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 a pair similar to those girlfriend jeans from Mango (too big now though, although I have hacked it by removing the tags and flipping the waist over and down to wear it low rise, sounds odd and a touch makeshift but it works and someone did ask if they were Vetements ), they're called the Slim Boyfriend, they're quite versatile and totally different from the Me + Ems, I'd keep them both if they're flattering not helping.

Edina, I'm going to be controversial and say if you've got the space just hold onto it not helping again, shopping in your own reject bin can be quite the unexpected treasure trove later on. Store it somewhere else with anti-moth protection just to keep your actual wardrobe manageable.

I tend to store my clothes seasonally so everything passes through my hands twice a year (once when storing and then unboxing approx 4x a year) and I usually do a big fitting session (of both the stored stuff and the stuff coming out of storage), paying special attention to the things that didn't get worn (did they just not feel 'right' for the tendencies/silhouettes/colour palette of the moment or is it just the most unflattering thing ever, etc.), check what needs mending, stain removal, specialist cleaning, etc. Anything that I'm not certain of for the nth time, don't feel like mending, washing by hand before storing (knitwear), or doesn't have much wear left in it is easily binned/donated. Because it's a rather tiring exercise you become ruthless by default and it's easy to see what's lacking. I only find it manageable in a 4 seasons approach, I think just S/S and A/W would be too daunting a task.

Expensive regrets can easily be sold on and absolve you from the regret. Vestiaire Collective if it's a good label and you price it well, otherwise eBay.

Waltz, I find jeans sizing a bit all over the place and in my mind Levi's comes in generous these days (testament to the fact that I'm now 2 sizes smaller with them than when I was 12 ) and Reiko is TTS for a denim brand but not ridiculously small, so my guess would be go one size up. Their online size guide is pretty accurate. You can also have a look at Cimarron jeans (originally Spanish but now appears to be French they're a bit more generous in the bum and thigh area) and Lois (actually Spanish). Think Zalando may sell all three, since they do free delivery and returns that may be the easiest, even if it isn't the colour you want, just to fit the different sizes as most French shops are expensive on shipping and returns are rarely free. Otherwise, I think Iris Fashion sells Reiko and they have a few shops in London IIRC and online of course.

Unexpected bargain bonus for me today, when I went to pick up my new Isabel Marant trainers they had been further discounted to 70% and I still had the VIP cash discount voucher so their inability to locate the other shoe last week has saved me quite a bit. They also look great with my new Proenza Schouler trousers, taking down the formality of them a bit, quite pleased to have a pair of white trainers that are actually wearable in winter.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes leather blazers, I think I bought mine in 2000. I used to have a chocolate brown, suede trench too, courtesy of TKMaxx, that I wore to pieces.

Those photos of Emmanuel Alt in leopard print are gorgeous, the coat is a very classy leopard. I find the tan leopard print not great on me, but I can do grey or coloured leopard print.

Sounds like you bought some gorgeous things, bo.

I had compliments at the school gate for my red lipstick today. Feeling like all these little details are really making me feel better in the depths of January!

bo I think I do similar with storing clothes etc. I used to do twice yearly, but honestly find four times better. I also have less stuff out in one go to choose from, I'm all for streamlining my life to make it easier. I have clothes stored away that are good quality but haven't been worn for ages, stuff comes around again, like my aforementioned leather blazer and cherry red pashmina, that I've rediscovered.

Any ideas on how to style a beautiful, conker brown suede jacket, plainly cut, narrow lapels, collar, and hits mid-thigh?

DH bought it me a few years back but never really got to grips with how to wear it, but really want to start.

Actually just checked and it has no lapels. Just a collar and buttons down the middle. It's very plain.

I have done the twice yearly wardrobe swap for many years now. The idea of changing your wardrobe 4 times is utterly genius & gob-smackingly common sense. There are always clothes hanging there unworn for months because it’s too cool/too warm etc. Thinking about it, things don’t get worn because I am bored of seeing them just sitting there & so I lose inspiration. I love the idea, for example, of just pulling out lighter knits in autumn & leaving the chunkier pieces until December. Why have I not thought of this before? Thanks Botemp 😊

WRT to my redundant/unworn expensive pieces, some of them I have had for long enough to know that they are never going to work for me. For example, the Helmut Lang dress was bought out of desperation when DH surprised me with a weekend away, I had gained weight & just needed something that fitted & disguised the weight gain. I wore it once & now it just feels too corporate & structured no matter how I style it. I recently sold another long-held unworn Marant piece on eBay & honestly felt a huge surge of relief! I put the funds towards my new wardrobe & couldn’t be happier with my decision. But that’s a bold move for me. I’m a natural hoarder who ironically gets stressed by the sheer volume which leads to chronic indecision in “what to wear”. I will take a look at Vestiare. In the past their fees seemed a little high but with eBay & paypal fees on high ticket items being not insignificant it might be worth a revisit.

