I had originally penciled in Saturday as Rug-Buying Day, but instead, I woke up to an entirely unexpected voicemail from the fashion editor of a magazine in Chicago--she was currently in Paris, she would be spending the day resale shopping, would I like to join her?
Tucking my jeans into my most comfortable-yet-chic, flat leather boots, and wrapping a soft, pink and white scarf up to my nose, I soon scrambled downstairs in glee, or as gleefully as is possible on an uneven, spirally, 16th century, WEAR HEELS AT THE RISK OF BREAKING YOUR OWN NECK staircase.
This does not happen to me every weekend, mind you--getting invitations to go shopping with fashion editors--and I can only take it as a sign that THERE ACTUALLY ARE KIND PEOPLE WHO WORK IN FASHION. Especially when one considers that, while interning at this magazine, I was not even remotely involved in the fashion department. (I was a fact checker--wonkishly policing for errors in stories. And let me tell you, in all honesty, I LOVED IT, and you can’t call me a nerd because I JUST TOTALLY BEAT YOU TO IT). But, let’s call this kind editor SJ, and oh yes, let’s also link to her portfolio so you can see how brilliant she is.
You’ll probably want to know what she was wearing (non-metrosexual men, I am so sorry, but I HAVE AN OBLIGATION). Last time I met with SJ, it was at the Café de Flore in March 2004. She was donning Chanel, having come straight from the show. Her coat was black and military-esque if I remember correctly--lots of buttons, très travaillé (very detailed). This is her thing, you see; every fashionable person has a thing, and hers is the coats. She was also wearing orange and white, spectator style high heels. (Yes, this was nearly a year ago, and, why can I remember things like this when I cannot remember my own door code? IT IS A GENETIC DISEASE, PEOPLE). Saturday, SJ wore head-to-toe black right down to her flat Ann Demeulemeester boots.
After kissing hello at our first dépôt-vente in the 16th arrondissement, SJ immediately guided me towards a fur coat that had been swimming on her. It was rather large on me too, which was okay, being that my Official Stance on Fur is, ahem, Officially Forever Waffling (in a department store, I most certainly will not support it, but show me a vintage mink stole and witness the flurry of justifications drop from my mouth like so many glass beads from a broken bracelet).
The saleslady asked if we had seen the price. “C’est très intéressant,” she said. We had seen it, and yes, 90 euros for a gorgeous fur coat is LAUGHABLY ATTRACTIVE. And let me add that this was not a pouffy, wearing-your-mother’s fur coat, as Auntie M captured on a recent, blustery Day in Paris. This was cool fur. Sleek fur. Skinny fur. (Dare I tell you it was made from chèvre? GOAT'S FUR--IT'S CHIC! Who knew?). Thankfully, we did not have to leave it behind. SJ snapped it up for her sister, and we decided to head further downstream on the Seine.
The next store was on a quiet residential street, and we were the only customers. I took this to be an excellent sign, its emptiness belying many a clothing diamond in the rough. It didn’t take us long to find the diamond. Okay, SJ found it--an original André Courreges shift. An original. Courreges. shift. Don’t even get me started on the history, the chic Parisian woman who must have owned that shift and hung out at Le Drugstore (a.k.a. Publicis) in the early 60s.
Hoping not to alarm the saleslady, I said through clenched teeth to SJ, ”it’s so cheap.” And when I say cheap, I mean it was the price of a pair of Gap jeans.
“Try it,” SJ said.
I protested; it looked a bit small, and besides, orange?
“You always have to try,” said SJ The Wise.
And it fit. Damn. it.
When I have a job (see how I haven’t even mentioned the desperate post from yesterday morning, so focused am I on providing you with fabulous shopping content?), maybe I can write about the wardrobe of outrageously chic vintage pieces I will be collecting. But for now, I have to go with items that--dare I say it?--that I need.
For me, vintage shopping is more about bags, belts, costume jewelry, scarves--things that can go with jeans.
And also, have you seen the size of my closet?
“Je vais reflechir,” I said to the sales lady, my throat catching just a little. I'm going to think about it.
The third store we hit was off of the Blvd. Exelmans, still in the 16th arrondissement, and we were certainly not the only customers. There were heaps of designer costume jewelry. Gucci heels, silk Chanel plaid mules with interlocking "CC"s in rhinestones, and good god, the Hermès scarf collection--it was a label whore's paradise.
