While we mostly select clothes that may entertain/amuse the general passersby, perhaps you have different objectives for your fashion efforts. We are working on this problematic neural pathway thing with both lawyers and shrinks, so don’t let us stop you from consuming our advice about where to buy French things that are not Chanel/Dior. Do you maybe want that dreamy shopping experience roaming around Paris without crowds of people? Stepping away from the overwhelming department stores and through the doors of these local, French boutiques, could maybe satisfy your thirst for La Mode. Positioned in between the Dior/Chanel level and the friperie/monoprix level, these are the French brands that Parisians swear by.
Maje
The epitome of femininity, Maje marries glamour with wear-ability. Upon choosing the name, founder Judith Milgrom combined together the initials of her loved ones. We think it’s rather fitting for the romantic pleated skirts, floor-length silk camisoles and electrifying floral co-ords. Love is in the air, non?
ADDRESS: 49 Rue Vieille-du-temple (4th arr.) / 7 Av. Des Ternes (17th arr.) / 350 Rue saint-Honoré (1st arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: Stepping off a plane and feeling the heat, which is simultaneously a very Parisian chill. Pure bliss. Your ticket to a one-up on those basic ~ladies~ back home.
INSTAGRAM: @majeparis
The Kooples
The brand that brings the chic to the street, The Kooples hosts a glorious collection of everything from gothic frayed leather jackets to crisper bold suits. Brothers Alexandre, Laurent, and Raphaël Elicha created the brand in 2008 when searching for gender-fluid fashion with a relaxed feel. If you wear The Kooples you’re bound to look effortlessly cool, without really doing anything. Who said standing out from the crowd was a bad thing?
ADDRESS: 191 Rue Saint-Honoré (1st arr.) / 108 Rue Vieille-du-temple (3rd arr.) / 40 Rue des Abbesses (18th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: Expect the unexpected
INSTAGRAM: @thekooples
Sézane
There’s no brand that quite screams Parisian style than Sézane. Known for their classy dresses, with hundreds of day-to-night styles, Sézane have mastered that always sunny feeling. Morgane Sézalory founded the brand in 2013, offering affordable prices for high quality items. You’ll also get an eco-boost shopping here, as they control their carbon footprint by producing mostly in Europe.
ADDRESS: 1 rue Saint-Fiacre (2nd arr.) / 63 Boulevard des Batignolles (8th arr.) / 122 Rue du Bac (7th arr.) / 33 Rue des Blancs Manteaux (4th arr.) / 24 Rue de Sèvres (7th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: A holiday in Provence or that Champagne-house-owning blonde friend in Emily in Paris but without the (let’s be honest) unrealistic friendliness. Blasé yet available for sale with a click. Aaahhh, Paris.
INSTAGRAM: @sezane
IKKS
Original, cool, comfortable and uber modern are a few terms associated with IKKS. It all started when founder Gérard Le Goff and designer Sonia Provost started creating children’s clothing through adult fashion cycles. IKKS were the first to design black colored clothes for kids. If you know how loved the colour black is by Parisians, this was a clear triumph. Now with a wide ranged collection across men, women and children’s fashion, you’re bound to find a thing (or three) for the whole family. In true down to earth style, the brand is firmly in touch with their eco side, offering transparency and social standards across their supply chain.
ADDRESS: 31 Boulevard des Capucines (2nd arr.) / 101 Porte Berger (1st arr.) 38 Rue Saint-Sulpice (6th arr.)
IKKS JUNIOR — 17 Rue Tronchet (8th arr.) / 52 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine (12th arr.)
IKKS WOMEN — 43 Avenue des Ternes (17th arr.) / 25 Avenue du Général Leclerc (14th arr.) / 52 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine (12th arr.)
IKKS MEN — 6 Rue des Rosiers (4th arr.)
