Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet - Thread part deux

[TossDaily]

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

quirky, added bonus for you, the original runway image on an uber tall model with a column body shape (leaning slightly to an IT), with a slight nip in the waist (which probably isn't too far off banana minus the height by my estimation).

The Gamine thing and ITs is interesting, I think you want the boyishness of that but not the frilly girliness of that if you're a more athletic IT, or over an age where dressing like a girl no longer feels right. I was thinking about Audrey Tatou as an IT (though a very slight one) and she's definitely one who embodied that Gamine feel in Le Fabuleaux Destin d'Amelie Poulain and carried it through in her own style for a long time, perhaps even got stuck in it too long, but is a bit more grown-up these days. I've found a few more inspiring Parisian ITs but I'll post those pics later. MN I really need more pics per post allowance.

I agree the language around PCOS is a bit misleading banana, when people hear about it they always focus on those 'cysts' and why don't I just get them removed

Just been catching up-so much inspiration!

Quirky- I think you asked about good denim? I don't have a massive budget but find I'm mostly very disappointed with high street denim, especially any that has much stretch. The ones I'very been most impressed with are Karen Millen - the 'stiff' sort of denim types. The brand is a bit 'footballers wives' with naff embellishments/visible name thst you need to avoid but love that they do a really nice high waist on some styles (not comedy high) and denim holds shape and lats well (I buy from ebay). The other brand is 7 for All Mankind. I have had some stunners in the past from TK Maxx that have barely faded and held their shape impeccably. Sadly I not longer fit into them and won't pay full price. I have bought some of their stretchy skinny ones (again from TK Maxx) but was very disappointed (terrible bagging at the knees after a couple of months).

Bo- loving all the inspiration and glad you are feeling better. I very much have to be careful with the blend of masculine /feminine as (in addition to my figure being pretty butch) I have a very strong jawline / masculine features.

Went out last night and red lippy lasted all through meal and drinks. Did the age old trick of lin in whole lip with liner first and then lots of layers/blotting. For the first time ever, I applied two different red colours of lipstick and loved the effect. I think it made my lips look much fuller.

Meant to add- I adore Boden's 100% linen t-shirts which you can pick up for about £15 in the sale. The style I bought I actually went back and bought multiples (and I NEVER do that) so I have it in blush pink, cream, a bright navy and charcoal. It has a deep V at the front, a high V at the back and stitched up sleeve to create turned up effect. What I love (as well as that it hangs and washes beautifully, is great length to tuck in fully/partially or wear out) is that you can wear it backwards so you can decide the neckline depending on your outfit. I often wear it backwards for work, forwards with no vest (so low cut but I have a small chest) or a camisole under for going out, or forwards but with plain vest top under as part of layered look for casual daytime. Feels incredibly versatile. Will try to find link to a similar style as it's about 18 months old.

m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/clearance/womens-tops-t-shirts/short-sleeved-tops/wo165/womens-v-neck-linen-tee

Excuse giant link -this is same style but without V at the back.

Canters - Tom Ford's Wild Ginger was recommended to me and I think has been mentioned since. It's a true, dark red.

Sorry, forgot to reply to Canters.

Wild Ginger is a bit orange, vivid and bright, not a true dark red. As well as WG I've mentioned Scarlet Rouge (warm red) and Original Sin (I'd describe it as a heady red, officially it's a neutral red), I think. Most TF lipsticks are universally flattering despite undertones though. The most recent one with pics and swatches I posted here was from Urban Decay, Mrs. Mia Wallace, and from those pictures it looked a lot like TF Scarlet Rouge to me but I've since played with it in real life and it's closer to Original Sin, lovely colour was about to snap it up but the counter staff had gone AWOL and after waiting around a few minutes they had an appointment and told me to wait longer , obviously I left. Will order it online I think. I also really liked UD F-Bomb whilst there which is a vivid true red that's slightly warm.

Did one of the quizzes and rather hilariously and appropriately I am apparently a banana shape!! 🍌🍌🍌

Banana, or straight (rectangular)
This body shape describes a person who typically has waist measurements that are less than 9 inches smaller than the hip or bust measurements.

Although a different calculator which didn't seem to have this as an option decided I was a pair shape, because my hips are larger than my waist (although the first one decided that 7" difference wasn't enough to make me a pear, apparently)

I'm fairly up and down, so I think banana / rectangle feels more appropriate, as I've never had the curves I so admire in others!

banana who is a banana shape who went to Bananarama a couple of weeks ago, should probably eat a banana in celebration-

*pear shape. Gah.

Banana- amused by your banana. Is there a particular site you would recommend to work out your 'shape'. I haven't tried so I'm curious.

