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!

[PeoniesforMissAnnersley]

I’ve been lurking through the previous threads and decided to join in
I have two pairs of hush PJs which are 7-8 years old and still in great condition, I don’t know if quality is still the same tho.
I struggle with wearing colour - I like black, grey, white, camel and am terrified of colour. My style NY resolution is to buy and wear some colours! I had my colours done a few years ago which really didn’t help as she basically banned me from black, grey etc which I adore and said I had to wear brown, green, rust, Ochre etc all of which I hate and make me look like a woodland elf as I am only 5’2 and have long hair.

[CatherineMaitland]

The Bonsoir pyjamas look lovely - thanks for that rec.

[quirkychick]

Tiddlywink thank you, I was wearing lowish heels when I had the tendonitis (jan/Feb last year) as you are right, raising your heels takes the pressure off your hamstrings. My tendonitis has gone now, but the physio thought it was related to a lower back/postural issue and heels tip my pelvis forward, so I've been training my feet to manage flats. I do still have arch supports and some gel insoles that I'm gradually trying to strengthen my feet not to need. Luskily, I like chunky, flat shoes and hopefully, I will be able to go back to wearing a range of different footwear again.

I'm very tempted by some of those tartan blankets, more for the sitting room than for a scarf, they look so cosy.

[Methenyouplus4]

Splat- thank you for the blog link- absolutely love the philosophy.

[Floisme]

Take as long as you like bo but I would say at least a week. I wouldn't feel right accepting any sooner.

[Floisme]

Peonies I think everyone should wear whatever colours make them happy but if you want to make a change, you could start off by looking for some very dark shades of your recommended colours - so almost black but not quite - and see how you get on.

Mind you if you do manage to find a very, very dark, espresso brown please let me know as I've not seen it in the shops in years and it's one of my favourites - much more flattering on me than black.

[quirkychick]

peonies the independent image consultant I saw, absolutely would not ban anyone from any colour and gave me advice about wearing less flattering colours. For instance, black is a little harsh on me but if I soften it with a lighter colour in a scarf, top underneath, wear on the bottom half it's fine. It sounds as if you suit warmer colours, so you could mix in dark greens or dark browns with your blacks, camels and greys (you could always go for a warmer grey, closer to taupe). It's a gentler way to change. I suit cool colours, but still stick very much to neutrals and then add some colour. Your personal style is just as important as the colours that suit you.

[ilovecherries]

I feel you pain, Peonies. I had a HoC consultation about 4 months ago, and it was pretty crap - both in terms of process - rushed, reading from a script, only pretending to apply make up (the compact in my colour was empty) etc etc and in content. Completely ignored the fact that I like blacks/navys/greys/Burgundys etc and that they constitute most of my wardrobe and focussed on 'English Country Garden' type pastels - faded, washed out colours that make me feel devoid of any style.

[ilovecherries]

And Bo's recommendations for red lipstick, without even a photo to work from were SO much better than the HoC red lipstick that she matched me for.

[PeoniesforMissAnnersley]

ilovecherries OMG the style bit of mine was even worse. She insisted I had to wear frilly, pretty things with bows all over them and whimsical cute patterns, justified by the fact that I am 5’2 and petite so I must like innocent, child-like things. My favourite items of clothing are a black leather biker jacket, classic trench, skinny jeans, striped t shirt, NYC t shirt ... I hate anything frilly and pink. She wouldn’t listen and I was almost in tears, the style board she showed me had things like “Victorian” style button boots with bows on

[zippyswife]

I’ve lost track of where now but somewhere in the earlier threads bo shared some photos of Innes de la Fressange in grey jumpers with blazer style jackets. And I think even earlier on a photo of a black blazer style jacket with a slogan tee.

I want something similar and half decent quality (although don’t have unlimited ££- so up to £100 max really). Wondered if anyone had seen anything similar. Also- how fitted/tailored should this be- I like the relaxed look- I’m a slim-ish (size 10 tall) apple- really no waist bum or boobs-very up and down. What kind of material should I be looking for? And what do you think of a double breasted jacket?

Sorry lots of questions- I love the look but want to make sure I get the jacket right.

[bananafish81]

I often see mentions on S&B to having your colours done, I have to say I'd never heard of this until MN, and haven't yet properly Googled it to find out what you do to have them done! I am rubbish insofar as I couldn't have really told you what shape I was until I did that waist / hip / bust measurement calculator, and even then when I looked at the ones recommended to do via questions about your shape, I was utterly lost as I couldn't really tell you whether I was short waisted or broad shouldered or what have you. Same when it comes to colouring - I know I'm pale, and that Lady Danger is a more flattering red because it's warmer and really makes my green eyes pop (vs Ruby Woo which can make me look quite drained), but I'm rubbish when it comes to knowing what colours actually suit me vs what I like to wear. I should probably make that a NY resolution to be a bit more self aware in this regard!

