The latest addition to my shopping address book is what we call at home “a strange bird”. Situated in the very happening Etienne Marcel neighborhood, Episode sells vintage (not to say 2^nd hand) clothing and accessories for men and women. Like Kiliwatch, the competition from down the street, Episode offers original 2^nd hand and “renewed” used clothes – pieces that were given new life with a pair of scissors and a sewing machine.

Thanks to affordable prices, here there’s loads to see, a lot to try on and much to buy.

After good 45 minutes of digging, and just as I thought there were no more secrets to explore, a shocking discovery came to change everything: this is actually a BRANCH of what seems to be a second hand clothing CHAIN STORE (what a strange notion… It must be another side effect of the economical crisis…).

From the headquarters in the Netherlands, Episode sends out merchandise to all its branches in Europe – Amsterdam, Rotterdam, London, Brussels, Paris and Antwerp. And that’s not all, there’s also an Online Store.

So now the dream is dead. Even used clothes are no longer rebellious… That’s really a shame… At least we can find comfort in the form of a big yellow bag.

Prices: Dresses 25 euros, Blouses 13, jackets 30, leather boots 35, sweaters 25, bags 25, giant bags 45, belts 7-12, sneakers 25, sunglasses 12.

Episode Paris
12-16 rue Tiquetonne,
75002 Paris

Monday 13:00 till 20:00
Tuesday- Friday 11:30 till 19:30
Saturday 11:00 till 20:00

(After, take a little walk to Kiliwatch at number 64 of that same street. True, they’ve marked-up their prices, but you’re in the neighborhood…)

Lace, pearls, silk scarves and mini dresses. The atmosphere is very girly at Gimmick, a pretty little shop in the 9^th arrondissement of Paris.

This new address was established by two young women sharing a passion: Belinda, back in France after running her own stores in Camden market, London and Valencia, Spain; and Jessica, a young fashion designer. A few weeks ago, the two of them realized many girls’ wet dream, opening their own Parisian boutique not far from Montmartre.

For the moment, Belinda and Jessica are selling their hand made jewelry and some chosen prêt-a-porter labels, but soon (July?) they’re hoping to launch original collections. No boys are allowed in this universe, with the exception of coming to buy a gift for their girlfriend.

Prices: dresses 45-130 euros, accessories 15-20, jewlery (hand made by the owners) 20-30

Gimmick
40, rue de la Tour d’Auvergne
75009 Paris

Open Monday 14:30-19:30, Tuesday to Thursday 11:00-19:30, Friday and Saturday  11:00-20:00.
Tel : 01 48 78 56 77

Valerie Trouillard is a costume designer for the cinema and the theater, who decided to share her knowledge and findings with the public. Last September she opened a boutique of vintage clothing in the Batignolles neighborhood in Paris, where you can find some cool and even rare pieces for a very reasonable price.

What makes the difference between this place and a lot of other vintage shops in this city, is the owner’s trained eye for finding treasures. Shoes, bags, hats, sunglasses and, of course, clothing, mostly from 10 to 50 euros (so this is what happiness feels like…).

Gyppo & Glitterati
Men and women’s vintage (new stock every week)
34, rue Nollet
75017 Paris

Metro Place de Clichy
Open Tuesday to Saturday 11:00-19:30, Sunday 14:00-19:30

After two and a half decades collecting dust in the back of the closet – they’re back! Roller-Skates – like when we were little, like in the movies – are getting more and more popular in the streets of Paris.

In their presence, Images of Olivia Newton-John and ‘The Village People’ pop immediately into the mind of the beholder, along with a sudden urge to put on a pair of hot pants and go disco.

Skates can be made now out of any pair of basketball shoes, avoiding the whole Ice Capades allure. This little detail goes a long way, making the look much easier to wear. Before going to Nomades, 37 Bld Bourdon 75004 Paris (Place Bastille), choose carefully the shoes you’re about to slaughter, and count 108-120 Euros to put wheels on them.