Shop (and Eat) like a Parisian

Vogue Magazine

Emilie Bonnouvrier-Amzelek



It's Fashion Week in Paris, as exciting as Christmas or your birthday, if those special days came twice a year. What better time to hand over the reins of this column, at least temporarily, to the intrepid and adorable Emilie Bonnouvrier-Amzelek, who works in the Vogue Paris office, helping to make our lives run, not just smoothly but joyously, as we cover the catwalks. This week, Bonnouvrier-Amzelek shares with us her favorite inexpensive places to shop and-because, this is France and it's important!-also dine on a budget in her favorite cool neighborhoods.

St. Germain
I love to shop at Brand Bazar (in front of the Bon Marché)-they always have a stylish and affordable selection. You can find timeless pieces like Petit Bateau tees (10€), LTB jeans (52€), Cheap Monday slims (55€), Ralph Lauren Denim & Supply Boyfriend shirts (120€), and April, May sporty dresses (210€). But there are also more fashionable pieces like the WeloveEmiKa's velvet colored flare leggings (180€) [Full disclosure-Bonnouvrier-Amzelek is co-designer of this brand].

After an intense shopping session at Brand Bazar, I love to have a glass of rosé wine (4.90 €) and to share a French cheese plate (17.50 €) on the typical Parisian terrace of Café La Palette.

Brand Bazar, 33 Rue de Sèvres, sixth arrondissement, 33.1.45.44.40.02

Café La Palette, 43 Rue de Seine, sixth arrondissement, 33.1.43.26.68.15

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Les Jardins du Luxembourg
I realize how lucky I am to be Parisian when I am reading a book in the magnificent Jardin du Luxembourg. I love to sit and eat a Tomato Mozzarella Panini (8€) in their café, surrounded by greenery-a wonderful escape from reality. To make this day perfect, I stop by "Trop Bien," a shop which sells cheap colored, fun jewelry, accessories, and clothes. I bought really cute Van Cleef & Arpels-inspired earrings for 8€ and all my American vintage tees at a reduced price (around 15€).

Le Jardin du Luxembourg, sixth arrondissement, 33.1.42.34.23.62).

Trop Bien, 61 Boulevard Saint Michel, fifth arrondissement, 33.1.46.34.80.67

Le Marais
I have to say that even if it's a real "cool" thing to do (especially when you are working in fashion), I am not really into thrift-shopping! However, after a Sunday brunch (21€) in the extraordinary Parisian atmosphere of Le Loir dans la Théière, I can't resist stopping by Vintage Désire to buy some hats (5€) and maybe one of their wonderful fur coats (around 30€). I also, always, drop by the shop Allison. Last Sunday I bought an ethnic dress by La Petite Française (75€) and a pair of leather shorts by Suncoo (45€).

Le Loir dans la Théière, 3 Rue des Rosiers, fourth arrondissement, 33.1.42.72.90.61

Vintage Désir, 32 Rue des Rosiers, fourth arrondissement, 33.1.40.27.04.98

Allison, 83 Rue Saint Antoine, fourth arrondissement, 33.1.42.72.54.16

See more: Fashion Week A-to-Z

République
Merci is one of my favorite concept stores, it always announces future major trends, plus you can eat delicious healthy dishes from 8.50€ to 16.50€ in their two restaurants. They sell Swildens (this season with a Native American theme, including tees and clutches) and Bellerose pieces, including alpaca sweaters from 30€ and new brands like Samsøe & Samsøe (from 60€ to 325€)-I highly recommend their well-fitted jeans (100€)

Merci, 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, third arrondissement, 33.1.42.77.00.33

Montmarte
The best cheeseburger in Paris (15€ with a side dish) is located in the Bobo's (bourgeois bohemian) favorite neighborhood, at the restaurant Koff. And the best part is that the Maje Stock store, which sells all the past collections at half the price, is only two minutes walking distance.

Koff, 15 Rue la Vieuville, eighteenth arrondissement, 33.1.46.06.83.36

Maje Stock, 92 Rue des Martyrs, eighteenth arrondissement, 33.01.42.59.75.35

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