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...

Loving the advent calendar!

Especially love the jewelry layering

I don't wear bracelets (watch on my left and a deeply unfashionable meds-alert bracelet on the right because I'm epileptic) or change up my rings (family sentimental jewelry that belonged to my late mother), but I'd like to experiment more with necklaces

At the moment I have a couple of Cos pendants and some nice chunky acrylic bold colours short necklaces from oliver Bonas that always get compliments - but I love the delicate chains subtly layered look. Something to play with in 2018 I feel!!

Just booked my Eurostar for my work trip to Paris tomorrow (just an overnight visit), as always will make sure my red lippy is packed - though after reading this thread I feel like I need to up my game!

Thank you Bo. It’s a two star Michelin restaurant. Regular clothes? Suits me a lot more but I’m unsure?

Bo , I love the fine layered jewellery look too - currently have a couple gold ones but lots sterling silver - I am going to try mix silver with gold which I haven't been brave enough to do so far.

I love the multi layered necklace look, but I'm large of nork so not sure if I can carry it off?

In fact Botemp I would be very grateful for your suggestions on what flatters my shape best i.e. narrow shoulders + large norks + rounded belly + flat bum + narrow hips + longish slim legs + very narrow wrists and ankles.

I carry all my weight on my boobs and belly, and I hate it because I can so quickly look matronly if I'm not very, very careful.

Thanks Bo. I could get away with
sweatshirts on days I don't have meetings. I don't like slogans but do like softness. Always hard to gauge that online.
I have some thin cashmere polonecks and some thin jersey polonecks but none of my blazers look right with them. I must do some real life experiments.

That should say "days I don't have external meetings".
I will go hunting for red eyeliner tomorrow. Which brand has best staying power for tightlining?
I think a dot of red near the eye was an old theatre trick?

Bloomed I dabbled in stage make up as part of my A Level Theatre Studies, and a dot of red in the inner corner of your eye makes it look brighter, and the white 'whiter'.

Also have you checked out All Saints for really nice sweatshirts? I have a couple and the quality is excellent.

I'm well jel, banana do report back on anything we're missing out on over here.

Little, I'm using Ines dl Fressange as an example as she's quite reliably safe in her dressing (which can go frumpy and dates quickly if you're not paying attention) so her wardrobe changes are quite incremental and where the difference is made. Hence for a game of spot the differences she's quite useful. Pic 1, 1, Pic 2 2, Pic 3* .

Although pic 3 could also be applicable to a 2 hot ticket restaurant with long wait lists, etc. Equally, pic 1 could go for all restaurants for lunch. Hold on I have more pics, but incidentally, Bloomed* is the sweatshirt in pic 2 the sort of thing you're on the lookout for?

Pic 1 for bistros/large restaurants, pic 2 when in doubt go with a simple black dress. Especially if it's a special occasion and you're there to celebrate something, the most you're communicating with your clothes is to the staff and that's helpful information for them to have. If they're well trained it means they'll do their best to make you more comfortable and tone down the intimidation factor. Generally, the rest of the public pay attention to the decor well I do, I'm usually analysing the place and complaining at length how they should have done x,y, and, z to improve and have usually mentally redesigned the place by the first course, it's a small miracle people still wish to dine out with me and the company they're with, and of course the food.

Unless you're making an extravagant entrance in a ball gown no one is really going to take much notice and remember it's not unheard of for dinner to be just a stop along a night out that could require a more fancy dress later. It's really up to you and where you feel comfortable.

I've got red eyeliner from kiko which is surprisingly flattering. I only line the outer 2/3 of my lower lashline and wear black liquid liner above.

My selfie camera is awful and this pic is terribly out of focus but I'm wearing red eye make up in it. My eyes are mostly brown but they also have a fair bit of green which the red accentuates.

TheOtherGirl, it's not my expertise shape wise as I don't have experience with it but I do sort of understand the complications. It's a hard shape to dress as you're constantly at risk of the neck to hips area reading as one rounded block. I attempted to write it out but sketching came easier, basically, you have a lot of solid horizontal lines dominating the Illusion Lines so you have to counter those with more dynamic lines that draw the eye outwards to give you the illusion of a more feminine hourglass shape.

I'd be looking at things that give a soft v-neck (like a wrap top or dress but you need a bit of drape to flatter the side silhouette) and drop low to where your natural waist would lie, sleeves on shoulder pointing past the boobs and lower, not emphasising them too strongly, a simple scoop neck underneath for modesty in lighter colours, close to skin colour is v. effective. A fifties nod works well too like circle skirts as it draws the eye outwards. You basically need to emphasise your waist but since you don't really have one things like waist belts (wider and more decorative) are useful but best to take a darker colour to create the illusion that it's actually smaller than its context.

TheOtherGirl, so I'd say embrace a bit of strategic draping but it can also be achieved by getting shirts a size or two bigger in fabric that drapes well like silk, and no need to always play with contrast, similar colour tones as in pic 1 works very well too.

Pic 2 is a good example where you can play with sharper angular lines when it comes to tailoring. This is a really good example of a blazer for an apple, minimal and thin lapels give a good downward line but with a slight dynamic edge and the sharper outward dynamic lines where the natural waist would lie give that illusion of a waist that then flares out into the hips, mimicking that hourglass once more. The tapered cropped pants help maintain the illusion whilst emphasising thin ankles. In your case I'd probably choose a scoop neck that sits a tad lower so your neck doesn't dissapear.

