Shoppping For Womens Clothes In Paris
April 25th, 2010 | 
Author: Shoppping For Womens Clothes In Paris
Paris has become synonymous with women’s fashion. From the late 19th century the world has looked to the City of Light for its fashion direction. To take home a piece of Paris fashion consider the following:
Department Stores
Don’t dismiss Parisian department stores as a source of fashion. They can be a great place to see a wide range of styles and designers 8211; all under one roof. The larger stores even have a number of miniboutiques representing the “big name” designers within the store.
- Galeries Lafayette 8211; Built in 1906 this belle epoque multilevel shopping palace is as much fun to look at as it is to shop in. Each floor circles an atrium overlooking the bustling main cosmetics floor. The store specializes in women’s clothing and accessories. The view from the tea shop on the top floor is worth the visit. The Galeries Lafayette offers free fashion shows on Wednesdays.
- Le Printemps 8211; Located near the Palais Garnier this huge store is noted for its household goods as well as its fashion. The store offers many services for American visitors including shipping translation and a personal shopping service. Printemps offers several free fashion shows each week.
- Bon Marche 8211; Located on the Left Bank this stylish store was Paris’ first department store. Designed by Gustave Eiffel of Eiffel Tower fame it is particularly known for its younger slightly offbeat fashion.
Haute Couture
Since the late 19th century Paris has been the undisputed Queen of fashion. Designers such as Chanel Dior Givenchy Balenciaga and Schiaparelli have all contributed to making the Parisian Haute Couture industry the best in the world. More recently Christian LaCroix and Karl Lagerfeld have helped to perpetuate that status. Many of the great fashion houses are located in side streets jutting off of the Champs Elysees near the Place de la Concorde.
Getting into a fashion show at one of the major houses can be difficult if you’re not an Alist celebrity or have a sevenfigure checking account. Your best bet is to enlist your hotel’s concierge. Remember to tip him well. Failing that most of the most famous houses have adjacent pretaporter ready to wear stores where you can find manufactured versions but still wellmade and tailored of the singular haute couture fashions.
Les Boutiques
The younger and more modern French designers have mostly opted to open their own retail stores and forego expensive haute couture operations. These stores with names such as Sonia Rykiel Thierry Mugler and Kenzo are largely concentrated in the area surrounding the Right Bank fashion houses along the Left Bank and around the Place de la Victoire. Prices are still somewhat steep but generally much less than those at the “big name” houses.
American vs. French Sizes
French sizes in women’s clothing and shoes are completely different from US sizing. Use the following as a guide:
Dresses Coats Skirts
- US 4 = French 32
- US 6 = French 34
- US 8 = French 36
- US 10 = French 38
Sweaters and Blouses
- US 4 = French 78
- US 6 = French 81
- US 8 = French 84
- US 10 = French 87
Women’s Shoes
- US 5 = French 36
- US 7 = French 38
- US 8 = French 39
- US 9 = French 40
The above is intended to be a guide. There are also slight differences in fit between French and American clothes. Frenchmade shoes for instance tend to be slightly narrower than American shoes.
About the writer: Visit HomeAway.com as you begin to make plans for your next vacation.
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