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?

Definitely go to paris! Not for shopping though. I grew up there and return regularly. €€€ and there are just so many other things you could do with a day there!

Paris is dirty although will be empty in August (traditionally anyway, not sure about this year with Covid).

Don't take your children just for the day! Go on your own or with DH and like PP suggested spend most of your time in flagship galeries Lafayette.

@ZezetteEpouseX She asked how shopping is and whether you get bargains. She didn’t Say she wanted to in your words: “waltz around Paris thinking she’s pretty woman!”. What was the need to be so insulting? She’s nearly 40 not 4! She can make her own mind if “rushing between 2 trains is a recipe for success?”. As far as I’m aware she didn’t mention where In uk she lives or being worried at all about the travel.

ZezetteEpouseX ca n'a rien avoir avec le fil, mais ce surnom est magique :D

Verity35
did you even READ the actual OP?

Indeed, I don't know where in the UK she is based, so she could be rushing between 2 planes instead. Helpful

Can you get bargains in Paris? Well, there's a big Primark near St Denis for a start... and hundreds of small independents, of market stalls, of destock stores like l'Habilleur, La Vallee or La Nation outlet on the outskirts..I mean, it's as easy as it is in London

OfaFrenchmind2
merci

and surely a proof of style expertise if you need one 😂

In hindsight I should have just asked “tell me about your experience of shopping in Paris” and left it at that, As that’s essentially ALL I really wanted to know!

op what's your budget and how close to London do you live?

Empty - I live in London. St. pancreas station is roughly 25/30 minutes away. Train would be about 2.5 hours To Paris from pancreas (I think! Haven’t looked into it yet as idea came only this morning!). 2.5 hrs is nothing as Kids and I have been on much longer train journeys when visiting my parents.

It sounds like a great idea but you will have to quarantine for 14 days when you get back to the U.K.!

Quarantine aside, Lille is a great option too as it’s closer (1.5 hours on the Eurostar, no time wasted in the metro etc) as the centre is smaller. And so many lovely shops: department stores and the same brands as in Paris. It’s also a very pretty city.

• and the centre

Don't take the kids they'll ruin it!

Putting aside the quarantine issue, I would go with your DH for a day - book lunch somewhere fab ( what about Le Soufflé, Rue du Mont Thabor), them walk down the Faubourg St Honore ( big street in the area), call into the Fragonard Boutique on that road and buy something frivolous and wonderful from their unique range of scents, scarves or shirts. A proper French experience and people watching will give you inspiration for your longer term quest . Enjoy the trip !

Do you enjoy clothes shopping generally?

I don't. My experience in Paris is hot, tired, aching feet and never really knowing where to go or what to buy. As I said earlier, Im a pear shape and typical French brands don't suit me.

Yes you can go to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps (2 huge department stores next to each other in central Paris) - but once inside you'll need to know which brand names to target and what style of clothes you want. Plus, when its not a pandemic, the shops are heaving with people. There are literally coach parties of tourists which visit those shops.

There are some streets in Paris which boutique shops - e.g. in the 16th (rue de Passy) and 15th (rue de commerce area) but again, research needed to check they're in your price range and style.

I love Paris I really do and Ive been here 16 years. But I online shop except for accessories.

@CrumpetsAndPuzzles thank u! I’ve added your suggestion to list too. I don’t want to give too much info away as I’m always stressing about being identifiable in RL! My birthday is around the time I will have 2 weeks off anyway due to working term time.

Thank you everyone! My DH is commenting I’ve been glued to my phone for a long time lol! I’ve screenshot more suggestions. Thank u I got so much than I was expecting to look into now x

For a Paris visit tip, I love the lunch or dinner cruises on the Seine. For a much cheaper experience, get the batobus. Its a jump on jump off boat that will take you to many of the major sights.

@Alison421e

In hindsight I should have just asked “tell me about your experience of shopping in Paris” and left it at that, As that’s essentially ALL I really wanted to know!

I am a size 12/14 and pear shaped. I found very little to fit in the quality shops because the clothing seemed cut for apple / straight shaped women. If you are the right shape then a budget of 1000 should get you a few really high quality pieces it you focus your efforts around the grandes magazins/rue st honor.

I found clothes shopping in Spain much, much better for me personally. It was cheaper, just as stylish and high quality, and the sizing was fantastic.

I have been to Paris to shop for clothes in the summer sales. I loved it, but wouldn't want to do it in one day and with DC.
I think you should have a personal shopping session in John Lewis now and then you'll feel stylish when you visit Paris with your husband for a romantic lunch and sightseeing with your husband. You won't be disappointed. It's a wonderful place.

Hi, OP! As the quote says: "Paris is always a good idea!"

What I would do (before going) is:
-establish a clear budget
-decide what type of style you would like to adopt
-buy the basics from the UK (a white shirt, a white t-shirt, a black t-shirt, a trench coat, black cigarette trousers, decent pair of boots (maybe black and tan), winter coat, winter jacket, little black dress - these are just a few example of a so called "capsule wardrobe" in my opinion
-when in Paris I'd focus on a couple of beautiful silk scarves, a quality leather handbag, so basically more like little luxuries rather than "essentials

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have an amazing birthday & don't forget the Laduree macarons❤️

To be honest, although your idea sounds lovely it’s not realistic to think you’ll go to Paris and all of a sudden be able to get and put together outfits.

To have a style you need to put a lot of research into your body shape and understand what suits you and then choose key classic key pieces that fit in with that.

Maybe best to go and have a lovely holiday weekend in Paris and then maybe book in with a stylist who can teach you what you need to know about taking your style forward.

Have fun !

Just be aware that UK sizes and Continental sizes can vary significantly.

A UK size 12 is not big here, but in the Continent it can be difficult to find as it can often be considered big.

You would need to do your research before shopping to know what shops to visit.

I am saying this as I lived in the Continent for years and I know how sizing can be discriminatory .

Go for it, it sounds like good fun!

I can think of more interesting things to do in Paris than shop, especially with husband and kids in tow. The clothes aren't that different from here - it's the way Frenchwomen put them together. And will you be able to try things on? (Given that it's a long way to go back and return them.) I'd leave the family behind and have a lovely day out on your own; even better, what you save on their fares could go towards a hotel and dinner out. I love the idea that an afternoon's shopping will transform you into Juliette Binoche but probably more realistic to buy a few good-quality basics at home. And then sit outside a cafe and throw smoky-eyed glances at Frenchmen with the best of them! Have a great day!

I hate shopping these days, and pair shape is hard even in London and even if size 8 (which I’m not anymore but live in hope). Otherwise a day exploring Paris, with or without kids, sounds great. I was thinking of going with a ten year old and a friend earlier this year. Just for a change of scenery.

Give yourself a leisurely overhaul in the U.K. But don’t buy too much too soon if dieting. Research one or two luxury pieces to buy there. Nice lunch and some sightseeing.

Fingers crossed no quarantine by the time you go.