a practical purpose in summer in New England, when you’re heading from a sailboat straight into a restaurant in Newport, but you can find a style as comfortable for strolling all day through a city without looking like you’re ready to board a boat.
This Mary Jane-inspired G.H. Bass pair is a cross between a classic fisherman sandal look and timeless lug-sole loafers. The T-strap adds a touch of femininity and looks great with socks as well as sans, making them a versatile style to transition with the seasons.
Espadrilles
Nordstrom
Ballet flats have made a comeback in Paris as a fall wardrobe essential, but chic espadrilles are another style, which designers like Chanel and Chloé have given a very stylish (and pricey) spin to the seasonal staple.
You can find a simple pair in any seaside shop along a promenade in the Mediterranean, but for a look on the slightly more elevated side, sport a style like this navy striped version from Lands’ End. The soft, flexible rope footbed ensures all-day comfort while sightseeing in cities like Barcelona, yet they’re durable enough to stroll through a park or along a sandy beach—and they’re lightweight, making them easy to pack in a tote or carry-on.
Clogs
Zappos
Birkenstock sandals have been embraced in Paris the past few years as a comfortable (and, dare I say it, stylish?) alternative to flip-flop sandals. I’m seeing clogs finally receiving the attention they deserve. While I’m all for the designer versions with wooden heels and fancy buckles, you don’t have to shell out hundreds for a pair that will become a travel go-to—and match everything from jeans and shorts to billowy fall dresses.
These Boston mules are one of the best deals I’ve come across this season. Soft cushioning and arch support keep your feet from aching after a day of sightseeing, and their silhouette is both slimming and easy to slip on and wear around your villa on the French Riviera or out to dinner and drinks in Nice or Antibes.
Vintage-inspired tennis shoes
Madewell
I’m all about saving space while packing, so every shoe has to be versatile. But in France, there’s a huge distinction between sneakers designated for the gym and those intended for streetwear. In fact, some fitness studios even require switching out your walking shoes for a pair worn solely in an indoor space. From a fashion perspective, you’ll never see a Parisian wearing gym shoes while having an espresso on a terrace or even running into the neighborhood Monoprix grocery store. I wouldn’t even be caught dead there in flip-flops.
I’m not saying rule out sneakers, just don a pair that are on the more structured side and take a cue from classic leather tennis shoes (yet would never find their way onto a court of any kind). This pair from Reebok checks all of those boxes, plus they double as a comfortable option for long-haul flights and trains. In fact, I’m wearing a version of these right now as I’m heading to a wine tasting in the Parisian countryside, and they look put together with everything from jeans and a tee to a skirt, which means I only needed to bring this one pair of shoes on my weekend getaway.
Jelly shoes
Free People
Unless you’re glamping at Glastonbury or helping a friend’s winery with harvest in the vines, there’s no reason rainboots should be on your European packing list. I purchased a pair of wellies for gorilla trekking in Uganda, and I have not taken them out of the box in the five years since.
Nothing will ruin a trip quicker than slipping on slick streets after a downpour and breaking a bone (this is coming from someone who broke her foot last summer in sandals in Paris), so instead of wearing rainboots or sandals with zero tread, hop on the ‘90s bandwagon and rock a pair of jelly shoes, slides, or flats like this pair from Sam Edelman. The hardly-there heel and squared toe box are elegant touches that make these shoes look much more expensive than they are, and they’d look just as much in place at the beach as they would at a bar in Paris or Prague.
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