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Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet - Thread part deux

914 replies

TossDaily · 02/12/2017 21:33

New thread for those of us who would like to let a little je ne sais quoi into our lives...

OP posts:
Thread gallery
253
ProperLavs · 14/12/2017 06:44

is the trapezoid body shape basically the inverted triangle shape?

quirkychick · 14/12/2017 06:48

Ooh, I love the layered colours with burgundy Smile. I often wear tonal colours together, it somehow softens the effect of brights, I think. I was, in fact, wearing a burgundy jumper with my cherry red pashmina/scarf yesterday.

Love those dark green trousers, too, I love that colour and may well watch out for some things in the sales in it.

T-shirts can be hard to get right, I have definitely played with rolled up sleeves in trying to get a t-shirt to flatter my shoulders! Thank, bo lots of good advice.

Anybody got any help with jeans, I find I need to replace some grey or black skinnies for winter. I'm not up for spending loads, but want some advice on choosing good quality denim. My last pair of grey skinnies from Selected (style over substance) literally just fell apart over the weekend. Luckily, I was at home, the denim just ripped apart along the pocket, and no, they weren't too tight, if anything, a little loose Angry.

ferntwist · 14/12/2017 06:51

Ooh la la, quelles belles mamans françaises. Bonjour tous la monde!

LazyDailyMailJournos · 14/12/2017 07:17

I am lusting after that dark green off-shoulder slouchy jumper Bo - it's stunning.

I also heart a good t-shirt and am on an eternal quest to find good ones. Being plump makes it difficult to start with, as most 'good' stores don't go much beyond a 14. The problem I have again and again is that the t-shirt shrinks from the bottom and what was a standard or longer line t-shirt, ends up turning into a box.

On a separate note I invested in some root boosting spray last week and used it for the first time yesterday. My hair is very straight and fine (although plentiful) so it tends to lay very flat especially when just washed. Gave it a spritz of the root booster when drying it yesterday morning and it worked really well. Not anything 80s or ridiculous(!), ut just enough to give it a bit more volume and also a bit of extra texture as well. It looked really natural and I'd definitely use it again, although a little bit sticky to work with as it's drying.

It's cold, icy and raining here (the roads and pavements are almost sheer black ice - I nearly broke my ankle taking the dogs out this morning!). So today's outfit is blue jeans and a navy slash-neck jumper. No makeup on at the moment and I may not bother today apart from lip balm.

Cromwell1536 · 14/12/2017 09:58

I think we have to agree to disagree on T-shirts, which is fine since there isn't a law requiring anyone to wear them. I'd always opt for a fitted but soft shirt which flatters the figure much better rather than hanging sadly over breasts and obscuring the waist. I find the round necks are unflattering on most people as well, but v necks look just weird. The White Stuff do lovely soft cotton shirts and I have a couple of nice linen ones from The Gap. For me they meet that need for something casual without making me feel like a frumpy ragbag, which is the T-effect in my case.

Littlechocola · 14/12/2017 10:07

Lazy, which root booster? I have poker straight fine hair and find dry shampoo is the only thing that gives it a bit of oomph.

Littlechocola · 14/12/2017 10:08

Tshirts have to be just right. I can look like a teenage boy in one that’s slightly too big or the wrong shape.

singformysupper · 14/12/2017 10:54

botemps thank you so much for your suggestions the other day. The prices do indeed seem very high in central Paris but it may well be our fault for leaving it so last minute.

MidLifeCrisis2017 · 14/12/2017 10:57

@botemp do you have any Parisian style icons with big boobs? Ideally d’un certain age? I’m a curvy size 12 and look best in dresses, but lifestyle and job mean I wear jeans and trousers a lot.

prettybird · 14/12/2017 11:05

I've just asked dh for a nice white shirt in a Size 14 for Christmas Xmas Smile. I have a couple of white shirts (TM Lewin and Pink) but in Size 12s from a few years ago Blush so they strain across my boobs Blush Even though I've lost nearly 3 stone (and only c1.5 stone to go), it doesn't seem to be coming off my boobs Xmas Confused

Cromwell1536 · 14/12/2017 11:18

sing, have you looked at Citadines? I know they are not high on atmosphere, which may be exactly what you are chasing, but there are a couple in/v close to the Marais, and they do the job at a good price.

botemp · 14/12/2017 11:36

You know the fitted vs. relaxed fit debate is an issue of fashion and attitudes towards bodies over time too. I have essentially a perfect hourglass figure (I hate the term too but that's what it is and it distinguishes it more from the exaggerated hourglass), but emphasising the boobs, waist, and bum all in one does the same thing as overdressing (which technically suits me best), kindly I look like a time traveller, realistically, it dates me and makes me appear much much older than I am. Very easy to tip into frumpy and matronly (as that's what dated fashion gets associated with) and that's predominantly what I associate these days with curvy body types wearing very form-fitting outfits. I blame the Kardashians and Herve Leger dresses. Over time (but it's many many years) it'll switch up again, same way boobs are now out of favour for bums, whereas when I was young a large posterior was the most horrendous thing to have. Anyone remember saddlebags? They were a massive insecurity for so many women, haven't heard anyone moan about those in a very long time.

I'll draw up a few sketches later of necklines that are most flattering to larger breasts, they're all quite structured and require extra steps in patterning, hence you don't see them anymore and why most modern fitted styles, despite following similar silhouettes, fall flat in comparison. Equally, the originals are quite obviously dated.

