The Paris Shopping Guide: Chanel

After my last Paris shopping guide on Hermes, I received requests to do various other editions, including quite a few for Chanel. Since I’m currently unable to travel myself (so frustrating when you’re suffering from some serious wanderlust as I am right now), I thought I would put together some travel shopping posts for those lucky enough to be traveling.

So without further ado, my Paris shopping guide, for Chanel!

1. Get ready for a crowd. My experience is largely limited to the St Honore, Cambon and Montaigne locations (which I listed in order of personal preference by the way), but I imagine they’re all quite similar – aka stuffed to the gills with eager purchasers to be. I’ve always found Montaigne to be the worst for some reason – I’ve always entered and turned around and gone right out. Never have completed a purchase (Alaia is just a short stroll away though, enjoy!).

Anyway, get ready for some jostling and limited seating space, and possibly a queue. This isn’t always the case, and I hope that when you go, you’ll stroll right in, get a wonderful sales person, and have a memorable experience. I’d say that’s been what I’ve found maybe 50% of the time (it helps to go during off season). But otherwise….be prepared.

2. Have a list ready. Chanel isn’t like Hermes, where rightfully so or not, it may feel like just breathing the wrong way will earn you the dreaded words “not in stock” while your exact requested item sits in some dungeon stockroom awaiting a more civilized purchaser. In my experience, you don’t need to worry about that with Chanel. If the store has an item in stock, it will generally sell it to you (fascinating concept, no?). So if you want a Chanel Boy, in a very specific color and size? Let the salesperson know right away, along with anything else.

Since I am an efficient shopper and never know when I might have an impatient husband in tow, I usually have a small list prepared of what I’m looking for. I’ll give it to the sales associate, have a nice chat about my tastes and anything else I might be seeking, and then sit and wait for what they have. It’s still fun to window browse and explore, but when things are hectic, I find a descriptive list works best.

3. If you want the calmest experience, consider venturing to the ready to wear section. I love admiring Chanel ready to wear, and it’s always a pleasure to check out the different offerings in each collection. Yes, it’s truly gut wrenching the number of times I’ve picked up an item only to discover not just four, but five digits on its price tag, but sometimes I find a wonderful gem that I wait until sale season for.

Anyway…whenever I decide to do some leisure shopping now, I generally just go straight for the clothing. It’s always less hectic there. I’ve never had an issue getting help right away…there’s more seating…oh, and did I mention the amazing fabrics, and styles? Plus, another perk? The same salesperson can then help you with shoes, bags, jewelry, and anything else you might desire, away from the crowds. You can walk through the store, pick out what you like, and then go back to the relative oasis that is ready to wear to try it all on. Bliss!

If anyone else has tips to share about shopping in Paris for Chanel, feel free to share…as well as any other experiences/feedback as well! And just for your reference, here is a list of all the locations where you can find Chanel, in Paris.