How I Stay Fashionable in Paris on a Budget

I'm just gonna go outright and say it: I'm a pretty fashionable Parisian. I moved to Paris for a job at a fashion magazine and it not only helped me hone my personal style and stay on top of trends, but it also gave me access to designer clothes. Truth be told, however, as glamorous as my job is, it's not exactly the highest-paying out there. Hence, I stay fashionable through other, more affordable means. I frequent vintage shops, go to flea markets, and I'm never ashamed to buy from high-street brands. Allow me to share more tips on how you can stay chic while avoiding getting broke in Paris.

Visit The Flea Markets

Paris's flea markets are a godsend for those who shop on a budget. Not only are they a lot more affordable compared to the city's more standard shops, but they sell such precious pieces that you won't find anywhere else. They're quality fashion, even though many of them are secondhand! I admit that practically a third of my entire wardrobe came from flea markets. I've become a bit of an expert on shopping in flea markets in Paris, so I've developed a keen eye in choosing clothes I know will last me a lifetime and will always look good no matter the current trends.

Check Out The Vintage Stores

Vintage shops are the next best thing! Fashion tends to be cyclical. The trends dominating the runways today harken back to a few decades ago. I'm also sure that the new looks we're seeing nowadays will no doubt be trendy again in the near or far future. I, for one, love the classic elegance of the 1950s and 1960s, and I've gotten my hands on those eras' best pieces in some of Paris's best vintage shops. A few of my favorites include the ever-trusty Kilo Shop, Palace Callas, and Skat Vintage. A few of these tend to still be pricey but there are other, more affordable shops out there.

Head to The Designer Outlet Stores

If you're a shopper on a budget in Paris, you should know about La Vallee Village, One Nation, or McArthurGlen Paris-Giverny. What are these names, you ask? They are some of the most popular designer outlet stores in Paris. Yes, you read that right! Even the highly prestigious French fashion capital has outlet stores. They're great alternatives to the famous department stores and high-end boutiques that'll have you draining your bank account just to keep up with the current trends. Here, you can get the same designer pieces—albeit a season or two late—at only a fraction of the cost!

Discover Paris's Affordable Brands

Look, I'll be the first to admit any piece from labels like Chanel, Christian Dior, and Hermes truly is a good investment. The quality of their clothes, accessories, and more is so unbelievable that anything from them will last you a lifetime. With that said, however, they're also not the only French brands worth investing in. You might not have heard of names like Sézane, Maje, Sandro, and Claudie Pierlot, but rest assured that these are amazing labels. Their quality is often just as good (or good enough), their clothes stay on top of the latest trends, and the best part? They're a lot more affordable!

Don't Be Afraid of High Street Brands

Are you ashamed to buy from places like Zara, Mango, H&M, or COS? Well, you shouldn't be! I'm not, and I've lived and worked in Paris, specifically in fashion, for years! Let me reassure you that people here aren't as label-centric as movies like 'The Devil Wears Prada' will have you believe. Hence, you shouldn't be ashamed to buy from these high-street brands, at least when you're open about shopping on a budget. Their quality might not be as high as the couture brands, but they're good enough and usually just as fashionable.

Get to Know Local Designers

Part of the privileges of my job is getting to know new and emerging fashion designers in Paris. They're some of the coolest out there, offering up new looks, exciting aesthetics, and daring styles that I'm sure will take over the runways and in turn, the zeitgeist over time. Having made friends with many of them, I've become somewhat of a muse for their brands, and I barely had to pay them as much as I would when I'd buy from a well-known label. So if you'll be making friends in Paris, you might want to acquaint yourself with some of the city's up-and-coming fashion talents.

Rely on The Basics

Do you know the best thing about dressing up in Paris? The French value simplicity above everything else. A little black dress that fits just right will turn just as many heads as wearing the latest haute couture pieces from the runway. You can also get your hands on the best LBD for your just about anywhere, including the much cheaper flea markets, vintage shops, or even the notorious high-street brands. So, as long as you have the basics, you can style them however you want and still look fashionable without draining your bank account!

Keep The Classics

A Chanel jacket, a Lady Dior bag, a YSL pantsuit, or a Chloe maxi-dress. These are just some French fashion classics that I believe any fashion girly should have in their wardrobe. No matter the current trends, these staples will always be in style, which is why they're a must! Fortunately, these sorts of pieces are fairly easy enough to find in flea markets, vintage shops, designer outlets, and more. Once you have any or all of them, you can wear them again and again and in many different ways. How's that for turning out looks on a budget?

Go Online

Okay, this is admittedly a little controversial, but hear me out! I've always found that I spend less shopping online than when I go to stores in Paris. It's pretty obvious why since, hello, I'm in Paris! But while the quality of the clothes are light years in difference, they're still pretty good. Many online shops sell sustainable styles that aren't just as fashionable but eco-friendly too! You'll just have to look hard for them! It'll take a bit of effort, but I assure you, it's all worth it!



Did you know that it's possible to be fashionable in Paris on a budget? You don't have to wear haute couture or spend your entire monthly paycheck to stay on top of trends. Let my shopping tips help you out!