What's Your Take on Designer Shopping

[travelluver]

In an earlier thread, I asked about designer resale shops (though I wrote Anna Sui instead of Anna Lowe - is that shop gone?). This got me thinking about Franch women and fashion. Lots of tourists flock to designer shops hoping to bring back a little bit of Paris flair, whether it's at full retail or bargain prices(or even fake). Ebay is full of offerings on designer bags and shoes (I've heard most of them are fake). But what does the average French woman do? Does she save up her euros for that one designer bag that will last forever? Chanel? Louis Vuitton (I've heard that only American and Asian tourists are buying that's why we/they're so easy to spot in the city . Gucci, Prada? Or a bit lesser line like Longchamp? Am interested in your takes...thanks!

[phread]

Many Parisiennes, have a Vanessa Bruna bag and the Longchamps, pliable. For the really expensive bags... most of the women I know don't save a penny for those bags, but wait for Santa or the birthday fairy to drop them down the chimney.

Other brands that are VERY popular are Gerard Darel (it seems like EVERYONE has this bag), Sequoia, Lancel and Furla. There are locals who own a Louis Vuitton, but right now the Goyard is more fashionable.

Prada bags are easy to find at the discount stores these days. Dior is more popular than Gucci today, but I feel that's changing. And lots of the young Parisiennes I know own a fake or four.