PRICE: €€
MOOD: Starting a revolution
INSTAGRAM: @ikkaofficial
Sandro
Searching for that new wardrobe staple? Classically cut blazers with tailored pants to match; silk shirts to pair with any outfit as well as uniquely crotchet dresses and statement metallic pieces. Sandro offers timeless clothing, for to weather the storm that is the changing of fashion trends. The certain je ne sais quoi that is french style is exemplified by Sandro with a chicness that has cool twist. Their recent collections offer sustainable materials in the likes of recycled cotton, eco-friendly viscose and higher tannery standards for leather shoes and bags.
ADDRESS: 21 Rue de la Monnaie (1st arr.) / 101 rue Berger (1st arr.) / 42 Rue Étienne Marcel (2nd arr.) / 50 Rue Vieille du Temple (4th arr.) / 99 Rue de Rivoli (1st arr.) / 26 Rue de Sévigné (4th arr.) / 17 Rue Soufflot (5th arr.) 16 Rue du Vieux Colombier (6th arr.) / 109 Boulevard Beaumarchais (3rd arr.) / 8 Rue de Babylone (7th arr.) / 24 Rue de Sèvres (6th arr.) / 269 Rue Saint-Honoré (1st arr.) / 40 Boulevard Haussmann (9th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: Mod-meets-preppy
INSTAGRAM: @sandroparis
BA&SH
Created for women by women is the true nature of the BA&SH brand. Best friends Barbara Boccara & Sharon Krief created their dream fashion collection in 2003. What resonates most about BA&SH is how women feel wearing it, the pure joy and comfort it brings. Who said therapy can’t be found through shopping? The ‘La Isla’ capsule serving funky co-ords and stripey-rainbow maxi’s are best served with a smile.
ADDRESS: 22 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois (3rd arr.) / 1 bis Rue des Abbesses (18th arr.) / 10 Rue du Jour (1st arr.) / 21 Rue Étienne Marcel (1st arr.) / 14 Rue du Temple (4th arr.) / 80 Rue des Saints-Pères (7th arr.) / 27 Rue de Passy (16th arr.) / 30 Rue des Archives (3rd arr.) / 81 Rue St-Dominique (7th arr.) / 106 Rue Vieille du Temple (3rd arr.) / 158 Rue de Courcelles (17th arr.) / 24 Rue de Sèvres (7th arr.) / 14 Rue Soufflot (5th arr.) / 81 Avenue Victor Hugo (16th arr.) / 7–9 Rue de Charonne (11th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: Retail therapy solving all our problems
INSTAGRAM: @bashparis
Zadig & Voltaire
Think Anwar Hadid, Kate Moss or Kristen Stewart. All equipped with that fabulously cool edge, synonymous with Zadig & Voltaire. Gaining a reputation as the shopping destination for Parisian originality, artistic director Cecilia Bönström started the brand along with husband Thierry Gillier. Original cool girl herself, Cecilia surfaced within the fashion world through modelling in the ‘90s. Zadig & Voltaire is known for its pure designs, most intrinsic to this is the Jacquard ZV pattern found mostly on their range of leather bags.
ADDRESS: 11 Rue Montmartre (1st arr.) / 42 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois (3rd arr.) / 244 Rue de Rivoli (1st arr.) / 3 Avenue Victor Hugo (16th arr.) / 1 Rue du Vieux Colombier (6th arr.) / 12–14 Rond-point des Champs-Élysées Marcel Dassault (8th arr.) / 36 Rue de la Verrerie (4th arr.) / 64 Boulevard Haussmann (9th arr.) / 18–20 Rue François Ier (8th arr.) / 22 Rue de Turenne (4th arr.) / 22 Rue du Bourg Tibourg (4th arr.) / 10 Rue de Grenelle (6th arr.) / 12 Rue Linois (15th arr.) /24 Rue de Sèvres (7th arr.) / 16 Rue de Passy (16th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: The art of not giving a f*ck and making it look fabulous
INSTAGRAM: @zadigvoltaire
Loulou Studio
Loulou Studio embodies that Scandinavian slow design through a neutral color palette and classic designs. Located in the heart of Paris, destined for everyday chic. This careful curation of high quality fits was created by Parisian influencer Chloé Harrouche. An extension of her own style, designed to slot into anyones wardrobe. We’re sold.
