There are some interesting things going on in French menswear. 

Although France has generally been the poor cousin to Britain and Italy here, in the last 30 years it seemed to get worse. Most of the good shops closed (Old England, Arnys) and according to friends, men descended more to wearing nothing but black suits and pointy shoes. 

Shops were closing everywhere, of course. But London retained most of its traditional outfitters on the back of foreign visitors, and Italy much of its luxury industry on the back of foreign retail.


Recently a few new shops have opened, as they have elsewhere in the world. But interestingly, I think they have more originality and personality than others. There are no Armoury copycats here. 

I’d highlight three in this regard: Beige, Holiday and Husbands. Having followed them online for a while, I visited all three (and several others) during a recent trip to Paris. So I thought it was time to update the Paris Shopping Guide, as we did recently with Tokyo. 

Below are 13 new shops I’d recommend, then, followed by the original list. That list has also been updated to include the likes of Stark & Sons and Ateliers Baudin.

 

1. Holiday Boileau
www.holiday-paris.fr
, 11 Rue Parent de Rosan

Holiday won’t be the shop classic menswear fans will find the most attractive in Paris. But I mention it first because it feels like the hub around which many of the best things in French menswear are happening. 

Upstairs is the Holiday Boileau shop, which is a contemporary mix of tailoring and casual clothing. Much of it is made with the traditional fabrics and from the traditional makers we love in classic menswear – such as ventile or Fox Brothers flannel – but ready-made and in punchy checks and colours. 

There are caps and sweatshirts alongside blazers and chinos, and all beautifully presented. You can buy a patch to sew onto another jacket. Even the roll-top paper bags are worth keeping. 

Downstairs is the vintage collection of Holiday designer Gauthier Borsarello, which is rented out to designers and brands; the offices of magazine Etiquette (of which Gauthier is also the editor-in-chief), which frankly is the most interesting menswear magazine around; and the denim alterations specialist Super Stitch. There’s also Holiday Cafe around the corner.


2. Beige
Habilleur
www.beige-habilleur.com
, 83 Rue Chardon Lagache

Beige Habilleur is, like Holiday, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris – a residential area that was historically the home of the richest Parisians, and is full of beautiful houses. In the 1990s many moved to the centre of town, and the 16th became seen as very bourgeois and boring. 

But now it’s undergoing a renaissance, and Beige has the feeling of a little neighbourhood clothing shop – perhaps rather like Marylebone 10 years ago. 

It’s a lot better than your standard local shop, though. The brands carried (unlike Holiday, this is a multi-brand store) are some we know well, like Justo Gimeno teba jackets, and Smedley polos. But the colours are interesting and fresh – a mustard-green Smedley, a patched oxford buttondown – and often have a vintage feel. 

Then there’s great workwear alongside it. Cross-knit Camber sweatshirts – rare outside the US – Barbarian rugby shirts – all made in Canada – and Merz B Schwanen. Drake’s currently have a shop-in-shop, and there’s a fantastic selection of magazines and books, including some vintage Japanese.


3. Le Vif (and Brut, The Duke)
@le.vif.boutique
, 101 Rue Boileau
brut-clothing.com, 3 Rue Réaumur
www.vintageclothingparis.com, 10 Rue de Crussol

Also in the area is small but impressively focused vintage store Le Vif. Started by friends of both Beige and Holiday (obviously) it stocks only American vintage clothing, all tightly edited and well organised into sizes and styles. 

It’s enjoyable to browse, and I found a pair of vintage cotton Army trousers I’ve been looking for for ages. 

Other vintage stores in Paris I’ve had recommended to me are Brut and The Duke, but I wasn’t able to visit either so cannot recommend them directly. Both are only open by appointment at some times of the week. 


4. Husbands
www.husbands-paris.com
, 57 Rue de Richelieu

Husbands has a look. That’s pretty obvious when you meet Nicolas Gabard, the owner. Tall and slim, he wears suits with strong shoulders, and often a wide trouser. There’s some Studio 54 here, a lot of Bryan Ferry, a touch of Bowie. 

