All Articles 10 best vintage shops in Paris for second-hand gems

10 best vintage shops in Paris for second-hand gems

Vintage button shirts on a clothes rack in Paris
Image: Becca McHaffie / Unsplash
By Dina Malyana8 June 2022 5 minutes read

The spirit of vintage shopping thrives in Paris. Apart from the glossy stores of luxury brands, vintage shops selling second-hand gems are sprinkled around the city. Locals embrace these stores because they support sustainable fashion and offer the satisfaction of bargain-hunting.

Join in the hype and discover the joys of vintage shopping in Paris. The trendy Marais, in particular, is a hotspot for its medley of street fashion and high-end labels like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. For vintage jewelry and homewares, flea markets like Marche d'Aligre provide better options than vintage clothing stores.

Without further ado, here are the best vintage shops and markets in Paris.

1. Kilo Shop

A mannequin dressed in vintage clothing at Kilo shop in Paris
Image: Management / Tripadvisor

Say yes to second-hand clothes by the kilo. In Kilo Shop, clothes for men and women are labeled with a colored sticker. The price is determined by the weight of the item. It ranges from 20 to 60 euros per kilo, depending on the color of the sticker.

The popularity of this concept is evident in the multiple Kilo Shop branches dotted around Paris. Head to the stores in Saint-Germain and the Marais for the best variety of vintage clothing and accessories.

While shopping in this thrift store, don’t be too quick to add something to your basket. Instead, bring each item you’re eyeing to the scales available in the store to check its price before making a decision.

Locations:

  • 65 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris
  • 69-71 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris
  • 125 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris
  • 8 Boulevard de Magenta, 75010
  • 23 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris
  • 10 Boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris

2. Thanx God I'm A V.I.P.

Thanx God I'm A V.I.P. is the gold standard of vintage shops in Paris. This vintage boutique curates fashionable items from prestigious brands such as Alaïa, Chanel, Hermès, and Lanvin.

Walking the length of this U-shaped shop in the Montorgueil district is an experience in itself. The menswear and womenswear sections are separate, but both are equally pleasing to the eye with clothes arranged by color.

Whether you’re searching for a staple blazer, a versatile black dress, or a designer bag to add to your collection, you won’t leave empty-handed. In case you get tired while shopping, drop by the cozy lounge for a drink.

Location: 12 Rue de Lancry, 75010 Paris

3. Cheap Frip Vintage

Cheap Frip Vintage makes a convenient addition to your explorations of the 2nd arrondissement. Despite its central location, this store is under the radar.

Ladies and gents alike will be pleased with the immense collection in this vintage store. Browse through the shelves to find the vintage renditions of your favorite sportswear brand, whether it’s Nike, Adidas, or Reebok. Pair that classic Levi’s 501 with a Lacoste polo shirt, and throw on a Fila jacket over your shoulder.

All the items are reasonably priced. On top of that, they are in such excellent condition, many shoppers mistake them for brand new clothes.

Location: 158 Rue Saint-Denis, 75002 Paris

4. Marche d'Aligre

Lively Marche d'Aligre in Paris in the day
Image: Maria Helena N / Tripadvisor

Marche d'Aligre is the combination of a food market and a flea market. Open daily except on Mondays, this lively market in the 12th arrondissement attracts locals from all corners of Paris. The food vendors operate largely under the roof of Beauvau Hall. The flea market takes place outdoors, from Place d'Aligre extending to the surrounding streets.

You’ll spot tables covered with mountains of clothes. Rummage to your heart’s delight in the second-hand stalls. You’ll need to sift through many piles to find designer items—but once you stumble upon something you like, it’s likely to be a steal. Some vendors price their goods at just 1 or 2 euros, while others are happy to bargain with you.

Location: Place d'Aligre, 75012 Paris

5. Tilt Vintage Paris

Tilt Vintage is a firm favorite in Paris’ vintage shopping scene. This clothing chain has two boutiques in Paris: one in the 6th arrondissement and the other in the heart of the Marais. They specialize in clothes and accessories from the ’60s to the ’90s.

