The Best Vintage and Thrift Shops in Paris

Tucked away at the top of one of the 18th arrondissement’s coolest streets, Chinemachine is a beloved Montmartre institution. Everything in the boutique is hand-picked, and there’s sure to be something in its regularly refreshed inventory to suit your taste and budget. On the men’s and women’s racks, there are luxury labels, the work of local designers, jeans, leathers, the best of the high street as well as one-of-a-kind pieces. If you have some clothes that you think might suit its eclectic mix, you can take them along on Monday to Thursday and see if you can trade them in for cash or a store credit.

There’s nothing like a bit of celebrity endorsement to bolster a brand’s reputation, and British pop singer Paloma Faith – known for her own distinctive vintage style – has done just that for Mamie Blue. More than just a retro clothing store, Mamie Blue provides makeovers and styling, including hair and makeup, a restoration and alteration service, and guidance with costume creation to help you achieve the perfect look for your fancy dress party. The store has clothes to fit every significant cultural era from 1900 to 1980.

The Kilo Shop concept is simple: choose it, weigh it, buy it. Everything in the store – jeans, furs, accessories, you name it – is colour-coded according to its value, and the final price is a function of the weight of the items per colour group. It’s a fun place to shop if you love fashion, and even more fun if you love math. The chain has four other locations in Paris as well as shops across France.

Thanx God I’m A V.I.P. (a.k.a TGV) is a 400sq m (4,305sq ft) luxury vintage boutique with an exquisite selection of clothing and accessories that are meticulously chosen, diligently cared for and helpfully colour-coordinated for easy browsing. Its present incarnation just west of the Place de la Republique in the 10th arrondissement, is the culmination of more than 20 years of experience in the Parisian fashion and nightlife industries by owners Sylvie Chateigner and Amnaye Nhas. Since joining personal and professional forces in 2005, the couple has built a formidable business that combines their passion for killer threads and beats, making it a must-visit destination in the French capital for lovers of both seeking new inspiration.

The Rose Market Boutique is an haute couture vintage clothing store carrying pieces from all the famous fashion houses you can name: Chanel, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy – the list of luxury labels on hand is practically endless. You can also shop for timeless dresses, suits, skirts, coats, bags and more on its carefully curated website.

Kiliwatch Paris has developed its brand in Paris over the past 20 years. It combines quality second-hand pieces gathered from around the globe, featuring major names such as Christian Lacroix, Paul Smith, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Isabel Marant, with exciting new designs from up-and-coming fashion stars. There’s an unbelievable amount to discover across its 600sq m (6,458sq ft), so think about setting aside some serious shopping time to get the most out of your visit.

Come on Eileen is a treasure trove of vintage designer pieces sourced mostly from the 1960s through to the 1990s. The shop is packed with heaving rails of clothing for men, women and kids spread over three floors. Hunt for high-quality pieces and accessories from top brands like Chanel and Dior, Hermes and Yves Saint Laurent, often sold at half their original price. You can find Come on Eileen near Bastille station on Rue des Taillandiers in the trendy Marais district.

Come to Antirouille, set on Rue Gérando, for authentic vintage clothes from 1900 to 1980. Trawl the store for thrifty pieces for men, women and kids as well turn-of-the-century linens, retro sunglasses and accessories. Clothing is re-stocked weekly and often includes rare pieces such as petticoats and lace dresses, velvet jackets and Chanel shoes. Antirouille has been a staple on the Parisian vintage scene since 2010 and was launched by stylist Clémentine Goujet and textile picker Valerie Gaudez.

Those with the will to dig for buried treasure will be well rewarded at Free’P’Star, and nowhere is this truer than in its bursting one-euro bins. There’s plenty on offer for men and women crammed into a small space, so take your time and sift to your heart’s content. Stock changes almost daily so there’s always something new to discover. There are four branches of Free’P’Star across Paris, but the most popular store is located on Rue de la Verrerie.

Tilt Vintage specialises in second-hand finds from the 1960s to the 1990s and also runs a large online operation. Each piece is hand-selected for authenticity and quality, from Levi’s to leather jackets and 1990s Adidas sweatshirts. The clothes are reasonably priced and in mint or near-mint condition. You’ll notice a few Tilt stores in Paris but the boutique in 6th arrondissement is the most popular. New arrivals come in on Thursdays, so time your shopping outing accordingly to get the pick of the bunch.

The simplicity of the store’s name is reflected in the effortless elegance of its high-end range of womenswear available in this 11th arrondissement gem. Think classy designer dresses, one-off embroidered coats and beaded bags buried among racks of wardrobe basics. The store stocks well-loved brands like Issey Miyake, Chloe, Paco Rabanne and Yves Saint Laurent.