1ER ARRONDISSEMENT. Charvet ­ the oldest and best-known boutique in Paris ­ caters to well-bred gentlemen searching for the perfect bowtie with matching suspenders or handkerchief to complete an ensemble. Charvet has an excellent selection of men's silk ties in all colors and prints, as well as high-quality shirts, robes, and pajamas. The French decor boasts intricate decorations and carved wooden tables. METRO: Pyramides

2èME ARRONDISSEMENT. Flashes of color mix with ever-present black and white garments at this Japanese-influenced men's store. Comme des Garçons caters to patrons who want to look classy but who seek a bit of eccentricity in their wardrobes. The store carries a mix of classic cuts and silhouettes with Japanese-inspired colors and fabrics. METRO: Etienne Marcel

6èME ARRONDISSEMENT. From casual wear to custom suits, this four-story fashion mecca brings Italian design to Paris. Foreign business professionals, movie and music stars, and city residents make their way through a labyrinth of stairs and halls in search of the latest Armani sweaters, shirts, leather shoes, underwear, glasses, and ties. The shop also features a kiosk with trendy fashion magazines, the latest CDs, and a café. At a biannual fashion party, models and celebrities wander among the latest designs. METRO: Saint-Germain des Prés

9èME ARRONDISSEMENT. Crowned by a turn-of-the-century, stained-glass dome, this incredible department store is a shopper's paradise. The cosmetics department is huge, and perfumes are legion. Fashion, too, maintains a strong profile, and both men and women find enormous selections of designer wear accompanied by more mainstream options. Other attractions include a great toy department, a hair salon, terrific jewelry, and housewares. METRO: Chaussée-d'Antin, Opéra, Havre-Caumartin

8èME ARRONDISSEMENT. Creative, seasonal window displays draw passersby into this eclectic store. Once inside, Hermès keeps customers coming back with a large selection of leather-bound agendas and notebooks, silk-printed equestrian scarves, umbrellas, hats, and leather riding boots and sneakers. Hermès also carries a large selection of chunky leather and metal-studded bracelets and watches. METRO: Concorde, Madeleine