Shopping for Clothes in Paris
 

Would like to shop for Faconnable clothing in Paris but do not want to upset the sales people. What are the expected manners when going into one of their shops? We love the quality and fit of Faconnable but would like to try on slacks before purchase. Is this acceptable? Any help would be appreciated.
These purchases would be for men as well as women. Thank you

Almost all my husband's casual wear comes from Faconnable. He loves the quality, style and comfort.
Of course, you can try on clothes before buying.
Do not just root through the clothes, however, trying to find what you like. You will make the sales staff nervous, even if they don't immediately try and stop you from doing it. Start looking at the items you're interested in, touch them GENTLY, and then be prepared for the salesperson to take a more active role in pulling out the shirts, pants, etc.
If possible, learn the European equivalent of the sizes you need ahead of time. The sales staff *should* be able to tell you what they are, but no guarantees. Also don't be surprised if you have to "bump up" a size or two, as French clothes, including Faconnable, may be cut smaller than the brands you're used to. In other words, if you wear a 10, don't be surprised that you need the French equivalent of a size 12.
My husband wears a size 17 1/2 shirt, but he always buys size 45 (18") shirts because the 44s are a little too snug.
Finally, be pretty sure about your purchases before you buy. Don't be pressured into anything you're not 100% (or close to) about. Because while buying clothes in Paris is very easy, returning them is another thing altogether. Buying Faconnable at Faconnable is very different from buying Faconnable at Nordstrom's!
BTilke (Brussels)
P.S. With any luck, they will have samples on hand of the various Faconnable colognes. To find out, make some admiring comments about the colognes, then ask if they have any "echantillons." (French for samples--along that line, whenever you buy skin care, perfume or makeup in France, whether at Sephora, a department store or a pharmacy ALWAYS ALWAYS ask for echantillons!! Everybody carries them)

Say bonjour when you enter the store. Stores operate the same way as those in the states. Chances are the sales person will speak a bit of English- try a bit of French (mine is horrid, but I try). I usually gesture to try things on, and use my hands to indicate bigger or smaller.

Well, now that you have been properly "instructed" like some semi-uncivilized school child in how to act in a clothing store, allow me to include my own experiences.
I do NOT use hand gestures unless after I have politely asked in anyone speaks English everyone shrugs their shoulders, etc. Contrary to mythical belief there are a great many folks in Paris who enjoy having the opportunity to speak English. But, if you wish to act like some other person than the CUSTOMER, that's up to you.
Assuming you are an honest individual and either actually declare your excesses to Customs when you return or spend less than your duty-free amount, I'd be curious to see if your overall, total prices for clothing were considerably better than buying the same brand here at home. Admittedly it isn't available everywhere but you've obviosuly found a source here for it.
Oh, and please do act politely...after all you wouldn't want the Europeans to think we are a bunch of oafs..even if you are about to spend a lot of money.

JonJon- I do not wish to pick a fight (as you have) but the questions asked were basic and simple- as were the answers.
I agree that many people in the shops can, will, and do speak english. However I see nothing wrong with supplementing my terrible German/French/spanish with a few gestures and a smile.
I can only assume from the tone of your post that I led you to believe that I romp around a store making mad ape like gestures. I can assure you that the movements are minimal not animal in nature.

In the past I've usually found that buying designer clothing locally (in Europe) can be a cheaper. If you spend past a limit, you can usually claim some taxes back (around 10-12%) at the airport. Now I'm not so convinced, since the Euro is pretty high. But still, you never know what you'll end up finding, which is part of the fun in shopping. Although the same store may be available in the US, the same item need not be. And I try to buy during the sale season, and items which are on sale can differ across stores.

I forget what the tax exemption is for US residents -- $800 these days? Well obviously it's possible to exceed this amount, but that's still a healthy sum to have an exemption on.

By the way, winecruiser, to return to your questions, you've some good advice. I think that it pretty works the same there as elsewhere. And you can certainly try the stuff on before purchasing. Of course you may find it a little intimidating buying in a foreign city, but really in reputable stores, you shouldn't have any trouble with the store assistants.

