Help! Trip to Paris and haven't a stitch;(

[nocontactforevermore]

I opened my present from DP on Christmas Day and it's a 4 night stay in Paris. He has it all arranged - hotel, childcare etc and I'm delighted. I've realised though that I don't have anything decent to wear. I've put on loads of weight in the last 2 years and gone from a 12 to a 16 (a whole other thread!). We leave on the 30th and I'm frantically scouting online shops looking for some clothes I could wear:/. I'm rubbish at putting an outfit together - am really lazy and often go for just jeans and a top or a day dress with black tights. I've lost confidence in myself to be honest and often hide my shape. I'm 34, usually shop in places like DP's, Oasis etc.

My mum, dad and sister bought me some shopping vouchers for Christmas (they are all in on it!) so can afford to splash out a little.

I really hope you guys can help me put together some outfits for our trip. I also need a lovely dress for NYE. Any ideas?

TIA!

[polyhymnia]

A couple of pairs of nice jeans ( I go for skinnies)and a variety of tops plus one dress are a good capsule wardrobe I think. (Go to Paris for a few days quite often).

Plus coat of course - probably not a very heavy one as weather not cold at moment and the metro, department stores will be hot. A smart parka or trench would be good. Or thin down jacket.

V important to wear comfortable shoes or boots as to enjoy it you'll be doing lots of walking. Two pairs in total should be enough though Ive been known to wear one and take two.

A scarf and necklace or two plus opaque tights if taking a dress and you're done.

Go for casual chic, not overdressed.

[polyhymnia]

PS sorry haven't suggested dress for NYE but don't know exactly where you're going for that.

On where to shop Hobbs would be good to start. Or Massimo Dutti. Or Jaeger. I'd go for best possible jeans you can depending where your vouchers are for. I go for NYDJ -IMO they're worth the high prices.

[nocontactforevermore]

Thanks poly, hadn't thought of Hobbs- have never bought anything from there before. Just looked online and like lots of the dresses! What are NYDJ?

[AlaskaNebraska]

no one will look most of hte time as you will be wearing a coat

have you a WARM coat and gloves etc?

[nocontactforevermore]

I have a casual parka that's warm but to be honest- it's not very smart. I do have a going out coat I bought recently from oasis - black fake fur jacket type thing. I also have a leather fashion type jacket but it's not warm in the slightest!

[polyhymnia]

Have a look at the temperatures for Paris in the next few days online - I think they're around 7C, so not freezing, but not too warm - and think which of your coats you'd wear on a trip to London, where you get the same mixture of sweltering tube and shops and colder temperatures outside in the parks etc.

Personally, I'd choose a coat that wasn't too hot - my medium weight wool overcoat or my very lightly down padded jacket - and take a choice of warmer and cooler layers to wear underneath. And gloves, as said.

If there's a coat gap in your wardrobe, sales could be a good time to fill it, at Hobbs or similar.

NYDJ (Not Your Daughter's Jeans!) are designer type jeans with some stretch which flattens the tummy. They suit me but there are lots of other brands of similar priced jeans which I'm sure others on here can recommend.

Paris is nice for window shopping and accessories but I'd be a bit wary of relying on actually stocking up on clothes there, as I don't know how much choice there is in the slightly larger sizes. (I've often bought nice stuff there but always from Marina Rinaldi, an Italian brand which does go up to larger sizes). I'd imagine their 'chains' - like Comptoir des Cotonniers, which is lovely for accessories - tend to come up small.

[AlaskaNebraska]

DONT do nydj are mumsy

jist get a warm coat and scarf there are SO MANY tourists anyway youll just be another one of those

[nocontactforevermore]

Thanks all.

I'm not planning to shop to be honest but I so do want to look nice while I'm out there....it's been too long for me and DP on that front and we are in a rut ifyswim! Hope to rekindle a bit of passion and I want to kick start that by making an effort. I've always taken care of my appearance in terms of clothes and makeup but have found that my weight gain has caused me to care less. I want to get my mojo back!
So I definitely need a pretty dress for NYE as I know he has booked a restaurant that has a wine bar type place attached to it.

[AlaskaNebraska]

IM ( limited) experience in paris, like in London, people dont dress up to go out as they might in smaller cities or towns.

