I’m an American who’s lived in Paris for nearly a decade. These 8 things have surprised me about living in the French capital.

The Eiffel Tower, lit up against the night sky — While building a life for myself as an American in Paris, I’ve been surprised by a lot of local habits and cultural differences.

Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images

I’m an American who’s lived in Paris for almost a decade. My time here has been full of surprises.
Here, it’s common to take really long lunches — and locals really do pick up fresh baguettes often.
Many locals dress stylishly around the clock, which inspired me to build a capsule wardrobe.

Shortly after I turned 25, I asked myself: “If you could live anywhere, where would it be?” The answer was always Paris.

Growing up in the US, I’d taken French classes from sixth grade through college. The language and the culture were always on my radar, so I decided to take the leap.

Et voilà! About nine years later, I still live in Paris full-time. Here are a few things that have surprised me about life in the French capital over the years.

Locals rarely wear athleisure, and their elevated style has inspired my own wardrobe.

A woman with long blonde hair posing next to a bridge while wearing light blue jeans and a white shirt with a large black overcoat. — Garments I’ve added to my wardrobe since moving to Paris are versatile, simple, and timeless.

Amanda Rollins

In Paris, I rarely cross paths with people wearing sweatpants or leggings in public, which is a stark contrast to my experience in the US.

Most people in the French capital seem to put effort into their appearances and dress one step above what I’d consider casual in the US, even if they’re making a quick run to the grocery store.

I see a lot of tailored trousers paired with plain sweaters and scarves. People also dress up jeans with loafers or crisp white sneakers and tailored jackets.

In the US, I had three fashion modes: going-out clothes (crop tops, jeans, and heels), athleisure (leggings, colored sneakers, and tank tops), and office attire (slacks, loafers, and silky blouses).

On Saturdays, I was dressed for either the bars or the gym. There was really no in-between.

Living here has improved my sense of style and helped me take pride in how I present myself. My new, simplified wardrobe consists of smart, simple pieces I can wear during the day and in the evening.

I’ve developed a uniform of sorts, mixing trousers, jeans, white sneakers, silk maxi skirts, plain T-shirts, tailored jackets, and lots of black pieces.

Getting dressed is easier with a capsule wardrobe — I feel ready for anything when I leave the house.