thrifting in paris
it just hits different, ok??
Paris is a city known for fashion. The haute couture of the top fashion houses, the effortless chic street style, and so much shopping. So of course, on top of the department stores and curated boutiques and yes, the glossy fast fashion windows, this city has great vintage shops and thrift stores. Thrifting in Paris is less about digging through racks for a great deal, more about hunting for the cool, unique, storied piece. Paris is a destination for secondhand shopping, and the perfect place to curate a one of a kind wardrobe.Â
I mean, Paris is the fashion capital of the world, so why wouldn’t it also be supreme on the second hand shopping side?Â
While other cities are reigned by warehouse thrift stores and local charity shops, Paris has more of a curated thrifting landscape. Here, friperies cover a range of budgets. From bargain stores selling by weight to more boutique-y shops filled with vintage labels organized aesthetically, to dépôt-ventes with higher end designer pieces. Some places are more of your traditional thrift store, with ranks crammed tight with everyday pieces and color coded tags for price ranges. Some places feel like catalogue of luxury archives, carefully vetted bags neatly organized and lined up for in-the-know buyers. Some places feel like a gallery of fashion history with worn statement pieces displayed like a department store, waiting for their second act.
To me, the best way to thrift in Paris is to have a vision in mind. To have some pieces that you want (ie a perfect trench, a structured blazer, an evening dress, statement heels) or some French brands to seek out (or specific products with researched prices, especially for designer accessories). And beyond that vision, to keep an open mind for all the things that might inspire an outfit (or an entire personality) around it. It’s less about seeking out the best bargain deal, more about finding the perfect prize to add to your collection.
thrifting neighborhoods
Probably the best neighborhood for thrifting is the Marais. There’s the streets around Rue de la Verrerie, the heart of the city’s vintage scene. Here, you get a range of shops from the bustling kilo stores to small independent shops with personally curated stock. It’s easy to spend and afternoon friperie-hopping, where you can find everything from Y2K clothes to classic French workwear. For more sophisticated vintage fashion, go north to Haute Marais around Rue du Turenne, where the vintage shops look like high end boutiques, except everything is one of one. And then there’s the luxury dépôts-ventes in the 1er and 8e arrondissements where you’ll find pristine designer items from the classic luxury houses that cater more to thoughtful investments than impulse buys.
some shops to bookmark
Bobby
Beloved for a reason, Bobby is a well organized shop that has curated invtage and contemporary designer clothing, great for both higher end and trendy mid-range labels.
Chinemachine
A little eclectic, a little quirky, a little artsy, just like its neighborhood. This Montmartre vintage shop has playful, colorful clothes and accessories catering to more alternative styles.
Kiloshop
With multiple locations across the city, Kilo Shop is a classic Parisian thrifting experience where everything is tagged by color and priced by weight. It can be a bit of a hit or miss but treasures are there to be discovered, from denim to Y2K to everyday pieces.
Free’P’Star
A staple in the Marais district, Free’P’Star is famous for its chaotic, overflowing racks and incredible bargains. It’s for those short on cash but not on time.
Nuovo
Curation is key here, with carefully selected vintage pieces with a touch of nostalgia. It’s a fashion girlie favorite.
Erem
This one definitely feels more like a boutique than a thrift store, with high quality unique statement pieces that are great investment pieces for a fashion forward wardrobe.
Thanx God I’m a V.I.P.
This vintage destination in the 10th arrondissement is the kind of place you should go out of your way for. There’s an extensive collection of designer vintage pieces organized by color and well stocked for finding the perfect piece.
Louise
An intimate shop that feels like walking into a very chic woman’s walk in closet. Lots of beautifully curated feminine pieces.Â
Système Solère
A vintage shop that feels more like a concept shop. Highly curated high quality pieces that feel très Parisien. They have a few locations around the Marais, and an online shop.
The Archivist Store
Another vintage shop that feels like a concept shop, but for men’s clothes.
see also
SNAPSHOTS FROM PARIS
WALKING AROUND PARIS