There were some giddy moments: “Did you see the big Chanel medallion?” I said excitedly to SJ. (Don’t get the wrong impression, I’m more of a Gwyneth than a JLo, but it was JUST. SO. GHETTO. FABULOUS.) There was a leopard print coat in the window that had SJ’s hopes up for a moment, but it turned out to be too large for her. False finds, in the end.
It was getting dark, and we had just made the decision to duck into the corner café for a glass of wine when, in one of those HAWK-eyed moments that surely proves her prowess as a samurai shopper, SJ looks across the street and says “Is that another dépôt-vente?” Before I could open my mouth to tell her I wasn’t wearing my glasses, she was halfway across the street.
It wasn't a dépôt-vente. At first glance, it seemed like any other “overstock” store of its type--selling sale item cast-offs that are there for a reason. But SJ found pieces by a Romanian designer she enjoys, and then, she found a pearly pink Lawrence Steele coat that she adored, but again, it was too big. (I was beginning to see the disadvantages of being as wafer-thin as she).
We zeroed in on the jeans, which spurred a discussion about The Magic that is a nice jean cut. (Are any men still reading this? I'm so sorry). The placement and size of the pocket is essential for the derrière, obviously (not to high, not too low, and SURTOUT not too small).
But this particular French brand fit SJ and I so well, we each bought a pair. And while neither of us found anything vintage for ourselves Saturday, the brand-name of the jeans was, appropriately enough, “Used.”
I can't publish the exact addresses of the stores, being that they are the fruit of SJ’s research, not mine, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind me providing the location where we found the jeans (all of the other stores we hit were within walking distance, just wear your glasses and look for the signs saying "dépôt-vente").
Lou Donna Lea
29 Bd Exelmans
75016 Paris
01.42.88.03.04
The false finds! Story of my life!
The nerd in me loves the nerd in you! You are so funny, my dear! I really enjoy reading your blog. Seriously, write a book.
Anyway, thanks for the addy on the jean shop, i just bought some phatty brown suede flats and need a killer new pair of jeans to go with, right? You gotta support me on this one because my husband just looks at me and is like where we going to put another pair of jeans? Heh.
Posted by: Flare | 02 February 2005 at 01:07 PM
I've lived in France but never in Paris. With the way you and Petite talk, I think I have to move in just for the shopping.
Posted by: srah | 02 February 2005 at 02:01 PM
As I said of Dooce, good writers prove that if you write well you can write about anything.
And it was difficult not to hear Kate Hudson reading this aloud.
Posted by: R J Keefe | 02 February 2005 at 02:17 PM
I am SO JEALOUS. Pea green with jealousy. I need an inspirational shopping day like that, as of late, I've barely found anything to buy.
Posted by: Gloria | 02 February 2005 at 02:25 PM
Darling. You are a shopping savant. Could you be to shopping what our darling Clotilde at C&Z is to food? I believe the answer is YES. Worry not about non-metrosexual men's interest . . THEY HAVE SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, for god's sake.
We, WE, your huddled masses yearning to be chic need you to take up this mantle (sorry for the pun) and bring the magic of youth, Paris and fashion into our cold, drab lives.
Posted by: bluepoppy | 02 February 2005 at 03:30 PM
I second Flare: Hear, hear! The world is DYING for a book by Coquette!
I second Gloria: My green envy is more of a celery color, but it's there, none the less! If you think Coquette is a gifted writer, you should see her in action at a clearance sale. She has a God - given gift. I haven't heard her this excited since she spied a purple Chanel purse at a Palm Beach thrift haunt and I nearly had to call the paramedics.
And I second bluepoppy: We ladies need these fashion inspired posts like we chocolate with a high percentage of cacao. Preach on, Coquette, preach on. We're listening.
Finally, Coquette, I think your last words in life may actually be, "I'm going to think about it." And I love you for it!
Posted by: Kathleen | 02 February 2005 at 03:45 PM
And then I look down at my outfit and cringe. Must go shopping after work!
Posted by: pismire | 02 February 2005 at 03:47 PM
I'm building your fan club... let the xanga invasion begin. :)
Opps, phone... ciao!
