June 17, 2026
Next Friday, the 26th, I’m going to Paris! Unless the weather is going to be unbearable hot, in which case I’m just going to CANCEL. My hotel expense might be a sunk cost, but I’m pretty sure I can do some kind of exchange things with my plane tickets.
But this is a good time for everybody to fully grasp the meaning of “sunk cost.” Going to Paris and being miserable, or just being unable to do much of anything, isn’t fun. On top of the expenses that I’ve already incurred, I would have transportation back and forth to the airport, and lots of meals, and any other incidental goodies I buy.
I literally do not have to decide until I’m about to hand over my suitcase to be checked. I don’t carry a suitcase onto an airplane anymore – I’m not in that much of a hurry to get out of the airport, and I AM eager to avoid exertion and heavy lifting early in a 36-hour day…
So where am I staying? A new hotel, for me:
When I was in Paris in December, I stayed in the same neighborhood, and didn’t wander too far. I’m just hopeful that my room might be decorated in purple! Although that room in the bottom image is probably more what I’m going to have – I told them I only needed a tiny space…
This map gives you a sense of where I will be:
One of the reasons I like this neighborhood? The food market that’s RIGHT THERE:
And here’s where I will eat breakfast every morning; I never eat breakfast in my hotel anymore, no matter how tempting the buffet is! I like to sit and watch the early morning crowd drop in for their quick espresso and multiple handshakes and kisses…
Is it the best cafe in Paris? Heck no, it may not be the best cafe on the block! But it’s where I go – they know me, and I get to be part of the handshaking and kissing…
Even though the weather is going to be warm, I’m flying in jeans. And real shoes. And a shirt over a tank top. Airplanes are cold. And things can go wrong. And I’ve seen thousands of visitors to Chicago freezing when they pack light summer things and then the temperature plummets…
The shirt that I will be wearing over my black column is MUCH snappier than this one – it’s off-whiteish, with paint spatters all over it. Very artistically done. I can’t even find a photograph of the shirt to show you, so I’ve chosen what my second-choice shirt would be:
Plaid linen shirt – GAP; earrings – Donatello Gian; sleeveless top – L.L.Bean; Fierce Fortitude bracelets – Fierce Lynx Designs; handbag – The Sak; Dad jeans – Levi’s; backpack – Portland Gear; sneakers – ara
When I drag my suitcase out of the closet, these are the first things I will pack. Always lots of cotton handkerchiefs – a clean one every day in my handbag! And an extra pair of socks, in case the weather does in fact turn cold.
I pack my toiletries in my suitcase, so I don’t have to dig them out of my backpack. Mine are very small – I’m not a big cosmetics person:
Briefs – Natori; bra – Natori; pajamas – Old Navy; handkerchiefs – Nordstrom; skimmies – Jockey; socks – vowels; toiletries bag – Baggallini
If I can’t get any clothing into my bag except these four dresses, I imagine that I will be just fine. (of course that’s ridiculous…)
And yes, three of my four dresses are the EXACT SAME STYLE. I bought them two years ago, and live in them in the summer. My purple dress is slightly different, because it’s from this year:
My second cluster of clothes only need to “cover” me for four days, since I already have four dresses. I may never wear my shorts, if it’s not super warm. My cardigan might be worn every evening, if it cools down…
Purple linen tee – Eileen Fisher; Nyx bracelet set – Fierce Lynx Designs; Fierce Patience bracelet set – Fierce Lynx Designs; brown linen shirt – Banana Republic; black cardigan – Nordstrom; black sleeveless top – L.L.Bean; black linen shorts – Banana Republic; black linen pants – Caslon; sandals – Abeo
I am indeed taking two pairs of Abeo sandals with me – I might take all THREE pairs that I own. Years ago, I broke a pair of sandals the day before I was leaving for Florida. I went into The Walking Store and asked for a pair of sandals that I could walk in for hours and not get blisters.
Three pairs of these later, I can heartily endorse them!
