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!

Ah, the torso/leg proportions explains the wide-legged trousers, bo. I'm quite tall 5'7" with long legs and a shorter torso, which is probably why I like them a bit slouchy so they are more mid rise than high rise. Also, why I often wear them with flat, leather trainers! I generally find high-waisted trousers uncomfortable, as they sit too high above my natural waist and disappear under my rib cage when I sit down!

No lip primer, here, but trying out the kiko lip liner with the lipstick (berry shade, not red, today). So far, so good, it's survived yoga and coffee. I have got a No 7 primer sample, but I'm not sure if it's ok for eyes, but I will check.

I'm going to have to go back and look at those skirt recommendations, I was wearing an old, grey drapey/assymmetric skirt from HoF yesterday, I don't wear many skirts but it is easy to wear in winter, rides up too much for bare legs, though.

Le ridicule ne tue pas. (Ridicule won't kill you).
That's the French version and what I tell my kids when they mutter at my having a scooter and scooting to collect them from activities.

Thanks for all the pics and posts.

I have never worn lipstick and am not sure I'm going to start now...

I wore my green coat Comptoir coat to work yesterday and felt v swish. Am off to the bright lights of Clermont Ferrand for a conference on Friday, so it'll be perfect as it's not v cold here and the weather is more pea-coaty up there.
Once that's out of the way I'm going to the hairdresser's to get my wild, greying mop cut.

I had my eye on this skirt, but it sold out fast in my size. I like skirts but they need to sit just right as I have wide hips and skinny legs. And they have to be cycling compatible.

stoplickingthetelly I honestly believe that all and any glittery varnish/nail art effects is the antithesis of being stylish.

My cousin's MIL and SILs are French and only ever see them with natural, buffed nails. Or a classic neutral varnish or a red.

theothergirl I had a suspicion that might be the case. Pleased I went for straight non-glittery red this time.

If we get to another thread, can we title it, Le ridicule ne tue pas?

Chango, I don't know, I really think it's a per case thing. 'Too old' is a mentality rather than a reality in my mind. I remember telling my mother that once and she simply scoffed and went ahead and tried it on and bought it anyhow. I was very miffed as I just couldn't imagine something I liked for me thinking it was so obviously a teenage thing would suit her too, and carried it far better than I could at that age. I think it's always worth trying just so you know, the worst that can happen is that you look as odd as you thought you would. I often top up online orders with completely odd stuff, sometimes it surprises sometimes it's a disaster. More often than not it gives me a new direction to explore. I mentioned earlier that cropped wide legs just don't work for me, it doesn't mean I dismiss them all for eternity. I'm looking at a denim pair over at Sessun (pic 1) now, and it's quite stiff and suddenly I'm thinking those might actually work in my favour.

TheOther and licking, you know I do like to keep an open mind about things, sometimes I also think how can that ever be stylish/tasteful or rather just appealing to me but I like to be proven wrong as well. I never understood the nail art boom of a few years ago or the more recent coffin nails but those who enjoy it, should absolutely do so. And to my surprise (as nails just don't draw my interest all that much) over the last year or so I've been seeing these Korean superstar nail artists emerge and they're really pushing the boundaries in a novel way, it's still not going to make me go out and get one (they're ludicrously expensive, for one) but I like that they're having fun with it and playing with notions of good and bad taste.

The stripe of darkish red gloss on the middle pic is like the colours I always buy. Can't get enough of red nails. I'm going to do a navy colour tomorrow for a change.

I don't think children are the best people to give their parents style advice. And that is all I am going to say on the matter.

Oh come on Flo, you've got to give us more than that

My mother was absolutely right for ignoring my navel-gazing teenaged opinion though, and it was a good thing I ignored most of her suggestions too.

Just been catching up. Will post fully tomorrow but just to say thank you for shoe advice. I have decided against any in that style just for now. My plan is to hang fire until I can do rl shopping again as I think fit is really important and I don't want yet another pair of shoes that pinch.

Love all the images Bo- quite a few are ones I'd already pinned myself so that feels quite reassuring.

Will reply fully tomorrow as have quite a bit to update abut recent purchases etc.

