Kiliwatch (Paris, France)

It's unavoidable that in today's world, most consumer goods end up being mass-produced, overexposed or just simply commercialized to death. Vintage is one of those things that evolved into a trend almost surpassing any brand-named designer label, thanks mostly to the likes of Kate Moss and Sienna Miller who seem to have an endless supply of vintage day dresses. Of course the problem that resulted was that pseudo-vintage stores started popping up everywhere, while those that had been around for over 20 years suddenly saw the opportunity and began raising their prices. Most Londoners will tell you that Brick Lane is not what it used to be and I guess the same applies to Kiliwatch in Paris.

This cult store used to be the one-stop place for everything you could possibly want when it came to second-hand goods. The shop itself, situated in the hip Etienne Marcel area, is still impressive and attracts a large number of visitors (mainly tourists) every day. You could almost call it a consignment concept store, although it might remind you more of a giant Urban Outfitters, complete with loud music and a jeans section featuring Cheap Monday skinnies. The front area sells everything from (new) books to gadgets and jewelry. However this is probably another sign that the shop owners have tried a little too hard, not to mention the fact that you'll also find a sizable selection of brand new retail-branded accessories and clothing from labels such as Closed or Nümph.

The real second-hand goods can be found once you've made your way towards the back where you'll be greeted by a seemingly endless display of racks and shelves. The brands range from no-name to Levi's, but don't expect to find high-end designer labels here. The collection is huge and if you enjoy hunting, you will definitely have hours of fun trying on everything from cowboy boots to seventies dresses. I spotted some Swedish girls with armloads of skirts and retro Adidas t-shirts while other shoppers were eagerly rummaging through a pile of belts and scarves. There are definitely gems to be found here, but the true Parisian vintage connoisseur will probably tell you to drop what you're holding and head to some lesser-known shops a few streets down, where you'll find the 80 EUR scarves for only 10 EUR or the 70 EUR boots for 20 EUR.

Don't get me wrong - the store is lots of fun to spend time in - especially if you're out with friends, but you might want to shop around a bit first, before committing to overpriced purchases you might regret later. It's still an experience and worth checking out if you're in the area, but unfortunately it's also one of the most commercial 'vintage' stores I've come across so far.

Address: 64 rue Tiquetonne, 75002 Paris
Opening Hrs: Mon: 14:00-19:00, Tue-Sun: 11:00-19:00
Kiliwatch Homepage