Has anyone been to Tati and the Quai des Marques for discount brand names ? We have limited time and don't know if we should just go to one - if so which one - for clothes/accessories shopping. Thanks for any comments.

Since shopping for clothing/accessories is my main objective (job related) I plan on hitting 1) Department stores: Galeries Lafayette and Printemps 2) Flea market: Saint
Ouen Flea Market 3) Small Boutiques : No idea yet - trying to find out the best concentration of these small /unknown boutiques - perhaps in Les Marais ?

Are there any shopaholics out there that may have productive comments ? Thanks for your time.

Yes, the Marais. Also, the Viaduc des Arts, in the 12th arrondissement has unique, upscale shops that are worth a visit just to see, though less likely to help fill your suitcase. Do you like antiques? The Louvre des Antiquaires is a great place to visit, though Saint Ouen is much less of a strain on on the wallet.

Well, no, and sorry, the Viaduc des Arts is not the place for clothing and accessories, nor is the Louvre des Antiquaires. There are small designers sprinked around the 11th arrondissement but no concentration of them there. Also, as a social study (definitely not to buy) it could be interesting to walk it Boulevard Voltaire between the St. Ambroise Metro stop and Place Leon Blum. About four years ago, there was an explosion of wholesale clothiers on this main axis that gobbled up virtually every other buusiness for several blocks, and pronto. God awful clothing! Does anyone actually wear it?

Have you seen this "fashion" string on the Bonjour Paris Web site?

http://bonjourparis.ipbhost.com/index.php?showforum=27

I've been in Tati a couple times and didn't see anything but absolute junk. It was about the quality (or below) of stores like Kmart or Walmart in the US. I have only been to the Saint Ouen flea market once but don't recall any clothing very much -- perhaps some real vintage clothing, but it's mainly for furniture, antiques, etc. I do remember a jeweler selling antique jewelry, though.

It really depends what kind of boutiques you want -- upscale, expensive stuff--traditional or more cutting edge, or more discount stuff from last year similar to seconds stores with labels torn out. There are trendy boutiques around place des Victoires, Etienne Marcel, main part of Saint Germain, and the old standby for expensive, designer stuff Saint Honore, and of course, place de Vendome and the 8th arr. south of the Champs-Elysees. There are "seconds" stores or discount designer stuff on rue d'Alesia. I think that is also true on Saint Placide, but I don't know that street well.

If this is really your main objective and is job-related, I think you should be pursuing this with better resources and research than random threads on Fodors. There are plenty of good resources on this topic, and several people who have published detailed books on the topic.

I once found a cashmere Romeo Gigli scarf at Tati. I think it was 12 francs (this was in 1999). It had to have cost 100 times that at its original price.
You really, really have to comb through all the junk to find the good stuff. I don't know if you want to spend the time. Tati is a great place to find an outfit to wear out to a dance club, then throw in the dustbin the next day.

hey!! half of my current warddrobe was bought from Tati!! i think it looks pretty good.

I thought Tati went out of business?

Thanks for all the helpful hints and to Dave this time. It sounds like Tati should be left off the map when time is limited - glad to know in advance.

I was in HOng Kong for a few days over Christmas 04, there were so many branded labels it was like Starbucks. One on every corner - almost... so no I won't be checking out the branded stuff.. just look at the windows ...I am looking for Creative Indie designs and such...or just getting a flavour of Parisian styles. I have a feeling I will be making yearly trips as I get to write it off for my job.
I have postponed my trip for a couple of weeks so that I have more time to do some research and when weather is more conducive to walking. Got myself a few books on Paris/shopping and a CD for conversation. Only wish I had something that tells you how to pronounce those touristy sites. Any ideas on where to find something like this ? No big deal - I'll wing it..

this reminds me of a time i was walking with my wife towards notre dame and was asking her what she thought about our visit to the Concierge

on old french man sitting at a table outside a cafe we were just passing by shook his head,and blurted out "Conciergereeee"!!