Nicolas’s mission is to make tailoring sexy. To show how a love of suits doesn’t have to preclude cowboy shirts or black boots. To demonstrate the drama of an old-fashioned Aquascutum raincoat, tightly belted, collar up. 

And yet there are elements of the style that everyone will find appealing – whether it’s the cavalry-twill used for the navy blazers, which is achingly sharp; the proportions of a camel wrap coat; or fisherman’s sweaters with buttons on the shoulder seam that are actually designed to be used. 

The tailoring is made to order, not MTM or bespoke. But it is good value (made by Eduardo de Simone) and feels fresh. And the store as a whole feels fun – whether it’s the bright-blue multi-mirrored fitting rooms (pictured top), or the influence of music everywhere. 

An antidote to anyone bored with conventional tailoring.


5. Jean-Manuel Moreau
jeanmanuelmoreau.tumblr.com, 3 Rue Chambiges

Away from all this stylised menswear, there is the more familiar offering of Jean-Manuel Moreau – which I’ve never written about despite it being around for seven years

Moreau offers made-to-measure shirts and Neapolitan tailoring, plus a scattering of accessories and shoes. The tailoring is made by Orazio Luciano, but to Jean-Manuel’s block – which has a slightly wider, rounder lapel, more open foreparts and lower buttoning point. And the shirts are by Mazzarelli. 

Interestingly, Moreau is the only shop in Paris offering Neapolitan tailoring at this level, which makes him a destination for businessmen gradually shifting away from the stiff suits into more casual suits and separates. Importantly, Jean-Manuel also uses a local Parisian tailor for alterations and adjustments – which makes the offering both more reliable and speedier. 

The team moved six months ago into a larger space, which gives them room for a cosy fitting space in the back of the shop as well as an open, airy front. 


6. Anatomica
anatomica.fr, 14 Rue du Bourg Tibourg

I mentioned Anatomica in the Tokyo shopping guide recently, and the French branch has a similar aesthetic, mixing its own workwear-inspired designs with external brands. 

There is more emphasis here on the shoes though, and Alden models on their ‘modified’ last. This wide last has become associated with Anatomica over the years, and is specifically designed for the most comfortable fit. Warning: your current shoe size will be no kind of guide here.

Fit is a general obsession of director Pierre Fournier and designer Tenji Keramoto, and the clothing has a similar ideal of ‘proper’ fit that enables movement, whether it’s a close-fitting waistcoat or a loose coat.


7. Kenjiro Suzuki
kssm-paris.com
, 38 Rue de Penthievre

Kenjiro is a tailor who set up his own shop a couple of years ago, having previously been head cutter at Smalto.

There he was joined by his wife, who was working as a coatmaker at Camps de Luca (Kenjiro also worked at Camps previously). They are the first Japanese tailoring outfit in Paris – which is slightly surprising given how many Japanese there are in the city.

Kenjiro’s style is very like Smalto, with the fish-mouth lapel shape and beautiful finishing. He is quite versatile, however, and also cuts other styles including one very English-looking lapel he designed with a customer. 

His suits start at €4800 – and there is an impressive laminated grid showing all the permutations of those prices. The team recently moved to a new location at 38 Rue de Penthievre – not currently updated on Google so be careful!


8. Lafayette Saltiel Drapiers
lafayette-saltiel.com
, 11 Rue d’Uzès

Cloth agent Lafayette Saltiel Drapiers has become well-known for its stock of vintage cloth (just under 20,000 metres) which it is selling on Instagram (@LafayetteSaltielDrapiers).

They are the agent for most English and Italian mills in France, and have been for many years. In that time they’ve built up this vintage collection – largely because, given their big office, they simply have room to.

Virgil and Pierre are young, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and I recommend stopping by. Although this remains a very small part of their business, they love talking about and showing off their vintage cloth.


9. Philippe Atienza, Serge Amoruso and Samuel Gassman
www.philippeatienzabottier.com
, 53 Avenue Daumesnil
@serge_amoruso, 37 Avenue Daumesnil
samuelgassmann.com 

These three artisans are grouped by area rather than specialisation. They are all in or adjacent to the Viaduc des Arts – a series of arches under a viaduct that was set up specifically to house small shops and makers. It was an even stronger location until Michel Heurtault moved out of town recently. 

