Walking through the many wonders of the vide-greniers of the Parisian arrondissements shows you that the 50 euros cash you withdrew might not be enough. A few weeks ago in the 19th, there was a mirage that it made it seem like the island of Monte Cristo or something. The very first stall, closest to Jourdain, was already a success with highly quality garments sold by a lovely woman just looking to get rid of her overpacked cupboards.
Tired of rummaging through these never-ending gold mines, I turn right into a private entry with even more clothes and accessories placed on tables and racks. From my instinct, I’m guessing it was a mother and her young adult daughter selling their stuff. The mother was sitting on a camping chair, a Jul song blasting from the small speakers hid somewhere in the bushes. She’s lip-syncing to the song while swiftly tapping away on her phone. I look around and my sight finally sets on a pair of beautiful black Mary-Jane like heels.
Amazing they’re (almost) my size – I think. I take my boots off not thinking much of the pair I’m about to try on and once they’re on, everything sets and I knew I had to have them. I look at my foot adorned by the perfectly rounded tip and try on the other one. I was astonished. They were the prettiest thing I had ever seen. It wasn’t so much about the pair itself but the way they made me feel obviously. The women didn’t have a mirror I had to revert to my phone. I snap a picture of them and think how they are made for me.
I have seen how coveted Agnes B is for vintage resellers but never really knew much more about the brand. I guess I always thought of it in parallel to the main Agnes we all love and respect – Varda.
Anyways, after walking a little in these beautiful shoes I simply knew I couldn’t leave without them. They were officially my best find of the day and probably my favorite find in a very long time. In amazing condition, the women put them in a bag and I – perhaps, overly enthusiastically for the past 5 or 10 minutes – tell them how much I love them. I said “j’ai flâché” maybe a few too many times. I finally got them, and I proudly go back to my friends telling them about my recent purchase.
Whilst pursuing our walk around the stalls I wonder how good of an affair I just did. I search up Agnes B heels on French (or Western-Euro?) vinted and see they pretty much all fall in the same price range I got mine. I was satisfied and didn’t waste time sending a picture of them to some other friends abroad.
Loving an item so much made me wonder about the history behind the brand. Agnes B. founded her eponymous brand in 1973 in Paris. Simply enough based on a quote on their website, these small black heels made me feel exactly the way Ms. B intended to make her clients feel: “For me, clothes are all about feeling suitable for that person, and they are just one of the means of expression. If I can make someone feel good, be attracted, or be better. I’m happy.” The over-exaggerated expression I felt when first trying the shoes on is exactly what brings joy to Ms. B. I would happily summarize all details of Agnes B’s activity but perhaps this would definitely merit a longer post and the business here is strictly shoes for now.
I think what particularly drew me to them is their more practical aspect in terms of comfort? Particularly drawn to their rather rounded points just makes them look absolutely fabulous to strut in them all day and night and still get home with pristine feet. It’s not secret that Vinted France is a trillion times better than UK’s counterpart so the best bet is to find a pair on there.
We have included a selection of agnes b pairs on the Shopaholics section. Go have a look and treat yourself and your feet to some.
Bisous L