Glad the HOC consultation went well, I feel it's something I'd enjoy but would only go from a recommendation as there seems to be just as many dissatisfied with the experience as there are people who find it valuable.

Ah well now, I'm a mother of 2 teenagers and if asked they will, more often than not, veto my choices. I listen but am inclined to ignore them - partly because I have decades of experience of dressing this, my, body; partly because their style opinions are still percolating and my particular teens are not yet confident about clothes (not many of us have botemp's aesthetic skills!)

In return I'm trying to help guide offer unsolicited advice them towards a personal style of their own

So yay to ignoring our children's opinions about our clothes, and yay to learning more about what suits us better and becoming more confident and happy in our own style.

My style has always been very narrow colour-wise, the palette that I'm comfortable in is quite limited. Occasionally I will do flashes of colour.

Shapes and textures have obviously changed for me throughout the years - much as the 90s and 80s have re-cylcled through fashion these last years, I can't and don't want to wear exactly the same items as I did the first time around. But similar shapes with contemporary changes are an interesting way of revisiting past trends.

But although I love the 80s paperbag waist, my mid-life post Christmas tummy just doesn't look right in this shape for me.

At 5ft 2" I do love a short skirt, those were lovely photos above.

Ooh so much to catch up on - I shall read this thread on my Eurostar to Paris tomorrow!

Sad times though - stupidly chanced holding on for the Soeur sale to try the lovely trousers bo recommended and they're now sold out of the sizes I was going to buy. Bo do you have any advice about their sizing? The 34/36 aren't available in the Casablanca, which I soooo wanted to try. I could order the 38, which I think is a UK 10 - but as I'm a 6-8 are they going to come up too large? They have an XXS but as that's smaller than a 34 I expect I'd never manage to get into them, much less look any good in them

Merde!!

Do you usually wear the size of the model online (they're usually a 26 or 27 inch in jeans), if so, I think you could try the 38 and it'll be a bit slouchy like on the model. Don't know how late you're coming in but Lafayette has a Soeur concession and they're usually open late, especially now that the sales have just started and it's not too far from the 10th.

I actually think those nail art images are very striking Bo and a world away from what I was thinking of e.g. snowflakes on nails at Xmas, or just having your ring finger glittered. Just think it looks grim.

But if you are otherwise dressed quite stylishly then I think nail art as shown in your images would look great.

Quick google, UK stockist has them in 34 and 36 and also on sale tidystreetstore.com/products/soeur-casablanca-trousers

Hello. I have namechanged.

Where is that beautiful button down brown skirt on the previous page (first pic) from? Does anyone know.

I’m 5ft 2, size 10-12 and I have ‘thick calves’. Doesn’t that sound ever so glamorous :- ( A line suit me but I’m not too sure short skirts do. I like long skirts but only in summer. Knee length make me look frumpy and mid calf cut my legs into what can only be described as ham joints! Is there a skirt length that would suit me or is it better to avoid altogether? What do you stylish ladies think?

It's not that interesting a story bo, although I can remember shopping trips with my mum where I was pretty vile. I'm really just trying to stay off my soapbox But I do think your own children are far too close to you to give an objective opinion. You're their mum and anything outside of that box can make them uncomfortable. Obviously I'm generalising like mad but I do recall friends being quite cowed, style-wise by their teenage daughters. Incidentally I think it works the other way too. My son's pretty mainstream anyway when it comes to clothes and hair but, other than school uniforms and making him aware of appropriate dressing, I've always tried to keep out of his wardrobe.

Theship I'm not wearing skirts or dresses much at the moment but I'm 5'3 and I think the best length for me is immediately below the knee and the second best is just above the ankle (like my cropped trousers). I don't have the thighs or the knees for short skirts any more. The only way I can carry off a mid calf skirt is with knee length boots. They've been off the radar for a few years now and I think it's high time to bring them back!

