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Post by Basket1lady on Mar 10, 2023 21:39:50 GMT
Honestly, when shopping I don't go with a price goal in mind. I've bought scarves in high end shops and from a street vendor for 5 euros, 25 euro dresses in a street market and 250 euro dresses in the shops, vintage stuff and new. I look for pieces that I love and that are made well. I've had great luck and don't go with a goal in mind--that's the surest way to not find anything.
My favorite market is over by the Bastille on Thursdays and Sundays. There's also Les Puces, which is quite famous and well worth a stroll if you are looking for brocante items. I love to wander up Rue de Sant Honoré and I have a grocery tote bag that I bought at MonoPrix on the Champs Elysée (the French Target!). I have a scarf that I bought near the funiculaire below Sacre Coeur and shoes that I bought in some random shop in the Montparnasse area. I keep my eyes out for unique and classic items and wear them with fond memories of Paris.
"Vintage"/secondhand shops are common and fun to look through. DD also buys a lot from Mango, which is a popular chain store there.
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Post by Basket1lady on Mar 10, 2023 21:47:28 GMT
In your budget I would highly recommend the vintage shops and thrift stores. Croix Rouge has a few locations and is fantastic. I picked up a gorgeous silk blouse there for less than 20 Euros. It's fun especially when you find the right treasure This is going to sound very strange, but I was going to ask out French daughter if she thought I would be able to find any cutlery in a thrift store. I would love to be able to bring some home and make a ring, necklace or even earring from it. Something different as a reminder. We are going mid April and one thing I have loved from my trip to Australia and I will repeat in Europe is a coffee mug. I love using my mug with the koala on it on weekend mornings. It is cute and brings back fun memories. Being plus size in the US I figured finding clothes in Europe would be very hard for me. A scarf is also on my list to purchase. Look for MS Mode--it's a lot like Chico's or Dressbarn, but it's fun to wear a dress that you bought in Paris. Ulla Popkin in another. There are plus sized women in France, too! As for cutlery, try a market or a brocante. You will find lots of flatware!
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jayfab
Drama Llama
procastinating
Posts: 5,531
Jun 26, 2014 21:55:15 GMT
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Post by jayfab on Mar 10, 2023 23:04:02 GMT
But not lingerie, I’m 58, live alone, not dating and not sure I want too but what a great idea for someone else! You can enjoy beautiful lingerie for yourself it doesn't have to be seen by anyone else but it should feel luxurious and a pleasure to wear in and of itself. I agree with this. I'm 65 and not dating, but I bought some fun/sexy bras and wear them out with friends and they make me feel "different" LOL. Maybe more confident would be a better word.
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pilcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,938
Aug 14, 2015 21:47:17 GMT
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Post by pilcas on Mar 10, 2023 23:29:18 GMT
A red beret!
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Mar 10, 2023 23:37:50 GMT
I have a grocery tote bag that I bought at MonoPrix on the Champs Elysée (the French Target!) I have one from Hyper U that I bought year before last. It makes me smile every time I shop with it!
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
Jun 26, 2014 0:30:34 GMT
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Post by finaledition on Mar 11, 2023 2:55:38 GMT
I bought a simple skirt from a shop on Rue Cler. I wear it a few times a year. The pattern is subtle and it will never go out of style.
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Post by Marina on Mar 11, 2023 4:46:49 GMT
I love scarves but don't wear my silk ones often. I actually found some l love from a street vendor. They were not even made in France but they are a part of my memories. So whatever you find there that brings you joy will be a great memory.
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Post by Kymberlee on Mar 11, 2023 12:35:14 GMT
Vintage all the way! My absolute favorite weekend was a three day get away with my girlfriend to hit the brocantes and the flea markets. I came home with a vintage scarf, the most beautiful pink seltzer bottle, a few silver champagne buckets, some nice jewelry pieces, and some pretty silver knife rests. If you go to the big market, plan to spend a few hours. It isn’t a cheap market, but you will find some spectacular souvenirs to bring home.
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Post by smasonnc on Mar 11, 2023 12:37:17 GMT
Put me in the Hermes corner. **GypsyGirl** How much are the Hermes scarves? I'm shocked to see that $200 wouldn't be enough! Is it just the name or do they have some special qualities? They were $425, but I don't know now. If you get them in Europe, you can get the VAT back. The price of an Hermes scarf isn't just the name, it's the craftsmanship. First, the silk is a heavier, twill-style that holds its shape nicely and the edges are hand rolled and stitched. Each style is created by an artist whose name appears in the design. The colors are individually screened. It's very easy to tell a real Hermes from a fake. They hold their value and some vintage ones are worth far more than the new ones if the design is popular and the condition is good. There are groups of collectors all over the world and several websites devoted to collecting and caring for Hermes scarves. Not a clothing item, but I would also pick up a coffee mug. Each morning when you drink your coffee you're reminded of your fabulous trip. It's a great way to start the day!
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Mar 11, 2023 16:59:16 GMT
They were $425, but I don't know now. If you get them in Europe, you can get the VAT back. As I posted above, the current price for a 90 cm carré is 460 Euros, less VAT if you claim it when leaving. With today's exchange rate that's about $490. If you buy that same scarf at a US Hermés store, it would be $510 + tax. So there is some savings to buying in Paris.
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Post by tmarschall on Mar 11, 2023 22:58:44 GMT
Lots of great ideas here. For me, I would prefer a piece of jewelry. A charm or a bracelet that could look at and wear often. A classic pair of earrings...gold studs or hoops maybe. Or the other direction...some statement piece...a bright bag of mixed textiles...something eyecatching that people might ask about, giving you the opportunity to talk about your trip and relive a memory. It's not the thing that's most important, but the experience...of being there, maybe of buying it, but mostly of doing something for yourself to remember a great time.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Mar 11, 2023 23:04:57 GMT
For me, I would prefer a piece of jewelry. A charm or a bracelet that could look at and wear often. My mother always bought a charm when we traveled and had them added to a charm bracelet. It's the one piece of her jewelry I was most happy to inherit! So many memories of past vacations in that bracelet.
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AgnesDeux
Full Member
Posts: 217
Jul 7, 2014 0:50:46 GMT
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Post by AgnesDeux on Mar 12, 2023 0:09:32 GMT
I bought the cutest cape/sweater from Monoprix. www.monoprix.fr/ It's heavy cotton so I wear it in the spring and fall and ALWAYS get compliments. Monoprix is probably closest to Target here.
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