Bonne année, Parisiennes de Mamansnet! C'est Le nouveau thread full of nouveau ideés!

[TossDaily]

Excuse the franglais.

Here it is - the third thread in the series, where we add a little je ne sais quoi to our lives, inspired by the style of our souers across the Channel.

Thanks to our top contributor and style guru Botemp, we are finding ways to lift ourselves out of the style doldrums with a slash of red on the lips, a touch of white where it counts, an insouciant scarf or even an over the knee sock or two for the brave among us.

Take it as far as you dare, Mariannes!

Grumpy awesome stuff! Love a good eBay bargain. Do report back from the trying on!

I've been lurking on these fantastique threads but haven't posted so far However in the spirit of New Year's resolutions, I've decided it's the year to try and Frenchify my somewhat-lacking style and have decided to make some small changes...

I've been reading on here about a shirt beneath a sweater which I used to love when I was younger but now I haven't done it for years as I thought I'd look too preppy (and in early 40s that would just translate as frumpy)

However I'm going - gulp - to try it again, if you all promise me it's a French Style Thing.

I have lots of nice shirts actually - mannish styles in white, pale blue eyc - but need a sweater that will help me get the Look right. In the old days I'd have used a fairly fitted V-neck but I think that's sheer preppy-dom and not Gallic at all. But what sweater do I need to make the look French??!! I'm thinking sligtly oversized? Not baggy but definitely the sort of thing that could have been borrowed from a husband? I've seen a nice Actual Man's one in Uniqlo that comes in navy, crew neck NOT V-neck (for some reason I think that will help?) but is this the right sort of thing to go for?

Any other advice on the shirt/sweater combo? I intend to wear it with my usual skinny jeans and ankle boots.

Coat are a whole other story, I'm struggling to nail the French Style Coat look - I'd love a pea-coat but can't afford one at the moment and not even sure that's the right thing?

Love the threads though and thanks to the OP and for all the tidbits I've been picking up so far!

Bonne annee!

Hope you find your scarf auld

Exciting about the leather leggings grumpy. I have a pair, but i cannot for my life find them. I think that they may have fallen behind a drawer or something. I will have to do a really thorough look.

botemp in terms of the Stella Luna boots I am dithering between The Stella 5 105 and The stella 5 50. I'm worried the latter could look frumpy although the heel height would be much more practical for me. I wish they had full-length pictures of a model wearing them so I could better picture them as part of an outfit. The former possibly too similar to the IMs

• which may not be coming to me after all. I hadn't ordered from Vestaire before and it seems that they give the seller up to 30 days to ship to Vestaire - which seems outrageously long to me. My seller hasn't shipped so it's not looking promising!
  These riding boots are gorgeous too, but probably not very Parisian?

Thoughts on these shoes? I love the heel height but am very dubious about patent leather: am I right in thinking oncentre you scratch patent leather it's game over? I'm quite clumsy/ heavy footed and (unlike normal leather), I think patent/ this style would just look scruffy if marked, as opposed to weathered in a good way.

I have never had patent leather that is actually leather before, only had a pair many loons ago in my youth that would have been cheap plastic imitation.

ToElle- I much prefer the second (lower heel) boots. Perhaps just because I mysrlf seem to be moving away from a really high heel. When I pin chic looks I like on pintrest, they rarely seem to wear towering heels. Perhaps as has been mentioned before, because Parisians do a lot of walking.

Oh no AuldA, losing a scarf is traumatic. My mother once left one on a KLM flight though and they managed to get it back to her, so there's hope

Thanks for the pic, Elle, I was looking at that colour too, normally nude looks non-existant and weird on me but I figured the black would compensate. I do like the satin ones but as you say they're pretty much one spring shower away from being ruined.

cactus, it depends on the model and you have to be absolutely certain the size and fit are good for you. I'm assuming no returns, don't know how it is in Australia but a good leather alterer is expensive.

Jessi, probably a no to a v-neck. As demonstrated by IdlF in pic 1 (and a perfect example of why her very classical style very much dates if you don't constantly switch it up). Best choices are roll necks (no visible collar at all) or a crew neck but keeping the collar tucked under the neckline of the jumper. I think you have to switch up your thinking, in the past it was about showcasing the shirt now it's about showcasing the knit, it's just there as framing and an extra layer with a sharper line to contrast the volume of the knit. The shirt doesn't have to be particularly nice or ironed to a crispy stiffness but the knit is the star of the show, ergo ankle boots should really be the more delicate types.

Elle, I agree the second pair would be frumpy on your proportions but the former not so practical. I like those riding boots a lot, had been eyeing them myself. Perhaps a bit more Italian chic than French but that exists in Paris as well. I've only ever sold with Vestiaire and think it's less than 30 days to get them there, I always send them in the same day or the next but in their notification system it won't show up as received until it's been through the authentication process which can be several days after actually receiving it. They're a bit laissez affaire about it all.

Nah, me, patent leather is pretty easy to care for. You take an eraser to scratches and it's like they disappear. Personally, those shoes are not my thing though, a tad too ladylike. Have you looked at WhatFor, they have similar styles but a bit more current and prices are reasonable to start with but on Yoox marked down even further. Suspect they'll start at 40% from Wednesday as most of the French sales are want to do.

Pics from Antwerp that I promised earlier, forgot to photograph my new purchases will do so today if I remember and there's still some light out.