This is the entire travel wardrobe:
Why yes, I’m taking a pile of bracelets! And I will probably take a few dozen pairs of earrings – all of my “regulars” are in a tiny box that will fit inside my bracelet carrier!
I’m getting excited. And apprehensive. And happy. And nervous.
That’s travel!
love,
Janice
p.s. Fifteen years ago I shared with you my experiences of sleeping in airports. I was just getting started with The Vivienne Files, and so I wrote about whatever crossed my mind!
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I remember your look back post. My goodness, has it really been 15 years? Amazing. I’ve learned so much from your posts. They’ve given me the ability to try new ideas and embrace who I am, even as I change.
I love the four dresses but I’m it sure they would suit my figure. They certainly look cool enough for Florida weather and I could probably wear them for 9 months out of the year.
Dear Janice, this looks great! I hope you can make it. I remember a trip to Rome in August, it was crazy hot (over 104) and probably wouldn’t do it again, but it was one of my favorite trips. We would go out early to walk around, eat and go back to the hotel and stay fresh for the hottest hours. Then around 5-6pm for gelatto and site seeing or museums until sunset, which is a lot since days are so long in the summer… hot indeed, but lovely as well!
On a different matter, I’m back from my work trip and my wardrobe was so neat. I took more than I wnated at first, 3 toppers, 7 tops, 2 skirts, and 4 pants. I’m so glad I did, one day I used 3 tops because of the heat and different activities going on. In the end only one top returned clean. I got so many compliments, all thanks to you 😊.
Blessings!
Ps. I’m doing the same next time, though everything fitted in my carry-on small trolley, I rather wait than having to put that in the upper compartment… flight attendants don’t assist you anymore (at least in Europe) because of the risk of injuries. I evidently want everyone to stay safe, but those compartments are designed for someone who’s 6-feet tall and beyond. Lesson learned!
Oh, Janice, I am so excited for you! I hope you are able to go…there’s no place in the world like Paris. But, I know that all of Europe is utterly miserable if it’s unbearably hot. I’m so accustomed to air conditioning that I’m just a ‘weakie’ when it comes to extremely hot weather. I hope your trip goes as planned!
I love the jewel tones you have chosen, with black as your base. You have chosen the pieces that just like “you”. That’s what we all should do, especially when we travel. I have made the mistake, too many times, of packing items I’ve just purchased because they feel like they’re what I SHOULD wear at a place I’m visiting, rather than just dressing in pieces that feel like my authentic self. Whenever I’ve done this, I feel as if I’m dressing up as someone else and am never quite comfortable. We should all remember to dress appropriately for the venue and event, however, we need to still be ourselves…and not how we think we should be.
Let us know how your trip goes and vaya con Dios!
Mais où sont vos foulards ??? :-)
I’m probably taking just two – I have a small purple floral that I will tie to my handbag, and a black and brown Hermes that I will wear if it’s cool. Maybe in the evening with my brown shirt and black pants. I don’t want to sweat through any of my scarves – even the inexpensive ones!
Travel is a way to learn about youself, right?
love,
Janice
Perfect. I couldn’t imagine not having at least two to choose from at all times! And of course you can always find a new one or three while you’re there :-)
Thank god someone is travelling with dresses. I’m a “frock” girl.They are my one and done type of dressing. Thank you for including them in your selection. What a wonderful array of colours
There’s nothing like a dress to stay comfy! I love the one and done, too!
We were in Paris May 11-19. It was over 90 degrees most days.
We cooked. Even sleeveless. Galerie Lafayette lost their ai9r conditioning for awhile.
Paris is my all time love and it was wonderful this time too, in spite of the heat.
I hope you have a grand experience. Bon voyage!
Take the evening bus tour….lovely!
sounds like a wonderful trip! we discovered that area on our last visit to Paris (note to self: we are overdue for another visit!) and fell in love with it. felt like a real neighborhood, and surprisingly convenient.
love your wardrobe choices……will look forward to hearing a review once you return.
safe travels!
I’m so excited for you and hope the weather cooperates so you can go to Paris next week! I love your 4 dresses. I’m just back from a beach weekend and only wore linen dresses. They were so cool in the heat and humidity.