TheOtherGirl your jacket sounds really nice. Why not go for an all-black outfit beneath? Cashmere rollneck & slim cut trousers/cigarette pants?

Good idea re the clothes sorting. Luckily I don't have enough clothes to do that with . That also makes me happy because too much of anything does my head in!

The jacket without lapels sounds like a lovely clean line - would a shirt collar underneath be too fussy? I think I would second a roll neck, and maybe dark indigo jeans and a leather belt?

I have compared the Vestiaire fees and it's the same as the eBay FVF pretty much. I have stuff listed on both (including a pretty much brand new balmain navy wool blazer which I think is just a bit much with the shoulders and looks like it's wearing me, plus the navy isn't quite right, it's slightly insipid)

Right that's it, I can't stop thinking about leather blazers now. I had one back in the day and got rid, which is pretty rare for me but it was a TK Maxx clearance job and not my finest shopping day: black, which doesn't suit me and a bad fit.

I'll have to go vintage as I've not budgeted for one and anyway I can't imagine the high street having any. I fancy burgundy or very dark brown.

GrumpySquirrel sounds like Vestiare might be the way forward then. Thanks.

Floisme A burgundy leather blazer sounds divine. I have just bought a burgundy suede biker which I love. It is collarless and has very little detail & understated hardware - it's only really the style of zip fastening/cut of the bodice which makes it a biker. I had previously spent 18 months searching for a black leather biker but realised that they all made me look like 40-something woman dressed as Sandy from Grease...not chic! The burgundy is really soft against my skin tone and therefore more flattering. And it goes with so many other colours in my wardrobe. I've worn it with magenta, teal, navy etc and it all looks good. It also makes black more wearable for me.

The Me&EM trousers arrived this morning, and I don't think they are quite as perfect as they need to be for the money. The 28 is ever so slightly too large and on me, short-ass 168cm, they may be a bit wide. I pinned the hems to length and did a picture on my phone, but am rubbish at selfies old gimmer. I think I may consult DS for his opinion, but am minded to return them. At full price, they need to be parfait, hein?

OCSockOrphanage I love the look of those girlfriend jeans.

I really like the idea of rotating your wardrobe. That make a lot of sense. We don't have really defined seasons so the arrival of April doesn't necessarily mean that the knitwear can go away, but I still think I should try to do it and put the really heavy stuff and just evaluate. I can be a dreadful hoarder too. I have been consigning stuff with a shop locally. Typically I only get 50% of the sale price for clothes, but it saves me doing the photographing and posting. I get more if I use as store credit and have often used it to buy bags etc.

Oooh maybe that's the difference quirkychick grey leopard versus the tan version. Mine was the tan version and I really wasn't very happy with it yesterday.

The Raey leather skirt arrived and I had a quick try on last night. I think it's better than the &stories one. I might post a picture here for confirmation before de-tagging though! Funnily enough, in person it doesn't really read as a "leather skirt" until you're very close up. I think it's due to the texture of the washed leather. I think it reads as textured fabric from far away. Possibly that's because I'm overexposed to the super supple and slightly leather?

I also got a black straight wool skirt that I bought in the sale. Shorter than I'd usually wear for work, but I wore it to work today with flats, tights, petrol silk shirt and long black blazer and I think that the overall effect is quite good.

Any thoughts on this brand of sneakers Veja ? I quite like the look of them, but I'm not familiar with them at all.

On the topic of bras under racer back tops, I use a Calvin Klein front-fastening bra which has a racer back like this one Woks well and better support than a strapless.

Elle I only know that Veja are very environmentally conscious: I think their shoes are vegan/organic and fair trade sourced.
Can't be bad...

