Paris: Where to Shop [II]

It's not completely a myth; some Parisian girls do have a certain je ne sais quoi that we North Americans just can't seem to get a handle on. After doing extensive research, I've concluded that stylish girls in Paris simply have a different style than, for example, stylish girls in New York- it's their foreignness that makes them fascinating. The fact that most- if not all- trends start in Europe during Fashion Week probably doesn't hurt them, either.

The longer you spend in Paris, the more you will find that the city's population has a large cross-section of young women, from dumpy to hip-hop to nerdy... and so on. But if you got a little bit weak in the knees when you saw a self-assured Parisienne striding down boulevard Saint-Germain in a black swing coat and sky-high heels, her glossy bob swaying, you're not alone. And if you're dying to know just where that coat came from, read on.

[A note for truly dedicated shoppers: France has two designated sale seasons during the year, generally in January and July. Stores are incredibly crowded during these months, but the deals are unbeatable.]

The most fashionable young mademoiselles in Paris shop at...

Antoine et Lili - 95, quai de Valmy      (M) Gare de Paris-Est

You can't miss this candy-coloured shop near Canal Saint-Martin. The pink, yellow and lime store front gives the place a summery, popsicle quality that is entirely out of place in the architecture of Baron Haussmann's neutral, uniform Paris. (There are other locations in Paris, and in the rest of France, but this one is by far the most inspired, taking the line's bright and bold aesthethic to an entirely new level.) Antoine et Lili is inspired by the Middle East. Their collections have names like Yemen and Qat. All of their stunning garments, from hot pink satin dresses to blue suede mid-calf boots, are made in France. You can't shop for an outfit here, unless you make a habit of wearing contrasting colours. But if you want one signature piece to remind you of your time in Paris, Antoine et Lili is the place to find it.

Comptoir des Cotonniers - Multiple locations in Paris

I was fifteen when the ads for this company- all featuring mothers and daughters from France- sucked me in. Their clothing is not inexpensive, but visit around sale time and you might be lucky enough to sneak away with some romantic floral print dresses or chunky knits at a discount.

Diwali - 3, rue Jacques Coeur      (M) Bastille

Scarves have recently caught on in North America, but they have always been a French essential, for practical and fashionable reasons. Parisian girls wear scarves year-round; under their coats during the damp winter and over their dresses during the mild summer. (Temperatures in the French capital rarely go below zero or above 20 degrees celcius.) Diwali, named for the Hindu holiday, sells an unparalleled selection of scarves in every fabric and colour you could think of wanting. You can't miss the shop- it's turquoise.

Etam - Multiple locations in Paris

The swing coat that girl on boulevard Saint-Germain was wearing? It could easily have come from Etam. One fundamental of Parisian fashion is mixing expensive and inexpensive garments. After all, if you blow all your money on a pair of Louboutins, you still need to have some clothes to go with them. Luckily, France is full of low-priced chain stores like Etam. If you spend most of your money on one piece, you can just still walk in here and find an entire outfit for a sixth of what you paid for that designer purse. Etam sells everything. Shoes, purses, lingerie, business wear... you name it, it's in stock. In fact, their collections are so extensive that they recently took over one of the seven-storey buildings that once belonged to La Samaritaine. It's a true fashionista's paradise; every floor is full of rack after rack of clothing.

Galéries Lafayette - 40, boulevard Haussmann      (M) Chaussée d'Antin-Lafayette

This is a department store of dreams. Cliché as it may seem, Galéries Lafayette truly does sell everything that you could possibly want- and many things you won't know that you want until you discover them at the store. From Chanel Haute Couture to Marc by Marc Jacobs kitsch, this store has it all, and they present it like the art that it is. Be sure to come to the store during sale time, when even designer clothes are subject to markdowns!

H&M - Twelve locations in Paris

Although the giant of German low-end retail has had outposts on North American soil for several years now, H&M in Europe is an entirely different animal. The clothing is largely the same, but the stores are infinitely easier to shop in. Stock is kept tidy and displayed in a logical manner; there are clear distinctions between the trendy, teenage section and the business attire. This makes it infinitely easier to find what you're looking for- or to discover something really wonderful. And the prices really can't be beaten. Stock up on basics like tights and socks; they are a model of the consistency and efficiency that Germans have come to be known for.

Kookai - Nineteen locations in Paris

Simple and sophisticated, Kookai is the very model of the Parisian fashion ethos. Their colours are neutral, their styles classic without being dull, their attention to detail meticulous. The Kookai woman always looks stylish, but never trendy- she is not so easily swayed. Buy an outfit here, put on some red lipstick and few swipes of mascara... even you will mistake yourself for a local.

Mango - Seven locations in Paris

Mango recently began offering online shopping to North American customers, but shopping online is never quite the same as experiencing a store firsthand. Mango denim isn't great, but their accessories are fantastic- think oversized purses and Ray-Ban style sunglasses with reflective lenses. And if you don't love all of your Mango purchases forever, it's not the end of the world... you'll have a hard time finding anything over 100€ in this store; most of their wares come in under 50€.

More stores to come... if you know of any great places to shop in Paris, please share!