Hunting For Vintage

Vintage flea markets have always intrigued me, especially those in Europe. I remember when I was in Barcelona for Mango It Girl, I hunted down this small area known for vintage finds. One of the girls from Mango told me about it so I knew it was legit. After an entire afternoon of strolling around the place, I went home with a huge smile on my face–not because I bought a gazillion things (for the record, I only bought 2 earrings), but because I thoroughly enjoyed looking at all the beautiful vintage pieces and hearing the sellers’ stories about them. It was a wonderful experience, one that I wouldn’t mind doing over and over again. This is why when my sister told me she booked a tour for us to the world’s oldest and largest flea market, Paris’ Marché aux Puces Saint-Ouen de Clignancourt, of course I was the happiest girl on earth!!!

Marché aux Puces Saint-Ouen de Clignancourt is a dream for vintage bargain-hunters. It’s located on the far end of Paris and is only open on weekends so you really have to make time for it. Once you arrive to the area, you’ll notice you’re no longer in the postcard-perfect side of Paris so you have to really know your way around. Good thing we had a guide from Localers Paris. She’s an expert on vintage pieces so she didn’t only guide us around the gazillion alleys and small streets but she also helped us with our purchases. I don’t even know how we’d be able to find the things we wanted to buy if not for her. She helped us bargain too because a lot of the vendors didn’t speak english.

Would I recommend this tour to you guys? A BIG FAT YES. I’m not at all sponsored by Localers Paris but I really found the tour too cool not to share. Check out my photos below if you need a little more convincing. Obviously, Paris isn’t that easy to go to especially if you live all the way in the Philippines like me, but it’s good to have this bookmarked in case you find yourself in the City of Love in the future. If not, you can always scour the internet for pre-loved goodies in the meantime. I actually just discovered this French social market place called Vide Dressing where a community of fashion-loving people buy and sell their pre-loved items. It’s what’s currently satisfying my thirst for vintage pieces. Granted it’s not as diverse and old as Marché aux Puces Saint-Ouen de Clignancourt, Vide Dressing definitely has a lot of fashionable pieces that are to die for. Most importantly, all the luxury/designer items on their site are meticulously inspected by a team of legal experts trained by luxury brands. Isn’t this a relief? I’m always too scared to buy second-hand items online because of authenticity issues. (eBay, anyone?) Now that it’s no longer an issue, I can’t stop checking Vide Dressing’s bag selection! This is clearly the start of a new addiction.

Frency and Mercury sunnies | Jovonna London coat | Uniqlo top | MUJI skirt | Céline bag | Stella McCartney flats

34 Responses to “Hunting For Vintage”
  2. Pat

    you look so fresh in your outfit! :)

    I am just bothered with that one photo, which is not available (I even sent you a tweet about it) :(

    Reply
  3. maebs

    I love this post. I think I not be there po to shop rather than to hear some vintage stories and just looking at the things in there.

    Reply
  4. Elise GARY

    Hi Camille Co,

    Thank you so much for your article about Paris Flea Market!
    It was really a pleasure helping you finding what you were looking for and helping you negociating!
    If anyone wants to experience Vintage Shopping in Paris, do not hesitate contacting me: elisegary@ymail.com and following me on instagram at PARIS_ANTIQUES_SHOPPING_TOURS
    Elise GARY

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Hi Elise! Thanks so much for making this experience so much better! :)

      Reply
  5. france

    All photos you’ve posted are perfection. It captured every details you wanted to share. Kudos to you and the person behind the lens. 😊

    What cameras are you using by the way?

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Thanks France! It’s just me who takes my photos and my sister who took photos of me. :) I used a Canon 5D Mark iii here :)

      Reply
  6. bibi

    Great post Camille !

    I’m from Paris and i definitely love hunting for vintage and second hand clothes,there’s a lot of “marché” in Paris especially in the surburb where you can buy food,home goods, vintage and trendy clothes cheaper compared to the Saint Ouen flea market but it’s better to go there with a local.
    When you were in Paris did you visit the Belleville area and the thrift stores at le Marais in Châtelet ?

    http://www.bibi-shelter.com/2015/11/pfw-elie-saab-aw15.html

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Thanks Bibi! No I wasn’t able to but I’ll definitely check those out the next time I visit. I’ve been to Le Marais but I wasn’t able to check out the thrift stores :(

      Reply
  7. @jhayceedlc

    As always Miss Camille, very sophisticated look.
    and amazing pictures. :)

    Curious here, What time you’ll arrived in BU 10?

    xoxo :)

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Hi Jhaycee! Thanks! Unfortunately, I’ll be abroad but I’ll have a booth still! :)

      Reply
  8. Elizabeth T.

    Loving the amazingly chic outfit that you’re wearing here :D The coat is lovely!
    And of course, the flea market looks really fun! So much bright colors! <3
    It must be awesome to see so many vintage finds all in the same place!

    XO, Elizabeth
    http://clothestoyouuu.com/

    Reply
  9. Dexie

    Love the outfit and the place. You look like someone from a James Bond movie. =)

    Reply
  10. Parul

    Midway through the post I was dying to see what all you purchased. I scrolled down in such a rush, I think my head is spinning a bit=P
    Show us what you bought na!

    Reply
    • Camille Co

      Thanks Anne! :) The magazines are so cool! I don’t know about the stories though because open them but the illustrated covers are so cute!

      Reply
    • Camille Co

      Hi Seyra! Hmmm you can’t really compare it, it’s more about paying for vintage items than paying for second-hand items. if it’s Vide Dressing you’re referring to, then I think it is cheaper :)

      Reply
Leave a Reply