Chic Paris #1: Holybelly

Photo by Nico Alary

My first tip for anyone visiting Paris is to ignore the obvious tourist traps. Sure, it's nice to pop into Colette, but when it's packed to the brim with camera-wielding voyeurs, it feels less like fashion's favourite concept boutique, more like an Apple store. Of course, I understand the allure of stopping by the plucked-from-a-postcard landmarks, but I promise Paris has a whole lot more to offer.

Much like London and New York, Paris is a hub of creativity, with sparks flying in design, music, and everything in between. Le Marais is the undisputed capital of cool, punctuated with niche bookshops, organic foodie spots and, naturally, great coffee/brunch joints. It's a great place for style-conscious first-time visitors on a budget. It's also got hipster/basic bitch written all over it, but don't let that put you off.