Before Summer officially comes to a close later in September, I’m (finally!) heading to Paris after postponing my trip earlier this Spring due to some health concerns. My mom and I have big plans to eat, drink, see, be seen, and, of course…shop!
While the EUR to USD conversion is not as strong as it was last summer (it’s no longer 1:1), there are still deals to be had by shopping in Europe, thanks to lesser costs and VAT tax returns.
Of course, I always have at least a handful of bags on my wishlist, but I’m not looking to make that large of a purchase in Paris, truth be told. I’m looking to make one smaller luxury purchase (possibly shoes, maybe RTW) and then do some vintage/boutique shopping as well.
I’ve got my eye on the below, with the Loewe jeans and the Gucci shoes hitting the top of my lust list, though there is a chance I’ll fall in love with something on a whim and change my mind. While it’s highly unlikely that I’ll buy a bag, I had to include the Hop Bag after seeing it in person and falling in love. Additionally, I’ve got my fingers crossed for finding an affordable vintage Fendi Baguette at one of Paris’ many designer thrifts.
Have you shopped in the European market this summer? What did you buy? Was the discount really worth it?
To Buy or Not to Buy
Rather than buying these mass-produced “luxury” items (which you can buy anywhere), you might consider doing a bit of research and exploring the many independent designers based in Paris.
This the best advice
those boots are perfect. They’re a classic. Those gucci slingbacks were made for someone who lives in the suburbs and walks exactly nowhere.
I am curious about how many women wear baggy jeans in Paris. Not something I can recall seeing and we spend several weeks in Paris every year.
I live in Paris and loose/baggy jeans are very much the dominant fashion.
Good point.
Skip the sling backs and flats (get a good pair of leather ballerina flats by repetto, etc.) and as for the BV–that bag is sooo similar to some of their other bags, when I saw it reviewed here I was like “huh? so the closure is the big deal?” I agree with Fabuleux–mass-produced stuff available most everywhere, find something uniquely Paris.
Perhaps first explore Le Bon Marché department for an overview of the top brands already on your list and to see some others you might not have considered? While there, get a manicure at their nail bar near the lingerie department. They use KURE brand nail polish, which is non-toxic, comes in great colors, and is quite durable.
Among the French brands that it would be great to read about here: Joseph Duclos, Moreau Paris, Stephanie Cesaire, Amelie Pichard, A.P.C. (love their Astra and Grace models) …
Omg. Really? You’d buy all of these big label high-end items rather than find quality French-only brands? I was just there and there is so much you can’t get here made by French artisans that’s not $1100 slingbacks
And those slingbacks do not look practical at all.
I recently found an interesting youtube channel by a Parisian woman who has several videos on the brands Parisians wear, but are largely unknown in the U.S. Alice in Paris was the channel and there was some beautiful examples and lots of ideas for shopping on there.