Paris Vintage Shopping - Le Marais

Paris is the best city for vintage shopping that I've ever been to. This is not because of the sheer volume of vintage shops in the French capital - as London probably boasts just as many - no, it is the cheap prices that you just do not find anywhere else.

 Kilo Shop - 69-71 rue de la Verrerie

There are several Kilo Shops around Paris and I work for the first and the biggest one on rue de la Verrerie in the Marais. The concept is that you buy clothes by weight. Each item has a certain colour tag which corresponds to a different price per kilo, for example: red is 20€/kg, greenand yellow are 30€/kg and orange is 60€/kg. This means you can get some absolute bargains! It also means, especially with the orange tag, that some items can be expensive. There are also fixed price items such as fur coats which start at €89, bags and accessories and the renewal vintage range called ‘Culture Vintage’. There is loads of choice and it is a great shop! I’m not just biased, honest!

Il y a plusieurs Kilo Shop dans Paris et je bosse pour son premier magasin, qui est aussi le plus grand, sur rue de la Verrerie dans le Marais. Le concept est qu’on achètedes vêtements au poids. Chaque article porte une pastille et sa couleur corresponde à un prix diffèrent au kilo, par exemple : rouge est 20€/kg,vert et jaune est 30€/kg et orange est 60€/kg. Alors, on peut trouver des affaires absolues ! Mais aussi, particulièrement avec le bip orange, certains articles sont chers. Il y a aussi des pièces aux prix fixes, comme des fourrures, des sacs à mains et accessoires et notre collection ‘CultureVintage’. Il y a plein de choix et il est un magasin génial ! Je vous promets que je ne suis pas partiale !

Other locations:
- 65 rue de la Verrerie
- 125 boulevard Saint Germain
- 39 boulevard Saint Michel
- 63 rue de Passy

Coiffeur/Vintage Désir - 32 rue des Rosiers

The smallest and probably the most famous vintage shop inParis. Situated on the bustling rue des Rosiers (also known for its collectionof falafel restaurants), this shop is just fab. All year round there is a great selection of dresses, patterned jumpers, denim shirts, dungarees, shorts, skirts and bags. There is a good men’s section too. I would say that most things don’t cost more than €10 unless you are buying a jacket but even then you’ll be getting a bargain. If you can, go during the week because this tiny shop gets very busy at the weekend.

Il est le plus petit et sûrement le plus connu magasin de vintage dans Paris. Situé sur une rue animée – rue des Rosiers, qui on connaît pour tous les restaurants de falafel, ce magasin est juste génial ! Toute l’année, il y a une sélection superdes robes, pulls à motifs, chemises de jean, salopettes, shorts, jupes et sacs à main. Il y a aussi une bonne partie pour hommes. Pour moi, la plupart desarticles ne coûte plus que 10€, sauf on achète une veste qui aurait aussi une affaire ! S’il est possible, allez pendant la semaine parce qu’il y a toujours plein de monde au weekend.

Free ‘P’ Star - 61 rue de la Verrerie

I always say it is all part of the joy of vintage shoppingto rummage for real gems amongst pile of rubbish and this is one of the main draws of Free ‘P’ Star and its 1€ bins. They also sell a selection of leather and denim shorts for €10 a piece and faux and real fur coats with prices ranging from €10 to €100 or more. Free ‘P’ Star has three shops in the Marais, each within about five minutes walk from each other. 

La joie de faire du shopping dans les friperies vient de fouiller dans les grands tas de vêtements pour trouver des vrais bijoux, je dis toujours. Cela est une des attractions de Free ‘P’ Star et ses paniers de 1€ ! On vend aussi une sélection de shorts en cuir et en jean pour 10€ à l’unité et des manteaux en fourrure vraie et fausse pour les prix entre 10€ et 100€ ou plus. Il y a trois magasins de Free‘P’ Star dans le marais et on peut marcher entre chacun dans cinq minutes. 

