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've never had my colours done and I don't fully understand all the terminology. Basically I think I look best in deep colours - not too bright and not too pale. I avoid black next to my face unless it's faded and washed out. That's about it. I'm not even sure if I'm 'warm' or 'cool' (though probably cool) but as long as I can see what suits me - and I think I can - I don't see that it matters. I enjoy working all this kind of stuff out for myself and I'd rather trust my own instincts, even if that means I get it wrong sometimes. However if I couldn't see it, I'd definitely pay for it and consider it money well spent.

wow pink that is some bra size shift! Wish that had happened to me.
My bust size is the thing that makes me dislike my figure. I know it's pointless because I can't do anything about it-surgery not affordable- but I think I would if I could.
Yesterday when in TK Maxx looking in mirrors, trying stuff on I realised that my trunk looked like a rectangular block. There was no shape at all, no in an out anywhere.

I had to reject a lot of jumpers I really like because the just made me look even more boxy. I thought one with a gently flared hem would help, but that made it worse!

methen I am an IT, but perhaps not as exaggerated as you? I don't find shoulders too much of an issue seam-wise. I'm sure bo will be along to help though.

I agree about needing now to work out what goes with what. I have got more clothes( nice ones) but I'll shy of wearing them until I know how to wear them, so need to try some outfits out.

You know if it was called 'Understanding Your Colours' rather than 'Gettting Them Done' and involved a bit of colour theory understanding and analysis which you and your consultant then applied to assessing what should and shouldn't work for you on a theoretical level and on a practical level where the consultant guides you rather than just categorises you according to some arbitrary guidelines and a bunch of fabric swatches, I can totally see the point as you'd gain both understanding and the ability to replicate it. Perhaps the better experiences are more like that and the others are just underperforming but considering most get it done within two established systems you'd expect some consistency.

I think I said pretty early on in the first thread that there really isn't a cohesive Parisian style but that there is an overlap in their approach, that's why the focus isn't on replicating one to one. Which is, admittedly, my chief issue with bloggers. I think it's a bit odd to elevate those to whom dressing themselves comes innately and with little issues, how can they possibly have insight into dressing more challenging shapes? It's like a 20yo advising on anti-ageing skincare on her experience alone. It's a bit the give a man a fish/teach a man to fish analogy.

Moor, sorry but I don't rate Coach all that much, expensive at RRP for what it is (and marketed as such to slash down in the sales when most will buy it) and it has essentially become the new Michael Kors.

There's some lovely ochre at American Vintage, not sure if it was in the outlet or the normal sale but there's a giant scarf on there for not crazy money, think 70 euros.

Methen do you mean a dropped shoulder and/or dolman sleeve? IME the more traditional sleeve exactly on the shoulder can be hit or miss, necklines make the difference then (v-neck or boatneck over others). A raglan sleeve (whilst not so great in a coats or tailored pieces) is good though but it needs to be fitted at the waist. Using stripes for handy demonstration purposes as it exaggerates the principle and models tend to be IT/leaningIT, 1 is a dropped shoulder, 2 is a regular shoulder, 3 is a raglan.

The ochre bit was for peonies.

Proper
I was pretty when I realised they were here to stay and it was a while before I adjusted.
Usual chucking on a T casually had to go as I could look rather matronly .
We all have "bits" that we wish were different but I have chosen to focus on the bits I like and treat myself kindly as a result.
Titally agree that this is a great thread and should be about what makes us look and feel good rather than devotion to a look .
Your breasts might be smaller than you would like but it doesnt stop you wearing beautiful underwear

Titally

Ahhhh thank you Bo. So 1 would generally look pretty awful on me, worse if it isn't very fitted at waist. 2 as you said can be hit or miss. I imagine 3 would look okay, possibly with higher waisted trousers? I do actually have a few tops in this style (I think of them as baseball style tops) with high, round necks.

Re: blogs- agree Bo. The blog linked was refreshing as very much about finding YOUR style. There aren't really clicky links as such as she tends to buy high end, well made second hand. I have to say, it's not her style I admire (in fact, I don't think there was any thing I would wear other than her Oxford shoes) but I love her ethos. That said, she describes her wardrobe as 'complete' now and only replaces things when worn- I would find this a touch too restrictive for me as I do enjoy occasionally shopping in rl (about twice a year) and sourcing something online that I want (maybe one item every couple of months).

Loved the denim shirt you linked Bo. I will certainly keep an eye on NYD offers as it would fit in with buying better/less.

Also spied this on Yoox and, though I'm not sure that the shade of yellow would suit me snd I'm not mad on design, I wondered if this sort of neckline would work for broad shoulders?

It's 18% off today with Yoox, certain exclusions apply though. Automatically applied in the shopping basket.

Yes, 1 wouldn't look that great on most people, probably only on the banana/ruler types. 3 can also be good with v necks and you end up with a sort of sweetheart neckline, but they're really rare these days.

