Vintage fashion shops in Paris are a great source to find designer clothing at cut-rate prices. There are different types of vintage stores, and this article will concentrate more on luxury shops. High-end vintage shops in Paris are called depot-vents, which usually sell designer clothing, handbags, jewelry, and shoes in mint condition. Some of the shops listed below are also consignment shops, where sellers bring their items to sell.
Pro Tip: If you are looking for classic Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermes bags, they can be expensive, costing in the thousands of euros, if they are a popular color like black. Sometimes rare or sample models sell for even more. If you purchase an off or odd color, chances are you will score a better bargain.
1. Gabrielle Geppert
Located in the shopping arcade of the Palais Royal, German-born Gabrielle Geppert, runs an elegant boutique, curating an impressive, vintage collection of high-end jewelry, sunglasses, handbags, small leather goods, shoes, and clothing. Designers include Chanel, Hermes, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, and Givenchy, and all the merchandise is in impeccable condition. Geppert also designs her own collection of contemporary bags, wallets, purses, and T-shirts with a bold initial pattern of GGs on them, which are sold in a separate, adjoining boutique a few doors down.
2. Didier Ludot
Didier Ludot, which is also located in the Palais Royal, just a few storefronts away from Gabrielle Geppert, is highly revered for his unsurpassed collection of vintage couture clothing. He stocks rare pieces from the mid to late 19th century from the couture collections of Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Balenciaga, and Givenchy plus more avant-garde designers such as Paco Rabanne, Pierre Cardin, and Courreges. Ludot frequently serves as a consultant for films and fashion exhibitions at museums and sometimes lends clothes to the shows. In the early 2000s, Ludot launched a Little Black Dress, a new collection of cocktail and evening dresses based on vintage designs which are also available. Next door to the couture boutique is a shop with ready-to-wear clothing, handbags, luggage, shoes, scarves, and jewelry. During the various Paris Fashion Weeks, Ludot spotlights a single designer in his windows.
Pro Tip: The Didier Ludot couture boutique is only by appointment, but the accessories shop is open to the public.
3. Les 3 Marches De Catherine B
Nestled on a quiet street in the Saint Germain des Pres neighborhood, Les 3 Marches De Catherine B is a tiny boutique packed with wall-to-wall designer fashions and accessories. Opened in 1994, Catherine the owner had amassed such a large collection of designer pieces, especially from Chanel and Hermes, she decided to open a shop to fit the overflow. Considered an expert in the vintage clothing field with her many years of experience, her celebrity clients have included Rachel Zoe, Paris Hilton, and Cameron Diaz. Catherine has also collaborated with museums such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Modern Museum of Art in Paris, plus other fashion institutions such as the department store Galeries Lafayette in Paris and Liberty of London. Check out her Instagram for daily posts of her latest vintage finds.
Pro Tip: Catherine recommends you contact her before you visit the shop if you are looking for a specific item(s) so she can possibly source it for you.
4. La Marelle
Inside the almost hidden shopping arcade Galerie Vivienne, filled with luxury fashion boutiques, is La Marelle, a more affordable option than the others mentioned in this article. (It lists prices at 76 percent less than the original retail price.) La Marelle takes pride in only selling new or gently worn apparel and each garment is put through a rigorous, 12-step cleaning process before hitting the racks. The well-organized store stocks medium to high-end, ready-to-wear clothing. Designers include Jean Paul Gaultier, Lanvin, Valentino, Isabel Marant, Burberry, and Jil Sander and popular brands such as Maje, The Kooples, Sandro, Zadig, and Voltaire. There’s also a major stock of Japanese designers and labels including Pleats Please, Issey Miyake, Comme des Garcons, Yohji Yamamoto, and Kenzo.
5. Hotel Paris-Tokyo
Stefane Verdino was a successful accessories designer for over two decades, and in 2016 he sold his brand. In 2018, he shifted his focus to resale clothing and opened his Hotel Paris-Tokyo boutique in the trendy Northern Marais area. When he was an accessories designer, he traveled to Tokyo 26 times for his work, hence the name of the shop.
The original shop has moved to larger quarters and houses women’s and men’s apparel. The hip collections include designers such as Comme des Garçons, Chanel, Balenciaga, Marni, Gucci, Martin Margiela, Yohji Yamamoto, Alexander McQueen, and Prada.
6. Depot Vente Luxe Paris
The concept at Depot Vente Luxe Paris is offering current fashions at reduced prices. The well-stocked store has an extensive selection of women’s and men’s clothing, jewelry, hats, gloves, scarves, shoes, watches, ties, and small leather goods. All items sold in the shop and its website are authentic at Depot Vente Luxe Paris. The shop stands by its products by guaranteeing them for life on the receipt. Some of the red-hot sellers include Goyard tote bags, Promenade Miss Dior bag, Hermes jewelry, Chanel quilted bags, classic Chanel pearls on a chain, Louis Vuitton totes, and Hermes leather belts.
7. Thanx God I’m A V.I.P.
Thanx God I’m A V.I.P. is a huge store (almost 5,000 square feet) near Republique Square. The clothing racks are neatly organized by color. Owners Sylvie Chateigner and Amnaye Nhas, have been at it for over 20 years and have extensive knowledge about their products. The store features women’s and men’s clothing, jewelry, scarves, and handbags. They recently launched a new shop that has children’s clothing and home accessories.
8. Paris Flea Market/Puces Saint Ouen
The Puces Saint Ouen is the largest flea market in the world with over 2,000 shops and stalls spanning over 20 acres. Located just outside of Paris and easily accessible by metro or taxi, there are a great number of vintage and resale shops to discover. Here’s a short list of them.
9. Au Grenier De Lucie
Brits Robert and Heidi left England and moved to Paris in 2009 to open their shop Au Grenier De Lucie. Specializing in luxury designer jewelry, they scour all of Europe and England to find rare, sometimes one-of-a-kind pieces. It can be a bit overwhelming to look at all of their treasures in one visit, but the friendly owners have patience and won’t rush you. One of their big sellers is Christian LaCroix jewelry, which is difficult to find because the designer went out of business and his pieces are in high demand. Other brands sold are Lanvin, Schiaparelli, YSL, Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, and Celine. There’s also a small selection of clothing and handbags.
10. Patricia Atwood
Patricia Attwood is another Brit in Paris selling more obscure European designer brands. Her eclectic selection includes vintage velvet and leather handbags by Italian designer Roberto di Camerino, Krizia, and Loris Azzaro. Attwood also features a mini-fashion museum in a room of her shop, changing the exhibition once or twice a year.
Paris is a world-class city with myriad attractions besides fashion: