This Popular American Outfit Style Will Let Paris Locals Know You're A Tourist

Given Paris' status as a major fashion capital, it makes sense to pull out all the stops when creating your travel capsule wardrobe. Flashy dresses, your best shoes, a few designer handbags — they can all seem necessary if you want to make a positive impression when strutting down the Champs-Elysées in Paris. However, this approach might just make you look like a tourist in the surprisingly understated City of Light.

Maximalism comes naturally to many American fashionistas (just look at Emily from "Emily in Paris"), but that's not the case for many French women. Rather, locals in Paris often prefer a less-is-more take on dressing. French model and entertainer Lou Doillon once told Vogue, "It's knowing about when to stop. I was in L.A. for a couple of weeks and I was like, 'Whoa, you should have stopped before,' because there is the hair, the shoes, the nails, the bag, and the earrings, and the makeup—it's so much bloody information that you've lost the girl!" Similarly, French model Julia Restoin Roitfeld shared with Matchesfashion.com (via Vogue Australia), "Even on the red carpet, French celebrities keep it minimal. Think of Charlotte Gainsbourg – the look can be quite undone."

If you're used to going all out when dressing to impress, consider a different approach when traveling to Paris. Too many accessories and complicated garments might just look silly to locals. Plus, you'll probably find it easier to keep your suitcase under airline weight restrictions when paring back.

If you're unsure of the sartorial line between simple and overdone, there are a few pointers to keep in mind. First, when Elle asked French actress Clémence Poésy about the difference between American and French style, she suggested that French women typically opt for a comfortable outfit over a complicated one. For example, Parisians wouldn't wear a skirt that requires constant tugging, heels that they wobble in, or a jacket that doesn't properly fit their body. Pack clothes that you feel comfy in and leave the high-maintenance ones at home.

With that said, aim to balance your casual pieces with classy items. Contrast keeps the outfit interesting and is a common strategy in French styling. If, for instance, you plan to wear comfortable sneakers throughout your trip, consider pairing them with an elevated skirt or tailored trench coat.

Finally, over-accessorizing is among the things tourists should never do when visiting Paris, unless you're okay with looking like an outsider. A simple strand of pearls or a dainty pair of earrings is appropriate. However, three stacked rings, statement earrings, and a chunky necklace are usually considered overkill in the French capital.

If you want to avoid looking like a tourist in France, take a good look at the contents of your luggage before zipping up and heading to the airport. For starters, rethink stereotypical French berets, which locals rarely wear. If you see someone wearing a beret in Paris, you can often assume they're actually a fellow tourist.

On the other end of the spectrum are stereotypical American pieces, such as workout clothes. Sure, athleisure can make for a comfortable plane outfit, and it can be easy to move around in when sightseeing. Still, yoga pants and hoodies instantly identify you as a tourist on the streets of Paris.

When packing clothes for a Parisian getaway, also reconsider anything that screams logomania. Some of the world's top fashion houses are based in Paris, but that doesn't mean you need to wear their brand logos all over your bag or shirt. French locals will often choose designer pieces that have no or only small logos to avoid looking too flashy. Taking a page from their style book might also help you avoid pickpockets during your trip.