Le ridicule ne tue pas....les Parisiennes de Mumsnet

[AuldAlliance]

New thread for those hoping to add a bit of Parisian je ne sais quoi and je m'en fous to their style.

"...yet not one of them seems interested in designing a bad weather coat I might actually want to wear."

Or nice umbrellas.

I still wear the Berghaus teal hiking waterproof I bought when I was 16...it got a bit tight for a while but now I can do the zip back up again. It still works, but chic, it is not. And it's just a shell so if it's cold I still need warm layers under it.

I'm slightly ashamed to admit that I just can't work the Arket website and usually click away in frustration before I've managed to look at anything at all.

Grumpy = frumpy
Beer = veer
Dye = due

Apologies!

I recently got a parka from Roman Originals via eBay. It's just what I was looking for and I'm so pleased! Bargain for £15. A couple of inches above the knee, slimming cut, no fussy ties or gold buttons, just looks really good.

Just looked on the website and can't find the exact one but they have a sale on at the moment.

Not really young dcs, but my youngest is small enough that I need to do the school run and regular park outings at weekends. Most coats here are great for cold and dry, but not wet, it's true. I have a Craghoppers parka that is warm and properly waterproof, it's more like a long jacket, really, in a (now washed) navy, it's not chic exactly, but it's quite fitted and does have a lovely white, furry hood to offset the practicality. In milder, rainy weather I have an Ilse Jacobsen forest green Hornbaek coat. I try to compensate by adding chic touches, such as nice scarf, felt baker boy hat, sunglasses, red lipstick etc. but ultimately, I need to be practical with dd2. If out sans enfants, I would probably have a wool or velvet coat plus unbrella, or trench in spring.

I'm home from work ill and loving reading the threads.

And I have just bought online navy blue satin button down pyjamas with a slightly darker velvet trim - all the better being ill in. Alhough I am sure I'll be better by the time they arrive.

I like Bonnat Chocolate from France, I like the 100% stuff but I know that's an acquired taste but the 75% ones are all really good too.

pretty, are they making fibres out of quinoa now? I'd avoid anything too neutral coloured as it might look a bit sack-like. Is the front lined with something?

Thanks, Auld, I'll try out some bits from Picard. I know the French are obsessed with that place but I've always wondered why as Frozen ready-made anything isn't usually their thing. I always assumed it was very cheap but the stuff they're selling here isn't.

quirky, interesting on the 'weather you want' angle. I do think that's a Northern European thing, as soon as it vaguely looks like 'good weather', regardless of temps, people will go out bare legged here. I guess it's so scarce that they'll take it whenever they can, I just don't have the constitution for that kind of optimistic dressing.

Tana are you on the shorter side? I find it to be a shoe/ankle issue, despite having quite a nicely shaped ankle it sort of disappears in most shoes so it ends up looking dumpy. If I slip in invisible heels insoles my ankle lifts up and out of the shoe rather than being visually obstructed by it and then the transition is much smoother and doesn't look off.

Next ones in Antwerp are in May (I believe), Elle

I've been feeling the western vibe too, even though I question my own sanity every time this vibe returns. I'm still bitter about the Sartore boots I saw in Paris being too big. I did like KarenBritChick's hack of taking vintage Ranch boots and cutting off the top bit but I'm really resistant when it comes to buying second hand shoes. I'll see if I can find the video where she showed them.

birthday, I think I prefer grumpy to frumpy, considering the latter has such a loaded meaning on this board. Sorry, personally, I just don't like sock boots. They feel like imposters and I imagine they last about as long as they're 'in'.

Catherine, it's an acquired taste but the Senz umbrella withstands storms like no other, it's specifically designed to and it's yet to let me down and I think I'm nearing a decade on owning it (I have the original size, the compact one can still withstand a storm just not at the wind speeds the original can). Dutch invention though, not British but similar weather.

Hmm, yes, the Arket website seems to be designed for touchscreens rather than desktop, I prefer browsing on my phone as a result.

Have some feng, I'm sniffly myself but I'm suspecting it's just from the cold.

Haven't looked into the yarn that they use (as I'm only planning on buying the pattern, not the kit), but I was thinking of a cotton/silk blend, something with a bit of slub (like the yarn that they used).

You've made me think a bit more adventurously about the colour: maybe a vivid red I like red which would look good against tanned skin.

I have a really old white Susan Woolf top in a heavy viscose with a cross over like that at the front which I love and is very flattering but is getting a bit tired and I really should pension it off (every year I mean to and then can't bring myself to do so and wear it one last time or two )

Thats interesting re the ankle Bo- I am 5’4 with short legs and big feet, so it might be that the shoes are coming up too high on the ankle- the invisible heels are in my amazon basket!