Happy shopping.

BTilke, Highledge, 111op,
Thank you all so much for your information. My orginal query was based on the premise that I did not want to offend the shopkeepers since people in the US tend to "rummage" through clothing which I abhor. BTilke, will you please let me know how to say the word for samples in English? Thank you again and oh by the way, JonJon, I don't understand your response - it was a perfectly legitimate question - who are you upset with today?

Oh brother! This type of question always brings out the Pronunciation Police, but here goes:
"Avez vous des echantillons?"

Ahvay voo days ayshahnteeyohn?

(note: you DO pronounce the s at the end of "des" in this particular case, but you DON'T pronounce the s at the end of echantillons. And before I hear from those saying that "des" should be pronounced more as dehs rather than days, or some such thing, please, I'm trying to make this as SIMPLE as possible and not get into some complicated linguistic blether about breath sounds or tongue placement or yadda yadda yadda)

Don't overlook the large dept. stores, such as Galeries Lafayettes, as a good place to shop, b/c you can save aother 10% on most things with the visitor's pass, in addition to the detaxe.

Is it a typical custom in Paris that you choose an item, pay a cashier, then take the sales receipt back to the sales clerk to pick up the item?

Or, do you choose an item, carry it to the cashier and pay, as you do in the U.S.?

Or, does it depend on the type of store?
Thanks...

Depends on the store. Sometimes, after you choose an item, the salesperson will take it over to the cashier. FYI, you may be asked if you want the item "emballe" or an "emballage"--which means do you want it gift-wrapped. Despite their great wrapping skills, it's *probably* best to say no, since you may be required to unwrap it for customs. OTOH, if you're buying a bouquet of flowers, they'll ask if it's "pour offrir?"--i.e., as a gift and then we always say YES because they do such a pretty job of wrapping the bouquet in cellophane paper and ribbons.

First off, I'd strongly agree that the big department stores can be a lot easier: although not all (or maybe even most) of the individual sales clerks speak English, all of the big stores have "welcome" desks that do have english-speaking staff.

As for taking the goods directly to a cashier, in a department store that will depend on whether or how much the clerk has helped you. In most cases when you are buying fashion-label clothing, the clerk will show you the garment and where to use the fitting room. If you decide to buy it, the clerk will bring it to the cashier for you. However, if you are just picking items off a rack or table, you can just bring the stuff yourself to the cashier.

Hi wine, I think that if you want to try something on, you can probably just hold the article and say "Je peux essayer?" ("Can I try?") Not sure if this is really correct French, but store assistants can intuit what you want. C'est plutot gros(se) (a little too big); plutot petit(e) (a little small). All fairly simple phrases and I think that they can guess what I want to say.

Travel -- I usually take the item to the cashier and pay. I'm not an expert, of course. But it does depend on the store. I seem to remember that when I bought a Louis Vuitton bag I had to pay in advance and then pick up the item. But that could have been an odd case -- as you know, they ration the number of bags they sell; I believe they needed my passport. I can also imagine that there're cases where the assistant takes your card and swipes it and then bring the item to you. So it's pretty much the same as it is here in the US -- what a surprise. :-)

111op: "Plutot" is an adverb meaning "rather" or "sooner," and could be totally incomprehensible to a French speaker in the context you are describing. If you want to say "a little" the expression is "un peu."

Thanks, S. Yes, aware that it meant "rather." But was thinking that it would work in this case -- "un peu gros" doesn't sound right to me, but then, well your French is probably better than mine. :-) I'll take your word for it.

When all fails, just make a minimal gesture and say "gros(se)" or "petit(e)," I guess. :-)

By the way, I did some searches -- "grand(e)" is probably better than "gros(se)". I think that the latter probably applies more to physique than an item of clothing. Tight = serr'e, by the way.

You're right, 111op: "gros" means "fat," and might apply to the person :), not to the clothes.

M_kingdom, your nose is held so high in the air, I wonder if you are getting enough oxygen up there.