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!

ship, it's not really green but there's plenty of it in there so may not be what you're looking for at all but if this velvet dress does take your fancy I'll PM you the link as it's the last one in size medium only. I was quite enamoured with the pattern but it was never available in my size.

Other, I think pinks are tougher to recommend as natural lip colour influences it more than others. I'm a big fan of Dior St Germain Which is supposed to be universally flattering, there's a matte lipstick at Kiko that's quite similar, 316 I think. However, I find that getting a lipliner in a shade darker makes the most difference as it both frames everything better and lifts the lipstick colour which can otherwise be a bit tame.

Well I did predict missing out on the lovely VW trews would pay off, managed to snag a pair of Joseph leather leggings in a bottle green for €99 on a private sale site today in their super sale (getting rid of returned stock). Size is a bit of a gamble though, they listed it as a FR32 but as far as I'm aware Joseph starts at FR34 so I'm guessing it's actually a FR34. Also, the department store called and they found the other shoe so will go and pick up my new Isabel Marant trainers tomorrow

@TheOtherGirl the only pink / nude I have ever found that I like I'd benefit nude scandal. Definitely pops a bit more but it's not a bright shade. However I'm warm toned and this is not a blue based pink so I'm not sure it would work for you but worth trying at a benefit counter?

Gorgeous sounding outfits ladies!

Loving the sound of the Joseph LL, and what a steal bo - I found when I tried them on they were long enough for a very tall giraffe: the other brands fitted fine, but the Joseph ones had several inches flapping around the ankle on me. Which was a shame as they were otherwise lovely!

I totally take your point about cheap shoes, although I guess it depends on your definition of cheap. A £40 pair is a false economy in my experience (given how much I put my boots through), but I don’t personally consider the boots I tend to buy at around £120-ish price point to be cheap, or in the same quality league. My Acne pistols were obvs in another price bracket - it’s hard to compare, because I inherently find the Pistols less comfortable than my other boots, because they’re heels and for me by definition nowhere near as comfortable as flats! They’ve also lasted much longer than my cheaper boots, but again, that’s because I wear them very occasionally (whereas my flat boots get worn day in day out). It’d be an interesting experiment to see if a comparable style flat boot at a much higher price point was significantly longer lasting, but I’d have to find a pair I really really liked I think!

Ah Palladiums really takes me back to the 90s - they were THE thing to have. Right about the time I had my Buffalo platform trainers as a wannabe Spice girl (oh the shame!)

mrsthomas I may be very uncool in my love for my biker jacket, given how they seem to be overdone, but I adore my All Saints Belvedere jacket, which has since been discontinued. I am really fussy and dislike most biker jackets for having too much metalwork , and I adore the Belvedere because it has pretty much zero (the hardware is matt black). I have worn it to death since I bought it some 9 years ago, and had it relined (the dry cleaner did such a good job on it, I think it might be a better lining than when I bought it), and on a cost per wear basis it’s practically free.

Supposedly the Bales jacket is an updated version of the Belvedere, according to post, but it’s not the same at all, and I’m often tempted to buy a second hand one on eBay in case something every happens to mine (as I figure the longer I leave it, the fewer available on eBay there will be). I get so many compliments on it, and I do feel really great when I wear it with a simple t shirt, jeans and white trainers / tan gladiator style sandals, sunnies and a slick of red lippy. It may be samey but I love it! I'm quite pedestrian in my tastes though

The ankles aren't an issue for me, banana. I'd have to have them taken in regardless although the Joseph's are raw edges IIRC so I could just take scissors to them myself. I had some before, unfortunately, they got shredded to pieces in an accident but that saved my hide from doing the same so a worthy demise.

I think mid-level shoes can be a bit of a gamble. Brands like Dune and LK Bennet get massively marked up in Europe and seem ridiculously overpriced as a result. Whilst basic, £40 will get you a pretty decent pair of shoes in Italy or Spain. I've heard good things about Hudson (or is it H by Hudson) on here though when I asked around about them when a pair peaked my interest but no one ever comes out and sings their praises.

