Quite a lot has changed in the five years since we last updated this Paris shopping guide (and yes, I know just as much as changed elsewhere – we will also update the others!).
Kenjiro Suzuki has left, the Viaduc des Arts has drifted, and the experiment that was the 16th Arrondissement menswear has ended. Holiday has closed, Beige has moved and Le Vif is in the process of trying to find a new space. It was great while it lasted, but Beige in particular looks very at home in its quiet Left Bank location.
It’s not all bad either – Husbands has expanded, opening its second shop in St Germain not too far from Beige, and Super Stitch, which we originally met in the basement of Holiday, now has its own proper shop.
It’s nice, because in the past 30 years Paris has generally seemed to suffer more than other international cities, with a few big shops like Old England and Arnys closing even as London managed to hold onto most of its traditional outfitters on the back of tourism.
Paris has some real gems, some old and some new. Below are 31 we recommend, together with particular explanations why. They are roughly arranged into similar groups, though outright categorisation proved beyond us.
As ever, feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments below. There are always more out there.
1 Beige Habilleur
www.beige-habilleur.com, 86 Rue Bonaparte
Beige Habilleur is one of the best multibrand stores anywhere. The way I judge that is that a multibrand store should have a clear identity – a clear view on the world – even as it stocks clothes made by others. The buy, the collaborations, the styling should all speak to that identity and make you want to visit to experience it, rather than just because it’s your local stockist of a particular brand.
Beige also has the feeling of a little neighbourhood shop – perhaps like some in Marylebone in London. The brands carried include Justo Gimeno teba jackets, Smedley polos, Jamieson’s knits and Quoddy or Paraboot shoes. They all add up to a relaxed but elegant view on modern urban clothing.
2 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 Kinji Teramoto, and the clothing has a similar ideal of ‘proper’ fit that enables movement, whether it’s a close-fitting waistcoat or a loose coat.
Read the dedicated article on Anatomica here.
3 Husbands
www.husbands-paris.com, 57 Rue de Richelieu and 1 Rue de l’Abbaye
Husbands has a look. That’s pretty obvious when you meet Nicolas Gabard, the owner. 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. An antidote to anyone bored with conventional tailoring.
Read the dedicated article on Husbands here.
4 Jean-Manuel Moreau
@jeanmanuelmoreau, 3 Rue Chambiges
Jean-Manuel 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. You can see my review of the tailoring here.
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.
See the dedicated article on Jean-Manuel here.
5 Cinabre
www.cinabre-paris.com, 14 Cité Bergère
Cinabre is best known as a maker of ties and handkerchiefs. They have their own atelier in France making them, and supply the French President, Emmanuel Macron. But in the past year they’ve expanded into a new, bigger shop and added two hotel suites in the upper floors.
The result is beautiful, and more a concept than a retail shop. You enter through a tent, the check-in is inside the boutique. The rooms upstairs are full of beautiful fabrics that menswear fans will appreciate, often made in collaboration with French heritage producers.
The range of clothing, meanwhile, is expanding into dressing gowns, dinner jackets and shirts. Often quite idiosyncratic, but always lovely and nearly always made in France.
6 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.)
Read my experience of having a bespoke Charvet shirt made here and an interview with Jean-Claude Colban here
7 Mes Chaussettes Rouges
www.meschaussettesrouges.com, 9 Rue César Franck
Mes Chaussettes Rouges has expanded considerably in the last few years, going from an online operation to a proper shop, and then making its own bespoke socks onsite. They are still one of the best suppliers of fine dress socks in Europe, and if you like your socks, the shop is a wonderful place to visit.
See the dedicated article on MCR here.
8 Chato Lufsen
chatolufsen.shop, 41 Rue de Verneuil
Christophe of Chato Lufsen is a vintage collector of Arnys in particular, but also Hermes and other luxury brands. In recent years however, he has become better known for his versions of old Arnys designs, such as the Bores. These often reinterpret the old slouchy mandarin-collar jacket into something more modern, while still being super relaxed and comfortable.
