People in France spend half as much on clothing now than 25 years ago, according to consumer organisation UFC-Que Choisir, as many households look to tighten their belts financially.
They are also more conscious of ethical fashion and sustainability, increasingly favouring second-hand garments or investing in key, quality pieces over fast fashion. We look at where savings can be made.
Less is more
Building a capsule wardrobe based on the ‘less is more’ philosophy can help you save in the long term, says Yoshiko Tange, 57, a personal shopper who moved from her native Japan to Paris at the age of 23 and has worked in the fashion industry for over 30 years.
“Focus on the pieces you truly need and love. Prioritise quality over quantity, and choose timeless designs instead of following trends.
“This way, you can allocate more budget to each item. High-quality pieces last longer, so in the end you save money while building a more refined wardrobe.”
Shop second-hand
Pre-loved clothing is big business in France. Second-hand clothing sales make up 10.9% of all sales volumes according to a recent survey by the French Fashion Institute (IFM), rising to 16.3% among 18- to 34-year-olds.
It is worth having a clear strategy, however. “Vintage can be a good way to save money – but only if it’s done with intention,” says Ms Tange.
“I often see people buying vintage simply because it’s cheap without truly connecting to the piece. When that happens, those clothes aren't worn often – and that’s not real saving.”
Her advice for dipping your toe into vintage is to start small, with accessories such as belts or scarves.
“They’re easier to integrate into your everyday looks, and there’s no size issue. Once you feel confident, you can move onto clothing pieces.”
Among the best places to shop second-hand in France are friperies (thrift shops). They range from high-end stores stocking vintage treasures to less curated – but much cheaper – charity shops, such as Croix-Rouge and Emmaüs.
There are a growing number of second-hand shops that sell clothes by weight, such as Kilo Shop, which has outlets across France including in Paris, Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon and Marseille.
Vide-greniers (and, specifically for clothes, vide-dressings) can also offer fashion bargains. Use vide-greniers.org to search for upcoming flea markets, clothes swaps and jumble sales near you.
Get online
The boom in online platforms for buying/selling clothes has not passed France by. In fact, it is the biggest market in Europe for Vinted.
Other platforms include Depop, Vestiaire Collective (for luxury items) and Jaiio. Leboncoin (classified ads website) and Facebook Marketplace are also worth searching, while Geev lists items being given away for free.
“Apps like Vinted meet the needs of people who want to shop quickly and economically,” says Ms Tange, who admits she still prefers shopping in person so she can try on clothing first.
“They also offer rare or specific items you might not find in stores, so in a way, it’s like a modern version of a street market – fun to explore.”
However, she cautions that such platforms can still fuel over-consumption.
“Eco-friendliness is not just about buying second-hand, it’s also about treating each purchase with care and avoiding unnecessary turnover.”
Rentals, swaps and repairs
Renting garments can be a particularly good idea for special occasions, when you may not want to splurge on buying a fancy outfit for just one wear. Une Robe, Un Soir, based in Paris, rents out luxury outfits for a range of prices, depending on the brand, starting at around €100 for four days.
You could also consider joining a clothes swap group, such as Facebook’s Women in Paris Swap and Shop. Search social media for local versions.
Finally, you could save money by repairing garments rather than replacing them. Since 2023, clothes and shoes repairs have been eligible for state financial aid as part of the bonus réparation scheme. In 2025, this was extended to include lingerie and household linen. Find a list of approved repair shops here.
Reader tips
“There are garage sales at almost all primary schools. These have great deals, but are not advertised well. Call the schools, ask them, and put it on the calendar. I also sew – if garments are good they get repaired.” R.K.
“Charity shops and Vinted have changed how I think about clothes. I try not to hoard as much (lots that don’t fit!) knowing I can get good quality clothes that do!” S.D.
“My husband just spent two weeks in hospital close to a Primark. I kept going there to buy extra-large pyjamas, underwear etc. as his normal clothing was too tight. I bought a few bits and pieces for myself too. Cheap as chips!” C.D.
“Noz used to sell upmarket clothes cheap. You have to visit it regularly to find good deals.” A.B-G.
“I love our local MAS (Maison Accueil Solidarité), a second-hand shop. I’ve bought so many clothes there. My youngest too, aged 17.” H.S.
“My advice, if you can afford it, is to save €5 a week and buy one or two quality garments in natural materials that you really like; they will last for years and in the end usually work out cheaper than a load of buy-and-discard synthetic tat.” R.A.
