| Paris has become synonymous with women's fashion. | | | | houses can be difficult if you're not an A-list celebrity |
| From the late 19th century, the world has looked to the | | | | or have a seven-figure checking account. Your best |
| City of Light for its fashion direction. To take home a | | | | bet is to enlist your hotel's concierge. (Remember to tip |
| piece of Paris fashion, consider the following: | | | | him well.) Failing that, most of the most famous houses |
| Department Stores | | | | have adjacent pret-a-porter (ready to wear) stores, |
| Don't dismiss Parisian department stores as a source | | | | where you can find manufactured versions (but still |
| of fashion. They can be a great place to see a wide | | | | well-made and tailored) of the singular haute couture |
| range of styles and designers – all under one | | | | fashions. |
| roof. The larger stores even have a number of | | | | Les Boutiques |
| mini-boutiques representing the "big name" designers | | | | The younger and more modern French designers |
| within the store. | | | | have mostly opted to open their own retail stores and |
| - Galeries Lafayette – Built in 1906, this belle | | | | forego expensive haute couture operations. These |
| epoque multi-level shopping palace is as much fun to | | | | stores, with names such as Sonia Rykiel, Thierry |
| look at as it is to shop in. Each floor circles an atrium | | | | Mugler, and Kenzo are largely concentrated in the area |
| overlooking the bustling main cosmetics floor. The | | | | surrounding the Right Bank fashion houses, along the |
| store specializes in women's clothing and accessories. | | | | Left Bank, and around the Place de la Victoire. Prices |
| The view from the tea shop on the top floor is worth | | | | are still somewhat steep, but generally much less than |
| the visit. The Galeries Lafayette offers free fashion | | | | those at the "big name" houses. |
| shows on Wednesdays. | | | | American vs. French Sizes |
| - Le Printemps – Located near the Palais | | | | French sizes in women's clothing and shoes are |
| Garnier, this huge store is noted for its household | | | | completely different from US sizing. Use the following |
| goods as well as its fashion. The store offers many | | | | as a guide: |
| services for American visitors, including shipping, | | | | Dresses, Coats, Skirts |
| translation, and a personal shopping service. Printemps | | | | - US 4 = French 32 |
| offers several free fashion shows each week. | | | | - US 6 = French 34 |
| - Bon Marche – Located on the Left Bank, this | | | | - US 8 = French 36 |
| stylish store was Paris' first department store. | | | | - US 10 = French 38 |
| Designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame), it is | | | | Sweaters and Blouses |
| particularly known for its younger, slightly off-beat | | | | - US 4 = French 78 |
| fashion. | | | | - US 6 = French 81 |
| Haute Couture | | | | - US 8 = French 84 |
| Since the late 19th century, Paris has been the | | | | - US 10 = French 87 |
| undisputed Queen of fashion. Designers, such as | | | | Women's Shoes |
| Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, Balenciaga, and Schiaparelli | | | | - US 5 = French 36 |
| have all contributed to making the Parisian Haute | | | | - US 7 = French 38 |
| Couture industry the best in the world. More recently, | | | | - US 8 = French 39 |
| Christian LaCroix and Karl Lagerfeld have helped to | | | | - US 9 = French 40 |
| perpetuate that status. Many of the great fashion | | | | The above is intended to be a guide. There are also |
| houses are located in side streets jutting off of the | | | | slight differences in fit between French and American |
| Champs Elysees near the Place de la Concorde. | | | | clothes. French-made shoes, for instance, tend to be |
| Getting into a fashion show at one of the major | | | | slightly narrower than American shoes. |