Allure The Beauty Expert

Roberta shares her insider tips on “How to Shop for Clothes Abroad” with Allure.

 

Be Selective.

Generally, huge outdoor markets are the dumps of the shopping world. If you’re in a place like Thailand, India, or Morocco, resist the temptation to buy native clothes that you’ll never wear again – or go to a store that caters to westerners.

 

Start Small.

In Major cities like Paris, London and Tokyo, it’s the tiny boutiques that carry the unique stuff. Wander the hip neighborhoods and check out the small storefronts, especially vintage shops and places that carry only one local designer.

 

Master Europe.

Keep an eye out for lines and boutiques that don’t exist in the United States, such as Cos and Aspesi. And consider buying high-end designer clothes in their country of origin – they’re typically 10 to 15 percent cheaper.

 

Embrace Trends.

The U.S. market tends to be more conservative than the European one, so if you find a great wild skirt or big chunky necklace, you should go for it. There’s a good chance you’ll be ahead of the curve when you get home.