The word on the streets is SOLDES. All of Paris is on sale. Apparently this is quite an event, happening only twice a year, as regulated by the government. The sales continue for five weeks, a Winter cleansing of sorts, in preparation for the new Spring styles. Finally I can shop in this fashion capital! Prior to these seemingly never-ending sales, I merely stared glossy-eyed into the windows of the many boutiques lining the streets of the Marais and Saint-Germain. The price tags in the windows often prevented me from entering, considering the less than ideal exchange rate. Why tease myself? I would look, but dared not to touch. And now, prices are almost equivalent to those in my favorite Nolita or Soho boutiques in NYC. Somehow the ‘Made in France’ label makes shopping in Paris more of a cultural experience. Might I even consider the additions to my wardrobe an investment?
Glad to see you're settling into the Parisian habits 🙂 Les soldes are cerainly a big deal! If you're looking for something more original, there is an online boutique based in Paris called Je Ne Sais Quoi (www.shopjenesaisquoi.com) that carries niche brands from the US, France and Germany and they're having really amazing sales right now, with free shipping. Otherwise, walking the streets of Paris window shopping is a sport in itself, even hors soldes! bienvenue 🙂