Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion

[botemp]

Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset to our wardrobes. Occasionally we pretend this is a proper Salon of the non-beauty kind.

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Recommended Second Hand Shops in Paris


Outlets in Central Paris

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Previous threads:


Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

[XingMing]

Oooh first poster... The shine pics from Haider Ackerman work well. Maybe I do need a satin shirt.

[Redandblue11]

Thank you Bo once again expectations are surpassed.
(Reposting here)

The right amount of subtle shine ... yes I agree that on that front less is more and how nice of you to guide us through some good explained examples, specially when you bring it back to real examples and show us how is done.

I have a silk matte blouse from Gestuz in a copper(ish) colour, which reminds me of this. It has a matte finish but with a subtle shine, deoending on light and shade ... if that makes sense. I like it with high waisted trousers, specially for work.

Btw- in the new year I will search for a jumpsuit(s). You have inspired me wink

[timeisnotaline]

Ooh I have booked a solo (squeeeee!) weekend in Paris in March. Some outlet shopping methinks!

[CatherineMaitland]

Bonsoir!

Still loving the advent calendar. Thanks for posting the shops/outlets, too, Bo.

I'm off to Guildford on Sunday with my brother, don't plan to buy anything unless I see a really lovely warm scarf in a colour I like, but will be interesting to have a look around.

I'm also vaguely hoping to see the Mary Quant and Dior exhibitions at the V&A - I've never been at all so I might make a whole day of it.

[SandraTheBee]

Excellent x

[quirkychick]

Gorgeous photos, as always, bo. I think it was flo who said that black with a bit of shine is more wearable than matte black. I think I agree, it's that light reflecting quality. I also find that texture, generally, is quite important in autumn and winter dressing, with all the layers etc. I do have a few leather/faux leather items, I can do this with.

Red your silk matte blouse sounds gorgeous, it reminds me that I haven't had a chance to wear the navy Joseph one I bought in the charity shop. I'm looking for an occasion where I'm unlikely to spill something on it .

[FallingForRosie]

Double coats, not just a look for us ladies, and who knew Ryan Gosling took style inspiration from Bo

[Redandblue11]

Rosie that made me chuckle

quirky yes very important to make sure not to be in potentially spilling occasions or messy eating, last time I did not order that spaghetti di mare for that very reason.

[Redandblue11]

Can I just say I adore how Keira looked in her Channel suit (with subtle shine in the belt) for her Obe.

[botemp]

Ooh I've got proper clout now. He's originally Canadian, isn't he? So he must understand the frustration of trying to be stylish in cold temps, no wonder he took the bait so easily.

On the V&A front, I suppose I could fly in for the day, if Brexit shit hits the fan I'd only be out an easyJet ticket. Don't plan it around my availability though, I'll just check if I can make it happen when a date has been decided on, although I'd need to know it sooner rather than later. Any idea how large the Mary Quant exhibit will be? The Dior show is quite large and overwhelming but the latter may just be me, I tend to get visual overload quickly.

Some interesting 'old Céline' news:

Phoebe Philo's second in command has released the images of his first Bottega Veneta collection in full and it is very Céline. I'm getting very lusty over bright blue denim jeans and an orange jumper... I like the look of the men's stuff too.

More exciting probably, as most will be more likely to afford it, Maison Kitsuné has hired Céline's former creative head as their creative director (lead designer in old money). I've always quite liked MK even if it is a bit of a hipster brand but the quality is high and the prices are decent, their USP has always been quality basics with a twist, slightly preppy/classic but very much with an ironic approach. I'll be scoping it out in Paris when I'm there next month, at least I'm optimisically reading into it that the new collection will be available soon after the presentation.

[Floisme]

Blimey new thread and looks like I’ve missed an advent calendar post. Before I go looking for the old thread, a group Dior/Quant pilgrimage sounds a blast but like bo, I think you’d be better picking a date and I’ll come if I can as I have a number of family events and big birthdays next spring and summer and I realised last night that those weeks will be a crush. (Expect to hear more as I may have to dress up to a level I’m no longer accustomed to - and in my least favourite fashion season too.) The Dior is looking quite vulnerable which would be a pisser.

