A passion for fashion: shopping and style from Paris with love

Paris has not one but two fashion week events. However, clothes shopping here is great all year round. If you’re looking for a place to shop till you drop, check out Paris. Here’s how to do it in style.

When you go to Paris, bring all the things

Why? Because you should be looking like you’re moving to Paris. Seriously. When shopping here, bring all of your clothes, and be prepared to accessorise them, sell them, or have them tailored to fit your new wardrobe.

That said, you could bring a few of the best pieces you own and throw everything else you have away. OK seriously, there are a lot of shops in Paris, and some of the best clothing in the world resides here, so be prepared to shop.

Visit Avenue des Champs-Élysées

This area has some of the most upscale shops you will ever see. It’s lined with horse chestnut trees and several French monuments. The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is as expensive as it is glitzy. Here, you will find designer clothing, accessories and perfumes.

Visit The Marais

The Marais is another famous shopping area in Paris. It’s probably the best place to shop for luxury brands and, apart from the fashionable merchandise, the area also has shops that sell stationary (of all things), home décor, and kitchenware.

So, if you’re looking for a rare designer piece for your home, you can probably get it here. But, don’t forsake this place when the sun goes down. The Marais has a bustling nightlife too.

Shop the entire Boulevard Haussmann

This is one of the biggest boulevards in the city dedicated to shopping. It’s also a favorite hangout for locals. The street is lined with a variety of department stores, most of which offer almost anything you could ever want to buy. It’s like a super shopping centre, but without the annoying indoor décor and vendors bugging you to buy a smoothie.

Locally, it’s known as les grands magasins. Even if you don’t have the money to buy anything here, it’s a nice place to window shop. Make sure you at least check out le Printemps, Galeries Lafayette, and Le Bon Marché.

Shop Avenue George V

The Avenue George V is home to some of the coolest fashion shops in Paris, and the area draws thousands of shopping enthusiasts. When you think of Paris fashion, you will probably think of this place forever after you’ve been here. This is quintessential France.

Sephora

Sephora has a small, but loyal, following in various parts of the US and around the world, but here is where it calls home. Among the many cosmetic lines like Chanel, Armani, Laurence Dumont, there’s this company – a more affordable brand that doesn’t skimp on the quality.

They sell beauty products, fragrances, and accessories. If you love makeup, you will love this store. It has pretty much everything you could ever want, including make-up packages and (sometimes) special deals for first-time buyers.

Avenue Montaigne

This was once known as a street for widows to gather in mourning, not exactly the ideal when you’re thinking of shopping for a new dress or handbag. But today, it’s a posh street filled with top-notch fashion labels.

You’ll find Valentino, Dior, Bulgari, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel here. And the only mourning you’ll be doing is when you leave and possibly when you check your bank account balance.

Shop Carrousel du Louvre

It’s located in the heart of Paris and is a dedicated shopping centre that both locals and tourists hang out in. You can buy pretty much anything from jewellery and gifts to branded apparel. Home decor is popular here, as are expensive perfumes. It’s open from 10 am to 8 pm.

The editorial unit
Photos: Moyan Brenn