Philippe Atienza is a bespoke shoemaker who deserves particular mention for recently starting a ready-made line with shoes made to the same quality level as bespoke. The shop is worth a visit for his collection of vintage shoemaking machinery alone. 

A little further down the street is leather specialist Serge Amoruso, who makes eclectic designs of wallets, bags and holders for everything from golf clubs to guitars. He is particularly known for strong colours and exotic leathers. 

Finally, in the studios at the end of the viaduct is Samuel Gassman, who hand makes cufflinks and jewellery. Quirky and original, Samuel’s work is carried by department stores around the world. His studio here is by appointment only. 

 

Charvet paris

  
10. Charvet
www.charvet.com
28 Place Vendôme

Quite simply one of the most beautiful menswear shops in the world. A lovely ground floor stacked with accessories, and upper floors of shirtings and bespoke tailoring. There are very few single-brand, single-location shops left of this type in the world. Much of the style is not to my taste, but the shirts are beautiful and everything exquisitely made. (There are also other shirtmakers if you’re looking further afield, particularly Lucca and Courtot.) 

11. Cifonelli, Camps de Luca and Stark & Sons
www.cifonelli.com
, 31 Rue Marbeuf
campsdeluca.com, 16 Rue de la Paix
www.starkandsons.com, 16 Rue de la Paix

Paris has a small but very good bespoke tailoring scene. The three best-known houses are Cifonelli (now clearly the biggest), Camps de Luca (which recently moved) and Smalto (also has a rather gaudy RTW line). I recommend the first two most highly. 

Camps also recently took over the house Stark & Sons, and is using it for a new line of cheaper tailoring with a little machine work – made by a wholly owned workshop in Italy. Worth a look for the original designs as well as the price point. 


12. Berluti bespoke
www.berluti.com
9 Rue du Faubourg St Honoré

The Berluti empire is by no means unique to Paris. But it is where the bespoke tailoring and shoemaking are located, with the former a takeover of the old Arnys workshop, and the shoemaking expanded with a few finely chosen names. If either appeals, then, Paris is the place to go for consultations and fittings. (And try to forget the sad demise of Arnys itself, which might well have been top of this list had it still existed.) 

13. Corthay, Aubercy, John Lobb
www.corthay.com
, 1 Rue Volney
www.dimitribottier.com, 14 Rue Chauveau-Lagarde
www.aubercy.com34 Rue Vivienne
www.johnlobb.com, 21 Rue Boissy d’Anglas

Paris has a strong contingent of bespoke shoemakers, although mostly part of bigger houses. There is Berluti, there is John Lobb Paris (part of Hermes) and there is Massaro (part of Chanel). The two most highly recommended however are Corthay, which has an expanding RTW line but still does bespoke, and Aubercy. 


14. Heurtault and Pep’s umbrellas
www.parasolerieheurtault.com
now sold at Galerie Fayet, 34 Passage Jouffroy
www.peps-paris.com, Passage de l’Ancre, 223 Rue Saint-Martin

Paris is also blessed with two wonderful umbrella makers – something very few cities have. Michel Heurtault makes perhaps the finest in the world, largely bespoke and largely women’s, but with lovely men’s examples too. He has now moved out of the Viaduc des Arts and is based in the countryside – but sells through Galerie Fayet.

Pep’s is a much more practical, straightforward maker but is great value for money. If you like this area, then cane shop Antoine on Avenue de l’Opéra is also worth a visit. 

15. Maison Bonnet, Ateliers Baudin and Maison Bourgeat
maisonbourgeat.fr
134 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
www.maisonbonnet.com, 5 Rue des Petits Champs
www.ateliersbaudin.com,  38 Rue de Pentievre

Three eyewear specialists in Paris, of which Maison Bonnet has the strongest and a well-deserved reputation. It is particularly known for its stock of old turtle shells, and recently opened a branch in London.

