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!

I have those Dune boots, banana. I find them super comfortable. They come up a little big, so there is lots of space for thick, winter socks.

I really really struggle with summer dressing. Not the biggest problem living in Scotland but the flip side is that you need to be prepared at a moment's notice when a sunny day does turns up out of the blue and I never am. Bo this is such a different and helpful way to think about it - quite liberating. As an aside can I ask why you don't like Repettos - do they not wear well?

Most ballet flats are too flat for me, but I saw that they do one with more of a heel.

Grumpy that is an amazing jacket.

Thanks for starting summer dressing off now, in the depths of january. It gives me something to look forward to. Having said that today is quite mild, the sun really bright, a different light to the mid winter one, actually more spring-like and I was over joyed to see bulbs pushing their way through. it has quite lifted my spirits.

i like summer clothes, I like not having to worry about getting cold and looking like a walking ball with all my layers,. Spring and summer mean Jacket time!
However, I struggle with the colours as I am very suited to deep/ strong colours which don't work well then.
Now I realise that white and cream washes me out as does pale blue, it might be a challenge.

Yes, it was me that said that about summer dressing, bo, but I didn't quite mean to hide your body, more hide any mistakes. If you are only wearing a summer trousers and a tee, it's easier to make a mistake iyswim. I did really go for neutrals last summer and it felt much more me. I have already been pinning brown, gladiator sandals, and love some of the IM ones.

flo, I am the same, I hate the heat and easily burn, get heat rash or heatstroke. Not effortlessly cool at all. I wear a lot of loose trousers and tees.

Where can I get stacking bracelets. Of course I’d prefer for each to be a separate find and lovingly added to ones already existing on my wrist but in reality how and where to find the first few?

I really struggle with summer dressing. Being in Northern England it gets hot (!) after the rest of England and Wales and suddenly. As I'm not a fan of Summer I don't look for clothes until it's actually warm enough to wear them and by then it's too late. I don't think my body shape (hourglass) is built for floaty summer things and there's a risk of looking a bit 'boobs and bum/thighs'. I also don't like having my bare legs out above the knee. I love opaques! The jersey blazer, cropped trousers and t-shirt looks seems very doable though, Summer tips will be extremely helpful.

I thought the skirt Elle has on was really nice. I must check if some of mine are that length as I thought they looked ok. Doubting myself now.

Bonsoir Mesdames,I have been lurking on your lovely thread from the beginning surperbe op.
I live in rural France,on a recent visit to Paris I was astonished at the difference between us country bumpkins and the glam Parisiennes.I have therefore decided to try to be more like them minus the smoking
I have saved loads of your great photos and your observations are spot on.
I love the skirt suggestions ,I have a vintage leather pencil skirt but it is brown,what could I wear with it to look like a chic Paris lady please?

Enid, I don’t think it is the length itself, but the length combined with your leg shape that matters. So some people look best at low thigh, some half way, and some suit bum skimming!

Don’t know the French attitude to charity shops but I got a great haul today:
Pale blue-grey 100% silk blouse (LK Bennet) £5
Vintage tweed long coat (will need new buttons) £10
Black wool coast pea coat £10
Silk and cotton sea-green jumper with old gold sequins and lived with silk panel £4
Black fur stole £3
😬

Wow Peonies that's amazing!

Ah right Tana, yes that makes sense thank you.

I know what you mean about structure Flo, I find summer stuff generally a bit dull as it's all flowy and billowy. When it's hot enough I can't really care but I always find it a shame the look is always 'soft' or alternatively like you belong on some large body of water . It's a shame designers aren't doing more with Ramie, it's a nettle fibre that's very old and popular in SEA (Korea and China predominantly). It's extremely stiff but allows plenty of airflow and still allow for coverage. Saw some amazing pieces in S. Korea when I was there, it's mostly for traditional clothing but they're quite modern in a way so quite wearable. I have a jacket like in the second picture and the structure is a nice counterpart to the more flowy billowy stuff.

Ship, do you mean a pre-made stacked assortment or just a place to get several from that could work together? I think etsy and tictail are good for the latter, you may find some pre-made assortments if you use the term stacked bracelet, maybe? H&M won't last forever but to have an initial play with it's probably not a bad place to start. &Other Stories is also good as is COS and Weekday but those will have less in that style. I'm quite enamoured this Cuff with the map of Paris etsy (Pic 3).

Brown vintage leather sounds lush nothingreallymatters, unorthodox maybe but you can try it with grey to make it a bit fresher. Mustard and burgundy could work too but you're very close to 70s cliche there. I'll see if I can find a pic.

Yes, as Tana pointed out best hem lengths vary very much from person according to height and shape. If you're on the thinner end thigh gaps can throw off proportions as well as you've got another vertical line to contend with.

The Parisians definitely buy quite a bit second hand, Peonies. They have an undying faith in quality items, even when it's misplaced, weirdly they pay quite a bit for it. Despite Vestiaire charging quite a hefty commission, I've always been amazed what people have been willing to pay for my stuff, some things I've ended up wearing for free and there have been profits as well.