I only looked at the front page and about me section and I wasn't actively dissuading that specific blog it but it did sadden me a bit that someone so young would lock herself down into a 'complete' wardrobe like that. Style isn't static, it evolves. I think you need to get it wrong as much as you need to get it right, especially when you're young. You've got all the time in the world to be sensible.

I tried that on in the burgundy last summer. The shape is right but the fabric is extremely thin, can't wear anything under it and you basically see everything.

For tartan scarves, I got the most beautiful one in a tiny shop in Edinburgh recently and they had a great selection of their own designs in different sizes in cashmere or merino, but unhelpfully they don't have a proper website. Pi-Ku Collective - they're on instagram.

I would add that places like johnstons of Elgin are the real deal in cashmere and supply to all the major fashion houses as well as doing their own lines, so the quality of their cashmere is second to none (see also Hawick Knitwear, Lochcarron, Beggs, Todd & Duncan, Eribe Knitwear etc) you need to get to a factory outlet if at all possible for lower prices, which I know is tricky, or try eBay for those brands. Proper cashmere manufacturers use long fibres which bobble less, cheap high street cashmere is made from the ends and the fibres are much shorter, which feels very soft and fluffy but bobbles like mad.

I noticed Asos have Johnstons of Elgin, don't the often have discount codes? might be worth holding off for one.

I've been inspired to dig out my grandmother's tartan scarves - she was a Mackenzie so we have a bit of lovely dark green and blue Mackenzie Modern knocking about. Have found a long, quite narrow pure wool scarf that might work for me. And I'm pretty sure there's a long skirt in dress Mackenzie somewhere, although that might be a bit harder to wear!

Bananafish that COS shirt looks way better on you than on me! It turns out I need more structure so I chose this striped one instead.

I think it’s more links like this from that blog bo -lots of that kind of thing rather than the mindless stuff c.f. Bloggers and Brands threads.

I’m returning the Uniqlo jumper, it gave me a double chin the whole circumference of my face, which is not present in everyday life, I’m sure. No amount of Chanel Coromandel will distract from that ...😂

For I Love Cherries, have you heard of Reminescence? My sister had a French customer, whose scent she loved. It was Rem by Reminescence and is supposedly only sold in their Champs de Elysees shop. So, my sister went on this excursion to Paris, to find the Shop! and she is very generous, so she threw some our way. I have found it online for about 50, it is a lovely, sun, sea-side perfume.

No, I haven't heard of that brand, Janet, but will have a look now :). I'm waiting for that shirt to be delivered as well shopafrolic

Happy New Year lovely ladies- I have just arrived home after local fireworks and am currently tucked up on sofa in DH's thick dressing gown having coffee and a slice of pizza. Hope you all have some glamorous plans or at least tucked up with a good wine/ read/film etc.

I did have a nice lambswool tartan scarf on that DH and eldest DS bought me from Edinburgh; it is now utterly covered in mud as youngest DS ended up on my shoulders with his muddy wellies rubbing against it. Did remind me that chic has to balance with the reality of my lifestyle at the moment.

I find NY makes me really reflective and this thread ties in nicely with that. Thank you again for all the chat/ contributions.

Oh it’s fab Ilovecherries - I managed to tuck it ‘nonchalantly’ into my jeans at the front and it hung pleasingly well at the back. I’m hoping it’ll work with a Uniqlo cashmere sweater over the top. I’ve never done the shirt under sweater thing so am looking forward to playing around .

Bonne Annee 2018!

I'm currently watching a French Cabaret show (La plus grande cabaret du Mondeo) on a French channel and ogling the style. Lots of artfully messy hair, subtle red lipstick etc.

Happy New Year Mamans.

Happy new year! I've been lurking around this thread for ages. Seriously inspiring stuff.

I'm in Australia and wanting to apply a bit of Parisian style to the hot southern summer. The default summer looks here are either boho, unstyled, just-heading-to-the-beach or full makeup, spike heels and bodycon. Neither has much appeal to me.

I've been wearing a lot of summer black (I'm olive skinned so it doesn't wash me out too much) but need some new ideas to bring some Parisian chic down under.

Bonne Annee, les mamans!

We've just had friends round with prosecco, fromages, charcuterie, cake and chocolates. All is currently quiet here, too... for the moment!

Splatpancake interesting blog link, thank you. I have just been watching Justine's videos on fast fashion and ethical fashion, I think it's something I need to look into more. I used to read the Un-fancy blog (but she's mostly only on instagram now) and she talks a lot about trying to choose ethical fashion and good quality pieces.

bo I think I know what you mean about minimalism, I wouldn't at all call myself that, but I'm definitely trying to streamline my life and my belongings. I wouldn't want to stagnate in style, either, one of the reasons I've enjoyed these threads so much, is looking at what I've got with a fresh eye.

Happy new year everyone. 🥂🥂

Bonne année!
Here's to a happy, stylish, confident and canny 2018...