10 Ways To Immerse Yourself In The Paris Fashion Scene

Make the most of being in one the the four fashion capitals by planning your visit during one of the Fashion Weeks that take place in Paris. Showcasing collections from the most recognized brands and fashion houses from across the globe, these events are renowned by amateurs and serious fashion enthusiasts alike. While show tickets themselves are hard to come by, hang out by any of the catwalk locations and check out what different celebrities, models and bloggers are wearing to this tremendously chic event.

Paris is home to some of the best vintage shops in the world. Whether you identify with the ‘roaring’ 1920s or prefer the ‘swinging’ 1960s, there is no better place to learn about the history of Paris’ fashion scene than by browsing garments from generations gone by. Depending on where you go, you’ll find everything from one-off, iconic statement handbags to handmade, cotton summer dresses in faded pastels.

Why do you think there are so many cafes around Paris? Cafes are the perfect place to people watch, so seat yourself on the terrace of a centrally located cafe and enjoy as your own personal fashion show walks past you. Go to the 1st if you’re after high heels and high fashion, and for laid-back hipster looks, Canal St. Martin is always a safe bet. This is the best way to catch a glimpse of Paris’ fashion scene first-hand and will provide some inspiration for your next shopping spree!

France is where many of the world’s most famous fashion designers got their start, including Coco Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. Specifically, Paris was home to all of these designers’ first creations. Over the years, these names have influenced and inspired generations, pushed boundaries, and challenged closely-held views. These people are the brains behind the Paris fashion scene we see today, so delving into their past is the best way to get inspired, involved and educated about the history of Paris fashion.

Fashion bloggers have thousands of loyal followers for good reason — not only are they exquisitely dressed, but they get to attend all sorts of fashion events the rest of us can only dream of. While clicking on that follow button sadly won’t get us instant access to their inner circle, it does give us the power to follow in their footsteps as they share their knowledge of Paris’ fashion scene. Follow Daphne Mode And The City, Elsa Muse, and Dressing Lee Loo to start, and get inspired.

The window displays in Paris will have you so head-over-heels in love that you may just consider partaking in a bit of daylight robbery — particularly if you’re on the regal Rue St. Honoré, which showcases boutique after boutique of designer treasures. From silky, strappy stiletto sandals to funky, fluorescent fur accessories, Paris’ shop windows will tell you all you need to know about this city’s fashion, and even if you can’t afford the stuff on show, imagining never did anyone any harm!

Paris showcases some of the world’s best fashion exhibitions in its beautiful museums, so it’s always worth seeing what’s on when you’re in town. Musée des Arts Décoratifs houses all manner of creative, temporary exhibitions — from the Creation of Barbie to The History of Buttons, there is always something for everyone. Palais Galliera is Paris’ main fashion museum and has hosted collections by fashion houses like Lanvin in the past.

If you’re bored of looking and want to buy a fashionable treasure, you can buy big and pay little at one of the Dépôt-Ventes and take home a garment that is as timeless as your memories of Paris. The Dépôt-Ventes are second-hand shops unlike any others, full of discount designer fashion that have barely been used or worn. These shops are the perfect place to get your hands on a statement, signature, and iconic French piece from a world-renowned fashion house.

There’s something indescribably chic about a coffee in one hand and a fashion mag in the other, and if that wasn’t enough of a reason to pick one up, glancing through its glossy pages is one of the easiest and best ways to immerse yourself in Paris’ culture and fashion. Vogue and ELLE were both founded in France and feature the most up-and-coming looks around. These publications have incredible reputations, so they should be your go-to source for fashion advice and inspiration.