Speaking of nails. I got a "Margaret Dabbs" manicure lately. I think she's a London-based manicurist and other salons can offer the services under license. Nothing that revolutionary about the manicure itself, but instead of putting polish on, the manicurist spent a good while buffing my nails with two different types of soft buffer. They looked so shiny and healthy leaving the salon and a week later they still look brilliant. I'm sure any salon could buff the nails instead of applying polish, so it was a good reminder that I must ask if they can do that next time. I do love a good red too (OPI - Big Apple is a favourite), but I'm so hard on my finger nails that they get chipped in no time, so I rarely bother.

Ganni skirt is not available in my size and I'm wary of getting leather altered. Stories have a skirt with a zip, but I'm not sure about the zip. Feel like it might be veering into fetish wear territory, ,but maybe I'm being too conservative!

I do agree with the points raised about asking your children about their style, I wouldn't have bothered when they were younger. However 18 year old dd's view is one I take on board, she has her own sense of style and is a good person to ask when I'm not sure about an item. Obviously I don't take her view as law, same as DH really I often ignore them.

I love those skirts- I am short too (5’4, but height is all in torso) and think I look best in very very short if it’s a line, or anything from bum skimming to just below mid thigh if straighter- I need to show I have some leg! However, although in those pics the tights and shoes look good, in real life I find that can look a bit hmmm- eighties? Or unfinished somehow? Or too close to the cheap tights and ballet flats schoolgirls wear? I prefer a thicker tight and a brogue or boot to balance the skirt, especially if it is a line. Or is that just too un French?!

I have teenage DDs. One isn't remotely bothered by fashion and lives in black jeans, cosy jumpers & hoodies and a wide range of trainers. Having said that she favours very simple lines, and only really likes black, grey, navy and olive green with a little bit of red. So we share very similar tastes.

Other DD is much more fashion forward and loves her clothes. But again she favours very neutral colours and that vaguely classic Jack Wills style with a touch of Zara. She always looks good and very 'put together' so I do often confer with her on outfits.

We spend many, many happy hours clothes shopping together (something I would never have done with my own Mum). Each time we leave on a shopping trip DH groans and asks if he'll need to re-mortgage

I'm another lurker, delurking from the shadows to say thanks for these threads. I've been following them from the start, and re-read everything again over the weekend. So much information and guidance, enough to fill a book and more. I'd never heard of Comptoir des Cotonniers two months ago, and now there is a lovely navy iconic trench coat waiting in my wardrobe for the better weather. And my first silk shirt. So thank you Botemp, Toss and all of you. You are fantastic.

But... I headed off into town yesterday, feeling good when I left the house and slightly Parisienne than before, then on the bus realised I was actually wearing 4 different shades of dark blue rather than a cohesive outfit, then had a bad changing room experience and came home feeling rubbish and a bit overwhelmed. I do have a bit of a challenging figure to dress (34 bust, 30 waist, 42 inch hips, so spanning 2 dress sizes, trousers are a nightmare to find, plus can only wear a couple of styles of shoes as I have pronation and equinus) and I've been everything from a size 8 to a size 18 in the last ten years, and pregnant twice, so clothes have come and gone. I'm slowly filling gaps in my wardrobe and have some things I love but there are lots of holes to fill particularly summer dressing. Today clothes are feeling like a bit of an unsolvable puzzle that I'm never getting quite right while on some folk it looks so effortless. I don't know if this strikes a chord with anyone else, and what you found to be helpful to keep S&B as a pleasure not a minefield. I do realise that 'it's only clothes' and that I am lucky to have working feet, legs, etc.!

On a cheerier note, I found the Helen Moore faux fur website before Christmas through an article on The Pool, and bought this scarf, I love it plus it's made in England.

Namechanged here also.
Having sorted out my eyes I decided to sort my make up stash.huge
Over 20 Chanel lipsticks and there might be more in various bags
Ah well -all is now sorted into 3 identical day make up bags(home gym travel) and lipsticks are in their own clear case so I can choose easily .
Binned old and trashed

I am the opposite, very little make up products after streamlining them a while ago. I'm now trying to buy a few more, but only thongs I love and want to wear.

I bought a wool skirt, today, secondhand Laura Ashley, above the knee, marled greys and black stripes in a faux wrap over for £5 . Perfect for winter with opaques and boots.

• things, not thongs...

I cant really justify binning high end make up -just wont be buying for quite a while