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 caught sight of myself whilst shopping today and realised that the red lipstick makes my perfectly normal lips look very thin - is there a trick to combat this?

bo for colours and style (about 4 hours with a light lunch) it was £250, a total waste of money in my case literally haven’t done anything with it at all, colours was better than style in the sense that I could see that eg burgundy which I adore made me look like a corpse so I avoid that now, but on many of the others (warm green vs cold green for example) even the colour stylist admitted there was very little in it and neither one looked amazing or terrible so it left me feeling very sceptical... then she decided I’m a warm autumn.
I have very pale almost blue skin, green eyes and black hair and was sure I was a winter!

Bo, I was £160 at HoC, and I have to say it was a total waste of money. That was only for colour - would have been more (double I think) for style as well, but the thought of putting my 34Ks into a colour that would have made me look like a Laura Ashley sofa circa 1988 freaked me out do much I cancelled the style appt. She also didn't seem to get that I was looking for ideas for a wardrobe that would carry me through the next couple of stone of weight loss - in August I was just at the point where none of my existing clothes fitted, I had just gone into larger 'straight' sizes rather than plus and I wanted a wardrobe that would take me through autumn into winter and would take me from size 18 to about 14. I didn't need cocktail dresses or statement pieces (or expensive classics!), I needed a bit of a uniform for a few months, with easy lines and in colours that were flexible enough to go with each other. None of that seemed to fit her script though!

I also didn't reply to your qu upthread asking about how comfortable I was with exposing (can't remember your exact wording) my body now. I think I'm pretty pragmatic about it, and psychologically I'm fairly relaxed about what my body looks like now. I realise that to half of S&B it probably seems ghastly, but part of this process for me is that I've had to learn to like myself a lot more than I ever have in the past. You don't get to the size I was without some damage, but I've just decided I need to accept it. It happened for a reason, and at the time I was doing the best I could, so I won't hate myself for a bit of crinkly skin. Having said that, I burn so very easily it's easier to manage covering up with clothes rather than sunscreen everywhere. My arms are in ok nick for my age and don't have stretch marks. My stomach has actually survived weight loss better than I dared hope, and I have maybe 3 stretch marks on each side of my lower abdomen. I don't have masses of loose skin that needs to be contained, just some crinkling, although I think the final stone I have to lose is probably mostly on my stomach, and I do have a smallish CS overhang. Boobs are big but they always were so I'm not expecting to lost much more from them. My neck and chest are my reward for a lifetime of sun dodging and lashings of spf . My lower legs are fine. My upper leg IS a mess and while I don't worry if I'm wearing swimwear I generally like to keep them covered. Having always thought I was an apple with huge boobs, there is an hourglass emerging, which is novel! What I've never liked though is any sense of my clothes strangling me in any way, whether that's neck, waist, cuffs etc. I do like comfort - and because of my accident, I need to feel stable on my feet.

It's very lovely of you to do all this thinking and researching for us.

Thanks bananafish I am near a COS tomorrow so will take look :)
I had my colours done twice. First time by a stylist who diagnosed me as an Autumn, second time by HoC who said jewel winter and I could really see it.
Luckily for me some of my ** colours are black and grey , but also scarlet and fuchsia which I do love. I ignore anything that I don't like!
I must have spent £££ when I got my Autumn diagnosis on new clothes, most of which I never loved and I then got rid of. I would say if you have colours that you love wearing, and that people compliment you on (or say you look well when you wear them), stick to those. I'm glad I had mine done but I do break the rules. It did teach me that I suit blue toned red lipsticks and bright fuchsia and I have learnt that I look much healthier with a bright lip but I guess the same can be said for most people (that bright tones lift the complexion).

What was more useful to me was having a stylist come to the house and do a Wardrobe Edit which got rid of so many things that just didn't suit me but that I had been hanging onto either for sentimental reasons, or because I might lose / gain weight etc etc.
I am much more brutal now when it comes to clearing through my wardrobe and it is much easier to put outfits together without the "I have nothing to wear" moans of old.
For anyone in Hertfordshire I can happily recommend......

HOC was worth every penny - it gave me the confidence to stick to colours I knew suited me and to experiment with new colours. It also helped me understand why some of the shades/tones/colours I liked did not look good on me (e.g teal/petrol blue/camel).

Shopping is so much quicker and easier. From what I've read, it sounds like I had a good consultant.

I’m booked to have my colours done in Jan, can’t wait. I would like to have a stylist look through my clothes to.
I hit the sales today and might have bought a max Mara leather jacket. I do not need another leather jacket, but this fitted me and was only £100! It’s a black and white biker , lamb skin. I also got a long sleeveless navy pure cashmere long loose sweater reduced to £29, it’s gorgeous. I also got some faux leather leggings, trousers x2 from top shop and trousers x 2 from gap and a sleeveless long line gilet with a belt which actually gives me some curves. I feel a bit guilty though, but had Xmas and birthday money to spend.
I always go shopping with my 12 year old dd who has an amazing eye for fashion . She will pick things for me that I wouldn’t Normally look at.