Apols, I was too lazy to set up the scanner so I took pictures of my sketches instead sorry MNHQ, if I become famous I don't think the abysmal quality of those will earn you much, I thought I'd corrected the white balance on my phone but it's looking quite dark on my laptop. If it's not visible at all I'll scan and upload them for you tomorrow, just let me know.

OMG Botemp I think I love you. Thank you soooo much. You have very accurately sketched my exact shape - my tummy sticks out far more than my bum.

You are clearly a genius because I do have a black blazer with narrow lapels and 3/4 sleeves which I always feel good in.

Thank you again

Bo, I have been lurking on this thread and the previous one - you have some great tips (thank you to Toss for starting the threads in the first place!)

I'm not sure I'll ever have enough je ne sais quoi to pull off the whole parisienne thing, but one thing I want to try is the whole red/bolder lipstick thing.

My teeth are definitely yellowish, and having them whitened isn't really an option at the moment. Are there any red lipsticks people can recommed that won't make them look even yellower? Or even make them look whiter? I have vv pale skin and mousey brown/dark blonde hair.

Thanks for the birthday wishes, bo. Love those drapey assymmetric tops, I think they work well with an inverted triangle, too.

Auldspinster your makeup looks lovely.

I've gone for the red in my shoes today, red leather trainers with wide-legged maxmara herringbone trousers (fab, charity shop find) making the most of the milder weather today. Auntpol would a sheer red help? Not so bright but still bold? I'm saying that because I rediscovered a lancome, red juicy tube today.

You're welcome TheOtherGirl, I hope it's helpful

Auntpol, you can get some Crest Whitestrips ( Enid, where'd you buy yours from in the end?) they don't have the same effect as a professional session but you definitely go down several shades, and you only do it once a year. Think a month's supply is about the price of a luxury lipstick so I'd get those and if you're near a Kiko ask for a true red there, or get one of the previously mentioned Boots/Superdrug true red recs on here (sorry I've forgotten them, aside from the Balmain x L'Oreal Domination one which I'm guessing by pictures alone is a flattering true red). A true red shouldn't make teeth more yellow and are generally flattering on most.

AuldS, I nearly missed your lovely face popping in there, maybe it's just because it's posted that way beneath each other but I swear you and IdlF could be related, there's something familiar in your facial features.

Yes, quirky those drapey asymmetric tops work well if you're top heavy and they're great for hourglasses too. I have this same dress as RHW in the pic attached (well mine is knee length and has quite a special pattern on it but it's the same base model) and it's the most flattering thing I own. I was deliriously happy when I found it. I'd guess the only ones they wouldn't work as well for are frontal pears as it's too much volume on an already heavy base but otherwise almost anyone can wear them I'd wager.

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Blanc de Blancs

I like to think it's all down to Juliette Binoche prancing around in white in the snow in "Les Amants du Pont-Neuf" that inspired this rather impractical obsession of wearing white in winter. For whatever reason I crave it as soon as Christmas is done, maybe it's the darkest time of the year finally getting to me or perhaps the advent of the new year beckons but for whatever reason, white in the midst of winter soothes like no other colour will.

Try it with jeans, you know you probably have some in amongst the summer designated set. The pop of brightness works well with harsh winter light, and a bit of black suede is great for toning it down. The entire colour palette should be somewhat minimal, limiting the total number of colours to three but two is often too harsh. Though variations of a shade as in pic 3 are equally effective, and a bit of silver-white hair helps too, obviously.

Then there's the white on white and even all white for the brave. Where in summer it can all go a bit virginal and naivete, in winter it's almost the opposite, like an act of rebellion, taunting the weather and common sense. You can't deny the impact it has, redefining what cool truly means at this time of year, in contrast, it makes black almost decidedly dull.

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Thanks quirky and bo - I'll check out some of the lipstick shades mentioned earlier. The no-whitening is because my teeth have got ultra sensitive in recent years - so even things like crest strips aren't really an option at the moment, unfortunately.

Thanks Bo yes that's a good sweatshirt.
I'll have a look at All Saints TheOther. Glad I wasn't misremembering the theatre trick.
Nice eye makeup Auld! I'll try to get to a kiko. Does their eyeliner stay put?
If red eyeliner starts flowing down my face I might get some looks.

bo Haven't bought anymore crest strips since the ones I used about 4 years ago. My teeth get too sensitive to bear it atm. They are very effective. I got them from an American company online. Can't remember specifically I'm afraid.

bo that drapey dress is gorgeous! I seem to have built up quite a collection of navy, drapey tops that are super useful and flattering.

Some of those white outfits are so chic (loving the mamansnet logo ) pic 4 with the coat, drapey top and crocodile bag... not sure I can quite pull it off on the school run, but I have white fur on my navy parka. It's going to rain and get cold today.

Auntpol I haven't tried it myself, but I've read good things about brushing your teeth with charcoal, if slightly messy. It might be less harsh. Just an idea.

I do like those white winter jeans looks- must be brave and go for it!

I love that drapey dress but think you need a flat stomach for it!

Wrt necklaces, does anyone find that long necklaces loop round one boob in an unappealing way? Mentioned this to my cousin (explaining why I usually go for a lariat style!) and she was most bemused, so is it just me?!