It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is the top tourist destination in the world and it is wonderful at any time of the year.
Paris offers some of the best shopping in the world.
It is home to many of the most famous couture houses in the world, Yves Saint Laurent,Chanel,Dior,Celine,Hermes......
We love Parisian women, for their style and panache........they have that something......Joan of Arc,Catherine Deneuve,Eva Green,Marion Coittillard,Segolene Royale,Audrey Tatou,Carine Roitfeld,Simone Beauvior, it is the combination of brains and style.. the list continues.
Paris is also a very expensive city at least for someone from the US. On a FashionMom budget is there only so much I can afford to purchase and still enjoy the spectacular did I say spectacular? sights and sounds.
So listed below are my shopping picks for ladies on a average income budget.
One good thing is thanks to the internet and sites like
http://www.netaporter.com/ we can purchase some of these items and have them delivered overnight!!.
Still there is nothing like seeing everything in person.
Please do not neglect to walk and visit the most famous fashion avenues in Paris.
They are a treat to see and for FashionMoms with a larger shopping budgets,these are the stores for you.
Rue De Fauborg St Honore- Home to Yves Saint Laurent,Hermes,Versace,Chloe,Gucci.
Rue De Cambon- Chanel
Rue Saint Honore- Goyard for luggage and trunks, Joesph for those famous black pants.
Ave Montaigne- Balenciaga,Givenchy,Ungaro,Prada,Dior,Celine,Louis Vuitton
Rive Gauche- YSL Rive Gauche,Frederic Malle for perfume,Lucien Pellat Finet for fine cashmere,Cacharel.
Azzedine Alaia- 7 Rue de Moussey
The FashionMom list
A.P.C- Classic, timeless but French classic and timeless, the shirtdress, the white shirt, the twinset, the trench. If you cannot get to Paris try to visit the branch in NYC. Loved by women everywhere.
38 Rue Madame(6th Arrondissement)
Isabel Marant- Loved by French women and women everywhere. If they shop here it has to be good. Ms Marant recently opened a flagship in NYC to much fanfare and it was justified. She does classic but with a twist and seems to know what to give us what we want at the right time. She does not do trends,she sets them. She is the designer of the moment who ushered in a crushed boot craze with a signature boot that had women everywhere clamoring for more. She is a favorite of Paris Vogue fashion director Emannuelle Alt, who lives in Marants signature low cut leather pants and jeans. Enough said, just head to the store.
47 Rue de Saintonge( 3 rd Arrondissement)
For Kids- Serendipity- Fabulous gifts for children including mobiles and antique chests.
17 Rue des Quatre Vents( 6th Arr)
Colette-
The most famous retail store in Paris(outside of the main ones). A must visit for everyone. It is a combination of fashion, beauty,decorating and music together and it is so much fun. Lots of hard to find products available.
213 Rue St Honore (1st arr)
Deyrolle- So this is not where you will find this FashionMom but for those who like taxidermy this is your store. 200 year Old Landmark , with a collection of birds, butterflies and other animals.
46 Rue de Bac
Antik Batik- Boho influenced merchandise, lots of embellished pieces and handbags.
18 Rue de Tureene
Vanessa Bruno- Beautiful,classic silhouettes, outstanding leather bags. Great quality but not at ridiculous prices.
12 Rue de Castiglione
Petite Bateau- Beautiful clothing for kids but wait are they have something for us too. The best cotton Tee shirts ever made. The fit is amazing, not tight but pulls you in and they wash very well. Not cheap but worth every single penny.
116 Avenue des Champs-Elysées
Agnes B- If you want to look like a Parisian, this is the place to go. Twin sets, cardigans,shirtdresses, classic button down shirts in solid colors but the cuts are to die for.
6 Rue de Jour
Mariage Freres- 150 year old Tea Company with top blends.
30 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg
Diptyque- I developed a late allergy to candles ( makes me sneeze) but boy would I love to be able to at least light and smell one of these for an hour. This venerable institution sells candles of all scents and perfumes and lotions. You must smell their best selling candle Baies(black currant). A must visit in Paris
34 Blvd St Germain
Muji- I have waxed poetic about this store before and have profiled them before. This Paris outpost has the entire range of products available.
27 and 30 Rue St Suplice.
Zadig et Voltaire- Lots of basics in black abound in this store. Tanks, Cardigans and bags galore. Frehch girls love this store, look for the super thin tee shirts.
1 Rue de Vieux Colombier
Detaille- Founded in 1905 this beauty company is known for it's signature cream Baume Automobile. The cream is still available along with other moisturizers and beauty products.
10 Rue St Lazare
T Le Clerc- This was one of the first items I had to purchase in Paris. Founded in 1881 with a pharmacy on Place de Madeline. The products still exists today. You must, must try the
signature loose powder. It gives your skin light, illuminating coverage. A must buy in Paris,I felt as if I was truly in Paris when I bought my tin of loose powder. Try select pharmacies in Paris. It is also available online.
Jamin Puech- The famous handbags ( $350 plus). Signature looks include punched leather details and ruffles.
61 Rue d"Hauteville.
Sabbia Rosa- A favorite of celebrities everywhere, this Paris boutique is known for its vivid hued silk camisoles and slips. So French and very expensive.
73 Rue des Dts Peres
Paul and Joe- People love Sophie Albou for her attention to feminine details but with a masculine touch. Extremely wearable clothing.
62 Rue des Sts Peres
Mandarina Duck- Sportswear from the Amersterdam based Droog Design team.
219 Rue St Honore
Christian Louboutin- I know, the prices are very high, but at least visit for a look at the signature red soles. This FashionMom could only dream.
19,rue Jean -Jaques Rousseau(Etienne Marcel).
Comme Des Garcons- Rei Kawakubo's designs are one of a kind pieces of art. They also have Junya Watanbe under the same roof. Go just for inspiration and to view stunning work.
42 rue Etienne Marcel
E2(Vintage)- No two pieces are alike at this Vintage store.
2 Rue de Provence
Corinne Cobson- French Lolita here we go. Tight tees, demure little blouses, slips....should I go on?
1 Rue Jacob
Miu Miu- Cute, Cute and cute little sister of Prada. Expensive though.
16 Rue de Grenelle( Rive Gauche)
Martine Sitbon- The venerable Sitbon label. Romantic but with an urban vibe.
13 Rue De Grenelle(Rive Gauche)
Dary's- An overwhelming collection of vintage jewelry is available at this treasure trove of a store. Ah the rings!
362 Rue Saint Honore
Brontibay- Also with an outposts in Hawaii , this store sells jewel toned hand bags, at semi reasonable prices. Very cute.
6 Rue de Seveigne, 4th arr)
Home- Autour De Monde
2 floors of bright,modern and outstanding selection of home goods.
8 Rue de Francs Bourgeois
Department Stores- Try to visit all of these, I lived in the cosmetics departments.
Le Bon Marche- 24 Rue de Sevres
Galeries LaFayette- 48 Blvd Haussmann
Franck et Fils- 80 Rue de Passay
Au Printemps- 64 Blvd Haussmann
La Samaritaine- 19 Rue de la Monnaie
Flea markets
Marche aux Puces de Clignancourt
Marche aux Puces de Vanves(best of the two)
Open Sat and Sun along Aves Marc Sangnier and Georges Lafenestre
Shopping Drag
Champs Elysees
Has many shopping options including Sephora and a must visit to the Guerlain store for their stellar range of fragrances.
One last thing, after all of this shopping, stop at the world famous Laduree http://www.laduree.fr/v1/index.htm for the famous Macaroons!
Bon Appetit!
Au Revoir!