The others have a chequered history, with Bourgeat started up by Guillaume Clerc when he left Bonnet, and then left Bourgeat in turn to start the next one, Ateliers Baudin. Both are still running.

 

16. Chapal and Seraphin
chapal.fr,
244 Rue de Rivoli
www.seraphin-france.com, 57 Quai de Valmy

Paris boasts two of the best makers of leather jackets in the world. Chapal is an old name that was made famous for flying jackets (supplying both French and US airforces) and still has its own tannery. Ignore the jeans, T-shirts and goggles and focus on the authentically detailed USAAF and A2 models. Seraphin is a more regular luxury brand, but making all the leather itself in Paris as well as supplying several designers.


17. Mes Chaussettes Rouges
www.meschaussettesrouges.com
, 9 Rue César Franck

Two young guys who sell – you guessed it – socks. Not just red, fortunately, but a large range of classic and sporting socks as well as Simonnot-Godard handkerchiefs. The shop is also often the host to trunk shows and events. 

18. Camille Fournet and Lavabre Cadet
www.camillefournet.com,
5 Rue Cambon
lavabrecadet.com, 5 Rue Cambon

Camille Fournet makes great leather watch straps – something Paris has a surfeit of, with Jean Rousseau and Atelier du Bracelet Parisien among others. Fournet has also taken over running the glovemaker Lavabre Cadet, and both are now in the shop on Rue Cambon.

19. Hermes
www.hermes.com,
24 Rue du Faubourg St Honoré

Hermes, of course, is in most large cities in the world. But the flagship at 24 Rue du Faubourg St Honoré deserves a pilgrimage – rather like the Rhinelander Mansion in New York, or Armani in Milan. A towering temple to the leather and silk expert, and given how small the runs are of some pieces, there will always be something you haven’t seen elsewhere. 

20. Cifonelli RTW
www.cifonelli.com
83 Rue du Faubourg St Honoré

The recently expanded Cifonelli ready-to-wear store is worth a visit. The style is distinctly Cifonelli and the quality high – if expensive compared to the value of bespoke. There is also some beautiful silk/cashmere knitwear.

21. Other flagships….

This guide is strictly about clothing, but it’s worth mentioning that Paris also has the flagships of many top-end perfume and luggage brands, such as Caron, Goyard and others. 

In the top image taken in Paris I’m wearing, appropriately, a Cifonelli bespoke jacket (Moonbeam cloth) and Hermes briefcase. Photograph: Jamie Ferguson @jkf_man. 

Cifonelli jacket in Paris

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Anonymous

Hi Simon,
Have you ever tried Dimitri Gomez? Having used G&G and Cleverley before I am always surprised at how much cheaper Gomez is…
Thanks

James

Navy trews, Simon?

C. Coffin

I have been meaning to email this for a while, but this post reminded me.. simply because it is a French company. Le Chameau, seems like a place that would be really cool for you to look at. The boots are still individually made by hand by a master bookmaker –or so their website claims– and like Barbour, is one that is ubiquitous on the countryside. I looked around on the website, when purchasing a new pair of wellies, and found them somewhat overlooked when discussing country attire on this site.

David Craggs

Good call – I can testify that Le Chameau make great country boots!
That said, the dearth of good menswear stores in these great capitals is deeply depressing.
I find this multiple luxury outlets quite tedious.

Anonymous

Rome next please!

Bamboccio

Yes, Rome please!

suffolk

Why have you overlooked Kenjiro Suzuki? I hear great things about him and his tailoring.

Lee

I can’t seem to see anything on the Charvet link. Is it just me?

nick inkster

I was lucky enough to live in Paris for a few years. A lovely city to walk in; beyond the sartorial you talk about, don’t miss Montaigne, Francois 1er, Place des Voges………….

Rabster

Charvet don’t advertise !
On a visit there 2 years ago I was told by the salesman that Charvet don’t have a website and do not advertise online .
He only allowed me to take afew photographs of some of the ties I was interested in getting a second opinion of .
The impression I got was that they did not lower themselves to such a level.

I think its a ‘French thing’ !