Seaslt coat just kept me warm and dry on a 2 hour walk with snow falling and with only a uniqlo heat tech layering top underneath, so really can’t fault it!

Bo, I think French people love Picard because it allows them to reconcile their busy lifestyle with an illusion that they are buying quality convenient, but not convenience, food.
I really only buy frozen veg, herbs, ice-cream and fruit there, and head for the "this week" section where the discounts are. Oh, and I get salmon, and steam it as a quick supper solution for workday evenings. The pastry, etc. I've bought once or twice as a default solution.

Wandered around DC yesterday, admired the impressive architecture, rain into a museum just before it was closing, ate some nice crab. Just working online now before I catch a train up to Newark and then two flights home.

Didn't see anyone very stylish, apart from one lady at the conference, who was classically smart.

Though I did see an amazing outfit in Philly station: leopard skin fluffy cropped jacket, bare belly, skintight snakeskin leggings, transparent plastic high-heeled shoes. In France there'd be no doubt about the profession of a woman wearing that; I wasn't so sure about this girl.

Am really, really noticing the obesity issue here.
Was a bit shocked at the availability of fizzy drinks in a burger/shakes place we popped into yesterday to use their loos.
I can't get my head around putting the number of calories beside each item and then letting people help themselves in huge cups to endless sugary drinks. The waste is incredible, too: I watched people fill cups with 3 or 4 different drinks and pour each away till they found the one they wanted.

And the amount of plastic used each day in my friend's house is phenomenal...

These musings are not very S&B, I know.

I understand the concerns about food waste in the US. We’re bringing the kids there later this year and I remember the pains I had to go to last time just to get them to leave the fries off my son’s plate. “But they’re included”. I know, but a sandwich is plenty for a 2 year old. He doesn’t need fried too and yes i really want water instead of juice. The amount of food we had left over as adults was just obscene too and I have a good appetite. It does bother me.

Managed to try on the Ines Uniqlo dresses. They’re really very big. I ordered a small. They look okay with the belt tied, but all the excess fabric at the back looks dreadful. Also think it makes me look short waisted. The skirt is very long. It would swamp someone shorter. Very bizarre sizing. Fabric was nice enough.

Apologies for all the typos in the last post. I need to start proofreading before posting.

The crooked line on the dress where the bodice meets the skirt would drive me demented too.

Picture of the Western denim jacket. I shouldn’t like it, but I do!

Elle, that western jacket is from Zara TRF, I tried it on last week. It wasn't a good length for me and quite snug on the thighs subsequently,perhaps that's why Emanuele Alt is wearing it belted like that . I had the same issue, I shouldn't like it but I do. It's still online under last pieces, just not in stock but you can sign up for stock alerts or check availability in your store if you're near one.

I'm also quite taken with attached, not sure why, maybe it's the cold weather

botemp I'm impressed that your knew were it's from. If you have a second would you mind linking. please? I can't find it a last pieces section. I wouldn't mind signing up for alerts.

Faux fur is a similar idea and does indeed look snuggly. It's getting cold here tonight.

I'll give it a go but the regional settings often mess it up with Zara, sometimes it works when clicking through with your own country/language, sometimes it doesn't:

the Alt

the fur

When I accepted the redirect to Ireland it worked. Thanks for that. I was able to check store availability and it looks like it may be in store near me so I can have a look tomorrow.

Ha Auldalliance you buy the same things in Picard that I do!
It is very interesting reading you all, I am in the SW of France and today as it is so cold I am doing a charcoal grey cashmere multi layer effect, thin underneath and thick on top with a huge scarf and long cosy woollen socks. Jeans. And nice Attilio Giusti Leombruni lace-ups with thick rubber soles for insulation. Russian babushka chic, possibly.

Sounds chic and warm, Madamfrog.

Elle, those Ines/Uniqlo dresses are huge. Really odd...

Russian Babushka chic sounds great, Madamfrog. I'm mostly inside, as dd2 has a nasty cold. I'm waiting to see if her school is closed today due to the snow.

My DD went to DC last year on a school trip- only there 4 days. she came home shocked by the portion sizes and lack of vegetables. Said that she and her friends all felt a bit sick and constipated as a result!

Going back a while but I finally received the Hiut Girlfriend jeans in the correct size. 27 x 30 turns out to be spot on. They are ultra-plain vanilla, dark indigo, narrow but not skinny, mid-rise. They look so everyday that DS, who can spot new clothes faster than an Emperor's crowd, didn't even notice or comment. The fit is slouchy enough to fit long johns under without tightness; no lycra/elastane. I need to wear them for a while before washing to make sure they shape right, but I think they will be an everyday favourite, which is where I try to spend most. Still waiting for the COS very slouchy wide legs to come back from the tailor.

