What Should I Wear to the Olympics?

I will be attending various Olympic events in and around Paris this summer, and I don’t know what to wear. I’ve been to the French Open and recall that only the players (and Americans) wore shorts. I want my clothes to reflect my respect for the host country, but I also want to be comfortable. Help! — Kathryn, Houston

The interesting thing about the Olympics, unlike almost any other sporting event (except, maybe, the World Cup), is that attendees in the stands, like the athletes themselves, represent their country — even if unofficially. At least that’s how they are seen by locals. Which means that if you are going to the Olympics, which are generally a little more formal than other big sporting events because of the history, ceremony and mythology involved, a little more dressing up is required.

Especially because this year’s Games are in Paris, where fashion is considered part of the patrimony and where more fashion brands than ever are involved in the actual events. And the events are sprinkled among monuments like the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais and Versailles. I mean, even the medals are being gussied up in a Louis Vuitton box. That’s a pretty high bar.

Unlike the athletes and the members of the official delegation, attendees do not have the security of a uniform to fall back on. Which means they have to invent one for themselves. So what to do, other than buy official team gear?

First, some practical guidelines. Paris is often hot in the summer, but it also experiences unpredictable cool spells, so it’s important to pack for contingencies. Second, given the logistical logjams and complications of getting around town (and even in from the airport) created by the enhanced security, the best way to pack is light. Assume that you will be walking more than you will be riding, so comfortable shoes are important.

And finally, said an American friend who married a Frenchman and has been living in Paris for decades, “backpacks are a giveaway.” So if you don’t want to look like an Olympics tourist, opt, she said, for “a roomy cotton tote.”

(A tote also has the advantage of being easy to roll up and stow in a carry-on, and it’s lightweight enough not to create extra shoulder pain from lugging your stuff around all day. Also, you will probably have to go through a lot of checkpoints.)