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!

[ProperLavs]

I do have a couple of office boots second hand- they have to be because they don't make them new anymore.
It doesn't bother me, I'm not wearing them bare-footed and they both came in really good condition.
They are lace up brogue ankle boots with 2.5 inch heels and are supremely comfortable. I find heels tricky but can walk around in these all day. And they also look swish. People always ask me where I've got them from.
My arches are high and my ankles stupidly narrow so ankle boots have to be lace ups or they won't fit. I can't do ballet flats for that very reason. It's very annoying and limits my choices, but we all have body quirks we have to work around . Nothing holds my ankles, not even those ankle grips, so sandals also have to have straps.

I also have child sized wrists.

I love the fun of finding a bargain on places like eBay.

I need a decent bag and will look on there but I am utterly clueless about bags. For years and years they were simply used for nappies and all sorts of children's paraphernalia. Now I don't have to do that stuff so would like something i can look out for second hand and would help to lift an outfit.
If anyone has any ideas of brands please share.

[quirkychick]

Floisme I probably buy secondhand for similar reasons. And yes, it can be totally random, I don't rely on basics that way at all, but I keep a sort of running wishlist in my head and try to stick to it with a few completely spontaneous purchases two bags that I totally don't need.

For some reason the links are now working on my tablet, I may have fallen down a tartan rabbithole...

[EnidButton]

Checking in

[botemp]

Thanks for all the tartan possibilities, I'll have a look in a moment. Although am a tad concerned as to my mind it's the most recognisable tartan of the lot, isn't it? The one from Johnstons didn't come across like that, maybe it's the cashmere, I'm not really sure, but I've seen a lot of terrible renditions of RS tartan, though probably much more likely made in China in viscose or similar.

I found the Japanese construction worker trousers and they're just as fab as I remember. My &Other Stories order arrived and I had a massive fitting session. I knew the Japanese trousers would be too big, they're a men's M. They could sort of sit low on the hips but they're still too big. Attempted to take pics on but it's far too gloomy out today, it just looks like a skirt. Made me pull out a lot of things and shoes that I hadn't worn in ages, and with knowing the name (Tobi trousers) I found an online shop in Japan that sells them and ships internationally and will help you dodge import taxes (be it from a different brand, I do love that their summer version comes in the 'flavour' summer tropical polyester ). They have some interesting footwear on there too. I think I'll order some after the sales season as I liked how they added to my wardrobe and made me look at it in another way, it's really a fun play with proportions that's sort of missing now. Apparently, they're also the thing among hipster Japanese men according to Esquire.

If they take your fancy I'd be happy to pass the ones I have on to you Flo, no charge, I know you'd wear them with just as much joy as my mother did which is better than them hiding in the cupboard. I'm not really sure what the size is but I'd need to take them down quite a bit (over 10cm) and I'm between a 4 and a 6 so I think 8-10 would be a bit closer to the size, but you may still need to have it taken in a bit.

Speaking of troublesome feet, quirky, a really fab looking elderly lady (amazing head of white hair) wearing Hogan shoes, which are sort of fancy sneakers but I swear it's the default shoe of choice in Paris for anyone who can't wear normal footwear anymore. I've never tried them but there must be something about them.

Ooh exciting, Elle, I do really like those IM and the Laurence Dacade with buckles I always quite like for their edge. Do keep in mind LD comes in a bit smaller, they're French sizes so about half to a whole size smaller. IM usually on the smaller side but it varies.

I own very little from Zara, it's the stuff that cycles out far too quickly. They've been misbehaving a lot lately so I'm calling it quits with them for the foreseeable future. I think it's also difficult because a company like H&M gets a lot of flack as a fast fashion example (and it very much used to be, the prices are far higher now) but they're quite progressive, they're not perfect by any means but they're aware they're too big to simply turn everything around overnight but they're making a valiant effort and it's not just a PR stunt. Especially on the environmental front, they're exemplary, it's the social bit in their entire supply chain that's still lagging behind (though they did come out as the best for Labour conditions in 2017 so perhaps that's old news already) but in their newer offshoot brands (like Arket) you see they've tackled it from the ground up, to me that's worth recognising too, so I have to make exceptions where I can and H&M is one, though I avoid the very very cheap stuff. Uniqlo is a really good employer wrt hiring the disabled and accommodating them, they have quite an extensive social charter internally, but I'm not sure about their supply chain as they're using quite low wage countries, but not the ones you usually see in Europe, like Indonesia.

Auld, is shipping within France that costly? The shipping to you is still free though, isn't it? I'd order the other size and then send one or both back at once if you that's doable wrt fronting another one.

