Paris: People, Places and Bling

By Theadora Brack

Grab your vinyl candy-colored purse and lipstick! Today we’re going on vintage clothing shopping spree in Paris. Window-shoppers of the world, unite! Are you with me?

Throughout the City of Deee-Lite, you’ll find deep pockets of “friperies” (second-hand clothing shops) and “depôts-ventes” (consignment shops). Possessing a mad, mad penchant for amassing the garb of yesteryear but on a budget, I currently have three favorite stomping grounds in Paris: Abbesses, the Porte de Vanves flea market and the Marais.

Today let’s stroll on over to one of my favorite shops in the Marais.

Hip-frip-perie

The FREE’P’STAR is where I typically bid farewell to my heart and hard-earned euros. Flaunting a psychedelic, trippy vibe, the vintage clothing boutique is decked out in neon signs, funky lighting fixtures, and original photography and paintings. Art meshed with retro duds? I hear you. Life is good.

Keep your eyes peeled for the shrine dedicated to photographer Brassaï!

The low-down

So what makes the shop so darn AB FAB? Here the collection is consistently eclectic, and the prices are always affordable. Plus, there are two other FREE’P’STAR locations in the historic ‘hood. Scoring treasures while saving precious time just got easier.

Always one to boast, my latest finds include a little black polyester dress, along with a pair of patent leather go-go boots. Bargains and time travel always makes the heart swell fonder. Happy Hunting!

Get the skinny

8 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 4th arrondissement
Métro: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Saint-Paul

61 rue de la Verrerie, 4th arrondissement
Métro: Hôtel de Ville

20 rue de Rivoli, 4th arrondissement
Métro: Saint-Paul