ADDRESS: 22 Rue Debelleyme (3rd arr.)
MÉTRO: St-Sébastian-Froissart (line 8)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: A warm embrace
INSTAGRAM: @louloustudio_paris
Rosaé Paris
From Paris with love, sustainable brand Rosaé is for the cute and pretty wannabes. Lacy frills and floral appliqué sits with the classic french stripe and tweed ‘Chanel’ style jackets. Claire Teixeira founded Rosaé Paris in the summer of 2019. Adorable must-haves are created with eco-friendly fabrics for lovers of the preppy style. Heart eyes or what?
ADDRESS: 52 Rue de Rivoli (4th arr.) / 64 Boulevard Haussmann (9th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: That perfect pair of jeans: here to stay
INSTAGRAM: @rosaeparisofficial
The Frankie Shop
Renowned for work wear and oversized suiting, The Frankie Shop was created by Gaëlle Drevet. Parisian at heart but New Yorkian by nature, Gaëlle’s concept is to create without time limits through classic shape and design. The vibe? Trench-coats, double denim, boxy bombers. Quite Frankiely… they’ve got something we all want.
ADDRESS: 14 Rue St-Claude (3rd arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: Like butter wouldn’t melt
INSTAGRAM: @thefrankieshop
IRO
IRO is an anagram for the French word for king ‘roi’, which explains how royally opulent the pieces are. Nourished to success by brothers Laurent and Arik Bitton, inspiration for the clothing comes from the music scene, in particular the ‘70s, paired with a modern twist. In full anything-goes-style, IRO combine contrasting cuts, winter with summer pieces and denim jackets with leather shorts. They follow their own rules and bring a whole possy of trend-setters with them. Why not join the march?
Petite Mendigote
Petite Mendigote captures the ultimate essence of bohemian style, all wrapped up into beautiful dresses, swimwear and delicate blouses. Sybille Roger Vasselin founded the brand to create hyper feminine designs for busy French girls. The Petite Mendigote girl enjoys mixing colours, rocking florals and injecting a little bit of soleil wherever she goes.
ADDRESS: 23 Rue du Dragon (6th arr.) / 19 Rue Beaurepaire (10th arr.) / 1 Rue des Abbesses (18th arr.)
PRICE: €€
MOOD: Endless summer
INSTAGRAM: @petitemendigote
Claudie Pierlot
Native Parisian herself, Claudie invented a brand for the hustle and bustle of city life. Pieces are designed to be worn all throughout the day and way into the night. The Pierlot style is dynamic and quirky, with ultra modern cuts and functional fits alike. Two words: it girl.
ADDRESS: 49 Rue Étienne Marcel (1st arr.) / 30 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois (3rd arr.) / 2 Rue Scribe (9th arr.) / 4 Rue des Abbesses (18th arr.) / 95 Rue St-Dominique (7th arr.) / 142 Rue de Courcelles (17th arr.) / 176 Boulevard Saint-Germain (6th arr.) / 22 Rue St-Antoine (4th arr.) / 60 Avenue des Ternes (17th arr.) / 1 Rue des Archives (4th arr.) / 38 Avenue Victor Hugo (16th arr.) / 24 Rue Soufflot (5th arr.) / 23 Rue du Vieux Colombier (6th arr.) / 16 Avenue du Général Leclerc (14th arr.) / 24 Rue de Passy (16th arr.) / 129 Rue de la Pompe (16th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: Office job at 9 and cocktails at 5
INSTAGRAM: @claudiepierlot
Soeur
Rustically chic, Soeur brings class to old time classics with a vintage feel. Culture, travel and religion influence this brand, filtered through long linen dresses, asymmetrical skirts and jungle prints in Egyptian blacks and golds. Earthy, yet feminine and 100% wearable, Soeur draws inspiration from anything including sea shells or green plums. When purchasing, you’re also buying artistic ideas, city guide advice and an overall platform of wonderfully creative happenings.
