Toulouse- Vintage

Toulouse is a small, walkable, flat city. Really, you shouldn't need to take the subway anywhere here. I spent two nights in Toulouse and you don't need more than half a day to see all of the vintage stores there. Most of the shops are eclectic, not very edited, and most of all- well priced. None of the shops are "nice" and you will have to dig a little, but there are treasures to be found. Many of the shops are located all nearby each other.

Backstage Vintage was praised pretty highly online. Personally, I found the style to be a little too "model off duty". 

Backstage Vintage was praised pretty highly online. Personally, I found the style to be a little too "model off duty". 

Groucho Vintage has two different locations. I'm not totally clear how they're different, but I think this location(the one on Place de la Bourse) is the more inexpensive of the two.  

Groucho Vintage has two different locations. I'm not totally clear how they're different, but I think this location(the one on Place de la Bourse) is the more inexpensive of the two.  

Enter Groucho. Women's is towards the front and men's towards the back. On your left you'll find the good stuff. The right is mainly old mom jeans and sports tee shirts from America. I like Groucho because there is a lot to look at. The racks are pa…

Enter Groucho. Women's is towards the front and men's towards the back. On your left you'll find the good stuff. The right is mainly old mom jeans and sports tee shirts from America. I like Groucho because there is a lot to look at. The racks are packed. Condition and quality may not be totally there, but things are cheap, and you can find something great if you're willing to hunt.

Many printed dresses from the 1960s and 1970s. 

Many printed dresses from the 1960s and 1970s. 

A common theme in many French vintage shops- white cotton eyelet and lace. 

A common theme in many French vintage shops- white cotton eyelet and lace. 

Another common theme- hundreds of mariènere tops in all colors and stripe patterns.

Another common theme- hundreds of mariènere tops in all colors and stripe patterns.

If you're in the market for a leather jacket... 

If you're in the market for a leather jacket... 

And here is what I got! I can never resist red white and blue, and I loved the print mixing, pockets, and puff sleeve on this little cotton dress. It reminds me a lot of something Red Valentino would do.  

And here is what I got! I can never resist red white and blue, and I loved the print mixing, pockets, and puff sleeve on this little cotton dress. It reminds me a lot of something Red Valentino would do.  

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Jet Rag was missing some of its sign when I was there. I would say their style was a little casual for me, and mostly based in denim and Hawaiian shirts. A bigger selection for men than women.

Jet Rag was missing some of its sign when I was there. I would say their style was a little casual for me, and mostly based in denim and Hawaiian shirts. A bigger selection for men than women.

This is Groucho's second location. It is a huge shop, taking up two store fronts. The selection here is still inexpensive, and varies slightly from the other location, in that there are more dressy items and the quality is slightly better.  

This is Groucho's second location. It is a huge shop, taking up two store fronts. The selection here is still inexpensive, and varies slightly from the other location, in that there are more dressy items and the quality is slightly better.  

A rack of many, many trench coats is located in the front of the shop. 

A rack of many, many trench coats is located in the front of the shop. 

Want cashmere? You can find any color here. 

Want cashmere? You can find any color here. 

Again with the white cotton eyelet and lace shirts. Very French. 

Again with the white cotton eyelet and lace shirts. Very French. 

A selection of printed bottoms. 

A selection of printed bottoms. 

Here, there are dresses, mostly from the 1960s.  

Here, there are dresses, mostly from the 1960s.  

I loved the tonal colors, draping, and folded roses, on this soft cocktail dress. 

I loved the tonal colors, draping, and folded roses, on this soft cocktail dress. 

Lots of pins for sale. 

Lots of pins for sale. 

Earrings too. 

Earrings too. 

Au Bonheur des Dames is in a slightly different location of town than all of the other vintage shops, but still is walkable. It is located in an area, nearby all of the high street chains, as well as the designer shops. I liked that their selection …

Au Bonheur des Dames is in a slightly different location of town than all of the other vintage shops, but still is walkable. It is located in an area, nearby all of the high street chains, as well as the designer shops.

I liked that their selection was the most edited in Toulouse. They focus in on traditional white French lace and cotton eyelet, similar to what you can find at any brocante. Their product is in perfect condition, and there is a good amount to look through. Pricing might be slightly higher than some of the other shops, but you can find most under 100 euro. They also carry a small selection of colorful vintage clothing, as well as a large selection of home items. 