Read the dedicated article on Chato Lufsen here, Tony’s review of his jacket here and my review of mine here.
9 Jinji
jinji.fr, 22 Rue des Canettes
Jinji is a good location for workwear fans, with many of the familiar Japanese names like The Real McCoy’s, Full Count and Warehouse stocked here. But there are also some more fashion-led makers like Kapital, some British standards like Sunspel, and a scattering of products made under the Jinji name, which are perennially interesting.
Essentially, Jinji has enough of its own view on things to be worth a visit even if you’re already familiar with a lot of those Japanese brands. My personal favourite is a jacket they made out of an old Navajo blanket, which I bought and repaired, and covered here.
10 Super Stitch
superstitchmfg.com, 13 Rue Racine
We first saw Super Stitch when they were in the basement below Holiday, largely doing repairs and alterations on jeans. They now have their own store in St Germain, offering their own line of jeans, denim shirts and denim jackets – as well as the repairs and alterations. The make is absolutely superb, the work of a denim obsessive.
11 Brut (and Le Vif)
brut-clothing.com, 3 Rue Réaumur
@le.vif.boutique
Le Vif was one of my favourite vintage stores in the world, so hopefully it will find a permanent store location soon, having closed the space in the 16th arrondissement.
Paris generally is good on vintage and second-hand clothing, certainly compared to London, and the flea markets are always worth diving into. A good shop was Brut Clothing, though they have evolved in the past few years and do quite a lot of their own clothing now, often using deadstock garments or fabrics. Worth a look for both.
See the dedicated article on Brut here
12 Harpo
www.harpo-paris.com, 19 Rue de Turbigo
Harpo is not that well known in the menswear space, but it ticks many of the boxes for a Permanent Style reader: craft, authenticity, a classic style, and family owned.
It sells jewellery and other crafts made by Native Americans such as the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni. It’s been there since 1971, founded by Gerard ‘Harpo’ Nadaud, and run today by him and his three daughters: Dorothée, Valentine and Ella. If this kind of jewellery is your style, you won’t find anywhere better outside the US.
See dedicated article on Harpo here
13 Maison Bonnet and Ingenieur Chevallier
www.maisonbonnet.com, 5 Rue des Petits Champs
ingenieurchevallier.com, 17 Rue des Pyramides and 16 Rue du Vertbois
Bonnet is one of the finest makers of eyewear in the world, only doing bespoke and at the highest level. They are particularly known for their stock of tortoiseshell, but the value really is in the tight, enthusiastic team and the skill of design and fitting. Beautiful frames, lovely people.
Bonnet also recently bought an old, storied Parisian maker called Ingenieur Chevallier and turned it into a concept between ready-made and bespoke glasses. There are designs by the Bonnet team but also from other brands, and they can all be ordered in different sizes, before being comprehensively adapted to the face – with files, pliers, whatever is required. A real step above most modern ready-made eyewear.
14 Hosoi
www.hosoiparis.com, 37 bis, Rue de Montreuil
Satoru Hosoi is an Hermes-trained leather craftsman working in the Cour de l’industrie: a set of courtyards in the Faubourg Saint Antoine district that houses around 50 different artisans. His work is absolutely exquisite, with no corner cut including (very unusually) making all his own hardware.
As detailed in the dedicated article we did on Hosoi here, his designs are the things that will attract people in particular, and are worth a visit to see alone. He also does trunk shows in his native Japan.
15 Cifonelli and Camps de Luca
www.cifonelli.com, 31 Rue Marbeuf
campsdeluca.com, 16 Rue de la Paix
Paris has a small but very good bespoke tailoring scene. The 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.
Cifonelli also recently moved into a large space for its ready-to-wear clothing. The style is a little luxe for me, but the quality is consistently high and worth a look if that’s your style.
16 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.)
