Explore "Come On Eileen's" Cavern: Find Vintage Gems To Wear In Paris

Explore "Come On Eileen's" Cavern: Find Vintage Gems To Wear In Paris
Amélie
Amélie 
Contributing Writer
Published
| 4 min read

For all of those hunting for lost treasures to wear in Paris, Come On Eileen is a true Ali Baba’s cave, located in the bustling and stylish quarter of the Marais. Taking refuge amongst the cafés and clothes stores, this vintage shop holds promises of retro clothing and accessories that would not be found anywhere else in the world. Luxury brands can be found here for half their original prices and unique items of clothing can become the “pièce de résistance” of your wardrobe. With a far richer selection than any other stores in that neighborhood, Come On Eileen is an absolute must for those interested in creating their own styles or for those who simply enjoy browsing.

Discover a universe of items

explore "come on eileen's" cavern: find vintage gems to wear in paris | discover a universe of items

Despite being surrounded by various other vintage stores in the neighborhood, Come On Eileen has by far the largest selection of vintage clothing, whereupon every item is unique and tells a different story of its own. From a street view, the shop appears to be relatively small vintage boutique, however once inside, it reveals itself to have a surprising depth, hidden by the vast quantity of hanging coats, dresses and extravagant hats. A mezzanine crowded with items is practically hidden due to the hanging draped fabrics, bags and strings of sunglasses fashioned into garlands. A hidden winding staircase at the back of the shop reveals yet another floor below, packed with men’s coats, suits, military uniforms and stylish shoes of all kinds. Models in the window boast some of the most extravagant and stylish pieces and the original presentation can’t help but attract the eye.

Benefit from a truly Parisian location

explore "come on eileen's" cavern: find vintage gems to wear in paris | benefit from a truly parisian location

Established in 1989 and located in one of the hippest neighborhoods in Paris, Come On Eileen is also located on the busy shopping street, rue de Rivoli, between metro Hotel de Ville and St Paul. Due to its historic nature, Rue de Rivoli is a central axis that cuts Paris from the East to the West and therefore boasts famous monuments such as the Louvre, Hotel de Ville and the Tuileries Gardens. This centrality ensures a true Parisian experience and is reminiscent of Paris’ glory and beauty with the Seine hardly a street away. A perfect setting for a shopping trip, Come On Eileen is also surrounded by bars, restaurants and cafes that tend to be more touristic closest to famous monuments. Despite this, authenticity can easily be found branching off of the main street such as rue des Ecouffes, which can be found only a couple blocks away. Despite this touristic location, this establishment rarely attracts them and mainly consists of young, fashionable Parisians as customers.

Enjoy a completely authentic shopping experience

explore "come on eileen's" cavern: find vintage gems to wear in paris | enjoy a completely authentic shopping experience

What sets Come On Eileen apart from many of the other vintage stores in that neighborhood is not only its size but also its range of styles. Granted, it is far more unpredictable than many other vintage stores, but there is definitely a charm that accompanies such a treasure trove. Unlike many vintage stores today that manufacture and copy items of clothing to stock the shelves and ensure sales, Come On Eileen does not have two items of clothing that are the same. This gives the artifacts there a far more valuable aspect due to the uniqueness of every piece. The chaotic presentation of the articles also adds a predatory aspect to the shopper who is therefore forced to find something they love by combing through the racks. Though riffling through cases of mismatched items can seem daunting to some, there is as much fun to be had with the chase as there is with finding the perfect piece.

Keep classy with your vintage

explore "come on eileen's" cavern: find vintage gems to wear in paris | keep classy with your vintage

It should also be noted that Come On Eileen focuses mainly on styles ranging from the 1960s to the 1990s and there are as many chances of finding a pair of worn-in converse sneakers for 20 EUR (22 USD) as there are of stumbling across a Chanel coat for 300 EUR (330 USD). In fact, there is quite a large range of luxury brands that can be found such as Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Mugler that are half the price of the originals. Due to the rising prices in vintage stores today, Come On Eileen should not be confused with a thrift store as the clothing is affordable but not cheap and the average coat can cost around 100 EUR (110 USD). There is also a variety of men’s clothing and children’s clothes that, despite being second hand, consist of classy, luxury brands. As well as an extraordinary collection of pink converse sneakers, Come On Eileen also supplies hats, belts and various other accessories.

Paris Tour Guide

Patricia Aveline

Patricia Aveline

My name is Patricia Bollinger and my family is French. I have always had a passion for art and history and I chose to study them when I went to university. I have been a licensed tour guide for the last 30 years and I work in French, English and Italian. My passion and also as part of my work I travel a lot. For this reason, I have a good idea of visitors expectations. Naturally I want to share... Read more

Tours by Patricia

Excellent service not to be forgotten

excellent service not to be forgotten

Come On Eileen also has a second store in the 11th arrondissement on Rue des Taillandiers, not far from St Paul, and both stores have an impeccable reputation for their service. They are happy to buy back any item that the customer would like to return and are always willing to help if there is a problem. The boutique also stays open between 11:00 am 9:30 pm; which gives any visitor the chance to see that neighborhood come alive in the evenings. The Marais is also one of the few places in Paris where the shops are open on Sunday and closed on Saturdays instead.

Ready, steady, shop

As Paris is the city of fashion, Come On Eileen is highly recommended for those who have come to bask in French style and enjoy a less classic type of shopping trip. This boutique promises an intriguing browse, far more original than larger brands where the clothes are not exclusive to Paris. Easy to get to on public transport and reasonable prices, Come On Eileen is, without a doubt, a spectacular place to visit in a classic Parisian setting.

Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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As a part English, part American, born and raised in Paris, my priorities have always been to learn about different cultures. I travel to discover and because we all have the luxury of designing...Read more

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