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beautiful French white lace gloves. They're would be great even just to use as decoration. 

beautiful French white lace gloves. They're would be great even just to use as decoration. 

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I like how the inset lace trim breaks up the larger scale lace in this table cloth. 

I like how the inset lace trim breaks up the larger scale lace in this table cloth. 

The mannequin outside their shop bears their initials. 

The mannequin outside their shop bears their initials. 

Stacks and stacks of beautiful table cloths. 

Stacks and stacks of beautiful table cloths. 

Clothing is mostly on two racks in the front on the right, and toward the back on either side.  

Clothing is mostly on two racks in the front on the right, and toward the back on either side.  

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If you only have time to visit one vintage shop in Toulouse I would pick Au Bonheur des Dames! Their undeniably French aesthetic is pretty charming.

If you only have time to visit one vintage shop in Toulouse I would pick Au Bonheur des Dames! Their undeniably French aesthetic is pretty charming.

Paris- Palais Royal- Didier Ludot and Gabrielle Geppert

Palais Royal is one of the most beautiful places in Paris.  It is tucked back from the street and is known for its garden and it's open courtyard filled with small striped stands. It is also famous for its unique shops that continue around center. Two of these shops are Didier Ludot and Gabrielle Geppert.

Didier Ludot has two shops in Palais Royal. One is always open and is dedicated to more modern items. Think classic Chanel handbags, their corresponding tweed jackets, and Hermès silk printed blouses.  They also have a mix of other French designers here and it's all fairly well priced for what it is. Of course a Chanel jacket is over 1000 euro, but I also saw things that were priced around 200 euro to 300 euro, when I was there. 

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The Didier Ludot shop you really want to go to, is by appointment only. If you want to dress in clothing that comes from a museum, this is the place for you. Basically everything they have looks like it would fit in well to the permanent collection at the Costume Institute at the Met. And it is all in perfect condition. For many people this shop is the holy grail of vintage.

They have basically every designer you could think of. It veers towards 1950's, 1960's, 1970's, but there is some more modern as well(if it's an extremely collectible designer). They have a lot of Pierre Cardin and Courreges, and the thing that is so wonderful about this shop is that they know the history of the clothing they carry. Think of this shop as couture quality vintage. It is priced accordingly. 

Here is an entire window dedicated to Hedi Slimane's work for Dior.

Here is an entire window dedicated to Hedi Slimane's work for Dior.

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Didier Ludot also has a line of little black dresses that he sells. These are not vintage.

Didier Ludot also has a line of little black dresses that he sells. These are not vintage.

Gabrielle Geppert has a similar concept going on in Palais Royal. Usually she just mans one of the shops, and if you ask nicely, she will bring you over to whichever you like!

Her first shop is extremely well organized. Personally, I don't really go for the classic Parisian Hermès/Chanel look, but if i was going to, I would shop here. 

On the left, this shop primarily has accessories. They have a lot of the more timeless Chanel purses and they also have a great sunglasses selection. On the right, is the clothing. They have it organized by designer, which I guess is pretty easy when you only have Hermès and Chanel! 

I like that this shop feels curated and has a really specific point of view. It makes it easy to shop.

I like that this shop feels curated and has a really specific point of view. It makes it easy to shop.

Gabrielle Geppart has a second shop that is dedicated to her tee shirts and other items with cute screen prints on them. 

The third shop is dedicated to true designer vintage. This is your shop if you like super wearable clothes and accessories from the 60's through 80's. Most of what's here is made from fluid, printed fabric. She has Leonard, Pucci, Yves Saint Laurent, and Jean Patou to name a few. There are a range of prices, but don't expect to find anything under 200 or 300 euro.

What I would say makes Gabrielle Geppert really unique is her selection of accessories.  I would say the accessories are less "designer" than the clothing, but everything in the shop has unique and quirky details. There are a ton of wicker and straw purses from the 60's as well as many leather and suede clutches from the 70's and 80's towards the back of the shop. There are also some shoes and a lot of interesting sunglasses. 

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Gabrielle gave me this tee shirt, which I am very excited to wear on the beach in the South of France!

Gabrielle gave me this tee shirt, which I am very excited to wear on the beach in the South of France!

