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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Shopping in Paris

101 replies

Alison421e · 25/08/2020 08:01

I’ve never been to Paris but I always envy the french women style! I have a big birthday coming up this year (40th) and I’m starting work for first time in years after raising a family so I feel I definitely need a treat! So I’m considering doing a day trip with DH and kids for my actual birthday for the sole intention of buying some lovely clothes. I literally only worn leggings and maternity jeans for years! I really want to start looking stylish post 40.

My question is Will clothes shopping in Paris be what I’m thinking, or will I be disappointed? Also how expensive can it be it can you get bargains like you do here in the sales?

OP posts:
CarrieFour · 25/08/2020 08:30

I visit Paris quite frequently. But if I want to shop in France then I do as someone else suggested and go to Cite Europe and the Designer Outlet next door. Have a day trip on the Eurotunnel.

Paris I prefer to sightsee and wander. I find spending my time shopping a bit of a waste as once in a shop it's the same as being anywhere else.

SparklingLime · 25/08/2020 08:31

There’s loads of info and advice on these threads: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3971316-Les-Parisiennes-de-Mamansnet-Lenfer-cest-les-Autres

Burnthurst187 · 25/08/2020 08:31

DP and I went to Paris for two nights in Easter 2018. Euro Star then walked to our Air B&B apartment. It was brilliant

We knew that it was a one off and that we'd never go again before we left as we'd seen everything we wanted to see

You will do ALOT of walking. I wouldn't take the children. It is also ridiculously expensive, maybe just eat once a day!

Shopping in Paris
WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 25/08/2020 08:37

I think to go to Paris for a day trip could be lovely, but don't try to clothes shop at the same time. There's so much to see in Paris, so just wandering about seeing the sights and having a special lunch would be great. However currently...
... visitors from the UK have to quarantine for 14 days.
... you have to wear a face mask out of doors.

toodlepipsqueaks · 25/08/2020 08:39

I used to live in Paris and I think a trip like that would take a fair bit of organisation and then rushing around once you get there. In the main shopping areas you will mostly find international brands so you'd need to identify the French stores you're after in advance and track them down.

Like others, I'd be inclined to try to get some pieces online, having looked at Instagram, Pinterest etc. for inspiration, and then use your trip to wear and enjoy those clothes and do some sightseeing instead 😊

SinkGirl · 25/08/2020 08:41

I love Paris, I have been several times (last trip was 5 years ago sadly!) and I could go 100 more and still have things I want to do. Definitely go, maybe do some research online and pick one shop you want to go to get the Parisian shopping experience if you want it, and then spend the rest of the time enjoying the city and eating (the main reason I love Paris is the food 😂). Sit in a cafe people watching so you can buy similar clothes online when you get back!

DorisDaisyMay · 25/08/2020 08:55

Sézane have the most beautiful French clothes online. I want almost everything on their website!

HM1984 · 25/08/2020 08:56

I hate to burst your bubble, but if you're only planning on going for a day it is impossible to sight see and go shopping. Paris is a VERY big city. You could probably see a couple of landmarks and a bit of shopping and food but i imagine it would be very rushed.

Paris is beautiful though. I absolutely love it - went at Christmas a good 10 years ago and was probably one of the most romantic places I've been. Depending on when your birthday is, could you maybe start drop hints to husband to book? The kids may get a bit bored, depending on age so yes probably a good idea to have someone watch them a day or so. Also an opportunity for quality time with OH.

You'll find a lot of boutiques in Paris, if that's your thing, otherwise I'd just suggested a day in London. Just as good for shopping (unless the exchange rate is good).

ShinyMe · 25/08/2020 09:19

Paris is lovely, but absolutely not for dragging children around while you buy clothes! If you're only going for a day then go with your dh and do a boat trip, have a lovely lunch, go up the Eiffel Tower or do something else touristy or romantic! Don't waste it in bloody shops!

Chemenger · 25/08/2020 09:35

Final thing - do you speak french? If you don’t it will be much easier to discuss what you are looking for in the U.K. and this might detract from your shopping experience. Parisians have a reputation for not being patient with non-French speakers (which to be fair wasn’t my experience, but I was only mainly talking about food).

FrankieChips · 25/08/2020 09:41

London is way better than Paris for fashion! Paris isn’t that nice tbh.

RincewindsHat · 25/08/2020 09:51

Love the idea of a trip to Paris! Can I also suggest looking into a personal shopper to spend a day with you and help you buy some amazing new outfits? I'm not someone who can put clothes together myself and look chic so a personal shopper (independent, not store based) has changed my life and it totally worth the investment IMO.

AdoptAdaptImprove · 25/08/2020 09:56

It seems daft to me to have to quarantine all of you for 14 days when you get home, for the sake of, what, a few hours looking around shops you very probably won’t buy in? Unless you know exactly what you want and where to go in advance, you’ll never do what you’re hoping for, your kids will be tired and bored, and then none of you will be able to go to work/school/nursery for 2 weeks afterwards.