[AuldAlliance]

I may be overestimating postage, Bo, but the box and coat are fairly heavy. I'm still waiting for them to reply. Shipping to me is free, so I could order a size down, but I realised I could maybe tie in a trip to the shop with other stuff as I'm not in any real hurry and have 30 days. Then I could try on the 36 and 38 if they are in stock, and take it from there.

[prettybird]

Botemp - the Tartan Blanket Company had a few oversize scarves in tartans other than Royal Stewart which looked quite nice, if you want something less "obvious".

I think though that a good quality cashmere or lambs wool would be fine in Royal Stewart. It's as a kilt that I find it a bit much (although a dress Stewart, with the white in it, is nice). Dh has a kilt in Ancient Macdonald (his mother's tartan). The effect is a lovely heathery colour: he never believes me when I tell him that there is no purple in it; it is just green, blue and red

[botemp]

50 minutes away is about the equivalent of your postage in gas, isn't it? Makes sense, I find CdC can come up a bit big in the coat department.

I like the idea of having a family tartan, didn't realise it was also recognised through the female line.

I guess it's the weaving of red and blue that reads as purple to him. I'd like a predominantly red one with a bit of a darker colour in it, that leans black. I've tried others but they didn't work as well but I'm off to have a look at all the links now.

[prettybird]

I think it's more the case that he can't work out what tartan his dad would've been (name doesn't seem to relate to any clans - we think it's been corrupted at some point - and is probably Northern Irish anyway ) - and even note importantly he likes the Ancient Macdonald

I believe that if one is being a purist, anyone is now allowed to wear the royal tartans and the Black Watch tartan, plus some of the ones that were designed specially, like the Glasgow tartan (another red one) or the SRU tartan (a blue one).

[florascotianew]

Please forgive me if this has already been mentioned, but on trad Scottish websites extra-wide scarves are often referred to as 'stoles'.

Johnstons of Elgin do a range of tartan stoles (190cm x 70 cm) in luxurious cashmere - including Royal Stewart - but the price is eye-watering: [[https://www.johnstonscashmere.com/retail/accessories/tartans/where/basestyle/1484.html?___store=retail&gclid=CjwKCAiA7JfSBRBrEiwA1DWSGxbs0NEte_G3CbOBPjzfSVxnzLN9hTMG59c7l_brUT__Sx5dQMbTgxoCv9sQAvD_BwE]]


Thanks for fascinating thread, Botemp, and a very Happy New Year.

[prettybird]

Flora - good point and no, it's not been mentioned. Sometimes simple things like that are too obvious to those that are close to it

[shopafrolic]

bananafish May I ask what the sizing is like on the COS shirt please?

[boldlygoingsomewhere]

I love the look of those Tobi trousers from Japan - such an interesting shape. I'm not sure if I could carry them off but a 'dark mori' or steampunk look would be an interesting way to style them.

Thanks to a previous thread, I have bought a couple of Kiko lipsticks - 114 and 115. So much better on my lips than the Ruby Woo. Have also bought a jumper from the boys section - the sleeves are a little long but folding them over looks quite cool.

[boldlygoingsomewhere]

I really like the Cos shirt on you, bananafish.

[Bloomed]

Am looking at the excellent marjolaine silk clothes on eBay that you recommended Bo. Are there other brands you'd recommend to look for on ebay which might be off my UK centric radar?

[botemp]

I've been lost in Tartan land... it's so interesting how the same tartan looks completely different, even when it's the same material. I'm finding it hard to surpass the vibrancy of the Johnstons of Elgin's one (pic 3). I did eventually stumble upon the stole sized one, thank you though, flora, but I don't really expect to wear it with more than one coat so find it a bit much to spend and for whatever reason I still prefer the look of the scarf sized one .

On the pj front, I found some 100% cotton flannel pjs for reasonable money at Uniqlo, though I fear it'll be too thin by the pictures. I think what I once knew as flannel just isn't being made anymore. The 100% cotton ones looked nice as well, anyone own those? Arket has a promising flannel top half too but the ones at H&M were pathetic so I'm worried it won't be much better from there. Decisions, decisions, OH suggested to just go an buy an electric blanket, perhaps that is indeed more sensible.

boldly, the Tobis are quite easy to style actually, I tried them with a simple grey t-shirt and a pair of my more out there Acne boots and it had that very clean 'architectural' look somehow. It was really quite sensational with my Rick Owens waterfall style leather jacket on top. I had fun with it anyhow. If it's better weather I'll attempt to take another picture of them on tomorrow. They also looked exceptional with the &Other Stories grey sweatshirt but it was the only thing they looked good with, as I feared they're slightly too cropped and I'd be playing peekaboo with my midriff with jeans, also made me very hourglassey and booby, the Tobi trousers somehow managed to outcompete that. The &Other Stories haul was a bit of a bust overall, although I did discover I can pull off sixties dresses (this just isn't the one to keep) which I thought was never really my era on account of not being flat chested. Still debating over a soft pink mohair sweater, it's lovely but the itchiest thing ever, mohair is usually nuzzlingly soft. So I'm keeping a ring and a pair of underwear at the grand sum of 11 euros .

