Stocking Up on Chic Clothes at Discount Prices

Parisian designers continue to dominate the world of fashion, and their fabulous haute couture salons attract customers from around the globe.

Most of the top Paris boutiques have their main shops in the 8th arrondissement, clustered along avenue Montaigne and Rue du Faubourg-St. Honore. These are two of Paris’ most famous shopping streets.

But many budget-minded shoppers may find the palatial salons a bit too pricey for anything more than an accessory or token souvenir. Those who can’t afford the fancy salons but want to take home chic Parisian clothing, may tour the couture shops to get a sense of current style, and then head for the designer discount shops to do the bulk of their buying.

The discount outlets, otherwise known as “stock,” are run by designers and/or their manufacturers. They are scattered throughout Paris, but the biggest concentration of them is along Rue d’Alesia, Paris’ designer discount row.

Discount Offerings

Rue d’Alesia is in the 14th arrondissement, a middle-class residential area. The street is a quiet, tree-lined boulevard and nearly every other storefront is a designer discount outlet. There are about a dozen of them in all. Some feature clothes by only one designer and others offer a constantly changing array of designer labels. Many top labels are not represented on the street, while others appear only sporadically.

The shops are pleasant. While they may not provide the glittering environment of the fancier designer boutiques, they are well-stocked. Many offer current styles while others feature remaindered models from previous seasons. Prices are discounted up to 50%.

Rue d’Alesia is a bit off the tourist path, but it’s easy to get there on the Metro. The shops are within blocks of the Rue d’Alesia station, a 15- or 20-minute ride from the 8th arrondissement.

Here’s a rundown of some of the shops:

Stock and Sold, at No. 56, sells a wide selection of reasonably chic and modestly priced clothes by lesser-known French manufacturers, and tucked among these are some lovely Pierre Cardin sweater dresses and silk blouses for $45 and up. The stock varies from week to week.

Stock des Creatures, at No. 69, also stocks clothes by lesser-known French designers and manufacturers. These styles are appealing, but shoppers who love name labels will be most impressed by the selection of YSL scarfs ($35 and up) and other accessories for men and women.

Capezio, at No. 72-74, specializes in fine dancers’ toe or tap attire, including the latest in everything from tutus to tights, with a full complement of feather boas in every color. There’s plenty to interest non-dancers, too. Especially good are the workout clothes and leg warmers (about $12) in a rainbow of colors.

Dorothee Bis Stock, at No. 74, offers the designer’s attention-getting fashions. These are not clothes for the meek and retiring.

The selection of casual and dressy attire is impressive. There are leather or knit mini-skirts (about $80 and up), halters that plunge to the waist, clinging slacks sets (about $130 and up), dresses of tiger- or leopard-patterned knits, and spandex wraparounds. Only the mundane is missing.

The selection also includes more moderately styled sports clothes for tennis, jogging and golf (ensembles cost about $80 and up). Some of the styles are from previous seasons, but the shop offers about a 50% discount off original prices.

Micmac Stock, at No. 80, is a great source for chic casual clothes. There are sets of slacks ($45 and up) and jackets ($60 and up), made of denim or fashionably tinted heavy cotton, that are stylishly cut with lots of pockets and interesting detailing.

Some of the garments have had their labels removed, but in addition to Micmac’s own line of separates, the shop carries the Saint Tropez sports line and other easy-to-wear clothes. Stock varies almost weekly, but on a good day you can really score.

One of the Largest

Daniel Hechter/Stock 2, at No. 92, is one of Rue d’Alesia’s largest, best-stocked shops, with a dazzling array of discounted Daniel Hechter fashions for men, women and children.

The Hechter line is elegantly sporty, suitable for business or casual occasions. Stock ranges from tailored two-piece suits (about $250 and up) to jogging suits (about $40 and up) and multipocketed jackets for fishermen or photographers.

There are handsome woolen blazers ($50 and up) plus a great selection of school clothes for children. There are also terrific accessories, including neckties for men (from $12) and scarfs for women (from $15).

Stock System, at No. 110-112, is the discount outlet for Creations Saint Clair, a manufacturer of stylishly conservative, moderately priced suits (about $200 and up) for men and women. Women’s knit wear is particularly appealing, and so are the men’s and women’s raincoats (about $140). You’ll also find attractive leather and cotton combination jackets.

Cacharel Stock, at No. 114, is always packed, with both clothes and customers, and it’s possible to find some great buys of still-in-style Cacharel items from the previous season.

Men’s suits (about $230 and up), coats and shirts (about $25 and up) are on the second-floor balcony; women’s and children’s fashions share the ground floor. Women’s suits (about $200), dresses (about $150) and blouses (about $30 and up) are good purchases. The wool flannel smocking dresses for little girls (about $46) are hard to pass up.

For the Kids

Jacadi, at No. 119, is a well-known label in the United States for both style and quality in clothes for newborns to young teens. The discount shop has children’s dresses (about $70 and up), suits (about $80 and up) and sports ensembles (about $60 and up) that may be a bit on the formal side for play or school, but are appealing because they don’t make the kids look like adults in miniature. Shoes and accessories are also sold.

Usine Center, at No. 120, is a sort of discount department store, with drugstore supplies, stationery and assorted utility items, as well as fashion and accessories for men, women and children.

The prices are usually quite reasonable. For example, bulky Italian leather jackets are priced from about $95 and up, and DIM panty hose are about $4 and up. There are lots of stylish jeans and oversize shirts, as well as underwear. The store is usually crowded (so there’s a wait at the cash register), and customers have to follow a set route through all the departments.

Lasserre Stock, at No. 122, offers Lasserre’s upscale line of men’s and women’s coordinated clothes. They are modernized traditionals--smart, with country club lines, and ideal for the young professional. The discounted stock may be remaindered from last season, or even last year, but the garments are classics and never really go out of style. Lots of cashmere and wool coats and suits (about $200 and up).

La Porcelaine Blanche, at No. 135, sells tableware rather than clothes. This chain of stores features its own brand of reasonably priced, all-white porcelain and faience table settings, serving platters, bowls, spice jars and kitchen accessories. This is their bargain outlet, with discounts of up to 50% off their regular prices. Serving platters, for example, cost about $10 and up. Some Havilland and other name brands are also sold, at discounted prices.