Flois My leather blazer from the 70s probably is dark navy. I’d recommend it as it goes with everything esp black! The only small issue with it is the sleeves are a tiny bit short (and I have long arms) but it isn’t too much of a problem or maybe I am used to it after twenty years of wearing it.

Theshipsong I quite like a slightly too short sleeve on a blazer. It gives the opportunity to highlight what's layered beneath - the cuff of a blouse, contrasting colour or texture.

I wrote a post and then we lost our wifi this morning due to the severe winds.

I was going to suggest a grey roll neck under the brown jacket, like the grey with the brown leather skirt, or maybe a silk shirt/blouse?

Proper I don't have loads of clothes either, but enjoy rotating and then getting out "new" things afresh. I also have a notebook where I note gaps and things that might need replacing in that season to look at next year, stuff that worked and stuff that didn't. I have some clothes that stay out all year, long-sleeved tops, extra fine merino jumpers, jeans, denim skirt. ..

That's a good suggestion Theship. I have to be a bit fussy with navy but the right shade would be spot on.

That's a shame about the Me and Em jeans OCSock but I agree with you that when something is spendy and you're planning on building a look around it, you want it absolutely right. I like the other ones you linked. If it's any use, I've got my eye on some wideleg jeans in the next
lemaire for Uniqlo preview. There are two. The ones going on sale next week are described as low rise so I might give them a miss (I like a high waist when they're a wide leg) but I've got my eye on the ones that come out in March - although they're ankle length - not sure if you want that?
I haven't had any jeans from the Lemaire/Uniqlo range but I have a couple of cotton canvass trews that I'm very impressed by. They normally come up big and I can afford to size at least one size down.

Flo, you are inspired! I prefer a slightly lower rise on my body (to maximise the distance between bosom and hip) so will make a note to hit Uniqlo early on the launch date. I don't like the washed jean colour, but will buy the black denim and the tulip shape in cream, denim and green, and it will still be cheaper than the Me&Em (although they feel idyllically comfy and seem great quality). My wardrobe is sorted on washed denim; it's the full dark indigo that I want. No word from Wales on the Girlfriends' despatch; my size were supposed to be in stock rather than to order.

quirky I also do notes about missing items, it's a good thing to do. In many ways, because I am so utterly useless in the cold weather and only wear the same few items of clothing for months on end, then it is a joy to be able to shrug them off come the warmer weather.
I have shirts and jackets all lined up waiting t be worn.
I ordered 4 trousers from gap online yesterday in the sale. Gap might not be high end but on the whole it does suit and fit me and I find they wear pretty well.

As a follow on to my wonderful colour consultation a couple of weeks ago I have booked a styling workshop with the same woman which will happen in April. I really admired the way she was dressed when i saw her and she gave me a couple of tips when I was there which made sense.

I work in a primary school and am often grubbing around on the floor and having to deal with situations which require me to be able to move quickly ( crisis management, difficult school), so there isn't much scope for smart dressing. It is also very poor;y insulted building and is freezing, so I pretty much dress as if I am outdoors anyway.
I need a more glamorous job......

@OCSockOrphanage I love those welsh girlfriend jeans, saving the link to order some when I can measure myself reliably again!

Well, DS nixed the Me&Em jeans, for all my reasons, so they are packed up to return tomorrow. Fingers crossed for Uniqlo and the Welsh jeans. There's an element of vanity sizing on Me& Em; I erred on the standard 10 size and should have gone down instead. In south European, I am a 38, but in Northern Europe, I am clearly turning out to be a 36. Heaven knows what Welsh sizing norm may turn out to be.

I love my plain black Veja trainers elle. I have a habit of buying showy shoes and got these as a chicer option!
Some of their shoes are vegan but mine are definitely leather. Super comfy and I can walk miles in them.

God I love this thread. I have ordered the LRP sunscreen, so looking forward to combining my The Ordinary retinol + the new sunscreen.

Also love the idea of very plain black/grey seperates under my suede jacket. I have some beautifully cut black cigarette trousers from Hobbs which have been lingering in my wardrobe for months, still with the labels on

Popped into a charity shop this afternoon and picked up a stunning midnight blue, matte sequin, pencil skirt from Karen Millen. Only £9 and still with tags on! It's slightly stretchy and hits just below the knee, which is the best length on me.

Am going to a family dinner at the weekend and will wear it with a slouchy, black cashmere v-neck + black opaques + black suede ankle boots + sparkly cuff.