My friends just arrived from Paris and they told me how expensive shopping is. I would like to know where we can go for affordable but still trendy and stylish clothes?

If you're American, the current exchange rate really pumps up the prices (think of each euro as a dollar, then add 20 percent). There are some sweet shops in the Marais and also in the Bastille district that might offer the types of things you're looking for.

Also check out Colette on rue St. Honore in the 2eme (but it will be pricier). Throughout the city there's a Spanish chain called Zara that's very affordable, but I think there's a Zara in New York now, so maybe that's not as appealing. Same goes with H & M (Swedish, ultra cheap and it shows).

For trendy things, I'd avoid the big department stores (I think they're better for classics).

I never seem to have a problem finding things to buy
shopping in the Marais can be fun, small interesting boutiques, around the Left Bank, farther away from the Blvd St Germain you can find some small interesting shops and great shoe stores.
I have always been lucky finding not too expensive things in the Galleries Lafayette, things you won't find in a mall.
If you are spending money and want to get the best value for it, perfume and hand bags, made in France always seem to be the best buys to me. I try to bring home a nice leather Longchamp bag each visit..they run about $50-100 less than they sell for here in the States.
Happy Shopping!

Agree about Zara and H&M also check out Kookai stores. Was just in Paris and my friend and I picked up some cute casual stull at all 3 places in Monteparnesse.

I don't usually buy clothes there but I love getting little things for myself and friends. They're easy to pack and less expensive. The Marais is on of my favorite areas for specialty shops, (lots of clothes shops too.) I especially like the Sattelite store for jewelry and the Esteban store for candles, scented rocks, soaps and other smelly stuff. These are things available here, but not in the variety and perhaps a tad less expensive. Also in the Marais is a shop off the Place de Vosges called UBU. Great handmade jewlery. My things from UBU are complimented all the time and I've gone back to get gifts for friends. Finally, I love the Fragonard stores. More expensive but great stuff; soaps, room scents, candles. Friends now request their stuff. There's a store near the Opera. Sometimes the home department at BHV has great inexpensive things too.

I went to Galeries Lafayettes at the end of my last trip and realized that I should have saved most of my shopping for there since you get the Visitor's discount of %10 off most things plus detaxe, when you qualify (over 170 euro or something like that), and that's not hard to do! For example, if you only want a few bars (or several, yet not 170 euro worth) of Occitane soap, wait and buy it there where it will go towards the detaxe. Also, I bought an Anne Fontaine blouse, and had I bought it at one of her stores, it would have cost me more.
Obviously, there are a gazillion wonderful shops in Paris that aren't represented at GL and that are so much fun to shop in, but for the ones that are, it makes sense to buy the items there.
I was musing about why I never did this before, but I guess it wasn't so important when the dollar was so strong. I'm strategizing for my next trip, as yet not scheduled!

Have fun!

When you get to Paris buy the book "Paris Pas Cher 2004" to guide you to budget shopping. The book is about e15.

Paris, with the current exchange rate, is a far more expensive place to buy clothing than the US, where you can always find something chic at a discount store. That said, you can find bargains at H&M (they stock different stuff in Paris from what they stock here, but it really is kind of cheap stuff), Zara as has been mentioned, and for teen girls ETAM and Pimkie.
But I wouldn't plan on finding any gret bargains in Paris, or, unless you are really looking at haute couture, anything vastly different from what you could buy in the USA for a far better price.

One of my favorite places to shop for clothes is at C & A. There are two locations....one on Blvd Housseman (sp)by Galleries Lafayette and one on Rue Rivoli. It's pretty much where the "everyday" French women shop. I especially love their skirts, blouses and jackets.

I always bring a duffle bag in my suitcase to bring all my clothing purchases home in.

Have fun!

Margy

H+M forever!! But make sure you go early or the good stuff sells out.

I have done some clothes shopping in the past but the Gap was quite a novelty (We don't have any in the Republic of Ireland) and in the UK the Stg is too much. I also took advantage of the Galleries Lafayette 10% discount and bought a Zara coat for €90.00 and an expensicve trouser/skirt combo. I never paid as much for something and it was worth every penny. I have worn it to more weddings and occasions than any other piece of clothing I have bought for special occasions. You can buy in bulk and get a few things or splurge on one outsit and enjoy it.