Posted by: Flare | 02 February 2005 at 04:01 PM
I love lurking in your blog.. don't normally have anything to contribute, and this is no exception! Just wanted to say "love it".
Posted by: Cryptic | 02 February 2005 at 04:02 PM
Coquette,
I think I absolutely must come down to Paris one day, if you would be willing to shop till you drop with me (and by shop, I mostly mean look, because I am just as jobless as you are, but still, it could be fun... just don't dress too fashionably, cause lord knows I am not extremely blessed in that category).
Posted by: kim | 02 February 2005 at 05:07 PM
*lumbers in dressed in a bedsheet and lugging a keg of beer*
Errr...
(pause)
(blink blink scratch)
This isn't the toga party... is it?
PS : I enjoyed reading that. I really did. Think I should be worried?
Posted by: Mathieu | 02 February 2005 at 05:19 PM
I am SO living vicariously through you.
Posted by: lizardek | 02 February 2005 at 06:09 PM
i second lizardek. even though i live in new york (one of the great shopping cities of the world) all of the vintage shops here have been picked over by the 5th ave vultures as they were. i never wanted to visit paris until i read your blog :) keep writing about your everyday life and you'll have a dedicated reader in me.
Posted by: gleek | 02 February 2005 at 06:33 PM
I second Kathleen: On everything. Well put. Ahhh, the purple Chanel purse from Palm Beach. I still remember the twinkle in her eye as she described the crime scene. Yes, it was a crime to price Chanel the way they did. Yes, we all love them for it.
Posted by: Aimee | 02 February 2005 at 09:24 PM
Oh, and Co:
Bra. vo.
Posted by: Aimee | 02 February 2005 at 09:27 PM
Having the honor of living in the half-the-size-of-my-dorm-room apartment of my dear coquette last summer, I was fortunate enough to tag along on some of these top secret shopping missions during the weekends. There's nothing better than searching les marchés aux puces for a "really cool vintage broach" on a cool summer day (well - more often hot as hell summer day). Ah, can't wait to do it all over again. See you in May!
Posted by: Jen | 02 February 2005 at 11:16 PM
Wow, that sounds like so much fun! I'd love to visit one of those shops you went to. Now I'm in the mood to do a bit of shopping.
Posted by: Milly | 02 February 2005 at 11:21 PM
can i just say, in my usual highschool way, you are AWESOME.
i'm sorry for the men on the site, but i love clothes. and love shopping. and i love how glamorous i have your life pictured in my head - in france with friends and pretty much everything, well, awesome.
and you're a really good writer. which i'm not, and i'm insanely jalouse. not to mention i just want to live in france and be something that's not me. in france. mais ca c'est une autre histoire.
you should write a book, because teen girls like me will snap it off the shelves as they try to live vicariously through you. and IKEA sells pretty nice rugs.
Posted by: elizabeth | 03 February 2005 at 02:30 AM
ooo la la. (ha. so cliche of me). Your day sounds fantastic. Love the writing. Love the jeans. Love your blog.
oxo
Posted by: terra | 03 February 2005 at 03:05 AM
Yet another person who love La Coquette!
http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?user=trcs&tab=weblogs&uid=198097905&nextdate=last
Write a book.
Now. :-)
Posted by: Flare | 03 February 2005 at 09:26 AM
Next time you'll have to come up to the north part of the 16th. There are some dépôt-vente places here and then I can follow you around to see how the professionals do it.
Posted by: Auntie M | 03 February 2005 at 09:57 AM
bravo ! another brilliant report, explaining how so many people can still wear fashionable clothes, while everybody in this country is complaining not to have a single cent left once the tax collector has passed.. ehehe ! Bravo !
Posted by: Negrito | 03 February 2005 at 12:01 PM
you. didn't. buy. the. courrege shift????
i'm horrified.
but otherwise, i'm really happy to have found your blog here... aimee/flare suggested it, and i quite like it. i loved your letter explaining the rug requirement!
oh, and i also hella dig the pockets on those jeans...
Posted by: jessica | 03 February 2005 at 06:36 PM
I think I'm a little too invested in your site Co. I had a dream about you last night...curious.
