Vanessa Bruno Boutique (Paris, France)

If you want to mimic effortless French chic, your best bet is to get something from the very talented Vanessa Bruno. While most of the French department stores will feature a selection of her current collection, heading over to one of her flagship boutiques is a much more fun experience. Even though she has a large and loyal following, the stores are never too busy and the sales assistants are always happy to help (but thankfully won't stalk you around the store).

I had never been to the boutique in the 1st arrondissement (near Place Vendôme), so when I had a look yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of snootiness and pretentiousness that is sometimes associated with the service and atmosphere of other shops in that area. As expected, Spring 09 was everywhere. Muted grey neutrals as well as bold colors in coral dominated the racks of clothing. Those unfamiliar with this designer might find the dresses and blouses too simple, but the attention to detail is impeccable and there's nothing more beautiful than the elegant loose draping of jersey or silk Bruno is so famous for. You won't find a lot of elaborate patterns, but then again, it's the classics that will remain in your wardrobe forever.

The store itself is bright and modern, with cool tall stripey poles as decoration and a skylight towards the back that gives the accessories section a bright ambiance. Speaking of accessories, one of Bruno's staples are the roomy leather totes, especially the sequined version in different colors. Even though we're talking about an international designer brand, prices are nowhere near as steep as the Diors of this world. The pricing is equivalent to what most big name designers charge for their diffusion lines (e.g. dresses cost about 200-450 EUR). If you like soft and floaty clothing, this is the place to come.

(individual images: net-a-porter & luisaviaroma)

Address: 12 rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris (various throughout Paris)
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:00-19:00
Vanessa Bruno Homepage