Finally delurking! I had the same problem with the Ines dresses - far too big. The linen sweaters on the other hand seem small, certainly smaller than the regular Uniqlo M and L. The quality is also not great, very very thin on the linen henley tshirts. I was not happy and despite several previous successful Ines/Uniqlo hauls all of these have gone back.

I did however pluck up the courage finally to buy a red lipstick! It's from Urban Decay and I confess so far I have not actually tried it outside, I've never been a lipstick wearer really so this really is new for me.

Botemp do you ever go to the outlets at Roermond? Are they worth a trip?

I was disappointed Katiepoes I thought that the dresses would be great for summer holidays. It would really put me off trying their stuff again. Mind you I still have to try the jacket and shirts so maybe I should reserve judgement.

OCsockorphange Good to hear about the Girlfriends. My Codas arrived in the bigger size and I'm really happy with them. I'm going to try not to wash them for a few months as recommended!

Snow here so I donned my thick wooly socks and boots to walk to work. I also swapped a fine knit for a snuggly knit - casual dress today because of the weather.

I know it doesn't seem the time of year for it, but a some point I'd love to hear people's thoughts on swimwear. I see it coming into the shops at the moment and I'd really like a classic one piece for holidays this year. I love bikinis too, but will be chasing the kids around a splash pool so I'd rather something secure. I love the look of something like Eres scoop neck, but they're too expensive.

OCSock they sound gorgeous. My new Polo Ralph Lauren jeans (courtesy of tkmaxx) are similar, indigo, slim, midrise, mine are slightly cropped so not really for the snow! They might not noticeable but I bet they really help with your overall look.

ToElle shame about the dresses, I've only ever bought knitwear from uniqlo, which has been good, with the exception of a jumper dress, which had a different blend, nylon + merino and bobbled horrendously.

Katie, just go for it with the lipstick! It really depends on how far away from Roermond you are. I used to go more often when they had a Filippa K outlet as I was always able to stock up on loads of basics and they never really discount much in normal sales. Also used to buy a lot of sheets from the Ralph Lauren Home store as they're the only ones with high enough corners for our mattresses, but that shop has gone too and thankfully de Bijenkorf sells them now.

It's a good place to visit before the sales rather than during, they start earlier so April/May or October/November. Since it's such a schlep I liked to combine it with a visit to Maasmechelen Village which usually had better luck/bargains and shops not available in NL (another 45 min drive, then usually back via Antwerp for dinner). It's manageable by train though (just the Roermond leg), and NS often has offers for day tickets on that special site of theirs and then it's just sitting tight in a train for a while and a 15 minute walk, which I personally prefer to a car. I'd avoid going during the weekend if you can, it's horrendously busy and whilst there's plenty of parking (and it's cheap) it takes forever to get to a spot as it's just one giant lot and lots of parents trying to recapture escaping offspring.

Swimwear is a tough one to tackle, Elle. Justine did a but I actually found some of the suggestions not the best. I often tend to disagree with general hourglass recommendations by non-hourglass people though, for whatever reason they find it hard to grasp that you're not all that interested in showcasing your assets up for consumption at all times.

I think with swimwear you always have to switch up your mind a bit to the opposite as the ratios switch. The less you wear, generally, the smaller you look. Giant midriff bikini bottoms to hide that area only tend to draw attention to it where a simpler brief with a bit of a fold usually works better, a small triangle bikini makes flat chested women look like there's more than there is, etc.

Personally, I'm a bit over bikinis, feels a bit different era these days, all the interest seems to be much more in high cut one piece suits. I think they're a better pick for balancing out your body though, some side panels or cutaways help give the illusion of a waist on someone straight up and down, a bit of ruching helps play down a bit of a tummy, an asymmetric shoulder makes an IT appear to have much softer curves, a moulded or push-up cup also looks less artificial, etc.

I love the Eres ones, but agree they're ridiculously expensive, especially for something that sees so little wear but the cheaper ones are often so flimsy. I really love the attached from Haight, I know it would really do great things for my figure and easily distract from places where it isn't. I just struggle to pay that kind of money for it, despite it being double lined (which makes such a difference) really well cut, tailored in all the right places, won't flatten boobs into nothingness, etc. Heck, I struggle to pay even a quarter of that for a suit, they just see so little wear in my life but a knock-off version would probably be very Baywatch (without the implants) and probably a bit see-through too.

Huit have been making nice bathing suits for years, you could have a look? I am no help because I wear either a speedo or arena racer (in the pool) or nothing (on the beach).