I've just got back from five days in Le Marais, and I've decided I want become Parisian, s'il vous plait.

[TossDaily]

So there.

EVERYBODY looked fantastic. EVERYBODY. DP and I just sat open-mouthed in fascination. Whatever their age, they looked amazing.

So I'm sitting here on a diet, wearing an Isabel Marant jumper and frantically googling 'How to turn French.'

As far as I can tell, the rules are:

1. Be thin, despite the fact you are walking down the street at 11am gnawing a cheese and ham baguette the length of your forearm.

1. Have your hair the colour and texture of natural hair.

1. Have the most amazing skin, despite the fact you have a permanent Gauloise on the go.

1. Never get pissed and lairy, despite the fact you are having a glass of red wine with your lunch and it's Tuesday.

1. Wear shoes you can walk in.

1. Have an amazing coat.

1. Know how to tie a scarf so it looks like you have slung it on and it's just choosing to snuggle up to you because you are SO FRICKING GORGEOUS.

1. Have a pharmacy on every corner that is just an Aladdin's Cave of miraculous skincare delights for less than a tenner each.

Anyone else have any tips? Joking aside, I loved the style - the shops, ohmigod the shops! It was like I'd walked into my internet shopping history.

I could actually walk around in my biker jacket without feeling like a twat.

I want to be French. Aidez-moi.

berets I have just retrieved one from a drawer that I bought ages ago, made by a company called Taffta which doesn't sell online directly, for inspiration.

I’m tempted by a beret but don’t know if that’s a bit close to a string of onions!

That's my concern, splendide.

I went everywhere in one when I was a young teenager. I do like a hat, and I like one I can fold up and put in my bag.

I might go for it, what the hell...

Yes to the berets! I know they feel a bit like wearing a striped shirt in Venice and being suddenly self conscious when you see all the Gondoliers but they slot into the same territory as ballerinas. Seem a cliché but are a legitimate staple. Just avoid wearing them with a baguette under your arm

I've been lusting over a leather beret since they showed up on the Dior runway last year, still on the lookout for a more affordable version that isn't pleather. The felt wool ones are easy to find, I have one from the sale from H&M last year that still looks great. I'm less of a fan of the knitted ones as they can be a bit too slouchy or too tightly knit. Did see a nice one from Johnstons of Elgin in Cashmere, was just a bit too big for my head unfortunately. The ones with a pompom from Parfois were also nice but the colours weren't the best for me or in combination with my coats.

The real trend is more a version of the captain's hat though. Isabel Marant has been doing them for years.

Hooray!

I'm off beret shopping! I need to try them on though, as I have an enormohead and sometimes the band can be a bit tight.

Right I’m going beret shopping too! This is an excellent diversion.

Bo, does that mean I can get out my old bakerboy cap again this year? The beret link posted below has lots of those, but the one I liked straightaway (grey with a checked peak) is sold out.

Above, obviously...duh!

Laulhère are the OG berets btw. It's not really a baker boy hat (but wear at your leisure of course) but it has a nautical nod, they're traditional Breton caps. The original Breton cap and the Laulhère berets can be found at this amazing online shop De Toujours that compiles all these iconic items of French fashion that are traditionally workmen's wear or very functional in design that were elevated into the fashion canon but not just Parisian 70s nostalgia but a lot of country wear as well. I have a wishlist a mile long but I definitely want the mechanic's overall. Prices really vary, some really pricey leather goods but a lot is very affordable.

Hats here: www.detoujours.com/5-e-shop#/categories-hats

There are some beautiful things on that site. I love the shepherds cape.

Yes, I'm obsessed with the shepherd's cape, it's all sorts of drama and for the amount of wool that's in there it really isn't hat expensive. It's something my mother would have snapped up in a heartbeat, and the boots to go with it. She always had Spanish riding boots like in the second pic. Those boots would look great with the plus sized dress I posted before too, the relaxed black long sleeved one with a play on transparency.

Seriously tempted to get it.

Botemp you need your own blog- you’re fantastic. I would love to have your eye for style.

I love this thread.

I too am tempted by the faux fur stole

Oh me too! I'm trying to be sensible by avoiding impulse purchases though have so far avoided clicking 'buy'. But it will persist in winking at me...

If it's still winking at me next week it will be mine

This thread is as bad as the fountain pen one. My finances won’t hold up at this rate.

But you'll be the most stylish gal in the workhouse.

That’s true. Plus not being able to afford lunch will help my new look.

That detoujours website is the tits.

I love everything.

And DP has just said I can fill a basket for my Christmas present, so happy days!

Lemming, me? I may have succumbed to the charm of the stole, plus a cheap cross-body bag (dog-walking, so I am not bothered if it's flimsy) AND bookmarked detoujours. Botemp, you are one wicked woman!

Love the fur stole/scarf.

Feel like this is the place to ask how do I tell if I’m short or long waisted and what difference does it make? Keep seeing it referenced in S&B but never find the right time to ask.

My stole is due to be delivered soon (being sent from Portugal), so I will report back....

If I have to hazard a guess I think people get told this when getting their colours done as there's some style component to it as well? Basically measure length between natural waist and lowest point of bum/crotch (inseam) and between natural waist and armpit. If your inseam is shorter you're long waisted if your armpit to waist length is shorter you're short waisted. If you're equal or about equal you're normal waisted and can wear a variety of styles without too much issue. If a short waisted person wears high waisted styles it shortens them further causing top heaviness and general dumpiness. High waisted figures become too long optically if they go low rise and essentially look titless and a bit sponge Bob as well as out of balance. I also suspect long waisted types suffer a bit from the old camel toe which makes getting into high waisted styles difficult as they'll be made with normal waisted bodies in mind.

Interesting. I’ll get the tape measure out later then! Thanks bo

Loving your work btw. I’ve been thread lurking and getting tips.