If you want to look really “French” and you don’t mind wearing last season’s models, you can find great buys at designer outlet stores all over Paris. Many of these stores are hidden away in industrial neighborhoods, but it just might be worth the trip. Others are on special shopping streets, such as the rue d'Alesia in the 14th arrondissement. Occasionally, you’ll find a store that carries a selection of labels, although the trend is for each designer to handle its own sales of unsold clothing from last season. During this period, they reduce their prices even more. However, you might just have to fight your way through crowds of Parisiennes also taking advantage of these special discounts! There are also young designers who sell a few examples of each style for a price that isn’t bad, considering it's an original.
Here are some great addresses:
S.R. Store
(women)
64 rue d’Alésia, 14e, M° Alésia, open Wed to Sat, 10am to 7pm (11am to 7pm, Tue), tel: 01 43 95 06 13
S.R. stands for Sonia Rykiel, and here you’ll find her designs from last season. There are beautiful suits, pants and knit outfits, all at reduced prices.
Annexe des Créateurs
(men & women)
19 rue Godot de Mauroy, 9e, M° Madeleine, Open Mon to Sat, 10:30am to 7pm, tel: 01 42 65 46 40
L’Annexe des Créateurs is a great store (2 stores actually, 1 for evening wear and the other for day wear) which sells designer label clothes at a discount. The owner selects everything personally in small batches, paying attention to current fashion trends. Sometimes you can find terrific bargains. When I was there I spotted Versace and Christian Lacroix among others. The selection generally includes dresses, suits, blouses and shirts, coats, skirts, pants and some purses. Sometimes they even have a bargain basement.
Forum des Jeunes Créateurs
(men & women)
Shopping Center Forum des Halles, Niveau (Level) –1, Porte Berger or Porte Rambuteau, 1er, M° Les Halles/RER Les Halles, open Mon to Sat 11am to 7pm, tel: 01 40 41 00 64
Hidden away on the upper level of the huge underground shopping center “Les Halles” are a number of stores selling young French designer clothes. The styles range from unusual to downright weird, and the prices aren’t low, but they are reasonable for designer originals. If you’re in the area, it’s worth a look to see something really unique. Note that the upper level is –1 while the lower level is –3.
Cacharel Stock
(men, women, little girls)
114 rue d’Alésia, 14e, Métro Alésia, Open Mon to Sat 10am to 7pm, tel: 01 45 42 53 04
Here you will find last year’s Cacharel at reduced prices. They sell suits, blouses and shirts, knit tops, pants and dresses.
This article is based on excerpts from Jeanne's shopping guide, “Best Buys and Bargains in Paris.” For more information on designer clothes plus many other stores in other categories, you can find the book at WH Smith and The Abbey Bookshop. It can also be ordered on Amazon.fr or Amazon.com. Jeanne teaches classes at WICE on bargain shopping and is a regular speaker on cultural differences at ‘Bloom Where You Work.” She has a book signing at WH Smith scheduled for June 28, at 7:30pm. Call WH Smith at 01 44 77 88 99 for more information.