17 Corthay, Aubercy, John Lobb
www.corthay.com, 1 Rue Volney
www.dimitribottier.com, 14 Rue Chauveau-Lagarde
www.aubercy.com, 34 Rue Vivienne
www.johnlobb.com, 21 Rue Boissy d’Anglas
Paris has a strong contingent of 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 a large RTW line but still does bespoke, and Aubercy, which has a smaller one.
18 Philippe Atienza, Serge Amoruso and Samuel Gassman
www.philippeatienzabottier.com, 53 Avenue Daumesnil
@serge_amoruso, 37 Avenue Daumesnil
samuelgassmann.com, 1 rue Charlemagne
There used to be a lovely little grouping of these makers on Avenue Daumesnil, in what was called the Viaduc des Arts. Most are still there, but Samuel Gassman has moved and is planning to move again in October 2024. Philippe has moved his workshop to Provence but still does appointments in the same location. And Michel Heurtault has also moved to the countryside but does appointments are Maison Fayet (see below).
Philippe Atienza is a bespoke shoemaker who also has a ready-made line 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, Samuel Gassman who hand makes cufflinks and jewellery. Quirky and original, Samuel’s work is carried by several shops (like Cinabre) and department stores
See dedicated articles here: Atienza, Amoruso
19 Galerie Fayet
www.galerie-fayet.com, 34 Passage Jouffroy
Michel Heurtault makes perhaps the finest umbrellas in the world, largely bespoke and largely women’s, but with lovely men’s examples too. He used to have a workshop in the Viaduc des Arts but is now based in the countryside. Fortunately, he now sells through Galerie Fayet and makes appointments there. Fayet also offers a beautiful range of canes and walking sticks.
See dedicated article on Michel Heurtault here
20 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). 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 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.
21 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. They’re not really open to the public, but sometimes they will allow visitors on request.
See dedicated articles here: Chapal, Seraphin
22 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.
See dedicated article on Lavabre Cadet here
23 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.
Others:
L’Officine – Multibrand store selling mostly Neapolitan RTW. Avino, Sannino, Rifugio, Scafora etc
Daniel Levy – Bespoke shirtmaker. Comes recommended but I haven’t been able to see and/or try
Vieux Campeur / Young Hiker – The first is a Parisian institution for outdoor clothing, with shops across several blocks. The second is a trendy upstart playing off the name, in the Palais Royale gardens. Both have their own appeal
Artumes & Co – Country-driven brand by the ex-Arnys designer Dominique Lelys
Berteil – Perhaps best thought of as the French Cordings, quite an institution but very traditional and not the highest quality
Maison Gabriel – Unstructured tailoring, ready-made and made-to-measure, plus sartorial accessories
And flagships….
This guide is more 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. Oh and I always go into 45R, but that’s just because there is no outlet in London.
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
I haven’t, no, but it’s on the hit list
Navy trews, Simon?
In the picture? No, charcoal
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.
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.
Rome next please!
Yes, Rome please!
Why have you overlooked Kenjiro Suzuki? I hear great things about him and his tailoring.
You’re right, he’s probably worth mentioning. I don’t have any direct experience so hesitated about including him
No direct experience of Kenjiro? Isn’t it just the case that he’s now back in Tokyo?
I’ve used and covered Kenjiro, I just don’t know what he’s doing now – I would assume he’s setting up an atelier there, but I haven’t inquired
I can’t seem to see anything on the Charvet link. Is it just me?
No, me neither. Strange, I’ll ask them
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………….
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’ !
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.
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.
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.
Decent quality, not great.
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
Hi John,
Only this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charvet_Place_Vend%C3%B4me
Web shop only at https://www.mrporter.com/mens/designers/charvet
…
Selfridge’s used to have a good selection of Charvet shirts and ties before it changed direction and focused on high fashion brands.