I’ve a feeling the Quant is relatively small. It!s half the price of the Dior but I also remember them appealing to the public for stuff and it would’nt surprise me if they’ve struggled - that era really only lasted a few years and the whole ethos was the antithesis of saving for best - if you were lucky enough to own a Mary Quant you wore it till it died. So there may not be much around.

[Redandblue11]

I am putting this out there: anyone available sat 4th or 11th May for Dior&Quant ?
Otherwise we could push it to early June?
My April is looking very full for me.

[botemp]

DAY 15

[botemp]

DAY 15 - DAY 15 - DAY 15 - DAY 15

One Shade of Grey

Or perhaps, two, three, or four shades. Just not fifty Anyhow, yes grey is the way. Much like navy the shops are pretending it was never a colour of significance so today is an ode to grey because when the weather seems to be predominantly grey you may as well join in now and then.

[botemp]

Grey can feel harder than navy but it doesn’t necessarily clash as harshly as black can. Within a monochrome palette it can get lost as a transition shade, which is a shame really as playing with various tones of grey whether that’s in the darker or lighter spectrum.

[botemp]

It lends itself especially well to tailoring, without the impracticality of lighter tones, the sharp lines are visible without disguising fluidity and interest in the fabric.

[botemp]

And, just as the weather starts to shift from grey and promising a bit of blue in the skies, the lighter tones can just shift our moods there a touch sooner until we eagerly embrace a bit of white again, but this post is all about grey so disregard that last part and have a play with all grey for now.

DAY 15 - DAY 15 - DAY 15 - DAY 15

[SandraTheBee]

I've just been checking out the exhibitions. Think I might go for the Quant one as it's cheaper.

I love very deep grey. I have to be careful as certain shades of grey really don't suit.
Thanks Bo as always x

[Floisme]

I remember being unimpressed when grey first became a thing but it’s probably the colour I wear most at the moment. That’s unusual for me but right now I’m more interested in an interesting silhouette and fabric than I am colour, and I get more excited now about a beautifully tailored jacket than I do about a pretty frock.

[Floisme]

Early May is definitely out for me I’m afraid. June isn’t great either but if you fix a date I’ll come if I can.

Speaking of which, is velvet in May going to look unseasonal, and more importantly, will it be too warm? I’m going through my dress-up clothes, which I haven’t worn for some time, and there isn’t much calling to me at the moment. I fear I may end up throwing money I haven’t got at the problem. Maybe I need a jumpsuit

[botemp]

I'm not sure about velvet, Flo, May is my birthday month and it can be anything from snowing to 30 degree heat. It's a difficult month to plan for. Usually you plan for one scenario and it turns out to be the opposite. Is spring not prime charity shopping season though? How are you on the shoe front, I usually build outfits around those.

[Floisme]

You’re right about the velvet in May - in winter it’s hard to imagine it’ll ever be warm again. Dammit it’s such a great skirt and would be perfect for autumn-winter occasions. Still at least I’ve dug it out in time for Christmas.

New year and early spring are good for second hand - the trouble is, it’s so random. I could find something perfect this week or I could get to late April and see nothing.... But I probably just need to hold my nerve.

I only wear flats or a very low, chunky heel but within that, I’ve got a reasonable choice. My dressiest shoes are probably silver flats and white brogues.

[Floisme]

....neither of which would work with the velvet skirt It needs boots so all kinds of wrong in May.

So onto Plan B: Is there any way of wearing a 1920s dress while covering my arms while not looking like one of the dowager aunts in the Forsyte Saga?

[botemp]

I always quite like the look of an oversized man's suit jacket draped over the shoulders. For may it could work with a linen one?

Or just say sod it and wear a cape, capes are awesome..

[Floisme]

I had wondered about a tailored jacket. I'll have a try on - thanks. A cape also sounds good, although from memory the only cape I have is tweed which might be a contrast too far!