[polyhymnia]

As a Londoner and frequent visitor to Paris, agree with alaska about people in those cities not 'dressing up' much. That's why I suggested going for casual chic.

Don't agree with her about NYDJ jeans - and know there are other fans on this board. People who think they are frumpy are put off by name and/or the rather boring selection of styles available eg in John Lewis In fact there's a vast range of styles - I buy mine online from Europe.

Anyway, not trying to say OP must wear that brand just suggesting she goes for a pair or two of stylish, perhaps designer, jeans as basis for her capsule wardrobe.

[polyhymnia]

Do you know which restaurant you're going to

[polyhymnia]

Sorry! ... On NYE.

[nocontactforevermore]

No idea....think it might be a surprise!

[ProfPlumSpeaking]

If you are rekindling your marriage, then buy some underwear that makes you feel sexy and confident. You will look good wearing anything if you are confident :-) Have a lovely time.

[nocontactforevermore]

Aww thanks:) I had thought of underwear but have massive boobs. I used to buy from a boutique near my house and they were brilliant. They went bust though (pardon the pun!) and am a loss as to where to buy now from high street. After I got fitted properly I can't go back to M&S, la senza etc, as I now know they haven't a clue (however pretty they are!)

[AlaskaNebraska]

loads of online but you wont have time to do that tbh

[ProfondoRosso]

What a lovely gift from your DH!

I go to Paris quite a bit and I'm a curvy 14 and have fretted a bit about looking 'right' but in all honesty, the golden rule is just to look like you've not tried too hard! Simple shapes and colours (avoid ruffles, fussy embellishments, prints).

A good pair of slim fit jeans with a close fitting but not skin tight navy sweater would be my daytime outfit. And comfortable flat boots. Maybe biker boots or ankle boots. Then maybe a scoop necked grey sweater for another day.

For NYE, a black or navy jersey dress with ankle boots would be good. With long sleeves, I'd say.

You'll have a brilliant time!

[polyhymnia]

Perfect recommendations!

[nocontactforevermore]

Thanks so much! Ok I'm gonna go with the simple but elegant look. Definitely want that dress for NYE but feel better in my head about day time looks. Thank you!

[ProfondoRosso]

Have a brilliant time, OP

And if you're not clothes shopping, mind and pay a wee visit to one of those awesome French pharmacies to get yourself a treat. You can get Nuxe products, Avene, Roger et Gallet and more cheaper than over here. The scent of Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse is gorgeous and very sexy (so might come in handy on your romantic break )

[nocontactforevermore]

Ooohh thanks for the advice! It's funny you know, but although I've always loved products (makeup and body mostly) ever since I've gained this weight, I've diverted my attention to it even more so and would say I was actually a product junkie....can't stay with or even finish a brand without whoring myself out to the next one....ha! I know it's a total diversion from dealing with my expansive arse, and so my clothes have hot scruffier but my makeup bag is amazing :)

[JennySense]

I'm going to Paris for 4 days in the New Year!
I'm a similar shape to you I think!
Have a look here: travelfashiongirl.com/what-to-wear-in-paris-packing-the-perfect-wardrobe/
I do my travel packing with this www.stylebookapp.com/
I'm packing my wardrobe as follows:
merino charcoal knit grey tunic with cable knit dark grey leggings and comfy shoes for walking [to travel in]
Splash print tunic with jeggings [evening]
Navy trousers, white blouse, navy cardi, fucshia cami [day time - gives a couple of outfits]
Navy dress, magenta Mary Janes for posh meal out.
Navy coat or trench mac
Scarves, suede gloves, hats
Cross body Osprey bag in dark purple

I'll be going to the Pharmacies too ;)

[polyhymnia]

Yes, definitely look out for the Parapharmacies for a great selection of beauty products.

[nocontactforevermore]

Thanks for the fab list! Deffo gonna head to those pharmacies too! Xx

[Waitingforflo]

What a lovely gift! And from all your family too, with the vouchers . . .

I always find that I walk everywhere when I'm in Paris anyway, so getting the coat and boots right would be the main thing for me, but I really just wanted to say how thoughtful it all was rather than show you a frock !