What to wear

This may seem a rather frivolous question but I would appreciate some guidelines on what to wear for our holiday in Nice next week. The forecast varies between 11 and 13 degrees so that helps but how smart do I need to be at this time of year so I don%26#39;t look too touristy!? In Paris this time last year everyone was very smart/chic and well-wrapped up with coats and boots. What can I expect further south? Many thanks.

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I wore mostly pants and warm tops in December, dressing things up with scarves and--when needed--mufflers. After much thought I ended up taking a mid-calf-length coat and was glad that I had. I didn%26#39;t seem to be dressed much differently from everyone else.

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Where are you planning to stay /eat? Are you planning to go to a lot of smart places?

If it isn%26#39;t raining it will be very mild and probably sunny and warm in the sun between 11 and 3. It will probably feel significantly warmer than the projected temperature and chilly in the shade. If it does rain it will rain like a torrent.

wear layers and prepare for rain but you might get nice weather.

It was lovely and warm today but its a variable weather period.

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Thanks for the advice - layers seems to be the key. We are staying at the Palais de la Mediterranee but as we have our 12 year old son with us I don%26#39;t think we%26#39;ll be eating in very expensive restaurants - but I don%26#39;t want to look underdressed in the hotel either.

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Hello Francesca,

Yes we are at that inter-season where you have to be prepared to have a short sleeved shirt in the sun and a coat in the shade. But if you hit more clement weather it can be very very nice. In Paris, whatever the season, you will not catch a French woman dead with sports/walking shoes. Major no-no. So even in the south prefer well worn leather shoes that are comfortable rather than sneakers. Unless you are a teenager and then it%26#39;s OK!

A guy with a sense of observation that lived a very very long time in France, Paris and the South!

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Thanks LouGari

I%26#39;m so glad you said that! Thankfully I got it right in Paris and wore my boots, a good coat and a decent scarf and it felt great to blend in. I was interested to know how different it would be on the Riviera and, from what you say, I mustn%26#39;t let the style slip!

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The palais de la mediterranee [lots of business and conference guests] and Nice in general isn%26#39;t generally full of super chic people.

Smart casual is the commonest look.

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Great! I can do smart casual. Thank you. Doubtless I will overpack as usual - especially shoes - and husband will roll his eyes to heaven, before fussing about what he%26#39;s going to wear. Happy Days!

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I would wear the same that you wore and saw in Paris - boots, coat, scarf, smart-chic. If in doubt, err on the side of smarter rather than casual if only for the fact you get better service in shops, restaurants imo. I tend to wear casualnjeans and boots but smartened up with a good coat/bag/scarf. Take a brolly and sunglasses too. Layers are a good idea - it can get very hot if it is sunny but quickly cool down in the shade and evening. Nice is mostly flat and great for walking everywhere and it%26#39;s easy to clock up the miles so make sure your shoes/boots are comfortable, nothing worse than sore feet or blisters.

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Agreed, as a general rule I always prefer being over-dressed than under-dressed in all circumstances! In the first case people say %26quot;How chic%26quot; in the latter %26quot;Where did he/she learn to dress?%26quot;. I now live in the world of the under-dressers...

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Some very helpful advice. And plenty to make me chuckle too! Have rescued my sunglasses from the car and am now throwing everything on the bed trying to get my smart-casual-chic-inbetween seasons outfit together....white shirt/jeans/boots/decent accessories....this holiday lark is hard work!