I see your Buffalo trainers shame (did you all have Mags too, now those were hideous) and raise you, secretly Posh Spice was your favourite but you told everyone it was Sporty instead. And I was famous for a day at school for managing to get a request in on that MTV show with a Spice Girl song

I've just googled the Belvedere, I don't even know if I'd call that a biker anymore. It's much nicer than a standard one, and I too prefer the matte black hardware, that's what I liked about the KL number that mrsthomas linked. I can see why you'd trawl eBay for them and I would guess considering how AS pushes prices up then to slash them to really low prices in an eternal sale, the old ones are probably better quality too.

Here is the dark green velvet dress m.zara.com/uk/en/velvet-dress-with-lace-p02731264.html?v1=4801062

Thank you. I have just bought it. I’ve been trying all night but although it let me add to my basket, it wouldn’t let me proceed to checkout due to insufficient stock. I finally managed it but am expecting an email saying they can’t fulfil the order.

Ah I hate that retail purgatory! Hope you get it. I hope I get round to wearing mine! I finally wore leather look leggings today (a couple of years after pondering on them ... ).

Speaking of flats, what's an appropriate amount of money to spend on them, or recommended brands to buy from? Recent discussions chez Canters- I think something you use so often is worth spending money on, other people here naming no names DH think it's madness as they'll fall apart just as quickly.

I really want a leather biker, I love them. Am getting one as soon as we leave this country!!

Another biker wearer here. I have two, one is a more padded, black wintery one which is actually faux leather and stiffer, more like a conventional biker, all black is too much for me, so it has a fair amount of silver hardware, but brushed, matt silver, it was from Mint Velvet several years ago. I wear it loads, I particularly like it to dress down with wide, wool trousers. I have a more summery one in pale grey that's more biker-ish, which was a steal from tkmaxx, by Clements Ribeiro, much more fitted, so really only a thin top underneath, with not much grey hardware. flo your vintage leather coat sounds gorgeous, btw. I have a Guess, black leather blazer style jacket too, which is very old, but I love it, for when I want something different.

I have a greyish-taupe Muubaa biker that I bought on eBay for about £50. I love it, it's all slouchy and old looking and goes with everything.
For those on the hunt for an a-line leather mini, I tried a nice black one on in Whistles yesterday. I'm still debating it as I find skirts quite difficult to wear due to my post-babies tummy. They always tend to ride up or feel uncomfortable. I might try a corduroy one first and see how I get on before investing in leather.

Thanks quirky I really need to get it relined but keep putting it off as it'll probably cost far more than the coat did. Re blazers, we were watching some old tv drama recently where the main character wore a leather blazer and for the first time in years, I was thinking how cool it looked and how refreshing it was to see something different. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them back at some point.

I'm afraid I nearly always buy cheap shoes because no matter how 'good' they're supposed to be, I always trash them. The only spendy ones in my wardrobe at the moment are some Melvin and Hamilton brogues which I fell for very hard and am now scared to wear because I know I'll kill them. (My new years resolution is to stop saving for best.) Clarks are normally as high end as I go and it's often H&M for me.

I'm glad to hear you've found something after missing out on VW bo. They sound great.

And just going back to charity shops for a minute - they're inconsistent round here but this is definitely the best time of year to go cos everyone's had a clear out. Hell even I've had one (finally got rid of the last of my short skirts which felt a bit sad but there you go).

Just on shoes I have a bit of a soft spot for LK Bennett. Even though they're not the most stylish I like the fact that they're leather soled and they have always lasted well for me. I have no doubt you can get similar non-branded shoes in Spain for a fraction of the cost, but I have always got my money's worth out of LK Bennett. I'm not sure that any of the more expensive shoes I own have ever outlasted them come to think of it.

If by flats you mean ballet flats or similar then the comfiest pair I've ever owned by a mile were Prada. They fell apart after 3 years of pretty heavy wear. I definitely got my money's worth. I suspect it may depend of foot shape though. Miu Miu and Jimmy Choo (which have a rubber sole) have lasted well for me too. I also really like Bloch for comfort and breath-ability, which are mid-range. I think it depends on the construction as to how well they last too. If the material of the upper is very close to the ground then they get ruined a lot quicker. As for spending money on flats, I've definitely changed my tune as I've got older and I now find it easier to spend money on the shoes I spend most time in so flats, boots, and mid-heel or high heel basic work shoes. I used to spend more on "going out" high heels and sandals but it's often not a guarantee of comfort and on a cost-per-wear basis makes way less sense.

