The Fashionista’s Guide to Paris and London

Two of the most fashionable European cities, Paris and London, beckon the fashion obsessed for a shopping experience unlike any other. Treating myself to a getaway in these stylish capitals, I can’t imagine a better way — or place — to shop for this season’s high-end scores. I love how fashion has infused itself into everyday city life; from amusing London museums to quaint Parisian cafés, there is a sense of fashion everywhere.

The joie de vivre found in Paris is especially palpable in its most fashionable districts. Paris has always been synonymous with fashion and it certainly lives up to its reputation. Staying at the Hotel Shangri-La near the Eiffel Tower leaves shopaholic travellers like me set to shop the Parisian way – after a good night’s rest.

A croissant and an espresso gave me the boost I needed for a walk to the Galeries Lafayette — a department store like no other. Walking is the preferred mode of transportation in Paris, although there is a vast Metro subway system if you prefer.

On my way, I stopped by the landmark Eiffel Tower located near my hotel, which is marvelous to see (but not worth the line-up for a climb to the top — especially if you have some serious shopping to do!). Continuing on, I took in the sights and sounds of the city, with hurried traffic, little corner stores, and stylish Parisians lending to the charm of the capital.

From the outside, the Galeries Lafayette looks like any other mall, but inside is a true Parisian retail experience.  It’s part traditional shopping mall and part art gallery. The art gallery on the main floor, the Galerie des Galeries, features contemporary French and international art, fashion and photography. Using the gallery designs as inspiration, you can shop big-name brands like Zara and Urban Outfitters, or lesser known brands like Aime. I fell for a floral print Aime dress, on sale for just over 100 EUR.

Sale buyers beware that some signs offer additional discounts but only for French residents – tourists are out of luck! Before leaving the Galeries Lafayette I browsed the Designer Laboratory, where each season showcases a different up-and-coming luxury designer. You’ll likely leave the department store with a few fabulous purchases — and definitely with a heightened sense of fashion.

Feeling more fashionable than ever, it was time for an evening stroll along the Champs Elysée. With its notable Arc du Triomph lit up at the end of the street, the shopping area is another example of how Parisian history meets popular culture. Stores like H&M, Gap and Sephora stand nearby massive multi-story flagship stores for Louis Vuitton, Guerlain, Fendi and Chanel.

Make sure to stop and have tea at the decadent and ever-fashionable landmark tea house Laudrée, to rest and refuel with some pastries before more shopping. The world owes Ladurée for the invention of the macaron, which sandwiches a ganache filling between two airy, meringue-like cookies, usually presented in a rainbow of pastel colors and flavors.

Almost all the stores are open well into the night, until 9 or 10 p.m., but you’ll never be able to see the entire selection of goods – the Louis Vuitton House, as it is known, is almost 20,000 square feet on its own! It’s better to join the locals for a stroll down the street with an ice cream or latté in hand. It’ll be some of the best window shopping you’ll ever do.

For dinner, head over to Ledoyen restaurant, in Champs Elysees Gardens. It got three Michelin stars in 2015 and is the most fashionable restaurant in Paris, attracting A-list celebrities on a regular basis.

A quick $70, two-hour Eurostar ride later, I was in London.

The first thing you’ll notice in London is how seamlessly it blends modernity and tradition. I arrived at the Kensington Hotel, a boutique luxury destination located within walking distance to several shopping districts and famous attractions.

I jumped on the blue Piccadilly tube (in London, the subway is called the “tube”) line, on my way to do some serious shopping. The tube can pretty much get you anywhere in and around London. It’s almost always busy but far cheaper than a traditional black taxi (and safer than walking into cars driving on the left side of the road!). I got off at Leicester Square to visit Covent Garden, a unique shopping market. Part outdoor flea market, part designer strip mall, there’s a sea of shopping options.

Arriving in the early evening, Covent Garden was busy, with locals lining up for one of the many trendy restaurants. On the plus side, that meant the stores were less packed. I browsed the top British brands, like Mulberry and Burberry, as well as other high-end stores I’d never heard of, like East, featuring fabulous dresses and some heavenly handbags. I couldn’t resist the fun tourist-designed stores like the Build-a-Bear Workshop (build a shopping buddy!).

For a break, I took in the juggling street act – there’s always some performance going on, especially in the summer time. By late afternoon, I walked away with a teddy bear and some divine homemade cookies from Ben’s Cookies, but all the designer stores and local influences left me inspired for another day of shopping!

The two biggest shopping districts in London are Knightsbridge and Oxford Street. Knightsbridge is home to Harrods, the famous luxury British department store featuring everything from gourmet jam to designer fashion. Be sure to check out their famous shoe floor. Harrods is a tourist attraction, but one you can visit on your way to the one-of-a-kind shops in the area.

Just a little north of Knightsbridge is Oxford street – cue the dreamy music – with over 300 stores to choose from. Starting at Topshop, I was truly like a kid in a candy store with tops and dresses in every color and cut to suit every shape. I settled on three tops and two dresses – all for less than the price of one designer piece!

You can’t visit Oxford Street without a trip to the original department store – Selfridges. Opened in 1909, it revolutionized shopping at the time and still draws in shoppers to its 19,000 square feet of retail wonder – and that’s just the main floor! Definitely pricier than Topshop, the store specializes in luxury brands but features up and coming designers as well, like Preen and Zoe & Morgan. I splurged on a pair of spikey Zoe & Morgan earrings – my designer London purchase.

On my last day in London I thought I would visit a couple of the more touristy sights, starting with Buckingham Palace. From the outside it is as majestic as you can imagine and inside – the palace is almost always open for tours during the summer months – the state rooms recreate exciting bits of royal life. The Queen’s and other royal family member’s dresses (Kate!) and personal jewelry are on display. There’s also a perfectly laid out banquet table on display where you can imagine the royals dining in their high fashion (or maybe Topshop?).

In contrast to the regal Buckingham Palace, but still keeping with the royal theme, is the fun and touristy Madame Tussauds Museum. The life-like wax sculptures are kitschy but fascinating. During my visit there was a royal retrospective featuring Princess Diana in some of her most iconic gowns. You can always find a wax figure of the Queen and now Kate and William as well, for a Facebook-worthy photo-op and some up-close fashion inspiration –  fashion is truly everywhere in London.

Just as in Paris, fashion was a way of life and I had lived it, at least for a little while.