Tati

I always make sure I have time to stop at Tati, in-​between sightseeing. For a big, crazy bazaar type of store that mimics a Wal-​Mart and overall, looks much more disheveled, it’s a cornucopia of wonderful things with cheaper than Wal-​Mart prices, much more fashionable… which doesn’t take much, and decent quality. Just snagged a bunch of colorful 100% viscose scarves for my friends — only1 Euro each; label emblazoned with 100×100 CMS, with Importe PAR TATI SA 75 018 PARIS. There’s no better Paris souvenir than that!

I didn’t realize there was only one review for Tati written in English. Thought I’d give my two cents and add to what Erik said.
Yes, Tati is cheap. I feel like every country I’ve been to has a kind of equivalent – a brand that has current trends for affordable prices. Unfortunately, it also feels and looks cheap. I rather spend a bit more and get something nicer or go to a second hand shop.
They do have a pretty big store with a massive selection – not just clothes but also random beauty products, home goods, and kids stuff.
Overall, I’d say it’s worth popping into. You might be able to get some basics or frilly under garments.

Tourists: Buy Clothes Here
People have frequently asked me: where should I buy clothes when I go to Paris?
My answer is, at least go to Tati. In the world’s probably most fashionable city, my old hometown and love of my life, Paris, Tati is like the Walmart of clothing stores. But this is not a bad thing. In any case, it deserves an English-​language review for all the tourists out there.
In many ways, Tati one of the world’s greatest clothing stores. It is *so* unbelievably inexpensive given the quality, that what it pulls off is nothing short of miraculous. For example, I got a pair of pants for 5 euro that fit perfectly (rare for me, as I’m a little dude), looked awesome (grey checkered pattern), were comfy (wool with artificial silk lining), and lasted for two years. Jackets, shirts, shoes, my wardrobe is littered with Tati clothing. Some of it holds up better than others, but it’s kind of like Ikea: you buy it knowing that it might last forever, or it might fall apart in 6 months. But it’s cheap enough that if it falls apart, you can replace it.
Tati’s fashion picks up on Parisian styles. It doesn’t always pull them off well or accurately, but there is inevitably some work of genius that costs less than a crêpe.
My one issue, and it’s a big one, is that I have no idea where these clothes are coming from. I shudder to think at the possibilities. Developing world sweat factories? Underpaid local laborers in hidden garment shops in the Sentier? Trucks come by Tati every morning — I have no idea where these trucks come from — and drop piles of clothing onto the street in front of the store. Local ladies then run and grab what they can. The atmosphere outside the Barbes Tati, like the whole neighborhood, is like a crazy bazaar. People hawking all kinds of goods, makeshift booths, men trying to get you to buy cigarettes, repeating «maroboro maroboro» over and over again. Tati is sketch.
It so sketch that it’s fun to shop there, knowing that it’s sketch, but you also feel guilty about it at the same time. There’s a certain slumming chic to Tati that the French middle-​class kids seem to love. The Tati shopping bag, with its huge colorful pink logo, is ubiquitous in Paris. It’s a status symbol, although I don’t know of what status. But given that almost no tourists go to Tati, if you’re carrying one of these bags, people will think you’re a local, and you’ll get treated better generally. So if you’re going to go anywhere, go to Tati first and keep the bag during your whole trip.

Question: est-​ce que cela fait bourgeois de dire que l’on n’aime pas trop Tati? Ma réponse, qui n’est pas nécessairement la bonne, est non !
Car malgré le choix, malgré le bazar ambulant et les prix plus qu’attractifs, on peut dire que la qualité n’est pas vraiment au rendez-​vous ! Bien sur me direz-​vous, il en faut des boutiques comme celle-​ci afin d’habiller et équiper les moins bien lotis. Oui, mais si c’est au mépris du respect de la personne, avec des pantalons troués, une passoire à moitié brûlé ou une veste mangée par les mites, on se dit qu’il y a quand même de l’abus. Je comprends cet endroit mais né le cautionne pas.
Vous avez dit bourgeois? Moi je dis que je n’ai pas les moyens d’acheter bon marché…

Petits budgets, direction Tati !
On y trouve de tout, ou presque… lingerie, cosmétiques, chaussures, vaisselle, objets divers, chaussures, tissus, gadgets, jouets, robes et costumes de mariée, à de tous petits prix.
Bien sûr il faut fouiller, mais on peut dégoter des choses sympas sans se ruiner. Quel soulagement à la caisse !
J’y ai trouvé de jolis manteaux, chemises ou chaussures, des accessoires pour organiser une fête d’anniversaire et des idées de déguisements pour pas cher.

Véritable institution à la sortie du métro Barbès, l’enseigne reconnaissance à son quadrillage blanc et rose est le rendez-​vous des bonnes affaires. Pionnier du hard discount textile, Tati est pour beaucoup d’étrangers un symbole de la capitale. Une ballade dans les allés de Tati né peuvent que vous familiariser avec la véritable signification du multiculturalisme parisien et avec la beauté du système D. Pour autant, Tati devient de plus en plus une affaire de branchés. Il est l’occasion de trouver des pièces introuvables partout ailleurs. Idéal si votre look consister à tenter les assemblages les plus loufoques.