ADDRESS: 88 Rue Bonaparte (6th arr.) / 11 Rue de Sévigné (4th arr.) / 61 Rue des Saints-Pères (6th arr.) / 41 Rue de Bourgogne (7th arr.) / 16 Rue de Marseille (10th arr.) / 75 Rue Legendre (17th arr.) / 160 Rue de Courcelles (17th arr.) / 5 Rue Guichard (16th arr.) / 5 Rue Pierre Guérin (16th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: An artists favorite brand
INSTAGRAM: @soeur_paris
Maison Labiche
Quality is at the root of Maison Labiche, who take the greatest care in picking highest grade fabrics and designs. The label was founded by designer Jenny Richard and stylist Marie Welte in 2011 and is based around embroidered t‑shirts. Each item is created by handmade stitching with personalised words for customers, and so includes a whole lot of added love and care. With headquarters in Portugal and then personalised in Paris, 95% of total products are produced in Europe. We’ve called it: sustainable is the new sexy. Go buy Labiche, capeesh?
ADDRESS: 105 Rue Vieille du Temple (3rd arr.) / 18 Rue du Vieux Colombier (6th arr.) / 71 Place du Docteur Félix Lobligeois (17th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: The epitome of simple yet effective
INSTAGRAM: @maisonlabiche
Rouje
Nothing says girly summer dresses quite like Rouje, with their timeless polka dot and floral prints. An open invitation to garden parties all year round, Rouje embraces that feminine feel good factor and champions every kind of woman. Jeanne Damas, known for her striking allure, created the brand in 2016. The vision is a more shabby-chic one, it’s about living life to the full and wearing clothing that compliments that.
« Life in Rouje means applying lipstick with your fingers, hitching up your skirt to bronze your legs in the sunshine or wearing a dress to cycle in, » Damas says. An environmentalist herself, she aims to used up-cycled and sustainable materials, creating a vintage yet modern collection with a whole lot of fun.
A.P.C
Atelier de Production et de Création (APC) considers authenticity and craftsmanship as vital in its principles. An older boutique founded in 1987, the brand focuses on denim as well as high quality everyday basics. Forms in their rawest nature is what APC do best, also exemplified through their range of classic smooth leather handbags.
ADDRESS: 35–38, Rue Madame (6th arr.) / 112 Rue Vieille du Temple (3rd arr.) / 3 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire (3rd arr.) / 5 Rue de Marseille (10th arr.) / 20 Rue André del Sarte (18th arr.) / 23 Rue Royale (8th arr.)
PRICE: €€
MOOD: Casual but oh so cool
INSTAGRAM: @apc_paris
Vanessa Bruno
The store design in Vanessa Bruno will transport you to Cancún with giant straw lampshades and cacti against a warm backdrop that feels like sunshine. The clothing stands out with pops of color in an everyday elegance. Vanessa’s vision became a mighty success after the launch of her sequined Cabas Tote that is now the brands iconic trademark. Maxi skirts with cotton embroidery can be found amongst vibrant printed blouses and a large choice of straw knitted bags for every summer activities. Carefully crafted materials make you feel comfortable while standing out from the crowd. It’s a win-win.
ADDRESS: 25 rue Saint Sulpice (6th arr.) / 100, rue Vieille du Temple (3rd arr.) / 51 Avenue Victor Hugo (16th arr.) / 28 Rue de Passy (16th arr.)
PRICE: €€€
MOOD: The rendez-vous of the summer
INSTAGRAM: @vanessabruno
Saint James
Nautical designs take over the Saint James style, with blue and white stripes on sweaters, tees and towels. Rich with heritage, Saint James has been creating quality clothing since 1889. Staying local is important to the brand, evolving originally to keep fisherman warm while at sea with the first garment called the ‘Breton fisherman sweater’. We all know the blocky stripe is classically French, and Saint James played a large role in making the pattern an iconic fashion statement. For long-lasting, comfy everyday staples, Saint James is your boutique.
