What to Pack for 1920s Paris
For Women
Daywear (Bohemian + Modern Parisienne):
• Drop-waist dresses or shift dresses in silk, cotton, or crepe
• Art Deco patterned blouses
• Pleated or midi-length skirts with a straight silhouette
• Cloche hat or beret
• T-strap or Mary Jane shoes with a small heel
• Long string of pearls or layered costume jewelry
• Cigarette holder or compact mirror for flair
Eveningwear (Jazz Club + Cabaret Glam):
• Beaded flapper dresses or fringe cocktail dresses
• Velvet wrap or feather stole
• Silk opera gloves
• Crystal-embellished headband or feather fascinator
• Dainty heels with a rounded toe
• Dark kohl eyeliner, red lipstick, and finger waves or bobbed wig
Lounge & Travel Looks:
• Silk kimono robe or embroidered dressing gown
• Satin chemise with lace trim
• Artful scarves tied at the neck or around the head
For Men
Daywear (Writer, Painter, or Intellectual Cool):
• Three-piece suit (or just trousers + waistcoat for a more relaxed vibe)
• White or striped button-up shirt
• Slim knit tie or bow tie
• Newsboy cap or fedora
• Round tortoise-shell spectacles (think James Joyce)
• Oxfords or two-tone brogues
• Pocket watch or leather-bound notebook
Eveningwear (Left Bank Sophisticate or Dapper Dandy):
• Tuxedo or dinner jacket with satin lapels
• White dress shirt with French cuffs
• Black tie or silk cravat
• Patent leather shoes
• Hair slicked back with pomade
• A single red carnation or white pocket square for a flourish
Bohemian/Artisan Twist:
• Paint-stained smock or corduroy jacket
• Loosely tied scarf, soft hat, and walking stick
• Cigarettes and a rebellious attitude
Accessories & Essentials
• Flask (for absinthe or champagne, naturally)
• Vintage camera or leather-bound journal
• Pocket poetry (Rimbaud, Baudelaire, or your own)
• Jazz records or portable gramophone
• Silk gloves, lace handkerchiefs, and perfume atomizer (Chanel No. 5)
• Beaded handbag or cigarette case
• Playing cards, tarot deck, or compact domino set
• Passport stamped with imagination
Dressing for 1920s Paris means stepping into a world of avant-garde fashion, jazz cafés, smoky salons and artistic rebellion. Whether you’re channeling the glam of the Left Bank elite, the bohemian vibe of Montmartre or the glittering nightlife of the Folies Bergère, this packing list will transport you straight to the City of Light during the Roaring Twenties.