How to shop a French flea market

I’m not a big shopper. That doesn’t mean I don’t like clothes or fashion, I just don’t like shopping. This is why I do the majority of my shopping online where I get the basics and never pay full price thanks to sites like www.RueLaLa.com and www.eBates.com. Then once a year when I visit my parents in the South of France, I hit the flea markets and cheap boutiques for the fun stuff. 

So how do you come home from France, Italy or Spain with some decent goods that don’t break the bank? After 10 years, I’ve perfected my system.

1.  Take inventory before you go.  Throughout the year, I make a note of items I need to “complete” my wardrobe. This year it was a leather backpack for travel, a small handbag, a pair of comfy shoes to commute to work in, biker boots, a white watch for summer, some fun sunglasses, a black belt, and  summer tops. Then I stick to this list unless I find something really, really cool.

2.  Shop for items not for brands.  If you are a Brandinista, i.e. you only shop brand names, this is not going to work for you. I look for items, not brands and stay far away from anything that is too closely identified with a brand (i.e., a Louis Vuitton or Coach-like bag).

3.  Check out a few fashion magazines or websites before you go.  As soon as I land in France, I buy a UK version of Marie Claire, Red or if I can’t find those two – a UK Glamour.  Love the UK ones – they are much more fashion-forward and have articles with funny slang and all about WAGS (Wives and Girlfriends of footballers).  I page through there to see what’s in style for the items on my list. 

4.  Bring cash.  Flea markets don’t take credit cards.  And you can pull the old “I only have $xx.xx on me.”

5.  Case the joint.  I usually do a round of my favorite boutiques in St. Tropez before I hit the flea market.  I found a bag I liked in a boutique for nearly $200. Liked it, didn’t love it, but was pleasantly surprised to find the same bag in a better color at the flea market with a guy willing to sell it to me for almost half the price of the one in the store.

6.  Know your size.  French sizes run small, but I know my European size and my shoe size. Don’t know? Try a few things on in a boutique with a dressing room while you’re casing things out.

7.  Be flexible.  I wanted a leather backpack to replace my old one, but instead had to settled for a messenger bag (which, frankly, were more in style according to the fashion mags).  I also struck out looking for comfy black platform pumps or gray kitten heels.  But then I kept seeing imitation Tod’s Driving Mocs.  While this was a totally different direction, I zoned in on a pair of suede orange ones (the bright colors looked more fun).  But, of course, they didn’t have my size (darn all those French with their tiny feet!).  But I did find a pair of backless bright red patent leather ones.  They were great in the airport when you have to slip them on and off and even when you want to put on socks cuz the cabin is freezing.  Voila!  My new travel shoes! (Tod’s driving mocs: $340; mine = $40). 

Pictured below is this year's loot!

 

8.  Sometimes an item looks more expensive in different colors.  Both the bag and the shoes didn’t look great to me in other colors.  In fact, in some of the other colors they looked really cheap.

9.  The less bling the better.  I hit the jackpot with white rubber/plastic watches – there were tons to choose from, but 99% of the ones at the flea market were basically bedazzled gone wild, making them look even cheaper.  I finally found one with minimal bling.  The no bling rule also applies to clothes, bags & sunglasses.  The more bling, the more flea market it looks.

Sadly I struck out on the small handbag and the biker boots.  The good news about the boots is that I did find the perfect pair.  The bad news – they were $800.  I’m not going to pay more for boots than I once paid for a car, so I’ll just wait until next year when the knockoffs will be at the flea market.

And no, I’m not hoping to fool anyone into thinking I’m wearing a $500 Michael Kors watch, $350 Tod’s loafers, or $300 Chanel sunglasses.  I wanted some trendy, fun pieces for the summer and proudly tell people where I got them. 

Michael Kors watch = $500

My flea market cheapie: $20

But, a big thank you to my 10 year old who pointed to an ad for a white Bulova watch in an airport magazine and said – “Look Mom, your new watch!”  Of course, coming from a kid whose idea of European high fashion is a Spanish World Cup jersey, it probably doesn’t mean that much.  Except that he was very impressed when I showed him that the Bulova watch cost $2,000 and Mom’s was only $20.

Diane K. Danielson is the founder of the Downtown Women's Club and a flea market fashionista!

Comments

[Packabook - Books Set in France]

I am so impressed with you planning for this! I would never think to plan so far ahead - the idea of getting the magazines to inspire you before you go is inspired.
But my problem - how to get past all the books on sale in flea markets. Before I know it, I have picked up a few and there is no time (or room in the backpack) for clothes shopping!