Say Chic

Barcelona may be the new Paris, but the old Paris ain’t half bad as far as shopping goes. And in Barcelona there are more and more choices all the time for those who want to add a little French style to their lives.

For quintessentially French, school-girl-grown-up looks, try Vanessa Bruno and Isabel Marant’s less expensive cousin, Comptoire des Cotonniers. They have two locations here for now, a great mother/daughter ad campaign (vive les wrinkles on the mommies!) and styles that flatter many generations (did you see yesterday's article about them in El País Semanal?). This season you’ll see belted funnel-neck coats in canvas or wool, empire-waisted jersey dresses and great blousony blouses in a color palette that coordinates from season to season. It runs the gamut from beige to charcoal, with some stand outs in strawberry and royal blue and purple. Quel nice French salesgirls at the Consell de Cent store – trust them to help you find your size if you don’t see it right away.

If you want to really rock the French thing, you’ve got Zadig & Voltaire. At their spacious shop on Diagonal, everything is gorgeously displayed in color groups – mauve and dusty rose, charcoal and petroleum, and teal and purple for pop. Their skinny velvet jeans and cashemere knits with skull and crossbones or “ROCK” can liven up your wardrobe now that the weather is finally turning chilly. For a dress up moment look for silk and jersey dresses and ballet flats and don’t miss the distressed leather – bags with or without gromets and such, or jackets. Real rock winners. Laetitia and her staff are sweet and attentive and ready to show you the goods in all their glory. Here you can match Mommy, Daddy and baby!

Comptoir de Cotonniers:
Diagonal 580
tel. 93 414 4654
Consejo de Ciento 302
tel. 93 467 2874

Zadig & Voltaire:
606 Avda. Diagonal
93 209 22 45
M-F: 10:30 - 20:30
Sat. 11 - 20:30