If you would like a trip to Paris at some point, why not pick another occasion (wedding anniversary?) and book it now, so you know you’ll definitely go. Then go, as people have sensibly suggested, to a big U.K. town or city and have the personal shopping experience for your new work wardrobe.

Pumpkinnose · 25/08/2020 09:56

Depends if you mind quarantining for 14 days! It’s not going away for months.

Honestly don’t bother go to Ox street instead.

ZezetteEpouseX · 25/08/2020 10:05

You can get a stylish look by shopping for the right items in Primark....

Being in Paris (or Milan, or New York) won't magically give you a stylish look - and pretty much every brand can be bought online these days anyway

You are much better off splashing on a personal stylist and get a good basic wardrobe and treat yourself with a few lovely bits once you do have the basics.

You should have a look at styled by susie, you might not want HER look but she will find exactly what works for you, for the occasions you want (casual, business or party...) and give you the real style make-over you are after.

It's much easier to have fun shopping when you know what you are looking for!

InvincibleInvisibility · 25/08/2020 10:06

And soon there will be restrictions on travellers from the UK to France...

Camphillgirl · 25/08/2020 10:14

I’d suggest taking a day in Paris sitting in cafe near the fashion quarter quite close to Champs Elysees and watching what girls are wearing. Come home and copy their style

zingally · 25/08/2020 10:20

Depending a bit on where you are in the UK... Even getting the Eurostar to Paris is a long old day... I'd personally leave the kids at home. They'll be bored and playing up before you even get off the train...

Paris is a nice city, but has always struck me as not very child-friendly in terms of things for them to do. Plus they are very much "we speak French here", and will flat-out pretend they speak no English...

It's more of a long-weekend type city. Plus I'd have an idea in your head of where you wanted to go for clothes. It's quite a wide-spread city, without one set area for clothes.

ThePluckOfTheCoward · 25/08/2020 10:21

If you've never been to Paris before then there is no way you are going to be able to cram in shopping for clothes and sightseeing in one day, sorry Op but the idea is bonkers, even without the DC.

With Covid I think it would be so much better to wait until next year, and use this time to save some money and plan a longer trip to Paris. If you could manage a week or 4 days you would have the time to really make the most of all that Paris has to offer, see the sights, do some shopping, visit Versailles etc. It is a beautiful city and you will see hardly anything in one day, especially if you are just traipsing from shop to shop.

Take this time to do what other posters have suggested and look at french styles/blogs/Mumsnet take the time to work out what will suit you and what you can buy here, then when you visit Paris you will be more relaxed and can take the time to find something to complement your existing wardrobe. Honestly, Paris needs more than a day.

ChaChaCha2012 · 25/08/2020 10:27

When is your birthday and what is your budget? On what you've said so far, you'll be setting yourself up for disappointment unless you do a lot of research first. Also remember you'll be making snap decisions, you won't have time to think about what you want and returns would mean another trip.

Go to Paris for a day trip to look at the sights, but make sure your Eurostar booking is cancellable (quarantine/ lockdowns). Get some ideas on what you want to buy and then book a personal shopper at home/ buy loads online and return what you don't want.

ZezetteEpouseX · 25/08/2020 10:32

Plus they are very much "we speak French here", and will flat-out pretend they speak no English...

whilst British shop staff is always delighted to speak French, Italian, German, Russian... with their customers. Hmm

OfaFrenchmind2 · 25/08/2020 10:35

As much as this could be lovely, this may be over-ambitious. If you can go to Paris, my advice would be to visit, have some great patisserie and good food, and if you want/can, gift yourself with one luxury item: Bag, scarf,...

Then, or before, to overhaul your wardrobe, you should focus on some imperatives:

  • Good quality fabrics and cuts. Much better than cheap quantity. Favor cottons, silks, wool, and great quality blends and synthetics.
-Get the right basics, around which your silhouette is created: a flattering pair of jeans, a good blazer, some cottons t-shirts, a mariniere (if you want French style), well cuts black dress pants, dresses in the shape that suits your build (wraparound if your are an X, A-shape if you are a H or A...), some button ups, only if they sit correctly on your boobs (if not, do not bother)... A well fitting leather jacket too!! -Accessories: at least a good quality belt, medium width, with a visible but not overbearing buckle. Scarves: splurge a little on those if you can. Very large silk ones are to die for.

You can have all that in British shopping center, they have many French brands, even if some of your basics can really be brought at British brands. See if personal shoppers are still a thing, they can be quite helpful when correctly reigned in.

InvincibleInvisibility · 25/08/2020 10:39

There are loads of things to do with children in Paris. Its just rarely the things that adult tourists think of doing...

MrsGrindah · 25/08/2020 10:42

Don’t forget the exchange rate might reduce the scale of any bargains too

Verite1 · 25/08/2020 10:48

I have lived in France and didn’t find shopping any better. In fact I found there was a dearth of mid range stores. Lots of very cheap and very expensive but not much in between. Admittedly that was a long time ago so may have changed.

Anyway most of the big brands now have stores in the uk now anyway. Check out Sezane - love their clothes.