Interesting derivation of the Whatever’s Clean 13. Ordinarily, my formula would be 4 tops, 4 layers, 4 bottoms and 1 dress. But tweaking this to 3:3:3:4 makes total sense for warmer weather. These dresses are versatile, serving many roles: top/bottom, top over leggings, layer over a top, etc. I bought 2 similar dresses for last year’s cruise, same style as shown here, even with pockets! I’m not normally a dress gal, but glad I made those purchases which gave me many options.
Have an enjoyable time in Paris.
Wising you a wonderful safe trip💜
Hope you have a fabulous time, Janice, and that it cools off by the time you arrive. Dresses in natural fibers are definitely the way to go in a heatwave. I was in Paris last July when it was 40C and even in white linen it was hard to stay cool. Museums are the most likely places to find air con; even though the entrance to the Louvre was heaving with people, it’s so big that if you continue deeper into the museum’s interior, you can be nearly alone. Bring a fan (paper or battery-powered). The city’s website has a map of the 1300 “cooling islands” with fountains and water sprays.
Love your choices. Fierce Lynx for the win! I wear cotton bandanas in the TX summer heat. They can be rinsed out and hung to dry quite easily. since I roll and tie they really don’t need ironing. Have a great time.
Your packing system once again makes so much sense. But mostly I was excited that you’re another handkerchief person. I buy vintage cotton ones and use them until they fall apart. I started when I was working outdoors every day; even in sweaty hot weather, handkerchiefs don’t shred when you stuff them in and pull them out of your pockets.
Bon voyage!
I love this area! If you have an artisanal boulangerie for a sandwich or find fresh fruit and cheese at the market, Place des Vosges is a lovely, usually uncrowded spot, for a picnic. Enjoy your trip
I wish you a wonderful trip. I have that Portland Gear backpack. It was perfect for the plane when I went to Paris a few months ago. I’ve since used it for several weekend US based trips. I love it. It holds a lot.
40 days in Paris. No ac in apartment! Suggestion:a huge cotton Pareo 10 eurosin market can be doused in water and serve as personal cooler on walks.
Interesting name choice for a hotel, last time I was in Paris I visited where he was burned at the stake, very moving, it was cool breezy spot too and quiet, few people ventured onto the little island. enjoy, heat wave forecast, one of about 5 forecast in last few days such is weather forecasting.
I’m buying those ABEO sandals. They look dressy and comfortable which is perfect!
Nothing to do with the clothes but apparently the catacombs are perfect to visit in sweltering weather!
I’m in Paris, and it’s still going to be very hot the weekend of the 26th-27th. Supposed to cool off the following week. It depends what you want to do, but walking around in the afternoon is *miserable* at the moment. I always complain about overly-strong a/c in the US but here even places that are air conditioned are often not cool enough for me. The gelato stands are doing a very good trade!
I’m also going to Paris next week and it’s going to be HOT! The high will be 101 degrees on Thursday when my 11 year old grandson and I arrive. Saturday will be slightly cooler, but when our Road Scholar Grandparent trip begins on Monday, the 29th the highs will drop to 88 degrees. Maybe that will be manageable. I have packed two dresses and two very light weight pants, some sleeveless shirts with a cotton shawl to hide the grandmotherly upper arms. As many Paris restaurants are not air conditioned, I also have hand fans for us both and umbrellas to use as parasols. I think we will have many citrons pressés and glaces at sidewalk cafes. But it’s Paris! It will be wonderful! And to be there with my grandson…oh, la, la…c’est magnifique! Wishing you a happy trip.
I am going to Paris for the first time at the end of July. I hope the weather isn’t so hot. Your idea for packing is very useful. I find all your posts very interesting for wardrobe clusters and all the heroines and their planned travels. You have a wonderful imagination.
I looked on the map of Paris on your post and I can’t believe we are staying about 15 minutes walk from the market you mentioned, so I’ll have to check it out.
Hope you will be able to visit there soon.