Hilditch & Key, reportedly Karl Lagerfeld’s favourite shirtmaker, also closed its Paris store. Encouragingly, Crockett & Jones still has three Paris stores. Edward Green and John Lobb also have stores in Paris . It would therefore appear that there is healthy demand for quality British-made footwear. Jermyn Street now has more RTW shoe shops than shirtmakers so perhaps so that could signify as broader shift in demand.
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.
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.
Second the praise. Very happy with my Jean Rousseau black calf watch strap, which I bought on their website for my vintage Zenith automatic.
hello, simon. Where can I find information about Swiss sartorial?
You mean Swiss tailors? I don’t know any personally, though doubtless there are one or two tucked away. Some of the major European tailors do travel there sometimes, eg Cifonelli
Hi Simon, I truly enjoy Permanent Style. Concerning Bespoke shoes in Paris you may also consider J.M.Weston
Hi. They don’t do bespoke as far as I know – just special orders
Hi Simon
could you create a post where you advice the best fabrics for odd jackets? Interested in advices on seasonal fabrics.
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
I’m afraid there’s not much you can do, unless they happen to be very sports jacket-like materials, such as hopsack, tweed, cashmere, linen etc
Options do exist Simon.
For any plain blue, change the buttons for either gold or grey mother of pearl and you have a passable blazer.
For any shade of grey, change the buttons for a caramel shade.
And so on.
Changing buttons changes the look.
I have been trying to get on Charvet website for sometime with no success. Just comes up blank. Any idea why? Thanks
I just saw a similar post on this subject from someone. Sorry.
I think their website has always looked like that. Like a business card. Was honestly a bit shocked they have an instagram account now. Always thought it was a bit chic they had no online presence but I guess it’s not possible even for a brand like Charvet to be completely offline nowadays.
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. ; )
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.
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
…
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.
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
Florence is coming soon…
Any quick recommendations for RTW type items in Florence prior to my easter trip there? 🙂
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.
Will do. I know various people including MCR have been trying to get them to do that for a while
Great! Thanks Simon, I know I am not the only UK based Charvet customer who will look forward to this!
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!
They are not a retailer Mats, so not set up for passing customers I’m afraid. You normally have to rely on stockists, which are listed
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?
They pretty much all do, but do phone ahead and ask. And women’s tailoring from Cifonelli or Camps de Luca can look beautiful
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.
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
I’m not a perfume expert by any means, but Caron is worth a visit touristically, and there are some great boutique ones in Le Marais from what I recall.
Oh, of course Fragonard, Serge Lutyens, Guerlain
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.
Yes, Franck Namani is very expensive. There are other shops, including London. They don’t do bespoke – just made to measure
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.
No, sorry
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
New York is by far the biggest, followed by Paris, followed by Stockholm. You could argue there are better specialist shops in Stockholm, for example, but I’d still go for New York.
Thank you!
Simon, what do you mean by the “sad demise” of Arnys? I thought they were still operating…
Not really. They were bought out by Berluti, largely to have the building, and the tailoring they offer is nice, but nothing like the original style and creativity of Arnys
You sounded much more positive in your 2013 post (December 18). Why the shift in tone?
The make of the bespoke tailoring I saw then was very good, and I liked the style of it too.
But I didn’t mention the RTW side of Arnys in that post, which was the majority of the business and the most characterful. It’s a real shame that that has been lost to the world
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.
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.
It doesn’t sound like it’s your taste Bobby, but I think you unfairly put the shops I mention in the same category as pure streetwear. These include heritage manufacturers, quality materials, and a real awareness of tailoring’s traditions, yet combine it with more contemporary awareness than you usually see in London.
It’s certainly true that French men don’t spend much money on clothes, which is a problem for the local industry
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
I’m in the process… just don’t get back to Paris enough to speed it along
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 .
Yes, I’d always recommend full canvas. It doesn’t have to add any weight virtually, yet makes a difference to the line
Hi Simon,
I really think you should write an article about all your vintage shop finds!
OK…
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.
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.
