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I need SERIOUS help - I have to dress for a week's work with a famous Paris fashion house!

69 replies

merryhell · 07/10/2011 18:16

Normally I don't need to dress up particularly for work. Most of my wardrobe is smart casual. I don't possess a suit.

But next month I am spending a week working with the stylish folk at an uber prestigious fashion house in Paris and am in a big tizz about what to wear. There will be a cocktail party and a dinner to attend as well as the daytime work for 5 consecutive days... am trembling at the fashion dilemma!

Where to start?

OP posts:
VerityBrulee · 08/10/2011 15:53

Also, if you trip is not for a month you could pick up lots of these things on ebay.

noddyholder · 08/10/2011 16:13

Have bought several things from cos recently and agree it stands out on the high street this year as more stylish and individual. Also sizing is good and super flattering dresses.

BluddyMoFo · 08/10/2011 16:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 08/10/2011 16:20

OK.

I am actually a lawyer too (well, I'm a first seater... I'm sure you know what I mean!)

I do happen to like fashion though, so, here goes:

Day one: This with These

Day two: This with black tights, black court shoes and camel accessories.

Day three: These with Day One's top or this with Day One's top.

Day four: this or this ; if the latter you could wear it with coloured tights - don't go OTT, but maybe teal or plum-coloured tights.

Day five: this Wear this one to the cocktail party, too.

Dinner: this or this or this

Killer bag: Camela accessories very in at the moment, maybe this , this for cocktail party/dinner. Satchels like this also in fashion if you like that sort of thing.

I would wear pretty much exclusively black court shoes and tights or nude court shoes if bare legged.

Follow the golden rule: if your bottom half is baggier or flared (like flared jeans, loose trousers), have your top be tight, and vice versa: if your top if floaty and loose, wear fitted trousers e.g. skinny leg.

Need a blazer that pulls together the above looks - probably has to be black. I like the boyfriend cut, hangs a little loose and looks fab with some chunky accessories like bangles. This blazer is perfect and lovely.

Take these shoes, these shoes for parties, and a nude platform if you think it's going to be warm enough to brave no tights!

I really hope I have helped!

LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 08/10/2011 16:22

Er, camel. Not camela. Whatever that is!

LongGoneBeforeDaylight · 08/10/2011 16:26

PS. If in doubt, channel Kate Middleton. She never gets it wrong.

WitchesBrewIsMyFriend · 08/10/2011 16:33

longgone I really like what you have suggested.

The French ladies always look Chic, but naturally so. Well groomed and smart is the way to go OP.

Enjoy.

Waswondering · 08/10/2011 19:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

brookeslay · 08/10/2011 20:16

Some ideas

this is black

classic trousers

Ring the changes with these gorgeous Silk tops here

this blouse

Stretchy Skirt on trend skirt..[[http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2513733&langId=-1&categoryId=&searchTerm=pencil skirt&pageSize=20
here]]

Dresses ( My favourite)

lovely detail

Very Alexander Mcqueenwww.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product/uk/en/zara-W2011/122017/511023/STUDIO%2BDRESS%2BWITH%2BCAPE

bargain clutch

great dress very WIT.

must have bargain shoes

brookeslay · 08/10/2011 20:17

Sorry for some messy links toddler bouncing over me !

TheHouseofMirth · 08/10/2011 20:28

Why not take nothing, pretend your luggage has been lost and then they'll be forced to lend you lots of lovely clothes?!

merryhell · 08/10/2011 20:45

Wow, more fab ideas! Thank you!

Zara was hell on earth (a Saturday afternoon? what was I thinking?) but I did find a lovely off-white silk/cotton blouse like the ASOS pussy bow one.

Love all the Asos stuff in fact, and the Zara silk tops (will go one lunchtime). Have a lovely leather satchel for daytime -I'll have lots of files & papers to cart about - so that'll be ok. Like the sequin and clutch bags for dinner.

Oh you lot are beyond terrific, I'm going to be GORGEOUSGrin

OP posts:
AnnetteProfit · 09/10/2011 08:58

i dotn like the purple cocktail dress, not nice at all

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/10/2011 12:45

I like those Zara silk t-shirts (I love silk t-shirts) BUT Zara quality is usually shite imho - are they really any good?

AnnetteProfit · 09/10/2011 13:03

I have one I wore and wore. Is still in one piece but fading Its zara. Just buy and wear

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/10/2011 13:11

Ta - but I could buy a silk top in M&S or Warehouse for the same price and it would last really well. I will check them out, if I can face going into the hell that is the Birmingham branch.

merryhell · 14/10/2011 16:36

Resurrecting this to say that Cos was a genius idea!

My stuff arrived today and it's all lovely, expensive-looking and a good fit. It'll be perfect, and not just for mincing around Paris fashion housesSmile

Have yet to get perfect skirt & Zara tops but will do next time I have a free moment on a weekday.

OP posts:
brookeslay · 14/10/2011 17:03

thanks for updating us I was thinking about how you got on.

porcamiseria · 14/10/2011 17:22

agree COS and ZARA

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