Ian Franklin

Like to support Mes Chaussettes Rouges. Have been an on-line client and made a pilgrimage [it’s a bit out of the way] last year. Enjoyed a great welcome, a cup of coffee, and the usual great socks. Their original Gammarelli and Mazarin the best, I think.

john myers

I recently commissioned my first Cifonelli blazer – the result is simply stunning I can definitely recommend them.
you can trully feel a creative vision through their work. I’m now waiting for my Charvet shirts to mix with my db blazer. I will have to spend more time in paris after this guide.

David Matthew

I’m not against Mes Chausettes Rouges, but any UK based customer surely should look also at our own Leicester based Pantherella. Great range of socks, great quality, better prices.

John

Hi Simon,
Arguably, the most striking feature of Paris over the last years has been the dwindling number of high end RTW shops for men.
Nb: The closing of many British shops (Holland & Holland, Burberry’s Rue de Passy, etc.) few years ago was enough alarming.
At times, I wonder whether this heavy trend is ever to be reversed, and of course what it would take to achieve it.
Actually, this is of concern, for how the kind of shops featured in your post would keep thriving – not just in Paris, mind you – might well depend on a better shape of the ones I have just hinted at. The gap between both levels shouldn’t be that wide, I guess.
Presumably, since you don’t wear belts, it isn’t a big surprise you haven’t mentionned any shop selling exclusively luxury belts!
John

Anonymous
DE

I totally agree with Ian Franklin and always visit Mes Chaussettes Rouges when I’m in Paris. The socks are great and rather than sticking slavishly to one brand they seem to pick the best from ranges like Mazarin, Dore Dore, Gallo, Bresciani and Gammarelli. If (like me) you favour your socks over the calf, MSR have a great choice.

twitter_blairinvestment

Thanks for this Simon, and for introducing me to Jean Rousseau, bought a lovely alligator strap for my Cartier at the NYC location over Christmas.

Maksim (Ukraine, Kharkov)

hello, simon. Where can I find information about Swiss sartorial?

Nizam

Hi Simon, I truly enjoy Permanent Style. Concerning Bespoke shoes in Paris you may also consider J.M.Weston

Enzo

Hi Simon
could you create a post where you advice the best fabrics for odd jackets? Interested in advices on seasonal fabrics.

Richard

Hi Simon, sorry to post here. I couldn’t find the correct thread.
What do you do with perfectly good suit jackets with knackered trousers? Could they be altered in anyway to resemble a sports jacket, if so what alterations would need to be made? Whilst I only go bespoke now, I have two RTW Zegna suit jackets that id love to do something with. Please redirect me to relevant post if you prefer I post comment elsewhere? Thank you, Richard

Bruce B

I have been trying to get on Charvet website for sometime with no success. Just comes up blank. Any idea why? Thanks

Bruce B

I just saw a similar post on this subject from someone. Sorry.

twitter_hightonedfr

Since many people ask about Charvet. The philosophy of the French house is to be discrete. Before the website was just ‘a sun’ that look like the symbol of King Louis XIV with the address.
Now, Charvet’s website is minimalist, maybe they’re finally working on a website. ; )

Andie Nicolas

Agree with you about Charvet. Great store but their collar styles do not “grab me” like those of H & H, T & A and even N & L, all of Jermyn Street. I was in Paris in 2000 and 2002 and on both occasions bought RTW clothes from Lanvin in the Faubourg. Quality was very good even though a bit conservative. I bought a number of their neck ties all in their famous Lanvin bleu. I say their ties are the best ones going around insofar as quality is concerned, and I have pondered at times, that I could indeed have ties made only by Lanvin and only in Lanvin blue, with sprinklings of other colours in them to match the suit, shirt, socks or whatever I am wearing. I liked also the fact that Lanvin’s clothes were made in France rather than Italy (a la Berluti), not that I have anything against Italian craftsmanship, but only that France has a rich history of clothes making and their clothes should be made right there.

Anonymous

Hi Andie,

Sadly, Lanvin is not anymore like this,
I remember my first “Lanvin” blue tie bought for my 18 years,

I remember Old England and Arnys windows…
Go to Bucherer and Berluti now !
Or not !

