womantraveler

Paris Shopping: The Color Violet

Walk, well even run, to gather the color violet for your fall-winter wardrobe. A virtual sea of shades of purple accents Paris fashion this fall. For those of us who didn't think we could wear "vi-o-lay," believe me, there is a shade that works --from bold and bright to subtle near-gray. And that is only part of the story. Compliment purples with the spectrum of two other surprisingly compatible colors -- red to pink and burnt orange to tangerine. Statements from bold to soft, reminiscent of a palette from the '60s and something for everyone.

I discovered the options by shopping in one of my favorite boutiques on the Ile St-Louis, Yamina Sarl at 56 rue St-Louis en l'Ile. Her clothing is so original and inventive, wearable -- and importantly, very affordable. I go there to try on what's new in sweaters, tops and jackets especially, plenty of contemporary style without attitude. A piece that says subtly but does not scream "Paris." Very up to the minute in fabrics and colors with an easy eye-catching elegance for women with flair. I walked away with a wool and acrylic violet cape/shrug that can serve as a single layering piece or wrap around a coat or sweater for more warmth. Oh, yes, and a feathery silk scarf in violet, red and burnt orange -- an essential accessory of flair year-round in Paris and a cozy barrier against damp winter chill. 

By the way, it's easy to spend a half day along the rue St-Louis en l'Ile, crossing  back and forth along the narrow street from boutique to boutique. Once done, stand in line for an ice cream or sorbet at the popular Maison Berthillon near the western tip at the Pont St-Louis across from Notre-Dame.

Colette, Paris "Concept" Shopping

Colette, the original trendy "concept store" in Paris is shopping as entertainment. Some call it the city's most stylish boutique, well-positioned on the most fashionable shopping avenue, the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore. Colette's concept (aka theme that governs all merchandise) is cutting-edge style from around the world -- hard to fine products that mix genres and tastes but always spell the ultimate in "the now." Clothes, accessories, books, CDs, high and low tech gadgets and lots more from world-famous names like Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent and Phillipe Starck. Check out their "eshop" for the Colette collection.

Incidentally, through October 5, Colette's first collection in the US is showcased in a rotating collection at the Gap flagship store in Manhattan, at 54th and 5th Ave.

Entire groups crowd at the corner of 213 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore to line up for entrance intothis  eye-popping three-story boutique. Up on the clothing floor, I quickly cruise and realize there is nothing here that I could possibly wear, but who cares? I buy a cute little barrette and splash on a whiff of a bergamont cologne sample, then head to the very chic "water bar" in the basement, which features mineral waters from around the world. Here an assortment of shoppers, from the preening ones to worldly backpackers, collect in an atmosphere that is the other extreme of the pulsating action above --quiet cool. Opting instead for a healthy "tao" drink of green tea, ginkgo biloba, Vitamin C and biotin, along with a light frothy souffle, I refuel for hours more shopping in central Paris.

Others among the best-known "concept" emporiums include:

• Eclaireur (so ultra-hip for designer clothing that there is no sign -- ring the bell ), 10 rue Herold (Metro: Concorde, 1st Arrondissement) 
• Montaigne Market ( a multi-brand collection of hot new labels on the elegant Avenue Montaigne and its couture houses), 57 ave Montaigne (Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt, 8th Arr.)
• SFR Le Studio (a boutique stocked with mobile and musical needs, embellished by a concert hall, restaurant and free Wi-Fi access from the first floor), 9 rue Tronchet (Metro: Madeleine, 8th Arr).