Pic 1 are the new &Other Stories boots which were already sold out, mentioned up thread, haven't seen them online yet so they may still come up on there. Did make me think of you Elle, very much a low mid heel as well. Saw a fab pair at IRO too without buckles but an amazing textured leather finish but they were much higher.

Pic 2 is at the giant magazine shop full of independent magazines (my Vestoj came in earlier this week btw Flo, but have yet to find the time to sit down properly and read), anyhow Japan and voluminous pants are definitely the way to go

Pic 3 the new colour palette for the upcoming season at Comptoir des Cottoniers, saw bits of brown and green!

Like Methan I also enjoyed a lovely soak in 'for best' bath stuff last night and enjoyed going through all the shops Bo suggested for dresses (thank you). With the teens back today it feels like first day back for me too, my parcel from The Ordinary has arrived, so I'll have a play this evening.

Love the look of Everlane - another one for the book marked list. Still no parcel from Arket and Uniqlo claim to have delivered a parcel to my porch that I haven't got, but I can't remember what I ordered! Probably merino jumpers.

While we're on inexpensive make up, my DD's also love NYK which our local Boots stock - I like their Matt lipstick No 07 Alabama.

Methan - I'm not convinced about patent leather for anyone over 10, but that's personal preference.

Proper do you use a primer for your eye make up? something like this should stop things slipping.

Oh, shopafrolic I think I could do with something like that, too.

I've been back to Kiko , bought some eyeshadow, I thought I would try the powder (was on special offer £1.60!) as dd1 wore it yesterday and it lasted well on her, I also got a creamy lip liner to match my berry lipstick 430. I had a quick look at the reds but I really should use up the one I've got first! Chango I saw NYK today too, but probably need a proper look.

Lovely photos, bo, I love those greens at Comptoir des Cotonniers! John Lewis had some gorgeous green jumpers in their Kin brand, I wasn't so keen on the kimono sleeve style of the wool ones, the cotton sweatshirts looked lovely for spring but I'm looking for something warmer.

Thank you all for feedback. Shoes I posted not in my size now so fate has intervened.

Have pictured the type of heel I am after. Not quite as high as the pair Clemence has on as I want to be able to wear them at work. Also, I'm 5ft 8 so don't 'need' the extra height. I. think the patent ones shown in images may be Valentino but not 100% sure and if so puts them beyond my means.

I looked at whatfor Bo, some lovely shoes but all the ones in this style have extra straps and I want something quite simple. I agree though, it's really hard to balance the line between simplicity/frumpy.

My MIH ebay jeans arrived. They are 29 waist and while a touch too tight, they seem to be designed for someone shorter; the leg is about 2/3 inches shorter than where I would want with the flare sitting above my ankle bone (which looks really wrong with the style). The waist is also finny-they sit very low on me. A shame as the denim is nice and I love the colour which is a dark denim with no fading/destressing etc.

I like the and other stories boots. They're on the edgy side where my work is concerned, but I'd wear them casually for sure. Thanks for the picture. I'll keep an eye out online. Wish the Stella boot came in a 75.

Changomutney Would you mind reporting back on what the Asket merino jumpers are like please?

methenyou Do they have to be patent? Iris and Ink from The Outnet

Lk Bennett- Full price unfortunately and sides are higher then in your fist image so they aren't as sexy IMO

Asos - suedette, but have the right look I think?

I've never used it myself but the Kiko eyeprimer is also supposed to be great. It comes in a normal and pearlescent finish.

That type of shoe is difficult to get right with lower heels though, Me. It either goes juvenile or out of time. With a pointy toe it can go lower without losing its edge.

I put in an order with Arket,Elle, when they just launched, a pair of trousers which didn't turn out to be that great as I failed to read the description properly and a t-shirt that was far too high on the neck and a shitload of home stuff- which were all great. Was on a thread back then, the merino was one of the few things that was well received but it comes up big IIRC.

...so it looks like I might be going back to Kiko for eye primer. I will see how the eyeshadow works first. It all came in a cute box too 😊

Ok, I have gone though the first 2 threads and have been writing down the names of most of the clothing companies/designers we have recommended/ bought from. I haven't done them all though. My eyes are going crossed. Once I have this thread added I'll post my findings and people can add on ones they feel are missing

@ToElleWithIt I got two Arket merino cardigans, along with two shirts and a pair of trousers. All half price and all excellent quality.

Proper- that's really lovely of you to take the time to do that, thank you.

Re:shoes, I love the Iris&Ink ones. Are they known to be a good quality shoe? I haven't heard of the make before.

Iris & Ink are The Outnet's own brand (though the previous collections get sold on Yoox), I've never bought anything from it so don't know what the quality is like. You are aware they're satin, right?

Don't forget to download the kiko app to collect your points and iirc you used get discount the 1st time you used the app in store.

It's very tricky trying to work a Parisian vibe when you're (ahem) rather buxom (34Ff). These last few years I've worn balcony bras because they give me plenty of ooomph, but I think I need to avoid oomph to look more stylish.

Can anyone recommend a bra that gives a nice natural lift and separation, and looks pretty and is comfy. Happy to pay ££££s for the right one.

I'm a 32E and like the fantasie bras. I tend to buy them from Brastop because I can rarely find my size in a shop.

Thank you. I usually wear Freya balconies, but will have a look at Fantasie.

I'm a 32GG and have just swapped from Fantaisie full-cup bras (Helena) to a Bravissimo one. Very pretty and for me, more support. I can't remember the name of the one I bought unfortunately.

Will a full cup give you more of a natural looking lift?