All these no longer exists, it’s very sad

Bruce Rogoff

Maybe Marc Guyot’s clothing and shoe shops, right across the street from each other, are not a reason to travel to Paris, but his shoes and clothing are interesting and unique. I had a great time talking to him, and I would recommend that anyone interested in clothing pay him a visit. I found Mettez worth a visit, as well, although I understand why you did not list it.

Chris Shaw

Hello,

Enjoy your updates/info. keeps me current on the sartorial spectrum!

Wanted to ask if you had a few stores/shops recommendations to visit in Florence and Rome

Bob

Any quick recommendations for RTW type items in Florence prior to my easter trip there? 🙂

DE

Hi Simon, please use your ‘good offices’ to try and encourage Charvet to build an ecommerce website (particularly to include their woven ties). I don’t get to travel to Paris as much as I used to and it would be extremely convenient if Charvet took a leaf from Mes Chaussettes Rouges’ book and sold online.

DE

Great! Thanks Simon, I know I am not the only UK based Charvet customer who will look forward to this!

Mats

Hi Simon,
I will be in Paris this weekend and am very interested in Seraphin’s leather jacket. Do they actually have a workshop / store in Paris one can visit? If not, would you happen to know any stockists? Sorry for these basic questions, but I’m having a hard time navigating their website.

Many thanks & keep up the good work!

APS

Hi Simon,
I realize this is not really your area, considering this is a blog for men’s tailoring, but as a woman with a penchant for a well cut shirt and suit, I was wondering if any of your Paris listings catered to women as well? I know Charvet does, but how about any of the bespoke shoemakers or Chapal for a leather jacket?

Gonzague

For bespoke shirts my experience was far better with Halari than with Charvet. For shoes I would highlight D Gomez ‘s Bottier Line (made to order with the same quality as bespoke) and Lavabre Cadet bespoke gloves. Lobb Paris is meant to be superior for bespoke than London. Most french shoemakers were trained at Lobb Parisian workshop.

Hugh

Simon,

I’m travelling to Paris for the first time this coming Friday – what perfume shops should I look for/ would you recommend?

Thanks,
Hugh

Matt

Thanks for your post, it was very informative! Very interested in checking out Charvet — I like the strongly independent types.

I found another place near Place Vendome with a great selection of amazing menswear (and womenswear — mostly RTW I think though?) called Franck Namani with a speciality of cashmere and other luxurious materials (deerskin leather, crocodile). When I enquired about bespoke they mentioned there is a “sur mesure” service, but I think it is very exclusive and expensive.

Marco

Hi Simon,

I’m just wondering if you have had any experience with the brand Hartwood Paris? Their ties look quite good but that’s just looking at their photos.

Cheers, Marco.

Gordon Ang

Hello Simon,

May I ask for the sartorial guides you had done, which city between Paris, Stockholm and New York impressed you the most for the menswear selection?

Best,
Gordon

Gordon Ang

Thank you!

Anonymous

Simon, what do you mean by the “sad demise” of Arnys? I thought they were still operating…

Anonymous

You sounded much more positive in your 2013 post (December 18). Why the shift in tone?

Sam

It should be Gauthier Borsarello, not Gaulthier Borsariello.

I visited Beige a while ago, and I agree this Parisian scene feels very fresh. For those that speak French, the ‘Habitudes’ podcast (made by L’Étiquette) is great, dare I say it the best menswear podcast around. They’re interviews edited like monologues, in which actors/writers/musicians/etc. talk about their personal style. There’s a great French swagger to the whole enterprise, very confident and idiosyncratic. Looking forward to visiting Le Vif soon.

Bobby

It feels very dated. French design has never managed to move beyond the 1980s aesthetic. They turn the clock back every ten years.

As for tailoring, it’s long dead and buried. Hedi Slimane saw to it. I don’t count the half dozen exorbitantly priced houses . They’re for the super-rich and the new money (who don’t live in Paris anyway).

