A Weekend in Paris, Packed in One Bag

The secret to packing for Paris is to pack for the woman you are at 6pm, not the tourist you might be at 10am. She needs less than you think.

Friday, dusk: arrive in the cashmere coat — wear it, never pack it — over a black silk slip. Apéritif at a zinc counter in the 6th. The scarf knotted on the bag handle does the talking.

Saturday: the ivory blazer over nothing complicated. Galleries in the Marais until the light goes gold, then a café table positioned for watching coats walk by. Take notes. Everyone in Paris is taking notes.

Saturday night: the gown. Yes, on a weekend trip. A dress that needs an occasion will invent one — this is the entire philosophy of the maison in one sentence.

Sunday: sunglasses, yesterday's lip, the market on Rue Mouffetard. Buy nothing but flowers and one impractical thing. Fly home slightly more yourself than you arrived.