If you do spend money on shoes find a good cobbler too!

Speaking of Velvet dresses and the lovely Green one above. I bought this stories one before Christmas. It's long though even on me so I think it needs to be taken up an inch or two so that's it's just right. Fabric is heavy and hangs nicely. I also tried on with a shirt underneath and I think it could be worn that way too - just being careful to avoid Worst Witch territory!

Ahhh Palladiums ... I had a white pair that I loved. My mum refused to let me have Buffalos which were outrageously expensive I think.

What the Parisian take on animal print. It's freezing here today so I grabbed a leopard print merino cardigan that is really cosy, but I'm doubting that it's very Parisian. Any wise words on how to style if it can be shoehorned in? I just have black trousers and a black merino shell top underneath today so it's inoffensive, but not very stylish to be honest.

I have an old leather blazer. I have it for twenty years and bought it second hand at the time. I remember losing my luggage on a flight once and the thing I was most upset about was my leather blazer was in the bag. Thankfully I got it back a few days later. I wear it mostly with jeans and heels but I have worn it over very dressy dresses to weddings (not sure I achieved the cool factor I was striving for though)!

Some Parisiennes wear leopardskin, definiyely, though I don't know if there pictures are "current".

My most comfy longest lasting flat shoes ever were Joseph Stiebel Chelsea boots, with little bumps on the insole to invigorate your feet- I loved them and have never found similar again!

Grumpy and Bo, thanks for your thoughts on midi skirts- I have the long waist (that’s a big gap between rib and hip?), but am slightly top heavy due to aforementioned barrel chest, so that might be making it tricky. I do suddenly recall having a pleated skirt- slightly longer then midi- with the pleats sewn down to the hips that was v flattering- I wonder if that shape is around again? (If not is will be soon as it must have been early 90s!).

I keep reading "leopard is a neutral" after all...

Shoes are difficult, depending on your weight and/or posture/pronation you can rip through shoes with a high turnover no matter how well made they are. Rarely does anyone wear out a shoe equally across the entire sole. Like Elle, I spend more on shoes I'll wear a lot and am very particular about the ones that have the leather very close to the ground. The Lanvins have a really elaborate inner construction so they last far longer than any other ballerina I've owned but it still isn't long for a shoe (but I might be odd as I rarely get rid of shoes due shoe death, they hang around forever so 3+ yrs on the Lanvins seems short to me). For me the most important thing seems to be rotation, if I wear shoes too often, especially the more affordable sort, they die or require repairs much quicker.

Musing aloud here, my mother was a big fan of Arche shoes, they were French and very comfy (my mother was worse than I was when it came to shoes hurting or perhaps that's my future ) and for sensible shoes they were quite elegant yet modern. They also lasted for ages. Wonder if they still exist.

I think we had the leopard print conversation before, although maybe that one was age related. They definitely do leopard print in Paris but it's usually in accessories (Jerome Dreyfuss does some beautiful bags) and in a ponyskin or (faux fur) with a more natural lustre, so it's not that flat print in cotton or a shiny synthetic.

I've been going back and forth for about two years now about wanting a shortish leather trench coat, I love the look of it somehow but whenever I try one on I keep thinking 'Trench Coat Maffia' which is a part of the 90s I'd rather not see revived.

My DMag order came in and my risk paid off. The Proenza Schouler trousers are easily the most flattering trousers I've found in ages. 96% Wool and the rest elastane, high waisted and pleated at the front, pleats usually looks terrible on me but this one has it at an angle and crisscrossed over itself, which I've never come across before and it's the perfect tailoring for my shape. The brocade Dries van Noten skirt is beyond beautiful, slightly too big at a 36, which I'd prepared myself for but it means it sits on the hips rather than waist which is a better look for me anyhow as it falls straight, also it's supposed to be a midi and comes to my ankles that way so it's worked out for the best. Thought it would be a winter piece but actually it's perfect for summer surprisingly with tan strappy flats underneath and a simple cotton racerback in grey. The Philip Lim pants with the wild pattern (it's actually sort of an abstract geometric version of leopard), are also slightly too big but I can get that taken in, although they're really comfy as they are . IM sandals and Rick Owens skirt are going back though. Much higher success rate than I had anticipated, thankfully it was all ridiculously cheap so I have no qualms about keeping so much of it

Sounds gorgeous Bo! Do you have a racer back bra, or can you go bra less- I love racer back tops but tend to only wear at the gym where I don’t mind the sports bras showing underneath (in fact I quite like sports bras showing, lots of mine are lovely! Have a couple of tops with cut out bits specially).