I have just bought two pairs of pure wool trousers, for work. One slimline in navy (Costume National) and one slightly wider in black (Stella McCartney). Both from TK Maxx online so have taken a bit of a chance but they can always go back, right? I have a lovely black linen blazer from Whistles which will look beautiful with the SMcC's.

Actually I need to ask about black and navy together. I personally think it looks fine generally but have always felt it's a bit of a style no-no? @bo, any thoughts?

Went out to friends last night and wore a black-and-white breton under a charcoal Toast 'gauzy' wool shirt, with the sleeves rolled to show the breton. Black skinnies, silver converse, red lips (love this discovery, feel fab with a strong red lip!) and my new short crop styled to show all the silver . Don't know how French I looked but I felt wonderful and got lots of compliments! I do think perhaps the shoes were a step too far and probably stopped it being 'chic' but it was a strong look compared to what I would usually wear.

sounds great kittens. it doesn't matter whether we look french or not does it? What matters is that all these tips help us to feel a better version of ourselves and when we feel that we look good then we shine and when we shine people notice us.
I had a thought that no matter how well I dressed it wouldn't look great unless unless I tried to hold myself better. It might sound silly but I spent today shopping trying to remember to hold my head up ( like I had a string attached to it), eyes straight ahead rather than looking down, shoulders back and down and moved more from the hips ( but not in an exaggerated fashion), rather than my usual apologetic shuffle .
It was interesting to notice how much more confident I felt and people did notice me more. Hopefully that wasn't because I looked like a twat.

Zippy, Yoox will also have an extensive selection of blazers, you can pick materials, colours, etc.

Speaking of Yoox, Methen, I know you mentioned wanting to upgrade your denim shirt, I have two from Isabel Marant Etoile, and though technically not really denim they are brilliant as they're woven like a denim and look like it, but not as stiff but you can just wash and leave to dry on a hanger and require no ironing. They have a version of one I have on Yoox in a 14 (all of mine are a size or three bigger, I prefer them that way). I'm expecting they'll do some sort of promo on NYE or NYD.

Chango, did you use a lip pencil? I usually spend more time lining the lip than applying a lipstick. I think Lisa Eldridge also has a good tutorial on it.

Lovely, AuldA, I know it's not just any purchase for you so I'm very pleased it's worked out so well for you

I am in at those prices! I thought it was 60 quid or something, it feels very exploitive somehow as it will mostly attract and target women who aren't that confident in dressing themselves and possibly not that confident generally. I'm clearly in the wrong line of business with those price tags

Peonies, ochre can look amazing on burgundy, maybe not have it right on the face but I think it's strange to avoid it completely. Funnily enough before this I had sort of been 'feeling' the colour, as in I had a hankering for it, but not the horrible mustard we had a few years ago and I'm seeing pop up in pockets through my French newsletters now, although it's always been a staple colour.

That's why I asked, cherries, it can be very different per person. I was completely comfortable in a bikini at a size 12, completely not now at half that size. You'd expect the opposite but there's no rhyme or reason to it, I know plenty who are beyond delighted to be able to wear 'less' now no longer feeling the 'need' to hide it all before where people the same size would be horrified at the thought (for themselves).

Ooh Costume National trousers are great exploding, I've wanted a coat from there for ages. So annoyed TKMaxx don't do an online shop here, will have to check in store. They had loads of Stella McCartney in last time I went in.

I think navy and blue rules are a bit archaic. If you look at vintage clothing you can sort of see why, in a lot of the more generic fabrics and less advanced dyeing techniques black was never as deep as it is now. It sort of reads flat. It's also why the black and colour rule existed, it just didn't work sometimes. Navy also isn't the colour it used to be, again deeper and richer. They're more compatible now and selected to be able to do so. If your clothes are older and have faded a bit then you can trip up again, though.

I thought it was very expensive for what it was Bo, although that was a retrospective assessment - upfront it was something I was prepared to pay to help me solve the problem of feeling clueless and as you say lacking in confidence around clothes. It just didn't deliver. (Plus she tried desperately to sell me things from kettlewell, a lot of which made me want to cringe.)I've learned so much more on this thread though. What's been really helpful to me is the focus on thinking about how to style things, and put 'looks' together, and reflect on what makes an outfit look good and what jars. It's so much more helpful than the 'oh, buy this from my affiliate link and you can have a life as amazing as mine' approach - which in the past has just led me to having a random collection of clothes that didn't work for my shape or lifestyle.

Wow lot's to catch up on and think I'll have to reread the last couple of pages - lots to take In!
Banana if you are anywhere near a Rigby & Pellar they are amazing. They fit by sight, so will take size and shape into consideration. Ok so they are not cheap items but will last. I now buy in the sale, so am due an order in this weekend! I find them so comfortable and have now amassed a range so I don't actually wear any other brand.
Am also settled in for Spiral at 9. Have finished the first series of Call My Agent and really enjoyed. The episode with Audrey Flerot was so funny.
DH has been playing Zaz (a former Monmarte busker apparently) which was tres cool. I told him It must have been the influence of living with someone truely chic. Me: him

Auld that green coat is a thing of beauty. If I could justify it I would be all over that (in fact... could I justify it....). Thanks for the American vintage link I was keen on a sweater there previously linked too so think I might need to put an order in.

bo I’ve never bought from yoox but tonnes of choice there. Thanks for the tip.

