Pure Indulgence…

Shop like a Parisian

Parisians do not just take their food and wine seriously, but also to shop. Shopping in Paris is an art. Once you know some secrets, Paris is the best place to buy discounted designer goods.

I also noticed how the French store. Purchase quality rather than quantity. Two or three classical pieces each year, usually acquired during their shopping time favorite "I soldiers."

Two times a year, the French do some serious shopping. The summer sales in August and winter sales in February. These are government controlled and although there are a lot of discontent among retailers about these restrictions, I think it works well for consumers.

But what if you can not shop at the time of sale? You have several options. Stores (entrepôt) second-hand shops specializing in designer brands only (depot ventes) or private sales (which took place during a shorter period specified and online). If you are a resident of Paris, "ventes privées offer" big business (see below for three of the best sites).

But back to retail shopping.

warehouse outlets:
Not far from the rue de Rennes popular (the home of great brand ZARA, H & M and GAP) is Placide street. For designer labels, director of "Mouton a Cinq Pattes' (sheep with five legs) This Parisian institution has everything designer label imaginable for sale, although some items have been there so long that they have made a comeback. They have three shops in this small street, which is a bit of a mystery. Lots of boxes to find bargain broad and deep at the same time I can not guarantee a Hermes scarf 'you can find a Louis Vuitton or Chanel, a lot of Gucci belts and other surprises.

Word of warning, the search for their size can be deceiving. Anything Under a European 40 or U.S. 10 should be well with skirts, shirts and short. Everything else can be limited to the choice of their jackets, coats (skin and leather) and other accessories. I guess there is some truth in "French women do not have" fat.

In the same street is the exit to Carroll and ETAM offering good classic suits and caps as well as numerous boutiques and shoe stores children. It is a small street and well worth the detour. At the end of the street, it's back to the luxury shopping at the Bon Marché, or a lunch in their newly renovated "Le Grande Epicerie de Paris.

In the opposite end of town is the street Alésia D '. My Parisian friends tell me not to buy there, and that is simply not smart enough but I do not believe them. Its Just a short subway ride away from main street shops and is worth visiting, especially if you like Cacharel and Sonia Rykiel. There are plenty of small shops population Armani, Dolce & Gabbanna, American Retro and many French labels. It's pretty long street which could easily go shopping all day there.

In Cacharel could not resist a hip height sweater with a rabbit skin flap (€ 660 reduced to € 120) and a blouse with ruffles, High neck silk (reduced from € 320 to € 90). There is also a large selection of children's clothing, girls cardigans embroidered € 30, Suits from € 100, and many of the "twin cashmere around 80-120 €. The ground floor is dedicated to lord suits, shirts and sweaters, and a great prices.

Equally impressive are the two shops Sonia Rykiel. As Queen of France "tissues" can be assured of quality and there are plenty of brand registered bright colored wool tops and skirts for less than € 100. Both stores had stock last winter very low and some elements of the new season, although some of these defects. The largest of the SR stores have a section dedicated to the two low. You can imagine how cute it is.

Finally, shoes, shoes glorious. Meslay facing the street, the whole street is dedicated to our "pied." I would recommend going directly to No. 13. This store specializes in Charles Jourdan (if you have more shares after clearance) and Valentino Langerfeld. Prices range from € 80-200 and there are many styles and classic colors.

Then copy more than 50 shops to explore. Many offer "the designs of Chanel and Prada, but the quality often matches the price. I saw many of the brand Superga Italy From € 25, Converse and Todds. When I visited in winter there was a wide range of leather boots from € 150.

To get away from minutes away from the rue Mesley is Temple Street. This district is famous for its supplies wholesale jewelry: pearls, chains, tools and jewelry. It is a great street as usual There is a frenzy of activity. Retailers negotiating with wholesalers. Large garbage bags of jewelry to be dragged back to the fifth and ready for a corporate branding of 70-100%. These stores usually only sell to retailers, but you are free to wonder around and you can always ask if you see something you like. If you can buy in quantities, it is almost certain to turn a blind eye to hold the data needed retail registration. I've never had problems buying semi-precious stones and chains.

Now Back to shoes for all fans of the "needle." I will recommend a shop on the outskirts of Paris, "Mini-Prix." They look more like a 7 / 11 but you can find designs of Jill Sanders, Ralph Lauren, Alexandra Blackberry Neal, Patrick Cox and Gianfranco Ferre – sorry not Manolo Blahnik – all for less than € 200.

Surprisingly, some new season stock. They also have a small range of branded designer bags but I was not very impressed with the collection. Not away from the Porte de Versailles, the Board of Trade in Great Exhibition in Paris. There's really nothing else in this field, a couple of shops for the promotion of clothing, but no great collection. However, if you like heels, you'll love this place.

Of course, this is only a small selection of the many places of Paris. Everyone has their favorites and I will certainly Cacharel when time and budget permits!

Address List:
Cacharel and Sonia Rykiel – rue d'Alesia Metro: Alesia, t: 01 45 42 53 04
Mini-Prix, the boulevard of the Avenue Victor M: Balard
Shoes rue Meslay – M: Rennes

About the Author

Creator of a new website allowing travellers to create their own itinerary of events, locals restaurants, shopping and beauty tips and ideas for travelling with children in Paris, London and Loire Valley. The author is a former Public Relations consultant in Australia but now living in France.