methen I can totally relate when it comes to bras. I was supposedly a 28DD when I was fitted in Bravissimo a few years ago (although I'm now smaller than I was so imagine I wouldn't be a DD any more), but I end up wearing a 30D from M&S (which should probably be a 30C now as I'm pretty sure they're too big) because the styles available in a 28 seem to be so deeply unflattering to me. I have no volume on top (sadly no breastfeeding to blame, although in my unsuccessful pregnancies my boobs did get very big very early, although seems unlikely that would have any long term effect?) so most styles just gape at the top. The only style that really suits is a moulded cup plunge bra - anything lacy or balconette / half cup just flaps around where there's nothing at the top to fill it out

I love the look of the bra you've linked - my NY resolution is to get some new bras, as mine are really knackered and ill fitting. I think I've seen recommendations for Panache on other threads, so I will go on a bra hunt. Is it worth measuring myself or am I best ordering a few different sizes and seeing what looks / feels best?

Thank you for lovely and helpful comments about the shirts mes amies - shop, I'm not sure I can offer any useful comment on the sizing as I'm not really sure with Cos what the fit is supposed to be like. I am a 6-8 but grabbed an 8 in both brands as I wanted something slightly oversized (vs the more fitted shirts I have already). Sorry, that's not very helpful at all!

The Japanese tobi trousers are uber cool - they're the sort of garment I'd see on someone in the street and think enviously how stylish they looked, but would never have the guts to wear myself, as I'd feel too self conscious

Other NY resolution is to try and experiment with trouser shapes other than skinnies! I took my light blue classic Levis into the Levis shop to have them taken up ( lopped off) with a raw hem, as a change from wearing them rolled up like my other pairs. Still a skinny fit though, am very predictable!

I would quite like to try a longer length wider leg trouser, maybe a grey rather than black, that I can wear with white trainers or ankle boots - though I fear looking like a 90s throwback as I seem to remember wearing these around '99/'00 (although I used to wear those with pointy kitten heel boots, which was very very 90s - though maybe making a come back from what bo has suggested?!)

I'm definitely in a rut - I have my capsule wardrobe which is great, but the few pairs of trousers I have are basically identical (J brand navy skinny jeans, my light blue denim Levis, HL LL, light grey uniqlo smart style 7/8 skinny trousers, and a couple of pairs of uniqlo leggings trousers)

I need to get out of my comfort zone - but don't want to blow the budget on something I'm then too self conscious to actually wear. Any suggestions? I seem to remember looking at a pair of tailored style Ines grey trousers at uniqlo and thinking 'hmm maybe I could try these'. Then didn't!!

[quirkychick]

I had "my colours done" (actually more of a style advice, including colours) after losing the baby weight. My independent stylist was actually a friend of a friend who doesn't do the seasons as such, so more less rigid colour palettes. I met her at a bbq and we were both wearing similar red dresses, she has a retro chic style but has similar style history to me (punk, goth, etc. in our teenage years) so was very much about finding what my style was and helping me achieve it, not telling me what to wear at all. For instance, pastel colours do really suit me, but she could tell they were just not "me" at all.

[quirkychick]

That should read: less rigid colour palettes

[Lisette40]

Just a quick heads up that Spiral or Engrenages starts again on BBC4 at 9pm tonight. 12 glorious episodes over the next while but two episodes tonight. No Greg Fitoussi, sigh. But plenty of legal eagle attire in Paris. I think Laure's got enough on her plate without worrying about what to wear.

Waves to Botemp. Still really enjoying le thread. Merci beaucoup.

[quirkychick]

banana I have similar bra issues too, I think pg boobs swelling can be as much a culprit as breastfeeding. I will probably go back to John Lewis to be fitted for bras, as I previously had some great ones from them. Bravissimo were too tight in the band and lots of gaping, I even went back to them to be remeasured and they assured me it was fine as the front between the boobs bit lay flat. So 2cm lies flat, but they give me back fat (and no other bra ever does, am really quite toned, as well) and I don't fill the cup .

[Brillenbar]

Zippyswife the easiest starting place for a blazer is whistles I think. I have jersey jackets www.whistles.com/search?q=JErsey+jacket&tcgid=root in dark grey and black whuch are slim and fitted and a navy one more recently acquired which is more relaxed. The sleeves are very fitted And they are mainly cotton so actually very comfortable. I am convinced I look just like Ines when I wear them particularly if I put a narro belt at the waist and roll the cuffs back. John Lewis and house of Fraser also stock if whistles don't have your size

[Floisme]

Re wider leg trousers: I think everything's a throwback to some earlier look and I don't worry about it too much. That said, when I dug out some 90s widelegs they still didn't feel quite right as they were low waisted (What the hell were we thinking?) but also wide and flared, whereas I would say the current ones are higher waisted and more of a straight wideleg if that makes any sense at all? Admittedly I also prefer that look so it might just be confirmation bias at work!

I usually start with a walk round somewhere like H&M or River Island to see what's current and how they're styling it. And if I'm trying something new, I often start off cheap and cheerful in case I don't get on with it and then upgrade later. But I always like the look of Me and Em trousers too and their sales are normally pretty good....

