WARDROBE: Porte de Vanves

There are many levels of flea market shopping: 1) the second-hand pill-y Liz Claiborne sweaters and Chinese bootleg Gucci bags for sale level 2) the stuffed deer heads and “vintage” Wrangler jeans at half price level and 3) the burnt orange 1970's leisure suits and dusty, old issues of Jet magazine level. Fortunately, the Porte de Vanves flea market in Paris’ 14th district doesn’t fall into any of those categories. Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, it’s got museum-worthy 16th century chandeliers and furniture for diehard antique purists and 1920's through 1970's fashion for girls like us. During our trip there we mulled over an old Givenchy coat, green Chanel suit, 1950's era jewelry and riding boots in mint condition.