Paris is a city of many, many superlatives: the Most Romantic City in the World, the Most Cultured City in the World, the city with the Best food, most beautiful women, most forward men or best crepe nutella. While some of these are up for debate, even the snobbiest New York or Milanese fashionistas will concede that Paris is the fashion capitol of the world.
So how can you possibly soak in all your shopping wonders in one day? You can't, but this guide will give you all you need to come back (to reality?) glowing and gloating with delight and a perfect find. From the big-hitters to the best of the little guys, strap on your comfiest pumps, because you're in for a wild ride.
Start off the morning with some inspiration (and a cream puff or eclair) from Angelina, the legendary tea room Coco Chanel frequented throughout her life. Located right in the heart of Paris on rue de Rivoli, it is the perfect launching point for a fashion-infused day.
Just down the street is the first shopping stop of the day, the Palais Royal. The once-private-theater-turned-shopping-monument is full of upscale boutiques and things you will never be able to convince yourself to buy. However, the surprising and delightful Dider Ludot is worth stopping by. Dider's impressive collection is divided into three smaller shops: one for museum-quality vintage pieces from haut couture designers; one for ready-to-wear Givenchy and Dior as well as accessories (be sure to check out the handbags and hats); and one called La Petite Robe Noir, for the perfect little black dress.
Now that you're salivating over the dresses, but cringing at the prices, get on the 1 train (yellow line) and head a few stops over to St Paul, where you can hop off and explore the boutique-y Marais neighborhood.
It is full of shopping wonders from stark and elegant jewelry design shops such as Satellite to shoe boutiques where you can buy toe-supporting Japanese-inspired footwear(?!) and hand-crafted canvas satchels at L'Echoppe a Sacs Ets Richard (28 rue Charlot). And then there is my personal favorite, Vintage Desire, (32 rue des rosiers, 75004) where you can come home with an entire wardrobe makeover for under $100. Look for the unexpected pair of boots or the fur coat you've always wanted but were never willed by an elderly relative tucked in among shirt dresses and silky polyester blouses. But don't spend your money all in one place, there's more vintage to come….
Grab a crepe with ham and cheese, and rest your feet for a few minutes, because the afternoon will leave you breathless.
Next up is the 9th arrondissement, where of two of the largest department stores in Europe, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, duke it out almost side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann for your business.
Take the 3 or the 9 trains to Metro Havre-Caumartin or the 7 or 8 to Opera, and head up the Boulevard until you see the two hulking bundles of shopping joy looming on the horizon. Swing by Galeries Lafayette for some basics, like that Marc Jacobs handbag you've been saving up for since childhood, or some lacy underthings hand-tailored by a slew of curt-yet-eager tailors in the intimates department (we won't tell). If nothing else, appreciate the entire floor of shoes at Printemps. Go on, you know you can't resist.
From there, walk around the corner to Le Jupon Rouge, situated at 9 rue de Rochechouart in the 9th, where you can find an eclectic, colorful collection of consignment pieces artfully curated by owner Tania. If you are looking for a statement piece to add to your wardrobe without breaking the bank, this is the place. Signature Agnes B jackets go for €50, and beautiful vintage boots come in around €40-70.
Tired yet? Yes, so are we. Hunker down for dinner at a nearby bistro (this isn't the eating tour, what do you want, restaurant recommendations, too?) order yourself a bowl of onion soup and revel in your victorious fashion finds of the day.
No trip to Paris would be complete without a walk down the Champs Elysees, the boulevard-turned-catwalk of Paris' fashion elite.
Lucky for you, most stores on the promenade are open late, and the whole street is more magnificent when all its garish lights are aglow. Walk from the Arch de Triumph at metro George V or Charles de Gaulle Etoile down the Champs Elysees to the Seine and enjoy the beautiful view of the Eiffel tower all lit up from the Quay. Yes, your feet hurt. And yes, your bank account hurts even more, but nothing can take away the sense of satisfaction from finding that one great dress or bag or pair of Prada pumps.