Thank you, I will
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
It’s finished very well, just with an amount of machine work – done in a workshop in Italy working exclusively for Camps, run by an ex-employee
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
Seraphin are largely a manufacturer, not a brand, so there is very little of it around under their name. However, I am hoping to bring them to London in the Autumn for a trunk show, so keep an eye out for that.
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.
I will add Suitsupply at rue de la Paix in Paris.
We don’t include shops in these lists that exist in a lot of locations Orestis, just so you know. These are largely unique places to Paris, and therefore reasons to travel there.
Hey Simon, have you heard about Editions M.R in Paris?
I had seen it, yes, but the aesthetic didn’t really appeal to me – a little too slouchy, almost a high-street look. What’s your experience of the quality?
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
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
Thank you Romain, I will
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.
Thank you Robin. I’ll look into the new comments point. I guess if there’s ever an increase of two comments, it means something has been added by a reader, as I publish them and reply at the same time
Thanks on the technical point, I’ll look into it
Altan Bottier has a very distinctive offer and its only physical presence is in Paris.
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.
Anyone have any experience with Maison Pen? This is Maison Pen’s website http://www.maisonpen.fr/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maisonpen/
Hello Simon! Do you got any priceing info suits and blazers that Jean Manuel Moreau offers?
I don’t have any to hand no – best to contact him. I will try to do a full review at some point though
Hi Simon,
What about Dimetri Bottier in Paris who do the bespoke range for Crockett and Jones.
Do you know anything about them?
I don’t have any personal experience, no
Julien Scavini is missing from the list! He also has a fantastic menswear blog.
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
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!
In searching for SG handkerchiefs at Sartoism.com, I discovered they have been absorbed by Lundochlund.com in Stockholm where the SG handkerchiefs can still be found. Looks like a nice shop with broad on-line selection.
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.
Probably Cifonelli, given I don’t have any experience of having them from Berluti, or know what the situation is there now with the tailoring team.
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.
How lovely Max. I hope the cloth is nice and turns out well
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
The only place like that I think is called Jinji.
But I’d recommend visiting Anatomica and Le Vif, probably my favourite shop in Paris and my favourite vintage shop respectively.
There will actually be quite a lot of Paris content coming up…
Many thanks Simon.
Definitely owe you a pint for these recommendations!
Looking forward to more Paris updates.
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!
Hey Mo,
I would be suspicious about bespoke at that price point, yes. To be honest, I think you’re better off going for really good MTM at that price, rather than risking bespoke and it not turning out as you expected. In Paris I would recommend Jean-Manuel Moreau in particular.
Keep in mind that these guides are always going to be a bit out of date. Holiday has closed, for example, and I believe Beige and Le Vif will be moving too
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.
Hi James,
No, Husbands is not a bespoke tailor like Camps and Cifonelli, they are a brand selling largely ready-to-wear tailoring. Their MTO tailoring is made at the same facility, in Italy (like most RTW suiting, the MTM/MTO is a set of adjustments to the same pattern used for RTW).
I really like Husbands and there style, which is beautifully executed and really stands out. But they’re not really somewhere to compare to the bespoke tailors.
Any other questions, do let me know.
Thanks
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 😉
Ah, amazing, thank you Isaac
Cifonelli boutique moved to 35 rue François 1er, close to the bespoke atelier. https://cifonelli.com/pages/nos-points-de-ventes
Thanks Stanislav, yes need to update these!
I have a Carl Bucherer Swiss Watch needing a new strap.
I couldn’t understand why the relatively cheap original lizard strap became worn out and dozed so quickly. I went to Jean Rousseau in Piccadilly Arcade. Answer… no stitching!!
I didn’t commission anything at that time , but now considering between Atelier du Bracelet Parisian and Jean Rosseau in a nice but stylish and durable leather of which ABP has the most types of leather anywhere including shark, ostrich amongst others.
Who would you recommend?
And there are others?
To Simon,
My apologies, I meant this as a question.
Would you recommend Jean Rosseau or ABP or others?
I’d recommend Rousseau, but I don’t have much experience here – I haven’t tried others
That’s great.