Other locations:
- 52 rue de la Verrerie
- 20 rue de Rivoli

Hippy Market - 21 rue du Temple / 3 rue de Turbigo

Hippy Market is part of the same group as Kilo Shop so it sells the same great range of clothes but everything is more expensive.So, if you are looking for good quality and well-presented vintage, shop either here or Kilo Shop!

Hippy Market fait partie du même groupe de Kilo Shop – il vend la même gamme géniale des vêtements mais tout est plus cher. Donc, si vous cherchez des vêtements vintagede bonne qualité, bien arrangés, trouvez des trucs soit là soir à Kilo Shop!   

 The King of Frip - 33 rue du Roi de Sicile

A rather hit and miss shop to be honest. I have found some real bargains in The King of Frip over the years but recently some of their prices seem to have shot up. Coats, furs and dresses are quite expensive but you can still find denim shorts, shirts and bags for about €10, which is pretty cheap.

Un magasin imprévisible si je suis honnête. Dans le passé j’ai trouvé plein d’affaires chez The King of Frip mais récemment, quelques prix ont augmenté. Les manteaux, les fourrures et les robes sont assez chers mais on peut toujours trouver des shorts en jean, des chemises et des sacs à main pour vers 10€, qui est plutôt bon marché.  

Other vintage shops in the area:
- Vintage Le Bar - 16 rue de la Verrerie (for high end and designer vintage)
- Come on Eileen - 38 rue de Rivoli

Izzie x

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*Updated May 2015

Vintage Shopping in Barcelona

I recently went on a city break to Barcelona where I had to check out what the local vintage shops had to offer. Here is a little guide of some of the best ones to visit if you’re ever in town.

The best street to head for if you’re looking for vintage is Carrer de la Riera Baixa in the Raval district. This small and short street contains a total of eight quite different vintage shops. Here is a selection of them: 

Kilostore

The concept is simple really. Each type of clothing is priced per kilogram and you can weigh the clothes yourself on the retro scales in the middle of the shop. Choose from ball gowns to tea dresses; from sequin tops to denim shirts; from woolly jumpers to Adidas jackets and from bags and belts to Converse trainers priced at €15.

Billie Jean

This beautifully decorated vintage parlour has a great choice of what I would describe as, more delicate vintage. There is the usual offer of Levi denim shorts for €20 and cute dresses for €25, but unlike the others also sells lacy underwear, jewellery and trinkets. Don’t miss the €5 bargain rail at the back of the shop!

De Faralaee

This is the only shop on this street that offers a mix of new and vintage clothing. New items such as cute tops with collars, printed t-shirts and skirts are priced around €25. The vintage section consists of a couple of bargain rails and a rummage box. This way of selling vintage is always a bit more of an effort for the customer, but personally I love it. You’ll always find a gem, which I did. I purchased a lovely red shirt for just €5.

Lullaby

The last shop on the street is one that you certainly should not miss. There is an excellent selection of bags and shoes as well as beautiful blouses priced at just €20 – being a shirt enthusiast I had to try a couple on! Take a look at the range of jewellery too – from delicate to chunky and bright pieces. As if this wasn’t enough, the vibe of the shop is fantastic too, with music blaring and the couple in charge joking with customers and dancing around.

And if you want even more vintage…

Holala! Plazza – Plaça de Castella, 2.

Having a few locations around the city, Holala! could be considered as more commercial than the shops of Riera Baixa. The size and layout of the shop, as well as the items on sale, gives it the feel of an American thrift store. Whether you’re after a brightly coloured t-shirt, a sequined top or even table and chairs, Holala! will have it. Everything is well organised into male/female, by item and in colour order of the rainbow that shopping here is stress free. Prices start at €20 for tees and shorts.

http://holala-ibiza.com/blog/

Produit National Brut – Carrer d’Avinyò, 29

With a great selection of vintage on offer, it is worth a trip to this quaint street in the Gothic quarter to visit this shop. Browse the colourful tea dresses, floaty skirts and beaded tops, as well as the usual denim shorts and denim shirts. There is a good men’s section consisting of loud shirts, retro jackets and shorts. There is a great collection of ladies’ boots and they also sell roller skates!

https://www.facebook.com/pnbvintage

Izzie x

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