If you're ever in Amsterdam, for your own sanity and mine, please don't visit The Banana Bar.

methen

This one said I was a banana / rectangle / column : http://www.calculator.net/body-type-calculator.html

This one also said I was a rectangle: https://www.bonprix.co.uk/web/main/inspireshapee_calculator.asp

This one said I was a pear: https://shopyourshape.com/calculate-your-body-shape/

This one also said I was a pear: http://stylingup.com/body-type/

Reading the descriptions on other sites as well without calculators (based on characteristics, descriptions, and celebs whose shapes you resemble) I would definitely say rectangle / column / banana seems a more accurate reflection. One of the descriptions said bananas tend to be ectomorphs, which is me to a T

I shall avoid the banana bar on any future visits to Amsterdam, can't say it was top of my list

Using the same list in the same order as Banana,I am:

Unfortunately, this calculator was unable to classify your body shape within one of the "four female body shapes."

Inverted triangle

Hourglass

and
Pear
???????

I have to say these calculators aren't all that accurate as they only measure bust-waist-hips, so a pear shape that's breastfeeding or has increased breast size due to it may come up as an hourglass (which are really rare, whereas pears are more common) but she won't have the shoulders of an hourglass to go with it. Essentially she's a booby pear (like KK is, although I'm sure there's been some retrofitting there) and will have different dressing challenges in comparison to a true hourglass. Equally fitness enthusiasts can attempt to grow muscle in certain places (glutes and thighs mostly) to create a waist on an IT or when there otherwise isn't one.

There's also a huge variation in body types, some go with 4, others 6 or 12, and I'm sure there's one who has 29 versions of hourglasses alone. I have to say the worst advice on all those calculators are for what you should wear, an hourglass always gets told to wear wrap dresses (dreary IME) or fitted tops with boning (turns you into a top-heavy pear).

I've never done proper internet research as to whether there's one that takes more measurements and gives accurate results.Most likely a premium paid thing if there is.

I'm narrow shouldered, narrow hips and flat bum. But big boobs and tummy which, because I have zero waist, merge into a large lumpen frontal mass.

From the back I look slim and boyish, but from the side I look 5 months pregnant, and from the front I look matronly soooo easily.

If I wear a balcony bra (to hoik my boobs up from my tummy) I look ALL boob and like I could wet nurse a rugby team. But if I wear a regular bra my boobs just merge with my tummy. Not good.

Tried lots of clothes on last night, in prep for our house party tonight, and just got so frustrated

I'm 5ft 7, and a 12/14 depending, so it's not like I'm vastly overweight. But nothing is looking good

What size am I? is quite helpful as you can see different shops and how closely your size correlates is to theirs.

For a true body shape analysis you would need over-bust, bust, under-bust, waist, high hip, low hip, thigh, height, inside leg, rise, nape to waist, shoulder width...just like a proper tailor/ dress maker would take.

The Trinny and Susannah body shape quiz. twelve body shapes to choose from. Mostly it is useful because it encourages you to look at your body objectively.

Using those calculators, I also come out as rectangle/banana or a spoon. I'm pretty straight up and down - don't go in at the waist much but do carry excess weight on my lower abdomen.

Still trying to find the perfect red for me - the Ruby Tuesday is far too drying for my lips.

I've just invested too much time playing with a 3d visualizer on this site:
bodyvisualizer.com/ to discover I look nothing like that. For whatever reason, the pelvic area does not change with the rest of the measurements and with my measurements, I look to have one of those permanent plastic undies like a Ken doll

Oh, it turns when you click on it and hold it! I see the issue with the perma-undies now, they've added mass to my upper abdomen which is actually quite concave on me due to projected ribs when the mass that adds to my hip measurements predominantly resides in my bum.

Hi botemp, did you happen to take that picture of the woman with the beautiful red scarf from a website selling the red scarf? The one with the woman with black hair and white trousers. I really like it.

I will search for something similar, in any case, just thought it is worth asking. Thank you.

It's from a French brand called Comtesse Sofia but their website doesn't seem to work anymore so it may no longer exist.

However, it's a traditional Russian or Ukrainian scarf I believe. eBay is probably a good place to look, there's some amazing Ukrainian embroidered dresses and similar on there.

Thank you. Since I posted I found a beautiful Ukrainian scarf on etsy.

So in love! I just have to hope that all my Russian and Ukrainian colleagues don't think I am taking the piss

A quick Google tells me the original manufactures of the style are called Pavlovo Posad. Lots of cheapies in polyester from China on eBay but the real deal is wool, linen, and/or silk and will be a bit more costly. The prices on PP look quite reasonable but since they're based in Russia I have no idea what the shipping will be like on that but they do accept Paypal so at least there's some protection.

Elaine is my current style icon. Am I allowed to admit that on this thread?

I love Elaine, crazy dancing and 'lesser' babka discriminator and all. I do love a bit of 90s dressing, but I draw the line at the pirate shirt