Many thanks again.
Lindsay
Hi Simon, it’s great to discover some shops in the article even though I live in Paris ! Do you know if Kenjiro Suzuki has opened up shop elsewhere ? Thank you !
Nice to hear Oliver. He’s moved back to Japan, but I don’t know if he has set up an atelier there now
A timely and worthy update to Paris.
Mes Chaussettes Rouges is my main go to now for all my socks.
It may be worthwhile, at a time convenient, to pore over the listing of brands on the website.
Some are sadly redundant while others lead to nothing or a very brief entry at best.
Thanks
Lindsay
Thanks Lindsay. Yes it’s hard to keep that whole archive up to date – hopefully guides like these go some way towards it
Simon,
since you mentioned Husband’s blazer in cavalary-twill: Does a dark brown cavalary-twill suit work separately? Can I use the jacket as a sharp blazer?
Related question: If you break up a cotton or a linen suit, what kind of fabric would you use for the trousers worn with the cotton/linen jacket?
Thank you so much,
Manuel
Generally, no cav twill is not great for jackets, better for suits and trousers. It can be done, like quite a few fabrics, but it’s a question of more specific things, like the density, weave, colour, yarn etc. I’d avoid it unless you’ve actually seen the material made up
On the latter, it’s something we show a lot around the website, though linen is a lot easier than cotton. Cotton is usually best casual with something like denim. Linen goes with loads of things, from denim to cotton to high-twist wools
I bought a pair of gloves from Artumes. I love them.
Thank you for a refresh.
About John Lobb: the store at Boissy d’Anglas is okay, but it is small and sometimes crowded because of the passage from Hermes. I would suggest going to 51 rue François 1er, it is more spacious and relaxed. And it has a nice bespoke corner.
Paris has a wonderful Edward Green boutique too, the only one outside London, at 199 Boulevard St. Germain.
Thank you Stanislav, good point on Lobb
Lovely description. I do like Paris very much. I like Charvet ties – though perhaps the single-colour textured ties that they’re absolutely not known for – I wonder why they’ve been able to slide into this better than Hermes – but, as I ask the question, I know the answer – Hermes is monetising a brand (those ugly H-ties and horse-show-ties and..), Charvet missed this boat and is therefore forced to make ties that the last of the tie wearers still like.
But on a broader scale, the list is appallingly short – quite rightly. What is it with Paris?
Many Parisians dress well. They certainly care about their appearance.
Yet few would go to Paris for a bespoke suit – it simply doesn’t have the depth of tailors that London or Italy offers. This can’t be explained by rent (London is surely more expensive) or attitude to craft (there’s probably a segment of the French civil service entirely devoted to their support). It can’t – I’d guess – be entirely due to location – rich Germans can get to Paris as easily as they can to London or anywhere in Italy. It can’t be headline cost, or we’d all be flying to Albania for our suits.
I know you’ve suggested Cifonelli as a counterexample – but the fact you’ve named a house notorious for its tight-fitting (though apparently excellently executed) clobber, suggests that they’ll wither soon.
So what is it about this city? How is that London nurtures so many styles (from Huntsman to A and S to the whatever) while Paris – which seems a more promising soil – does so badly?
But thank you for the nod to the leather houses. I think one of them may be able to offer me something I want. I have reason to be in Paris in June and I’ll find out.
Hey John,
On Cifonelli, I wouldn’t say they’d wither soon, they’re doing well and have done for a long time. But I would point out that they came from Italy, and others in Paris came from abroad too.
England has that long tailoring history – it invented the type of clothing, so I’m not surprised it has more. But I would be interested to know why Italy has so much more, and always has done
Hello Simon,
Amazing guide, most I discovered through you. I wanted to double check if Lutays was there I know Jean has a show room, but that’s one of my go to Parisian Menswear Houses. Thank you for this guide, can’t wait to go back and visit some of these locations.
