Paris On Sale
I was lucky enough to be in Paris in the end of June. I love shopping, and I love sales. In general, I don’t purchase anything on sale that I wouldn’t normally have bought if it was full-price. What I mean is, just because something is on sale, doesn’t mean that it is a good purchase. It doesn’t matter how inexpensive an item is, if you’ll wear it only once and it takes up room in your closet for the next 5 years. There are many lovely places to shop in Paris. One of my favorite areas is in Saint-Germaine quarter. This area is filled with brand-name stores as well as small independent boutiques. I also like Champ-Elysees and the surrounding streets. However, this is a much pricier area. This is where the Louis Vuitton Flagship store is located, which by the way is enormous. In general, I’m not in favor of big department stores, especially not in Paris. It is much more fun to walk up and down the streets and take in the pulse of the city, than to spend inside a shopping centre. The only exception to this is if you are in Paris in the end of June and the beginning of July. This is when the entire city goes on sale, literally. I didn’t know that July was the biggest sale event in Paris, until I accidentally stumbled upon all the sales in the end of June. This was the beginning of the biggest sale month in Paris and everything, yes, EVERYTHING, was discounted 30%, 40% and 50%. Unbeknownst to what I was about to encounter, I walked into Gallery Lafayette. I couldn’t understand why it was so busy. It was nearly impossible to maneuver anywhere. That’s when I noticed the sale signs. Nearly everything in the store, including Gucci, Prada, and Dior were on sale. They really were trying to get rid of their inventory before fall would set in. People were lining up to enter the small, roped-off areas within the department store. In order to get into Prada’s little roped-off area, I had to wait 30 minutes in line. These were major sales. I found the same situation in the other major departments stores such as Printemps and Bon Marche. It was fun.
Hello! Outside of my obvious disdain for the filthy French, this is quite a coup you had. I of course enjoy finding fashionable clothing at a bargain price - anyone who knows me comments on my chic attire and trendsetting looks. Did you know I wear mesh briefs that keep things aired appropriately? If one does not wear such things, muskiness is intense and unlike the filthy French, I do not like smelling like tainted cheese.
I would love to find Prada tennis shoes, though I don’t play tennis myself. I do like a rousing game of ping pong from time to time, and croquet. I also find the mallet especially useful for cracking hazel nuts.
I would love to find such bargains, and clearly envy you for your wisdom around the boutiques. I hope you post more messages about such adventures. I live vicariously through you, as I have very little going on in my own life, outside of aired out netherregions, of course.
With a smile and flip of the wrist,
Herman Pepperpots
Remember it is never how much something costs, but how much one saves when it is on sale that one must keep in mind.
The red Diore purse is beautiful, and of course it offsets the blue one that is almost identical perfectly.
I wish I could have gone to Paris with you. The thing I miss most about Paris is the cold morning air, mixed with just a hint of bus exhaust, acompanied by the soft, crisp, crunch, of a 30 minute old croissant.
Ian, I can tell that you will never be a fashionista. It is Dior not Diore, although your spelling actually sound more French than the original. Mr. Pepperpots, I would love to see your mesh briefs. No, what I’m a saying. I take that back.
U.R. Rong