The 4 Best Boutiques To Buy Clothes At While In Paris, According To Locals

Fashion-forward travelers from all over the world dream of planning a shopping spree in Paris, as it's one of the premier cities in the world when it comes to fashion and style. The iconic French-girl-chic aesthetic is imitated across the globe, and the best way to achieve the look is through shopping in Parisian boutiques. 

Paris is full of so many incredible things to do, you could spend weeks in the city and still not grow bored. Simply wandering the streets and admiring the historic architecture is akin to a spiritual experience for some travelers. You can visit world-famous art museums like the Louvre, browse the shelves of iconic bookstores (or even stay the night), and wander through historic neighborhoods that have inspired some of the world's most renowned writers, musicians, and artists. When the sun sets, the city transforms into a sparkling wonderland full of iconic nightlife. With so much to do, it can be hard to narrow down your itinerary to fit within the confines of a short vacation, but even if you only have one day in Paris, you should still try to carve out some time to do a little shopping at some of the city's best boutiques.

Paris is home to some of the biggest names in luxury fashion including Chanel, Christian Dior, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton. If you're in the mood to splurge, you'll find no shortage of shops full of haute couture treasures. Even if you aren't ready to break the bank, there are options for all budgets. The French tend to focus on purchasing timeless, multi-purpose pieces in the best quality they can afford, instead of trendy fast-fashion. If you're looking for the best boutiques to browse during your trip, check out these boutiques locals love. 

Everyone's favorite French "It" girl, Jeanne Damas, founded Rouje in 2016. She was inspired both by her elegant mother, and a childhood spent watching stylish Parisian women from behind the counter of her family's restaurant in the Bastille neighborhood. Throughout her modeling career she's been the muse for many famous fashion-designers, and it came as no surprise when she took on the role of creative-director and designer of her own brand.

Rouje features timeless pieces that embody the feeling of wandering through Paris on a summer night through their vintage-inspired silhouettes and one-of-a-kind prints. All of the designs use high quality fabrics like 100% cotton, Italian knitwear, and lace. They are designed to feel soft and comfortable, while looking polished. "In Rouje, we notice the woman first, then what she is wearing," says Jeanne Damas.

The brand is also committed to maintaining a conscience. They use sustainable certified fabrics in the designs, and ensure that international working norms and animal well-being is honored throughout the process. They try not to over-produce any designs, in order to create less fashion waste, and they work to reduce their carbon footprint through choosing the most sustainable shipping methods. Rouje also works to empower women through various initiatives, including a partnership with La Maison Des Femmes. You can shop Rouje at a few different locations around Paris. There is a boutique in the 16th Arrondissement located at 83 Avenue Victor Hugo, and another located in the 4th Arrondissement within the stylish Marais neighborhood.

Sézane began as an online marketplace selling wardrobe essentials embodying the iconic laid-back French style. Morgane Sézalory was living in Paris after she graduated from university and began supplementing her income by selling vintage pieces on eBay. She would browse the Parisian flea markets for unique treasures, and then post them for sale online. Her hobby quickly blossomed into a lucrative side hustle, and soon she was making thousands of dollars per month on her website where she would post monthly drops of her best vintage finds. Her success inspired her to try creating her own vintage-inspired designs and she founded Sézane in 2013.

According to Sézalory, "Sézane is, above all, a story of life and the lives of those who write it. A collective community, an eternal co-creation, and a deep understanding that nothing is possible without one another, to improve all that can be and offer you the most beautiful pieces."

Just two years later, Sézane opened a brick and mortar boutique in the 2nd Arrondissement where potential customers could try on designs and then place an order. Soon she transformed the space into a boutique. L'Appartement Sézane is designed to look like a stylish French Apartment. Along with the glamorous displays of clothes and shoes you'll find the space outfitted with elegant furniture, fresh flowers, and vintage-inspired decor. In 2019, Sézane opened a second boutique in the 8th Arrondissement called Le Grande Apartement. There are now a few smaller shops scattered around the city as well. The company sells quality clothing and accessories for women, men, and children along with gifts and decor for the home.

Soeur's origin story is as lovely as the beautiful closet staples the brand is known for. Two sisters, Domitille and Angélique Brion, founded the brand together in 2007. Originally, Soeur focused on producing stylish clothes for adolescent girls, but the brand now offers options for women of all ages in all life phases.

The sisters' strong bond helped forge a very successful business. Soeur, which means "sister" in French, creates pieces that are meant to last a lifetime. The designs are inspired by the sisters' travels and fond memories they created together throughout their lives. The brand features classic Parisian-chic staples alongside vintage-inspired designs with an international flare. Expect lots of high quality fabrics like cotton, wool, and silk. The designs are timeless with a touch of modern femininity.

"Soeur is a wardrobe that blurs the lines, a wardrobe that borrows from men for an ever more feminine allure. These are pieces that a modern, inspiring vision of femininity: sincere, sensitive, elegant and inclusive. Regardless of age or style. I want everyone who dresses with us to feel understood and valued," said Domitille Brion, Soeur's artistic director. The first boutique opened in the 6th Arrondissement in 2008. Now there are more than a dozen locations around the city where you can shop until you drop.

If you're looking for something that is truly one-of-a-kind, head to Bobby. It's one of the hottest boutiques in Paris right now, and an awesome place to score vintage treasures. The shop was founded by Nina Ambart, who dreamt up her vision for the shop while traveling in Thailand when she was just 22 years old. She wanted to work for herself, and realized that shopping was one of her major talents, along with thrifting great clothes and accessories for cheap.

Bobby is a consignment store, so Parisians bring in clothing and accessories that they no longer wear and Bobby employees select the trendiest pieces to sell within the shop. Within the shop you'll find affordable pieces alongside high-end designer brands. According to Ambart, she doesn't focus on the brand name – she just cares whether or not a specific item is trendy and that it makes people feel good. You won't find any fast-fashion brands crowding the shelves at this shop – just vintage and designer finds that will give your wardrobe a unique-edge.

Bobby is located in Le Marais, which is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Paris. It's also home to the city's oldest food market. Nina grew up there, and always dreamed of opening a shop. After a few successful pop-ups, she made her dream a reality. Now Bobby has two locations. It's been named one of the best vintage shops in Paris by Vogue.

If you want to experience Paris like a Parisian, spending an afternoon shopping in quintessentially Parisian boutiques is a great way to start. To formulate our list we asked fashion-loving locals where they usually shop for clothing and accessories. We also researched various trending brands on social media.