ADDRESS: 5 Rue Tronchet (8th arr.) / 66 Rue de Rennes (6th arr.) / 7 Rue Guichard (16th arr.) / 116 Rue Vieille-du-Temple (3rd arr.) / 17 Bd de Vaugirard (15th arr.) / 120 Rue Rambuteau (1st arr.) / 70 Place du Dr Félix Lobligeois (17th arr.)
PRICE: €€
MOOD: Feeling shellfish
INSTAGRAM: @saintjames
Musier Paris
Whoever or whatever your muse, Musier Paris has outfit inspiration for all events. Quick supermarket trip? A day at the beach? Date night? The options are endless with cute styles that are universal. Founded by Anne-Laure Mais, style icon in her own right, she has always had a passion for vintage, relaxed fits. Drawing influence from her childhood surfing in the South-West of France, Anne-Laure creates effortless pieces that are designed to be worn again and again. Check out her items in Les Grands Magasins as well as The Frankie shop – details below.
ADDRESS: Printemps Haussmann 69 Boulevard Haussmann (9th arr.) / Le Bon marché 24 Rue de sèvres (7th arr.) / The Frankie Shop 14, Rue Saint-Claude (3rd arr.)
PRICE: €€
MOOD: Timeless
INSTAGRAM: @musierparis
Éric Bompard
Searching for only the softest, most comfortable clothing? Look no further than Eric Bompard, who have been delivering exceptional cashmere since 1985. Knitwear will never get old, and it’s also a great all-year-round item. Unisex and family-friendly, there’s something for everyone with pullovers, dresses, jackets and scarves. Available in an array of colours for all seasons, Eric Bompard have also recently released a beachwear collection for feminine silhouettes with crochet bikinis and knotted wrap overs. With consistent sales, you’re getting a lot more bang for your buck with this brand.
ADDRESS: 31 Rue du Bac (7th arr.) / 1 Rue Scribe (9th arr.)
PRICE: €€
MOOD: Soft like warm butter
INSTAGRAM: @ericbompard
Balzac Paris
While mostly an online brand, Balzac Paris has recently opened their first boutique and it’s a must see. A Parisians favourite, rue d’Hauteville is now home to the sleek store with interiors of leopard print galore and abstract artwork. Clothing synonymous with that relaxed glamour appeal, it’s easy to see why Balzac has grown a loyal online following. The responsible and ethical brand looks to classically younger styles like dungarees and frills to add some fun back into your wardrobe. Think cute patterns, heaps of colour and gingham bags.
Tara Jarmon
‘French chic with a twist’, Tara Jarmon celebrates color and details in design. Equipped with a highly aesthetically pleasing Instagram feed, the bold looks of Tara Jarmon are known for beautiful cuts, prints and careful craftsmanship. The Tara girl is always fearlessly chic, has a feel-good attitude and lives in the moment. Flooded with bright light and art-deco, the Tara Jarmon birthplace lies in the Saint-Martin’s area near the Canal. The five floors contain a jewellery workshop, designer studio, commercial and communication departments. You can’t get more Parisian than that.
ADDRESS: 82 rue d’Hauteville (10th arr.) / 98 Rue Vieille du Temple (3rd arr.) / 18 Rue du Four (6th arr.) / 93 Rue de Courcelles (17th arr.) / 51 Rue de Passy (16th arr.) / 40 Boulevard Haussmann (9th arr.)
PRICE: €€
MOOD: Sunny days bringing smiles
INSTAGRAM: @tarajarmon
- Paris Defined Magazinehttps://www.parisdefined.com/author/paris-defined-magazine/
- Paris Defined Magazinehttps://www.parisdefined.com/author/paris-defined-magazine/
- Paris Defined Magazinehttps://www.parisdefined.com/author/paris-defined-magazine/
- Paris Defined Magazinehttps://www.parisdefined.com/author/paris-defined-magazine/