First stop was Come On Eileen, and by far the best! It was an adorable shop, small on the outside and on first impressions inside, yet crammed with vintage designer such as Chanel and Lanvin and other high-quality but less impressively labeled clothing. In the middle of the lace tops, sequinned jackets, sixties shift dresses and 80s rock and punk gear is an opening down into an underground Aladdin's Cave which is the real treasure trove.
Rosie bought a gorgeous knitted batwing cardi for 30€, and I found such an elegant Givenchy jacket reduced from 195€ to 129€.
Come On Eileen, 16 Rue des Taillandiers, 75011 Paris
Across Bastille square (with 'The July Column') begins The Marais area, and our next shop was Sissi's Corner, which was more of a classy second-hand boutique also with designer labels at affordable prices. I picked up a very stylish John Galliano jacket in white for 200€ which was pretty impressive with a gorgeous applique design, and also tried on a camel-coloured Ralph Lauren cashmere for 20€.
Sissi's Corner, 20 rue des Tournelles, 75004 Paris
Culotte, 7 Rue Malher, 75004. Metro: Saint-Paul
Culotte was another of my favourites - a combination of Aspire (a small chain in England) and random Kitsch jewellery - necklaces with stars, arrows, spoons, birds, tea cups, sunglasses or bows, and other items of funky jewellery and vintage beads. It was a really adorable shop and made you want to buy everything! Most of the necklaces were an average of 16€, but they were really cute and fantastic for presents.
Coiffeur 32 Rue de Rosiers, 75004. Metro: Saint-Paul
Coiffeur - This little boutique was crammed with racks of vintage sweaters, fur coats and denim-wear. The floor is lined (orderly!) with shoes and there is lots of emphasis on old French army and navy gear. Dresses are located in the middle, and more purses and shoes can be found in the back. Don't forget to check the windows and corners for hidden gems.
Next on the list was Free 'P' Star, a veritable gem of Marais vintage shopping. Not for the claustrophobic, the boutique is cluttered with a broad selection of good pieces. And the prices make this fashionable hideaway more than worth the trek. While the shop might not be as organized as some other vintage spots, Free 'P' Star makes up for it in classic Parisian charm.
A treasure trove of vintage blazers, fur or leather coats and printed blouses down a nausea and vertigo-inducing spiral staircase. From 70s dresses to denim waistcoats, 80s t-shirts, chunky knits and a tangled mountain of leather belts and bags, you're guaranteed to stumble across a second-hand fashion jewel on any visit. It is wall to wall, crammed with vintage (and at least on the day I was there, vintage shoppers, including one blondie who stated: 'so really it's Soho but more French.' Yes darling).
Free 'P' Star, 8 Rue Sainte-Croix-de-la-Bretonnerie, 75004. Metro: Hotel de Ville
Le Verger du Prince, 33 Rue de Sicile, 75004. Metro: Saint-Paul
Vintage Paris Bar / Frip'irium, 3 Rue de Verrerie, 75004
And the (second-) best for last! Rag and Vertiges, situated in Chatelet has absurdly low prices - my fur coat cost 50€ and I bought a gorgeous Zara-styled blazer with elbow-pads today for 20€. Bargain bargain bargain! The racks here are rammed full of coats, jackets, and everything ordered, with silk scarves in one place and leather bags and satchels in other etc. I bought Rosie's bag from here for her Christmas present, and she's been telling me how many compliments she's been getting for it! There's nothing like a little Paris Vintage! :)
Rag and Vertiges, 83 Rue Saint Martin, 75004
We'll be re-visiting a handful of these again this week I hope - such an amazing time and an adventure through the rustic, cobbled streets of Paris.
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