Shopping in Paris Part 1

Over the past couple of posts, I've regurgitated the same hyperbolic adjectives over and over again - (romantic, magnificent architecture, Seine, yada yada yada) that I even managed to bore myself. Despite my protestations, for those of you who'd been to Paris, you'll understand why one can't help waxed poetically about the city. The other thing that Paris is well known for is fashion. I mean it's where some of the most well known names - Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Isabel Marant, Christian Louboutin are based. Since this is a fairly long post, I'm going to split it up to 2 parts.




On the whole, I found the prices in Paris on par with UK. There are some exceptions such as Isabel Marant where their Dicker boots are 325€ as opposed to £365 but then that's understandable as it's a French brand. Barbour jackets, on the other hand, are two to three times more expensive in Paris. If you're crazy about Isabel Marant as I am, the best place to go is their store at Republique. Stocks galore! Their staff will bend over backwards to help you.

Isabel Marant

47, rue Saintonge

75003 paris

00 33 (0)1 42 78 19 24

monday-saturday : 10.30 am - 7.30 pm

Metro: Republique

I popped into K Jacques St Tropez, a popular brand that I'd talked about previously at Marais to check them out. The shop may feel claustrophobic but the service is exceptional. This caught my eye but I left empty handed as my size requires a custom order.


 K Jacques

16 Rue Pavée 75004 Paris, France 01 40 27 03 57

Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Subway: Saint-Paul

Friends who know me well are acquainted with my love for Repetto flats. Check out the exquisitely embroidered ballet tutu by the window. Be careful when you order Repetto flats online because you may have to go up by 2 sizes for the ones with more toe cleavage. Their flagship store at Place Vendome is my favorite.

Repetto

22 Rue Paix 75002 Paris, France 01 44 71 83 12

Open Mon-Sat 9am-6pm

Subway: Opéra


 
Unfortunately, I've yet to find a pair of comfortable Christian Louboutin heels but they're undeniably sexy and make your legs look like a million miles long. When I got to his store at St Germain des Pres, there was already a small queue. In France, a sales associate can only deal with ONE customer at a time. In this case, there was a lady with her friend who tried on dozens of shoes, pranced up and down the red carpet as if it was a catwalk to the consternation of those of us who had been waiting for more than half an hour. An hour later, they left empty handed leaving the poor sales associate to tidy up the huge mess. I was served by a male sales associate who to the relief of many, turned up after his lunch break. He was wonderful. He brought anything he could find in size 34 and 34.5 but alas, no Simple 70mm heels in my size.

Christian Louboutin
38/40,  rue de Grenelle
75007
Tel : +33 (1) 42 22 33 07
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 1030 - 1930

Métro stop: Sèvres-Babylon

For some reason, I've always compared Galeries Lafayette to Harrods because it's a little over the top and dull. I've been to this department store on many occasions but this time, I felt it was far FAR better than Printemps. The interior was well lit, one could find entrance and exit points easily and the building is stunningly beautiful.

Galeries Lafayette
40, blvd Haussmann
75009 PARIS
Metro : Chaussée d'Antin, Opéra, Trinité
Opening hours: Monday throught Saturday : from 09:30 am to 07:30 pm. Late night opening every Thursday until 9 pm




I found Printemps slightly more tired and dingy compared to the previous years. The Homme (men) and Femme (women) are in different buildings. It's located adjacent to its competitor, Galeries Lafayette.

Printemps Haussman
64, bd Haussmann
75009 Paris - France
Tel : +33(0)1 42 82 50 00
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 9.35 am to 8 pm - Late-night opening Thursday until 10 pm.
Metro: Havre Caumartin