I think my Kate Spade dress and Marni sandals fit in just right!

I think my Kate Spade dress and Marni sandals fit in just right!

Till next time!

Till next time!

Paris- Thanx God I'm a VIP

Thank god I found this shop. I stumbled across it in an Internet search last time I was in Paris for work. The reason why Thanx God I'm a VIP is so good, is that it has a real point of view, is extremely organized(by color), and has a wide selection at a wide range of price points. Sure there is stuff that's over 100 euro, but I would say most stuff here hits in a sweet spot of 125-300 euro.  

They are located in a neighborhood sort of above the Marais, at 12 rue de Lancry, at the Republic stop on the subway.  Plan to walk around a little, there are a few other vintage shops between here and the Marais.

Thanx God is a pretty large store. There are two separate doors and store fronts next to each other. When you're facing it, on the left is women's and on the right is men's.

Thanx God is a pretty large store. There are two separate doors and store fronts next to each other. When you're facing it, on the left is women's and on the right is men's.

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The windows are currently decorated with a nautical theme. 

The windows are currently decorated with a nautical theme. 

This is in the front of the store on the women's side. It is on the back wall. Again, they have sort of standard French designers like Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent.

This is in the front of the store on the women's side. It is on the back wall. Again, they have sort of standard French designers like Guy Laroche and Yves Saint Laurent.

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This is on the right side of the front room. The cash register is on the left, and there are cases with jewelry and belts in the middle. 

This is on the right side of the front room. The cash register is on the left, and there are cases with jewelry and belts in the middle. 

Also in the front room.

Also in the front room.

Once you leave the front room, on the left there is a narrow corridor with more clothes leading you to the back room. Here, you have mostly white, black, and neutrals, while the front room is colorful. I really wanted the black, white, and red Prada…

Once you leave the front room, on the left there is a narrow corridor with more clothes leading you to the back room. Here, you have mostly white, black, and neutrals, while the front room is colorful. I really wanted the black, white, and red Prada skirt to work for me, but it was a size 44. At 150 euros, whoever gets it is lucky!

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This is the neutral section, at the very back of the store. It is right in front of the fitting rooms. 

This is the neutral section, at the very back of the store. It is right in front of the fitting rooms. 

This section is where you find mostly expensive designer items and colorful coats. I really wanted to make the Leonard lurex printed dress work, but at over 1000 euro, sadly, I could not. 

This section is where you find mostly expensive designer items and colorful coats. I really wanted to make the Leonard lurex printed dress work, but at over 1000 euro, sadly, I could not. 

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Those coats I was talking about. 

Those coats I was talking about. 

This rack is on the other side of the shop. It is mostly longer dresses, in a more casual style.

This rack is on the other side of the shop. It is mostly longer dresses, in a more casual style.

Some more neutral shoes towards the back of the shop. 

Some more neutral shoes towards the back of the shop. 

A small selection of children's clothing

A small selection of children's clothing

This is on the right of the shop,  behind all the men's clothing. I think the way they differentiate what to put over here, versus the other side, is that it's not from designers I have heard of. It's still nice though!

This is on the right of the shop,  behind all the men's clothing. I think the way they differentiate what to put over here, versus the other side, is that it's not from designers I have heard of. It's still nice though!

Looking towards the front of the store

Looking towards the front of the store

This is one half of a skirt suit, that I really liked the print. Unfortunately, it didn't fit me. It was priced under 100 euro. 

This is one half of a skirt suit, that I really liked the print. Unfortunately, it didn't fit me. It was priced under 100 euro. 

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Pretty orange Louis Féraud silk dress at 240 euros. 

Pretty orange Louis Féraud silk dress at 240 euros. 

This blush embroidered fit and flare dress was too small for me, but at 155 euros, could be good for someone else! 

This blush embroidered fit and flare dress was too small for me, but at 155 euros, could be good for someone else! 

Love the color and the fringe! 

Love the color and the fringe! 

Cute white Cacharel ruffle top. 

Cute white Cacharel ruffle top. 

Loved this pleated silk dress from Just Cavalli

Loved this pleated silk dress from Just Cavalli

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Thanx God I'm a VIP is a great store for those looking for wearable, good quality, vintage and modern designer pieces, at a good price. It's an easy place to shop, because it's so well organized and there are always new items to check out!