Bloomed, not of the top off my head. I think I mentioned the Soir de Lune ballerinas that are no longer being made, I didn't know the sizing on it anymore but I found a pair of my mother's when seeking out the Tobi Trews (I really should start importing them and selling them under that name ) and since my feet have shrunken I can safely say size one up over Italian(IT) shoe sizes, it's French sizing and true to that size. The Marjolaine I would also recommend taking up a size if you prefer a looser fit or are larger in the chest.

[newsfromnowhere]

Hello. Another lurker here popping up to say that when it comes to PJs I recommend Bonsoir www.bonsoiroflondon.com/prod/classic-brushed-cotton-pyjamas#prod_det_get_reviews

[newsfromnowhere]

Ooops, sorry - pressed post too soon. I also recommend Bodas, although they don’t seem to be doing any flannel pjs at the mo, and Jigsaw did some nice ones last year.

[newsfromnowhere]

Also thanks all for a really lovely and enjoyable thread!

[SwedishEdith]

Love reading these threads. I got a lovely stole from here for Christmas. Had seen them quickly at a market stall and hinted heavily for purple. Really soft. But looking at the website, there are lots of other gorgeous colours.

[botemp]

Thanks news, I've noticed a lot of the flannels out there that look very thin are listed as brushed cotton in the description, it doesn't really seem the same as the flannel of my memories. Perhaps it's just me but as a child, I remember it being stiff as a board once they came off the radiators and you sort of had to loosen it a bit, it was a really thick fabric in my memory and it would never sew as neatly as those lovely looking Bonsoir pjs. I think I may all just be making it up

[Floisme]

bo that's an incredibly kind and generous offer, thank you so much. If you're absolutely sure you want to part with them I'd definitely be up for the challenge and I'd do my best to give them a worthy home. Whether, at 5'3, I could carry them off - well who knows! But one of my resolutions for 2018 is to take more risks.

In terms of size I'm 8-10 UK and have access both to someone who does fairly straightforward alterations and also to a professional tailor.

Do make sure you really want to do it because I know I got rid of some of my mum's things after she died and then regretted it. So totally your call but thank you

[botemp]

You're probably right that I should consider it a bit, Flo. I'm not that sentimental over physical things, mostly, but the things belonging to my mother are a bit more complicated than my own, but it's not recent and I haven't really taken a good look since putting it away. Rationally it makes sense to let go now, but I'll give it a few days to contemplate and let it sink in.

[Tiddlywinks63]

quirkychick have you tried heel raisers in your shoes for the tendinitis?
They cured my Achilles tendinitis.

[SplatPancake]

Was it on these threads that the To Universe blog was linked? If so, thank you. It’s a great read, with many very considered and relevant links for further pondering the true cost of fashion, as per bo’s thoughts elsewhere

[Methenyouplus4]

Thank you all for the bra advice. I wear the M&S two sizes bigger as because there is no fullness in my shape, it just gives a nice round shape rather than a big cleavage. As I said though, it's clearly all padding and so looks odd under lighter weight fabrics.

Bo- I can't link for some reason, but is the bra in the photo the Stella style of plunge bra you meant?And when you said size up, was that in waist and cup size? Thank you.

The Max mara trousers arrived! They are gorgeous and at £30- fantastic value as they're as good as new. BUT I'm really surprised by the sizing. I'm definitely at the very, very top end of a 12 due to festive indulgences (I know, not very French) but they are still quite loose round the waist. They are quite loose around the thighs but I think this is more the weight of the fabric/style. When I go back to spring weight (when I generally drop half a stone or more), I think I'll need to wear them with something tucked in. Looking forward to experimenting with them though.

Last night I had a brief wardrobe sort and looked at cheap items I've bought but wold like to invest in better quality versions. They include a denim shirt (loose, ideally one I can wear under knitwear but also wear as a shirt or open as a thin layer/jacket style). I also have a (cheap acrylic) aaran sweater that I'd like a nicer version of.

Sorry, children beckoning, will finish response later.