Good point Mauricio, I don’t know actually
What happened to Kenjiro Suzuki?
He moved back home to Japan
Simon – please update the New York Shopping guide when you are in town this week. Many of the shops you have listed have closed and obviously there are so many great shops to highlight i.e. JJ Hat Center, Wythe, Drakes, J.Press, CHCM, Alden Madison etc. etc etc….
Thanks, yes I am gradually doing these and New York is on the list. There was more recently a small update here which included CHCM and J Press, and a piece on vintage shops here
Hi Simon,
Thanks for having updaded this list! Great and useful at the right time! Unmistakable signs of a reawakening! Still, to make it sustainable, new and effective initiatives supportive of the whole process would be necessary.
By the way, I love the sharp look Husbands are projecting! However – and to be honest – such a look deserves fairly sharper type of loafers! Those made by G&G, Cleverley or C&J. I wouldn’t dare asking for your opinion on such a matter, Simon! As people would think you were biased! Even the boots made by the aformentioned ones would better fit into the look! Why? Thanks to the kind of fabrics they use for their jackets and trousers.Their current boots anyhow look flimsy within the outfits they thankfully offer.
They shouldn’t be wary making such a move as those who could afford their current offerings could afford such shoes too.
Yes, they should bet on their boldness, knowing that they are not alone in this world!!!
John
Ps. Surprisingly enough, I’ve noticed that you have reposted my 8-year comment plus the replies I wasn’t aware of! What a dedication, Simon!
Cheers John. Yes with the comments, we just keep them when we update the post, as it’s a shame to lose them
The Frederic Malle boutiques are all worthy of visits as well, very sad to see him leave the brand, but I still remain hopeful that their future scents will be just as interesting.
Hi Simon, Interesting article.
I haven’t been to Paris since prior to the pandemic. This will be useful next time I go possibly in the autumn. I have read recently that, in common with many major cities, Paris is suffering a bit. I read a recent article on this subject by Sean Thomas in The Spectator. I wondered what you noticed generally.
On a completely unrelated point, I did put myself on the waiting list to the light grey Donegal Tweed coat and you did let me when you are expecting stock, however I seem to have misplaced your reply . Please do let me know.
Thanks
Hey Stephen,
We should have stock again in late August/September.
It’s hard to say on Paris – menswear seems to be doing ok but I only see a very small slice of things
Thanks Simon
some data points. Chapal leather jackets have incredible leathers, but pricey. Saltiel vintage selection is very limited and for properly handmade umbrellas, Kirchtag in Salzburg is by far my favourite choice.
I was taken with your description of Husbands – “the cavalry twill used for their navy blazers, which is achingly sharp”. Do I correctly surmise then that cavalry twill is a rare instance of a fabric that can make a great smart suit, the jacket of which might also be orphaned successfully as a separate? Thank you
Hey Robert,
There is a comment above about that actually – in most cases, no, I don’t think it is. It’s only in quite particular styles and worn in specific ways (as a lot of Husbands things are)
Do you or someone among the readers have a recommendation for a good alterations tailor in Paris?
I don’t. If you don’t hear from anyone else, try asking at a shop that does tailoring perhaps, like Husbands or JMM
Hi Simon, have you come across Le Debotte on Rue Jacob in Paris? If you haven’t I would recommend you have a look. It’s mainly made to measure country-inspired clothing with a distinct Arnys flavour. They have no social media or website and I stubbled on it by chance. Good quality but very expensive.
Thank you Nick, no I hadn’t
Is it time for a city guide to Madrid? Do you think there is enough to make it worth it?
Just about I think. We can look to do one – the challenge usually is keeping them up to date, so many need updating!
Hi Simon, thank you for this great guide. Have you visited Atelier de Luca or even commissioned a MtM-Suit/Jackett? Any opinion on their house style? I would expect similarities to Camps DeLuca. Cheers, Klaus
I have visited but can’t say much I’m afraid, I can’t remember exactly what the style was and I haven’t tried anything