I love this place. And I agree with proper it’s about feeling good about ourselves. Although I don’t contribute I’ve been massively influenced by this thread. I’ve been doing the red lipstick the pop of white and lots of other ideas (no doubt there are countless other lurkers like myself that are avidly reading this). As a pale skinned redhead I ain’t ever going to look French but all these little things are making me hold myself a little better and feel a bit better and at 40 I actually feel more in control of my look than ever. And that feels good. So again (on behalf of myself and the other lurkers)... Merci!!

placemarking here>>>

I would saythat whistles sizing is honest not vanity sizing so I am a 4-6 In whistles whereas a 6 I. Marks or jigsaw is dressing up clothes on me

Hoc has meant that I no longer make expensive mistakes when buying clothes.

I wear black and navy together - as a winter I prefer dark navy rather than bright navy (again thanks to HOC I know that all winter colours can be worn with another winter shade).

I think having colours done, if it is done well, is useful for a lot of people.
When I have mine done I will be open to suggestions of colours that will help me look 'better'. I am curious to know what they might be.

The woman who is going to do mine has asked me to bring along clothes I think do suit me colour-wise and those I am not sure about, the same for make up. I like the fact she wants to look at stuff I already have as well as showing me alternatives.

I do not do pastels but who knows, they might suit me. I like learning new things; I like this thread!

I tried a VW wool coat on it TK Maxx today, it was slightly too big, but by heavens it was a thing of beauty. One day....

I need to revisit tkmaxx I think. VW and Stella McCartney! I've injured a foot so am happily pinning outfits for when I can wear heels again.

Waiting on these carrot leg trousers trews from Whistles .also toying with buying a bag in the Coach sale ( yay or nay?) and also a couple of bits from Jaeger.

Methen , may I recommend the John Lewis underwired t shirt bra— padded but no ridiculously so? I am a 30f but my boobs have seen better days, combination of breastfeeding 19 years ago and weight loss / gain /loss. £20.

( If someone can show me how to do links, I’d be grateful and add a link).

bo love that outfit, and will consider adding some ochre to my wardrobe - maybe a large scarf is the safest way to play with colour 😁 yesterday for instance I wore a black turtleneck, - thick textured white and black geometric pattern mini skirt (thibk of those geometric Turkish carpets), black tights and black suede block heel Chelsea boots. Red lip and for going outside an all saints bales black biker and a Palestinian black and white scarf. I liked it but no colour at all apart from lips!

Thank you for all the bra advice. I am happy with the t-shirt/2 sizes bigger style for under jumpers but want something less obviously sculpted for under lighter weight fabrics. I have listed all the ones you have recommended on here and I'm going to try as many as I can in shops before hunting on line as otherwise I think I'd have to order a huge amount to get perfect size (plus want matching bottom half which also seems an awful lot to return).

I am still working my way through the blog linked earlier (To the Universe with Love) and really agree with what is said and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Can't remember who just said it up thread- but starting to realise this thread is more about finding your own, unique 'best self' rather than just imitating a style/icon/fashion.

Bo (or anyone else- I know quite a few of you have inverted triangle silhouette- possibly quirky and banana) can I ask about seams on shoulders for the broad shouldered? I tried on a slightly oversized jumper yesterday where the seam sat about 2 inches off the edge of my shoulders which seemed to make them look wider. I then put on my aran jumper and, though the seam sat almost perfectly on edge of shoulder, the 'bulky' join of the seam seemed also to just highlight the width. I know from the past if I wear at top where the seam sits 'inside' (towards my neck rather than on edge of shoulder) I look really ridiculous. Any ideas of the best place for the seam to sit if very broad shouldered? I love that this thread is making me consider such things.

I went from a 32 AA to a 32 FF after pregnancy and BF for 6 years
Do not rate M&S at all -they fit with too large a band and too small a cup-dreadful.

Panache and Freya fan here .

Wow, I did not pay that much to have my colours done! I think I paid £100+ for colour and style. I chose my stylist because a) I had already met her and really liked her 2) she looked great 3) she was independent, using "directional" colour analysis, gave you a rating on cool/warm, bright/muted, light/dark rather than seasons and 4) she categorically said she would never tell anyone not to wear anything. I still get blog posts from her 5yrs later. It does sound as though there are some rubbish ones out there, though.

It certainly helped me clarify things not to wear and to help me see stuff I loved. I make much less mistakes, but don't wear loads of colours, just some. It did help me to learn to layer colours, neutrals or toning colours. I think on seasonal analysis I come out as a jewel summer, but some winter colours are in fact my best colours: optic white, emerald, crimson, cornflower blue. So I'm not sure seasonal analysis would have been so helpful.