There are a few brave young tailors who’ve taken the plunge, like Romain Biette of Ardentes Clipei. His bespoke work is very reasonably priced. But he’s had to offer a made-to-measure and a made-to-measure premium service too (he does the fittings himself, but the sewing is done in Romania and Portugal, respectively). People here just can’t afford bespoke. The well-to-do don’t wear tailoring.

So what we’re left with is a sea of streetwear, with all the names and brands competing to out-hip each other. I suppose it looks good on Parisian women, but it makes the men look like overgrown schoolboys.

I just cannot understand the internet hype over French design. It’s dire. Paris isn’t even the fashion capital of the world any more. It’s been overtaken by London and Berlin.

Anonymous

Hi Simon

I sincerely hope that you decide to buy a suit or jacket from Kenjiro Suzuki. I’d be fascinated to see if he’s a truly viable alternative to Camps and Cifonelli.

Regards, Tim

Robin

I heard about Husbands about a year ago and it caught my attention as they are one of the few RTW who do a full canvas jacket .

On the broader subject of half canvas v full canvas would you , Simon , always recommend full canvas ?

PS I’ve come across many a ‘tailor’ doing MTM who favour half canvas and dismiss full canvas as unnecessary ‘ these days’ as fusing is so much better .

Joe

Hi Simon,

I really think you should write an article about all your vintage shop finds!

Andrey

I tried Husbands and it was a huge disappointment back then I have to say – the jacket was ok, but nothing special, however, the trousers were just terrible to my taste. The waistline was pretty low; but the biggest issue was ho narrow they were below the knees – I had to ask for the to be widened as much as possible, yet still they were to narrow to slip over my calves so that I literally had to pull them down with my hands each time I stood up. I’ve worn the suit a couple of times before giving up completely. They may have developed their cut since then though.

Gab

Thanks Simon. Next time you come to Paris you should check out Yves at Les Francs Tireurs, near Bastille. Very good MTM, young and enthusiast guy.

Nick

Quite interested to hear more about Stark and sons (and indeed K. Suzuki) as I love the French lapel style and these seem to provide that at a lower price. Is Stark MTM, MTO, what is the overall quality of finishing?

Nick

Anonymous

Hello simon

I’ve always loved the look of Seraphin leather blousons, and I am willing to invest in one of their pieces. The only problem is, I truly don’t know any menswear shops that carry their products. How/where do you order such jackets?

Thanks

Jason

It is interesting how our Parisian brethren have faltered over the years.
Back in the ‘70s they were quite the thing. Those halcyon days of Yves Saint Laurent.
Probably it was the fact that their interesting menswear was created by their couture houses rather than by menswear specialists that has lead to this lacklustre performance.
All of the interesting brands have either faded or been gobbled up into LVMH’s banal roll-up.
In any event, it’s London 10, Paris nil.
Quel bordel for the country who invented the flaneir !
Certainly I would never think of buying clothes in Paris.

Orestis

I will add Suitsupply at rue de la Paix in Paris.

Laurent

Hey Simon, have you heard about Editions M.R in Paris?

Steve Calder

Such a great list – I also think another one to watch is Ardentes Clipei on 56 Rue Saint-Georges, I have met Romain (Owner and bespoke tailor) twice and I must say his work looks great.

Cheers, SC

Ardentes Clipei

Thank you for your nice comment Steve 😉
Simon your are most welcome at my shop to discover my Bespoke and MTM offer during your next journey in Paris.
Romain Biette

Robin

A lot of comments for this post . I always like reading the comments after a posting , if for no other reason then it fills in a Tuesday / Thursday until the next new post.

Just a suggestion… .. … I think it would be useful if the ‘comment count’ did not include your replies .
I like to come back and read what people have written and when the comment counter shows an increase I don’t know if it’s a reply by you or a new point someone is making (and when there are over 50 comments that becomes a more difficult task) .

I’m not sure if the technology allows the counter to count ‘new comments’ , replies to comments etc which would allow one to see if it was worth scrolling through comments to see if a new point has been made .

believe me the comments are just as enlightening as the articles … a true testament to the readers of this fine blog .

