http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33788 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33788 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22106
A large clothing shop with the usual adult and children's stuff, then there's thermals, outdoor wear, petites, plus size women, plus size women petites, plus size men, tall men... and the staff are relatively cheerful without being fake about it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/22106 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21873 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21873 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21872 There are plenty of the expensive vintage/retro clothes and furniture stalls plus lots of cheap/fake perfume, branded clothes at the beginning. But as you get towards the back you can find the real gems, vintage 1950’s petticoats for 5€ (I shouldn’t really be telling you this, now it’ll get expensive), vinyl records for 50 cents, retro crockey - you name it you can find it. You just have to have a real rummage and do some hardcore haggling. Try and not look like a tourist as this will result in an instant doubling of the price.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21872 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21867 If your timing is lucky, twice a year approximately mid to end of May (start looking from mid-May, this year it is 29 - 31 May), and near the beginning of December, the Comité des Fêtes organizes a huge fleamarket which spills onto the surrounding streets Eugene Spuller, de Bretagne, Perrée, Debelleyme and Dupetit-Thouars, Place Turenne, Carreau du Temple and the Cour de la Mairie in the 3rd. Arr. It is like a smaller Clignancourt and other flea markets before they became too well known. It runs Friday morning until Sunday night and is where you can find everything and amazing vintage; trinkets, clothing, furniture, toys and treasures starting from one euro. A tip is to be the first to buy something in the morning, the vendor will usually accept any reasonable offer as it is a good omen for the rest of the day. The other brilliant thing is to be there near the close as after 7pm as you can get things that are left for free - it helps to speak French! The atmosphere is good and generally the people are very nice, as it seems this is a one off for them and they are doing it for fun. The Christmas Brocante is perfect for getting one of a kind gifts.

Also as an additional tip to NookandSpoon's for Free 'P' Star: look in the low bin along the wall to the right under the hanging clothes, you can find amazing things, all priced at three euros. I got a spectacular 70's dress the last time.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21867 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21839 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21839 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21836 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21836 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21835 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21835 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21551 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21551 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18007
Ready-made khadi shirts and trousers (kurta/pyjama) can be purchased at branches of KVIC/Khadi Bhavan (found in most cities).

Or better still, take the time to buy a length of cloth and get your clothes tailored. Anybody you ask will be able to recommend a good tailor.

It's a fun thing for the family to do and will keep everybody cool, comfortable and happy in the heat.

Wear tailored khadi in India and you'll all feel much more at home.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18007 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16305
It has two floors packed with stylish but wearable designs by young French designers and is unbelievably cheap! The shop has a tea room and small gallery where you can relax with your bags - inevitably full of clothes you have just bought. Tucked away at the end of Rue des Mauvais Garcons (street of the naughty boys) in the heart of gay Paris – this boutique is well-behaved wallet-pleasing fun.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16305 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14767
It’s very easy to get completely carried away with the idea of getting an entire wardrobe tailormade. I came back with a bagful of stuff - most of which went straight to the charity shop.

It’s best to know exactly what you want - take pictures from magazine or, better still, a favourite from your wardrobe for them to copy.

Getting shoes tailormade is even more exciting but equally risky - the materials are poor and the craftmanship not great. I spent hours in various shops and had a great time but picking and choosing the cloth/style was definitely the highlight - the final results a bit of a let down.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14767 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14510 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/14510 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13780
The shop is packed full of stuff mainly from the 1970s/1980s but also earlier and priced between EUR5 and EUR30.

Well worth a rummage.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13780 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12022 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12022 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10891 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10891 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10099 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10099 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9948 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9948 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9028 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9028 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8992