Pick up a leather jacket that never goes out of style, or give a new lease of life to mohair sweaters and pleated trousers. Don’t skip the retro sportswear section that's jam-packed with football and basketball jerseys from another era.

Visit the boutiques on Fridays to get your hands on new arrivals. If you need help putting together an outfit, approach the friendly staff.

Locations:

  • 10 Rue Saint-Placide, 75006 Paris
  • 8 Rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris

6. Kiliwatch

A popular store in the 2nd arrondissement, Kiliwatch offers a mix of vintage items and new clothes spread over 600 square meters of floor space.

Rummage through the racks to find Burberry trench coats and patterned blouses from the ’70s and ’80s. This shop also features international brands from UK-based Universal Works and HYMN to Japan’s Momotaro Jeans. Speaking of jeans, Kiliwatch has a massive collection of vintage denim from Edwin, Levi’s, and Lee. You’ll discover many timeless pieces, from shorts and overalls to denim jackets.

Compared to other vintage clothing stores, Kiliwatch is considered pricey—but it’s worth the visit for its wonderfully curated pieces in tip-top condition.

Location: 64 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris

7. Portes de Vanves Flea Market

Portes de Vanves Flea Market in Paris in the day
Image: Management / Tripadvisor

Every Saturday and Sunday, the Portes de Vanves Flea Market comes alive with hundreds of vendors setting up shop in the 14th arrondissement of Paris.

This vintage market in Paris is dedicated to all things antique, from furniture and silverware to artworks and books. Amid the ancient treasures and bric-a-brac, you can find a sprinkling of vintage clothing and jewelry.

For the best buys, start your vintage shopping as soon as the market opens at 7 a.m. From Porte de Vanves metro station, walk to Avenue Marc Sangnie and continue down Avenue Georges Lafenestre.

Location: Avenue Georges Lafenestre, 75014 Paris

8. Vintage Désir

The word ‘coiffeur’ (French for ‘hairdresser’) is plastered on the shopfront of Vintage Désir, causing passers-by to raise their eyebrows when they realize it’s a clothing shop. This spirit of embracing history continues in the interior which is crammed with vintage clothes and shoes.

This boutique in the Marais attracts a clientele of female students because of its affordable prices. You’ll be hard-pressed to find anything above 20 euros here. With scarves for 3 euros, skirts for 5 euros and dresses for 10 euros, you’ll fill your luggage quickly. On top of that, a fresh batch of clothes arrives each day.

Take note that the shop is small, so avoid weekends if you don’t wish to jostle with the crowds. Also, check the items closely for missing buttons and tears before heading to the payment counter.

Location: 32 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris

9. Mamie Blue

A visit to Mamie Blue feels like you’re unearthing a time capsule. This vintage store in the 9th arrondissement is a treasure trove of clothes dating as far back as the 1920s. Think fancy dresses and sharp men’s suits that are fit for the theater stage.

Complete the look with glasses, hats, and jewelry. The shop restores clothes when necessary, so you can expect vintage finds in excellent condition.

It’s run by Brigitte, an expert in the world of old-fashioned clothes. Apart from selling clothes, she offers rental services and vintage makeovers. So why not book an appointment and transform yourself for a photo shoot at the Eiffel Tower?

Location: 69 Rue Marguerite de Rochechouart, 75009 Paris

10. Vintage Clothing Paris

Vintage Clothing Paris is a hidden gem for high-end womenswear in the 11th arrondissement. This boutique has a fine selection of luxury vintage items, many of which have been featured on runways or in magazines.

Take your pick of stylish dresses by designer labels such as Celine, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent. It’s not all about the French brands, though. There are also vintage bags by Spanish designer Paco Rabanne and standout skirts by Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto.

For a sneak peek at what’s available in stores, check out the website or Instagram page of Vintage Clothing Paris.

Location: 10 Rue de Crussol, 75011 Paris

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Dina Malyana
Dina Malyana is a Singaporean writer and marketing specialist who’s living the good life in France. She’s also a travel addict who’s lost count of the number of countries she’s visited. When she’s not traveling, she’s probably planning her next trip.