It goes beyond t-shirts falling just right, fashion has been economised by fast fashion for quick turnover and a democratised fit. It means you need to be much more discerning to get a right fit and can't really rely on old-style staples as you once could. It's why I find it more helpful to understand the visual lines that flatter your body and match that with the cut and fit of clothes, rather than predetermines silhouettes.

sing, I did just remember (though never stayed there myself) that the Holiday Inn at La Republique (may be a Crowne Plaza now) is very family friendly, with larger family rooms. I wouldn't recommend using Hotwire or one of those other secret hotel sites as your luck is already tested in Paris when you know which hotels are out there but factoring in the children it seems a recipe for disaster.

Have you looked at the Left Bank, around the Bibliotheque Mitterand? Or around the Palais Congres? They're both a bit away from the centre but have the regional train lines rather than metro (same tickets and still within zone 1 and can easily switch between the two, just faster and fewer stops) which drops you at Les Halles or on the other side of the river of that opposite the Louvre in 5 minutes or so. They're business areas so will probably have more vacancies to fill in the holiday period than other areas. Quite a few serviced apartments hotels there too.

Midlife, Juliette Binoche is larger these days and certainly has boobs. I'll ponder on some more, they're out there, more likely to be actresses or singers so likely dressed by stylists somewhat.

ChangoMutney · 14/12/2017 12:05

I've been following since day one and have finally decided to delurk. I've been making lots of changes the biggest being red lipstick, I'm a natural redhead and have avoided red lips all my life. There hasn't been an opportunity to get to a department store so have been experimenting with cheaper readily available brands. Most haven't been right so DD 1(18) is enjoying all the rejects, but this one from M&S has been great www.marksandspencer.com/matte-lipstick/p/p22510061?prevPage=plp

I'd like to know more about the 'crisp white shirt' I've found cotton fabric hard to iron/look crisp so wonder where to look for a good quality shirt.

Littlechocola · 14/12/2017 12:20

Juliette Binoche has a fabulous instagram with beautiful outfits.

PinPon · 14/12/2017 12:30

Loving the thread. Thanks for the super ideas botemps and others.

ChangoMutney you’d asked about ironing and a crisp white shirt... My secret is spray starch. It crisps and smartens up a shirt really easily.

quirkychick · 14/12/2017 13:17

Lazy stay safe on the ice. It was like that on Tuesday here and early this morning, but had luckily thawed by 8am. Dd2's school is on a hill and it can be treacherous!

I'm going for the burgundy "tights" (heattech leggings worn as tights), vintage d&g denim skirt (via charity shop) and navy jumper, quite similar to the de toujours one. With red lipstick. It was dd2's nativity and one of my other mum friends was also in red lipstick Grin.

ProperLavs · 14/12/2017 13:23

sorry, I realise that I have been thinking of t shirts in relation to my own body shape. Of course issues would be different for different body shapes.

botemp · 14/12/2017 15:29

Proper, the type of preferred fit of a t-shirt may vary per body type but I would say that the fold over works with different shapes, even with closer fitting shirts. The point of today's advent was about experimenting with the sleeves, easily enough done as I assume most will have some sort of t-shirt to experiment with and my outset is to look at your own wardrobe with a new perspective with the calendar. It may very well not work but knowing what doesn't work for you is just as valuable as knowing what does.

Chango, yes, spray starch is the key along with good cotton (poplin or pima usually).

But. Big but.

The 'crisp white shirt' is another of those enforced staples myths that I feel dates. If you suit them and wear them a lot there isn't really an issue, I mean look at Carolina Herrera, she really ought never be without one, but this notion that everyone must own a crisp white shirt and it universally suits everyone and makes you all sorts of chic is where the issue lies. I think a more 2017/2018 would be a relaxed silk version (attached pic from &Other Stories) that isn't necessarily that harsh optic white that generally looks better in certain seasons and on most colouring.

If you really would like a good tailored one, I'd suggest looking at Anne Fontaine. Unusually, for a French brand, they go up to a size 20 but I'd guess it's a small 20/18. They practically only sell shirts and they're well cut, have darts in certain models to allow for boobs, princess seaming to emphasise the waist, etc. They're not cheap but treat them well and they last, and they're quite easy to iron. I think they're also in a few outlet villages.

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet - Thread part deux
ProperLavs · 14/12/2017 16:14

I ruin all white tops with sunscreen, Every. Single. Time.

ksb76 · 14/12/2017 19:00

I'm with you ProperLavs - only it may not just be sunscreen, but wine, dinner, makeup - they all seem to take aim for white shirts. I love wearing them though so just don't spend a fortune on them and recognize that I will probably have to replace them more frequently than other items in my wardrobe. So, little point in investing in a really good one.

Tanaqui · 14/12/2017 19:17

I think it is body type for a crisp shirt- you have to have some angular lines, whether that is broad shoulders or good cheekbones. I'm all sturdy, sort of rounded muscles (and some fat!), with a short neck, so crisp just clashes with my whole body type (ditto most blazers and unfortunately biker jackets!)

Auldspinster · 14/12/2017 19:28

Beatrice Dalle is booby, not sure how much of a style icon she is these days but I spent a lot of the late 80s and early 90s with my eyes rimmed in black, pouting and flipping my bob.

I look terrible in white, light colours wash me out and make me look grubby. Just as well I've never married!Grin

LazyDailyMailJournos · 14/12/2017 20:07

Little it's this Charles Worthington one. I used it first on dry hair and was pretty similar to dry shampoo but without leaving the ashy greyness that Batiste etc. often leave behind. Yesterday I sprayed it on towel dried hair and then blow dried. It was a bit sticky to work with but lasted all day.

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet - Thread part deux
LazyDailyMailJournos · 14/12/2017 20:11

Posted too soon -

I went for it basically because it was under a tenner. I really liked the look of the Bumble & Bumble one but it was over 20 quid and as I'd not tried a root booster before, I didn't want to buy something very spendy if I ended up not liking it!

singformysupper · 14/12/2017 21:15

Thank you Cromwell and botemps- I will check those suggestions out.

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