P.S. Also, on the iPhone, on clicking comment the page is not auto-scrolling down … you have to physically scroll down … could be jut my iPhone.

Misbah

Altan Bottier has a very distinctive offer and its only physical presence is in Paris.

Gordon

A very good article on Partis. I throughly enjoyed it. Charvet shirts are impossibly unbelievably luxurious. And I personally like Cifonelli, but I would like to add Kiton and Loro Piana. You have written about both in the past with the Kiton K-50, and the cashmere and cashmere blends avaliable at Loro Piana. There is another addition I would like to add, Dormeuil. Their selection of mens suit and jacket fabric is possibly the best in Paris.

Anonymous

Anyone have any experience with Maison Pen? This is Maison Pen’s website http://www.maisonpen.fr/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maisonpen/

Jacob

Hello Simon! Do you got any priceing info suits and blazers that Jean Manuel Moreau offers?

Lindsay Mckee

Hi Simon,
What about Dimetri Bottier in Paris who do the bespoke range for Crockett and Jones.
Do you know anything about them?

eveninlove

Julien Scavini is missing from the list! He also has a fantastic menswear blog.

Josua

Dear Simon,

do know a place in Paris which stocks Simonnot-Godard handkerchiefs? Mes Chaussettes Rouges seems to have a very limited stock (they show only 2 items online).

Best regards
Josua

Adam

Hi Joshua, I just bought an orange S-G handkerchief at this Swedish online store and its truly amazing: https://sartoism.com/collections/simonnot-godard

The prices are better than Michel Jondral which is my to-go shop for S-G and if you join their newsletter there is additional 20% off the prices. Enjoy!

Alex N.

Dear Simon,
If you wanted a “forestier” jacket would you go to Arnys under Berluti or would you ask for it from Cifonelli? I like the style and seems like a good alternative to a tweed jacket which would really be too much where I come from.
Best
Alex N.

Max Alexander

Ciao from Paris, Simon! I’m on a visit from Rome and just stopped into Lafayette Saltiel Drapers where I bought some vintage 1970s Harris tweed for a jacket and some Bedford cord trouser material. (Total cost 780 euros, ouch–Paris is so much more expensive than Rome!) Anyway, Virgil asked how I knew about their shop and I mentioned you; he said hello.

BB

Hello Simon,

I had been scratching my head last night about where to do any shopping in Paris next week until I browsed the PS site as I remembered you’d done a book on the subject. I also remembered you saying some of shops had ceased trading since that guide was published. I’d love to visit a few places that mirror the stock at Clutch Cafe and The Real McCoys in London.

Kindly recommend a few places to visit. Thanks

BB

Many thanks Simon.
Definitely owe you a pint for these recommendations!
Looking forward to more Paris updates.

Mo

Hey Simon,

Thanks for keeping this article updated. It’s giving me a few places to check out, particularly Husbands. I’m wondering if there are any small, artisanal tailors doing bespoke work in Paris, perhaps for a lower price-point than Kenjiro Suzuki or Cifonelli or Camps? I’m looking to get a bespoke suit for my wedding, and hoping to stay in the €2500 ballpark, but I don’t know if the “bespoke” I’ve been hearing about (particularly in the US) is really “made-to-order” or something else. Advertising makes it sound affordable, but again, not sure it’s true. Is that price point for true bespoke even possible?

And are there particular places you’d recommend for that price point?

Thanks!

James Butler

Hi Simon, I am interested in Husbands. Their style is so unique and yet classic. Husbands, being in Paris, are you familiar with the quality of their MTM or bespoke? I understand Campo De Lucas and Cifinelli have top-tier quality as also being in Paris they have access to couture-level craftsmen and their clothes are made in Paris. How do you think Husbands stack up? I am assuming the Husbands clothing is made in Paris.

Isaac

Hi Simon,

just a quick heads-up à propos of nothing: I noticed that one of your rotating site header images links to the old version of this guide and so comes up in a broken link page. You may wish to change this 😉

Stanislav

Cifonelli boutique moved to 35 rue François 1er, close to the bespoke atelier. https://cifonelli.com/pages/nos-points-de-ventes