[TheGrumpySquirrel]

Very boring practical question on wide leg trousers.. how to stop the bottoms getting ruined? I hate them being too short not into the cropped culottes look. Maybe you need a pair for heels and a pair for trainers...

[TheGrumpySquirrel]

I just ordered these which are more straight leg than wide leg, will report on the fit when they arrive! www.net-a-porter.com/product/913977

[MrsPestilence]

Have been busy fantasising about japanese work trousers.

[botemp]

Was that the blog with the bit on Parisians being impressive starers? Can't remember now, but while we're on the subject of blogs, capsule wardrobes, and conscious consumerism, which inevitably leads to talk of Sparking Joy and 'minimalism'. I should probably say, I have some issues with the whole digital ''minimalism' movement that seem to be popularising it, not so much the holier than thou attitude, that exist anywhere but I find it a bit of a mislabel which therefore somewhat misrepresents the origins of true minimalism.

I say that as someone who actually studied the 60s art movement quite a bit at Uni as well as its significance in Zen and Tao Buddhism, and it remains of high influence in my field. That school of thought is very much about the process of adding and subtracting (think the process of lacquering and how much waste is actually a part of that) until you achieve a harmony, not perfection, that is generally reserved to the divine but it's as close as a mere mortal can get and the means to get there is a form of meditation. It really is about craft expressed in its highest form that's a balance of not too much, not too little. What's being passed around as 'minimalism' these days is much more a movement in response to excessive consumerism through restriction IMO.

To my eyes it would be much better defined as 'conscious essentialism', balance doesn't seem to be the aim unless you view it as balancing a previous life of excess. I'm not surprised it has momentum, it's human nature to revere something that is scarce and in our current era of excess and lack of 'editors' to make sense of that those who show great restraint get elevated, hence the continual obsession with skinny. But I personally find it highly restrictive, in so far that it can become this self-imposed prison, much like a very restrictive diet that require an impossibly high iron will, that forces to satisfy with a minimum, whether it does or doesn't.

Methen, yep that's the type from SM. It's predominantly the elastic on SM that's much more rigid. I usually try my usual cup size with the band one size up but I've also had it happen that I needed one band size up, one cup size down. I like them because much like the plus 2 sizes types they have a bit of stategic padding on the sides that pushes everything in and sort of fixes the lack of upper volume issue by moving the available volume towards the middle.

Peonies, your experience and cherries' is exactly why I'm so critical of the whole getting your colours done spiel. At the end of the day you have to enjoy wearing what you wear, and it has to express your personality. People who have their colours done all tend to look a bit samey too, you can spot them quite easily. I think within the colour palette you have it may be worth exploring ochre though, it's a bit of a staple colour in France (and their version are usually much nicer and more flattering to the skin) often worn with black, burgundy, or navy.

Just out of interest, how much should I be charging cherries do these consultancies go for?

Was it this picture zippy? Can't find the other as quickly but pretty sure it was a tuxedo style blazer. A good blazer really depends on shape, I wouldn't put an apple or anyone chesty in a double-breasted as it can be quite bulky. Material wise, wool if you can afford it, a thicker cotton is good for more seasons as you can layer it. Massimo Dutti is good for tailored pieces but runs a bit classical. I think for the look you're going for, more relaxed, you're best avoiding the obvious workwear types, which is very much what H&M and similar sell. Comptoir may be good in the sale, IKKS is another to look at in the sale.

banana I had to think of you whilst browsing for some summer capsule wardrobe images (I'll get them eventually cherries, promise) and decided you could definitely use another grey jumper, so long as it's like the one in the middle on the second pic In all seriousness though, I think expanding your horizons into textures may be more of a way forward for you than trying to incorporate something completely out there.

You could have a look at the trousers at Soeur, they're all slightly mannish but not instantly super voluminous, just leaning towards it, I quite like the look of the Casablanca and Agnes for you.

Grumpy, it is indeed about having them taken in at the height with the shoes you'll be wearing them with. For me it isn't such an issue, I need some sort of lift with a wide leg trouser otherwise it becomes dumpy. I don't really understand who culottes are supposed to suit though, they always look a bit off to me.

[zippyswife]

brillen thanks for the whistles tip. I’m a 10-12- whats their sizing like generally?

bo yes that’s the photo. Thanks for advice- I’ll look at comptoir and IKKS now. Think I may look for navy over black too- looks so good in that photo.

[botemp]

Yes, definitely go with navy, black falls into workwear territory very easily and feels less versatile as a result.

[AuldAlliance]

Zippy if you're not totally dead set on black, I spotted this and this the other day when someone posted a link to the American Vintage outlet.

Sooo, I succumbed and went into town, did various errands that could have waited, and went into Comptoir. There was 50% off coats in store too, and I bought the green coat in the size below. I'll send the 40 back. It's lovely, really soft, really warm, and beautifully cut. Not v fitted (the saleswoman said such things did not exist this year), but it hangs beautifully.
Merci infiniment, Bo: without the code you posted, I'd have let it slip by.