Charvet in the Afternoon

My Paris shopping didn't begin well. I began by visiting the arcades at the Palais Royale where I learned that L'Escalier d'Argent is already closed for holiday and later confirmed that scheduling will keep me from seeing shoemaker Dimitri Gomez. But then I arrived at la place Vendôme and Charvet.

Charvet (there is no web site) is a well-respected shirtmaker and one of the leading sources for bespoke neckties in the world. The store is quietly beautiful - simply being there makes the day seem better - and the staff is helpful without being obtrusive.

So much of the Charvet experience is near perfection - like the pictured silk robes - that I'm unable to understand why the bespoke necktie selection process remains so cumbersome. The silks cannot be viewed in a rational fashion. Instead, the customer provides some general guidance such as "foulards on a black ground" and in due time a selection emerges from downstairs. Then repeat - it's a process that puts a damper on discovery. Someday I hope to learn of silks that I didn't know to ask for.

But, no matter. Today the shop had a wonderful selection of semi-solid bow ties, silk knit four in hands, and summer cotton pocket squares. Outside, the sun began shining.