In the glittering hush of the designer palaces on avenue Montaigne, Russian and Chinese tourists unload serious amounts of new wealth. The average Parisian, however — on net monthly earnings of €1,500, according to the Institut National de la Statistique — shops very differently.
1. Designer seconds at Mistigriff
Rising star of the fashion world, milliner Estelle Ramousse loves to truffle out stylish bargains to wear with her beautiful one-off hats and head dresses. She recommends designer seconds outlet Mistigriff, where she can choose from some of the best known names in men's, women's and children's wear, discounted by 25 to 85%.
"The labels are removed so that you can't take them to the designer's own shop for free alterations," says Estelle. "I've found Kenzo and Dolce & Gabanna, hugely reduced."
· 83-85 rue St-Charles, 15th, Metro Charles-Michels, Monday-Saturday, 10 am-7.30 pm, men's, women's, children's wear, www.mistigriff.fr
2. Vintage at Ding Fring
Behind the shabby façade of Ding Fring, one of the city's few charity shops, there's a wide range of immaculately laundered secondhand clothes. The garments are colour-coded but chainstore labels hang alongside designer and vintage. "It's a real gold mine," says Estelle. "I've found Diesel and Dsquared." A Daniel Hechter jacket is tagged €30 (£20.50), a Quiksilver shirt €9.50 (£6.50). Women's Levis are €16 (£11), an Emanuel Ungaro silk cocktail dress €100 (£68.50). In the changing rooms, the paint is peeling, but you can take as long as you like.
· 340 rue de Pyrénées, 20th, Metro Pyrénées. Tuesday to Friday, 10am - 1pm, 3pm - 7pm; Saturday 10am - 7pm; Monday 3pm – 7pm
3. Shoes at André
Luxury shoemakers like Christian Louboutin display their wares like works of art in a gallery and Parisians love to lécher les vitrines (literally, lick the windows). But they're more likely to cross the threshold at one of the many branches of André.
As well as their own moderately priced footwear, each season this chainstore invites hot fashion designers like Katherine Pradeau and Bali Barret to create exclusive shoe and handbag collections. "You can buy cutting edge design at affordable prices," says Estelle.
· 106, rue de Rivoli, 1st, Metro Châtelet, Monday to Saturday, 9.30am - 8pm, and branches throughout Paris, www.andre.fr
4. Cosmetics at Viseart
Well known within the fashion and film world, Viseart's recently opened make-up bar is the latest insider's tip for good-value, quality cosmetics. The assistants are professional make-up artists who will help you test and choose or, by appointment, give you a 45-minute makeover for €45 (£31). A 90-minute lesson in which you practise applying the new look, costs €90 (£62). "In a department store, you're simply customer number, but at Viseart you're treated like a queen," says Estelle.
· 58 rue Charlot, 3rd, Metro République; Tuesday to Saturday, 11am - 7pm; +33 (0)1 43 55 43 54 ; www.viseart.com.
5. Bargains at Puces de Montreuil
Fashion designer Roger Ewli creates striking collections in colourful African prints (Apedo-Ewli, 29 rue de la Mare, 20th). Like many Parisians, his pick of the flea markets is Montreuil where, despite increasing popularity with tourists, it's still possible to spot genuine bargains. "There's a good atmosphere. You can stroll through the market, have something to eat, take in the scene. There's a little bit of everything on sale there."
His finds include brand new Portuguese leather shoes for €45 (£31).
· Avenue du Professeur-André-Lemierre, 20th, Metro Porte de Montreuil. Saturday, Sunday, Monday, 7am - 7.30pm
6. Shoes at Rue Meslay
On this long "street of shoes", the frontages are gaudy, the displays often clunky, but the prices are very attractive. A few shops are wholesale only (vente en gros) but most also do retail (détail). Dinabrice at number 13 discounts up to 60% on Charles Jourdan and Robert Clergerie. FootStation, opposite, has keenly-priced Nike, Adidas and Converse.
"To feel good about yourself it's important to have good shoes. I've found great Italian shoes on rue Meslay for €80 (£55)," says Roger.
· In the 3rd, Metro République
7. Secondhand style at Guerrisol
Jewellery designer Julie Schmidt, favours stylish but unfussy clothes to set off her eye-catching silver jewellery. She enjoys rummaging in the friperies (secondhand clothes shops) on avenue de Clichy. Her favourite is Guerrisol, one of the biggest and cheapest, where a trench coat costs €10, a scarf €1.
"You'll find everything from work clothes to army surplus to sequinned evening dresses. But you do have to hunt to find the best stuff. And you may have to do alterations and repairs."
· 19, 29 & 31 avenue de Clichy , 17th, Metro Place-de-Clichy. Monday to Saturday, 10am - 7.30pm
8. Women's wear at Gaïa
With its carved wooden façade and a door bell to ring for admittance, Gaïa looks pricey. But within the tiny, well-organised interior, among twinkling fairy lights and boudoir mirrors, you'll find women's separates, dresses and coats for €3 to €10. The stock is a mix of secondhand and new; the latter category including end-of-line Princesse Tam-tam knickers for only €3 (£2). "There's a small but very good selection which changes all the time," says Julie.
· 7 rue de Crussol, 11th, Metro Oberkampf. Monday to Saturday, 11am - 8pm, www.gaïaboutique.com
9. Up-and-coming design at Maureen
Away from the main boulevards, low-rent areas have been settled by young designers selling directly from the atelier. Within Maureen Vinot's airy, white eponymous boutique you'll find her at a big, wooden sewing table working in self-coloured natural fabrics. A fine-knit dress is €130 (£89), a bustier €110 (£75), a felt handbag €65 (£44.50). Her new autumn-winter collection features plum, moss green, black and white. "She works in very limited editions so you can buy something totally original for a reasonable price," says Julie.
· 2 rue Auguste Barbier, 11th, Metro Goncourt. Monday to Friday, 12pm - 7pm, www.maureenlesite.com
10. Kookaï Stock
Right next to the garment-making district, where porters clatter past with hand trolleys piled with bales of fabric, Kookaï Stock is an address strongly tipped on French web forums. And deservedly so. It's a vast, well laid-out space, recently revamped, with friendly staff and individual changing cabins. Current collections are full price but previous seasons are discounted between 30% and 70 % so that you can pick up a dress for €20 (£14), a pullover for €18 (£12), a T-shirt for €9 (£6).
· 82 rue Réaumur, 2nd, Metro Réaumur-Sébastopol. Monday to Saturday, 10.30am - 7.30pm, www.kookai.com