I do have one of those convertible bras but I always find that really uncomfortable in the racerback setting and it never sits where it's supposed to. I usually wear a strapless bra, which aren't the easiest thing in the world to find with small back/big cup but the ones I have seem to work out well.

Hi All. I've not read the entire thread but am fascinated by French style and would love to join in, if that's okay?

I spent Sunday going through my Pinterest style boards and realised for the first time that "French" is definitely the style I am drawn to but isn't hugely reflected in my wardrobe. I love the straight jeans & blazer look beloved by Emmanuelle Alt and the ultra feminine dresses worn by Jeanne Damas. (BTW, Botemp thank you for the link to her style video that you placed earlier in the thread. I wear Chanel Pirate lipstick but can sometimes feel a bit overdone. The concept of patting it onto the lips had never occurred & I'm going to try it tomorrow).

I have been slowly building my dresses collection and have 3 now that I love and which I am confident in styling. I've also recently acquired a couple of maxi & midi skirts (two pleated and 1 tiered). I'm not sure that they are terribly French but I do feel elegant wearing them with heels and flats. I don't have the jacket/jeans look going on yet but thought I might start with a classic tux jacket & ordered a couple to try. I'm long in the body so need to go for a relaxed fit. I was thinking of styling with simple merino knits or with vintage blouses and pared down jewellery.

I tried sifting out the pieces that I haven't worn/are not in keeping with the look I'm after but I find it so hard to do. I have a lot of expensive mistakes that I keep because I cannot bear to admit that they are exactly that But actually even the cheaper stuff I struggle with chucking out because I always think "well I might get some use out of it"!! Any advice of how to be absolutely ruthless is incredibly welcome! Ideally, I would have a significantly reduced amount of clothes but ones which I love, give me lots of styling/mix-match looks and that never make me feel like I have sod all to wear.

I should add: merino knits, silk & vintage blouses I have in abundance :). That bit, I feel, I definitely have sorted!

I have also been lurking on the last three threads, but botemp's mention of Reiko compelled me to finally post. Shirt tucked into skinnies/cigarette pants with brogues is basically my work 'uniform', but I've always struggled to find the right kind of trouser in the UK true skinnies get stuck on my cyclist's calves. Looking at the Reiko website was a revelation. Botemp, are you able to give advice as to sizing? Are they true-to-size or not ? (i.e. if I'm a 28 in Levis, will that be the size I should order from Reiko?)
Also inspired by this thread, I tried the Ruby Woo lipstick today I looked like I was wearing drag, I think red lip might not be for me and bought a bargain leather jacket from All Saints last week which I returned to the shop today, having realised that I prefer my leather jackets to be slightly grungy rather than a high-end purchase that I'm afraid of losing

Botemp, you mentioned Hudson shoes a few posts back. I'm afraid that I've never been that impressed - the two pairs that I've had (brogues and a pair of enclosed toe summer sandals) have worn through very quickly, and weren't re-soleable, which I thought disappointing, given the price point.

Bo, I think Arche still continues. I saw them for sale last spring in a naice shoe shop in Exeter. I believe the quality is unchanged but have never bought any. I'm not (quite) that old yet!

I am waiting for two pairs of jeans. The Me&Em ones I linked down thread, and another pair of girlfriends from the company that grew out of Howie's which makes to order in west Wales. I am a little nervous that both will fit perfectly (I am a fairly standard size and fit) and I shall want to keep both. At full retail, this is not sale shopping but I have been looking for what I want for 18 months.

The girlfriend jean here

Oooh, thanks for the recommendation on the pinks for lipstick. I am specifically going pink lipstick shopping on Sunday (yes, I am that shallow) so will try those out