Shopping in Paris

[Alison421e]

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?

I wouldn't go shopping in Paris for the day & I may not go to Paris this year, pandemic depending.

Go to Paris by all means, but enjoy the culture and events. Spending a day shopping, and trying on endless clothes, getting hot and sweaty and realising you really need to work on your figure (projecting) would be my idea of hell.

London shopping would be much easier if you want some designer clothes.

I think there is the serious business of changing your wardrobe, which take a long time and a lot of care. Then there’s a lovely relaxing long lunch, but of sightseeing seeing trip to Paris. You can’t do the first when trying to do the second.

Take your time buy from french brands online (make sure to measure yourself and use the size chart), and then you’ll have lots of lovely chic clothes for your fabulous holiday.

I would definitely try and go during the sales - I go every summer to catch the July/August sales. I love Caroll and Monoprix for stylish, good quality clothes.

Sorry but this sounds like a version of hell for all involved, dragging bored and tired children round the shops of Paris. Believe me, no one will thank you for this. It is the very definition of a midlife crisis type behaviour.

Go to Paris. If you live in London it is extremely easy on the Eurostar, we go quite often because it’s so easy. Wait until the travel situation is more stable. Leave the kids at home. Enjoy the beautiful city and the food. Spring is a nice time to go. Avoid the Eiffel Tower because it’s ugly. Drink some nice french wine. Come home and remember we have shops in London too.

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

Like it or not, English is the world's leading international language.

There's a reason there's a gigantic EFL/ESL Industry.

As a PP suggested: get some ideas for French style from Instagram etc. Decide on key items that you need. Order them online from UK or France; then once you have your French capsule wardrobe go on a daytrip to Paris to see the city and people watch. You might pick up a few more style ideas whilst there and could maybe browse a few shops but trying to buy it all in one day with kids in tow sounds hellish.

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

What a load of shit. In my experience whenever I go anywhere people fall over themselves to practise their English; to the point that it's annoying because I want to speak French/ Spanish etc.

I tend to think if you try a little bit of French “bonjour...je voudrais...puis-je avoir... etc people will be happy to speak to you in English. If you come in saying hello that tends to get you a cold shoulder. Which is of course the height of rudeness to a English person.

I agree with PP
Paris is a great city. However, a day trip with the soul intention of clothes shopping for you with DH & DC sounds like an utter nightmare.

I'd either go alone either in the Uk or Paris. Or Take a girl friend or 2 and have a cheap mini break.

Or take the family for a mini break even if it's 2 days, they spend the day doing kids/ touristy stuff and you go shopping on your own

Recommend the Galleries Laffyette.

OMG! Just came online to check more lovely messages like I had earlier, and I’ve been called definition of “mid life crisis”, told I’m a bad mother for dragging my kids and last couple of messages something about English people being rude by talking English.

Get a bloody grip! I’m not having a mid life crisis, I’m not planning on taking kids if u read my previous update message that I’ll leave them with family. I’m also bloody aware it’s a pandemic going on as one poster “kindly” Reminded me. Why can’t I just bloody look forward and daydream of doing something I want to do for a change which might not even happen but just wanted to say dream about it. I do bloody care about my kids that’s why I took FIVE years out of my career.

What the hell us wrong with u lot? No wonder mumsnet gets bad press that it’s full of nutters

Honestly, OP, get over to the Parisennes of Mamansnet in S&B. You’ll love it!

If you want a day in Paris then do a bit of sightseeing and people watching in the morning. Have a nice lunch and then go to Galleries Lafayette for shopping. They used to have a champagne bar too. Not sure if it's still there. Enjoy.

@GilbertMarkham

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

Like it or not, English is the world's leading international language.

There's a reason there's a gigantic EFL/ESL Industry.

it might be, but it's incredibly rude to expect other people to speak your language in their own country.

I get it, OP. Nothing wrong with asking for a few recommendations. Not sure what the midlife crisis comment was all about, either. Get yourself over to Paris and have a mooch round the shops. Why not! (but I hope you like some of the online suggestions, it just makes your life easier if nothing else)

Why do all these nice easy going threads turn into arguments? Let’s drop with the negativity now please. It’s embarrassing how quickly everything on here escalated into arguing!

Thank you so much lovely mumsnetters who gave me good advice. I’m not going to read anymore sadly as the atmosphere is kind Of p ing me off! Lol . Will update with what I decided in the end to do for 40th when I’ve done it xx

Alison421e
you need to chill and re-read the comments. If you were expecting a "what a wonderful idea hun, you are amazing", you came to the wrong place
but most posters have actually trying to make sensible points and help you.

I think stylish French women do the high/low fashion thing very well. The majority of the outfit might be from Zara (it’s usually Zara) and then a couple of high end pieces or from independent online designers (usually bag, shoes, coat, very well cut dress or trousers or a fabulous shirt). All of these things you can get in the U.K. use the price of getting to Paris to add to your budget.

@ZezetteEpouseX so saying I’m the definition of mid life crisis is nice and sensible thing to say?

Alison421e
hardly, but having a strop at an entire thread of replies - most of which are helpful - is not terribly sensible either.

You sound like you are picturing yourself as Pretty Woman, waltzing around luxury shops and turning your entire wardrobe around in a few hours. Posters are (mainly) pointing out that you will be very disappointed and suggesting ideas to help you out 🤷

You are the one who started the thread talking about going with partner and kids!

I would be worried about doing that because you often get good shopping days and bad shopping days, and if you happened to get a bad day where nothing grabbed your fancy, it would be a big disappointment.

What about if you did a pre-Paris shopping trip at Zara etc, then saved some money to make one major purchase out there which isn't dependent on dress size, like a handbag or a purse or a pair of shoes, from somewhere really fancy? Then you could go for the night with your DH, leave the kids at home because who wants to romance around Paris with kids in tow, and come back with a new bag and a spring in your step?

I actually did not say you were the definition of a midlife crisis, just that the idea of dragging your children around the shops in Paris on a one day trip was midlife crisis behaviour. I assume that isn’t your entire identity? I stand by that statement - even if you live in central London you would have to get up early to really make the most of the day, and your children would be bored and tired.

Paris is a fantastic place. Calm down and read some of the advice you have actually been given in this thread. No one thinks your plan is a good idea. Perhaps that should give you pause for thought.

@ZezetteEpouseX you’re very nasty! There’s no need for that. Didn’t OP thank all the “lovely comments” her “strop” as you put it was aimed at insensitive remarks. I also thought here we go again with horrible comments on yet another AIBU.

OP don’t post on AIBU, style or something I think might be better. Have a lovely birthday!

Verity35
what is wrong with you? Where am I nasty?

I sincerely think the OP would be a lot better off getting a basic wardrobe, get help to figure out what work best for her and THEN get a few lovely pieces as a treat.

Have YOU been shopping in Paris recently? Or even in London? Do you think rushing between 2 trains is a recipe for success?

Accusing people of making horrible comments because they are not nodding along but are actually helpful is just childish. People like you don't care, it's not your money, your time and you who will end up very disappointed.