Posted by: Aimee | 03 February 2005 at 07:47 PM
Oh, Jessica, once you get better acquainted with Coquette, you will see that she rarely buys the gems. Sometimes, but not usually. But, in denying herself the blissful splurge (and saving her pocketbook) she allows herself the tiny consolation of always having the story of the Courrege shift, the Chanel purse, the Cynthia Rowley something or other... And, in the end, the story may just be better than the precious designer find.
Me, I'd go broke and BUY THE DAMN SHIFT!
Posted by: Kathleen | 03 February 2005 at 09:33 PM
Good thing I'm right here at my computer to retaliate my old friend's comment above, even though she is in a whole different time zone. Kathleen, darling, I love that you make me sound so not materialistic and *above* it all, but is your memory so short term as to not remember that I BOUGHT the Cynthia Rowley dress? Have my Famous Ebay Finds so quickly slipped your mind? (I'll remind you here--Burberry trenchcoat and Lacoste polos) Finally, I'm still KILLING myself for letting that Chanel purse go, but THANKS FOR REMINDING ME!
Posted by: Coquette | 03 February 2005 at 09:44 PM
I have no idea what you're talking about half the time, yet I find myself compelled to read. Must be spell-bound by the mystique of the name, Coquette. :)
Posted by: Bob | 03 February 2005 at 11:12 PM
remembering the thrill of your bidding on and "winning" a certain red gingham e-bay dress.... and the dissappointment in your eyes upon discovering that it was in fact what seemed to be a Gilligan's Island's Mary Anne costume ...... I'm sure your skills at separating the virtual wheat from the chaff have improved since then....
Posted by: mary | 04 February 2005 at 01:31 AM
Well, well, well. My "real life" friends *never* comment and now that they have stepped up, it is to MOCK ME ON MY OWN BLOG.
I suppose I had this coming after years of subjecting them to my Tales of Shopping.
Re: the "Mary Anne costume", Mary, as any truly GREAT Ebay shopper will tell you, it is an *art* and one must take risks and suffer for their art ;)
Posted by: Coquette | 04 February 2005 at 02:09 AM
I LOVE those 16th arrondisement depot ventes! I am green with envy (but also imminently entertained) after reading this post. Been meaning to put your blog on my links page, but there are some technical difficulties in advicegoddess-land at the moment.
Have you discovered L'Espace Createurs underneath Les Halles? Young designers -- some very cool stuff, and some priced quite right. There's also a little set of depot-vente shops I like...Cheminippes or something like that, on Cherche-Midi, near the Duroc Metro.
Posted by: Amy Alkon | 04 February 2005 at 05:16 AM
Just trying to add another comment to make the for the most commented blog ever. Carry on.
Posted by: Jen | 04 February 2005 at 08:35 AM
What size was that Courreges shift and do you think it's still there???
Posted by: alessandra | 04 February 2005 at 01:20 PM
HA! It was a size 38, I believe. 60 euros. If you buy it you have to promise to put a photo on Paris Photo Journal!
Posted by: Coquette | 04 February 2005 at 01:31 PM
Oh, Mary, well done! The red gingham dress was perhaps THE BEST of all Coquette's ebay finds... I even have a little picture of the humble redhead wearing it. (Blackmail opportunities galore!)
And no, my darling Coquette, I hadn't forgotten the Cynthia Rowley dress (or pink sailor pants OR fabulous jacket)...but need I remind you of THE call from Filenes, mad panic in your voice, inquiring as to whether or not you should buy me, sight unseen, two or three frocks by the great CR? Really, you showed some great restraint when you only showed up with the pants, n'est ce pas? And who else but you could have managed to pay discount prices for clothes that were selling for full retail price a mere three L stops away? =)
Posted by: Kathleen | 04 February 2005 at 04:02 PM
Aww. updates. plz. thx. :-)
Posted by: Cryptic | 04 February 2005 at 04:20 PM
Now I know why I kept reading it...I figured a shift sounded like underwear, and there's nothing that guys pay more fashion attention to than underwear... :)
Posted by: Bob | 04 February 2005 at 06:20 PM
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http://www.cesurturk.org
Posted by: ... | 31 December 2007 at 02:13 PM
Oh, and Co:
Bra. vo.
http://www.hhikaye.com
Posted by: doom | 08 January 2008 at 04:30 AM