Argh, I'm only allowed one more picture on MN today. Voila, brown leather and grey with a hint of black leather. A black biker on top wouldn't look amiss by my estimation.

Oh, summer clothes! Thanks Bo, going to save till tomorrow to properly appreciate.

That's fantastic!thanks so much,I even have a grey M&S cashmere jumper and a black biker.I will wear them with a dash of new red lipstick which I will apply lightly with a fingertip thanks to your suggestion last thread

The French round here don't do charity shops like those in the UK,mores the pity.They do attach a very high value to all secondhand stuff though.

Thanks bo! Sunglasses at all times is something I can definitely get behind.

My sunglasses are massive tortoiseshell numbers similar to Pic 2, they very rarely leave my face for six months of the year - with a sleep-thief toddler, they're my first line of defence. I've been known to wander around cafes and shops with them on like a wannabe Kate Moss, because I've forgotten I'm wearing them .

What's the Parisian take on the summer dress? Dresses have been a summer staple of mine for a long time, but lately I've gone very cold on them.

Wow, peonies that's amazing, I love a good charity shop haul.

I agree that Etsy is great for jewellery, lots of individual pieces and I like that you are buying directly from the maker. Great photos, as always, bo, I love the grey jumper with the brown skirt, chocolate brown and grey is a lovely combination.

Very of your haul Peonies. I have a bit of a love-hate thing with our charity shops. I find that, if I'm systematic and do a circuit of the best ones every couple of weeks, it does pay off. But many a time they're so full of crap that I come home wondering what I'm doing with my life.

I think there are a few retailers that do a bit of Ramie in the summer months (Toast? Wrap/Poetry?) so I'll look out for them, thanks bo. Vintage linen is also good when you can find it - much heavier than the modern stuff and keeps its shape even when creased - but you really need it to be pre 1980s and ideally 50s/ 60s so it's beginning to dry up.

"But many a time they're so full of crap that I come home wondering what I'm doing with my life."

It's the same near me. I did once find a proper Aran cardigan in one of mine, which is lovely and warm, but not a thing of style, (and is now about 4 sizes too big).

Thanks for the summer inspiration botemp I particularly love the first lot of leather accessory photos and the jewellery photos.

Thanks for the feedback on the skirt. I think I will return it and keep my eyes open. It's nice, but I need to be more picky about what I add to to my wardrobe at this stage. I have enough "nice" stuff and really want to add stuff that's really right for me. I was going to say "perfect", but really that a) sets the bar too high and b) takes the fun out of it. I don't think I want a "perfect" wardrobe either.

I love the sound of the charity shop purchase peonies and grumpysquirrel.

Firstly thank you to Toss, Bo and all for these threads, I've been following avidly. So much of what's being talked about resonates with me. I'm lucky to have a decent budget to spend on clothes, but have been so guilty in the past of buying too much, and not loving enough of it. Resolution for 2018 is to buy less, buy only what I love, and make more of what I already have.
So.... with this in mind what are people's thoughts on black leather biker jackets? I bought a Karl Lagerfeld one in TK Maxx just after Christmas. It seems like great quality, but was still £180 so am dithering about how much I'll wear it. Need to return soon if I'm going to. Will try to find a link.

Jacket
I think it's this one, or if not it's really similar. I have a brown Reiss one from a few years ago in a similar style and I hardly ever wear it, but I'm not really sure why.

That does look really nice mrs and I know a lot of posters love their bikers but I don't think we all suit them. I really lusted after one for ages until I found one in a charity shop (and was so excited I came straight on here to post about it) and then got a second cheapy m&s pleather one and then.... hardly wore them! They were just too fussy for me. I'm quite small and there was too much going on (zips, quilting etc) in a fairly confined space. It was a real surprise as I'd expected them to suit me. I ended up redonating the charity shop one. I kept the pleather one as I do like the colour (burgundy) but I've yet to wear it this autumn/winter.

Sorry that's all about me rather than you but I think if your instincts are telling you it's not quite right then it's worth listening.

No need to apologise Flo, it's really helpful and is making me think about why I don't wear the one I have. The colour possibly? But weirdly, I have 4 pairs of leather trousers/leggings that I wear all the time, they're my sort of default going out outfit with a silk blouse or bit more dressed down with a merino jumper. I think I see leather jackets as 'smart', and therefore don't wear them during the day, then when I do go out I have leather trousers on and don't want to wear a leather jacket on top for fear of looking a bit Suzy Quattro. Hmmm, think I've answered my own question, I should probably return. But it's soooo nice...

Great finds, Grumpy and Peonies! Charity shops near me are not very exciting, sadly. It's all deceased agricultural labourers' cast-offs and chain store bin ends. There is a decent vintage market stall to compensate but it's inevitably hit and miss. However, my DS is wearing my ancient brocade tux, bought from the Hoboken Salvation Army thrift store for $5 in 1983, to his winter prom next month (now the tailor has lengthened the sleeves) so I am flattered by his choice.

Today is unlikely to be very Parisienne as it is tipping down with rain here. Instead, it must be effortless Scandi chic with waterproofs and wellies.