Now go home and flaunt it.
So how can you possibly soak in all your shopping wonders in one day? You can't, but this guide will give you all you need to come back (to reality?) glowing and gloating with delight and a perfect find. From the big-hitters to the best of the little guys, strap on your comfiest pumps, because you're in for a wild ride.
Start off the morning with some inspiration (and a cream puff or eclair) from Angelina, the legendary tea room Coco Chanel frequented throughout her life. Located right in the heart of Paris on rue de Rivoli, it is the perfect launching point for a fashion-infused day.
Just down the street is the first shopping stop of the day, the Palais Royal. The once-private-theater-turned-shopping-monument is full of upscale boutiques and things you will never be able to convince yourself to buy. However, the surprising and delightful Dider Ludot is worth stopping by. Dider's impressive collection is divided into three smaller shops: one for museum-quality vintage pieces from haut couture designers; one for ready-to-wear Givenchy and Dior as well as accessories (be sure to check out the handbags and hats); and one called La Petite Robe Noir, for the perfect little black dress.
Now that you're salivating over the dresses, but cringing at the prices, get on the 1 train (yellow line) and head a few stops over to St Paul, where you can hop off and explore the boutique-y Marais neighborhood.
It is full of shopping wonders from stark and elegant jewelry design shops such as Satellite to shoe boutiques where you can buy toe-supporting Japanese-inspired footwear(?!) and hand-crafted canvas satchels at L'Echoppe a Sacs Ets Richard (28 rue Charlot). And then there is my personal favorite, Vintage Desire, (32 rue des rosiers, 75004) where you can come home with an entire wardrobe makeover for under $100. Look for the unexpected pair of boots or the fur coat you've always wanted but were never willed by an elderly relative tucked in among shirt dresses and silky polyester blouses. But don't spend your money all in one place, there's more vintage to come….
Grab a crepe with ham and cheese, and rest your feet for a few minutes, because the afternoon will leave you breathless.
Next up is the 9th arrondissement, where of two of the largest department stores in Europe, Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, duke it out almost side-by-side on Boulevard Haussmann for your business.
Take the 3 or the 9 trains to Metro Havre-Caumartin or the 7 or 8 to Opera, and head up the Boulevard until you see the two hulking bundles of shopping joy looming on the horizon. Swing by Galeries Lafayette for some basics, like that Marc Jacobs handbag you've been saving up for since childhood, or some lacy underthings hand-tailored by a slew of curt-yet-eager tailors in the intimates department (we won't tell). If nothing else, appreciate the entire floor of shoes at Printemps. Go on, you know you can't resist.
From there, walk around the corner to Le Jupon Rouge, situated at 9 rue de Rochechouart in the 9th, where you can find an eclectic, colorful collection of consignment pieces artfully curated by owner Tania. If you are looking for a statement piece to add to your wardrobe without breaking the bank, this is the place. Signature Agnes B jackets go for €50, and beautiful vintage boots come in around €40-70.
Tired yet? Yes, so are we. Hunker down for dinner at a nearby bistro (this isn't the eating tour, what do you want, restaurant recommendations, too?) order yourself a bowl of onion soup and revel in your victorious fashion finds of the day.
No trip to Paris would be complete without a walk down the Champs Elysees, the boulevard-turned-catwalk of Paris' fashion elite.
Lucky for you, most stores on the promenade are open late, and the whole street is more magnificent when all its garish lights are aglow. Walk from the Arch de Triumph at metro George V or Charles de Gaulle Etoile down the Champs Elysees to the Seine and enjoy the beautiful view of the Eiffel tower all lit up from the Quay. Yes, your feet hurt. And yes, your bank account hurts even more, but nothing can take away the sense of satisfaction from finding that one great dress or bag or pair of Prada pumps.
Now go home and flaunt it.
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