Listen, pre-COVID, it was a no-brainer. Paris was *the* place. Chanel? Cheaper. YSL? Cheaper. End of story. You’d hop on a flight, sip some wine, and practically make money on the difference after the VAT refund. Those were the days, man. But…things are a bit murkier now.
See, all these luxury brands, they kinda… ugh, *adjusted* their prices. COVID happened, supply chains got all messed up, blah blah blah. The point is, the price gap between Paris and, say, the US, isn’t as HUGE as it used to be.
Still, from what I’m seeing, YSL *can* be cheaper in Paris. Like, that YSL bag that’s gonna set you back a cool £1,410 ($1,721) in the UK? You might be able to find it for around €1,500 ($1,635) in Paris. Plus! Don’t forget about that sweet, sweet VAT refund. That 12% back on your credit card? That’s like free croissant money, people!
However, and this is a big “however,” it’s not a guarantee. Prices fluctuate like crazy. Plus, you gotta factor in the cost of the trip itself. Are you *really* gonna fly all the way to Paris just to save a few hundred bucks on a bag? Unless you were planning a trip anyway, it might not be worth it.
Also, keep in mind that YSL makeup might be negligibly cheaper. Don’t expect to get rich off discounted lipstick, y’know? Though, sometimes you can find better deals on fragrances.
Honestly, my advice? Do your homework. Stalk those online prices. Compare, compare, compare! And if you *are* heading to Paris, definitely hit up the boutiques. You never know what kinda deal you might stumble upon. Maybe they’re having a sale, maybe you just charm the sales associate, who knows? It’s Paris! Anything can happen.
And for the love of all that is holy, don’t just assume that buying at the airport is cheaper. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t. It really depends.