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.

That for the steer on swimwear - I'll have a look at both brands. I think I just want a fairly classic shape. I feel that very high cut would just make my hips look enormous! I still can't really figure out what shape I am. I'm unable to look at my shape impartially without the background chatter of a decade of insecurity. I'm content with my figure now, but still hear the echoes of various things I thought were wrong with it over the years. I had a look in some high street shops, but it's hard to find something very simple.

I tried on the rest of the Uniqlo stuff. To cut a long story short the only thing I'm keeping is the cream denim jacket attached. In the blue it looked very severe on me and a bit Chairman Mao. The navy trouser were nice, but sadly too short. I would have kept if they were 2" longer. The shirts were just slightly disappointing. I loved the colour of the pink linen one and the fabric was nice. I think you described a tendency for Uniqlo to be "skimpy" *botemp" and that's exactly what it was. The shirts were just slightly too short to properly tuck in. They would pop out all the time. The cuffs were really narrow so the overall effect was exactly as you said, skimpy. Pity because the colour was good. The fit on the shirts and jackets was more normal than the dresses. The trousers were generous.

How's the snow treating everyone?

No swimsuits but just to say Uniqlo have just added a fresh lot of stuff to their U range if anyone's interested. I've just bagged the high rise ankle length wide leg jeans. Obviously. There is in fact a jeans-sized hole in my wide leg collection - the charity shops 7s I found the other week are very nice but flared rather than wide leg. Not the same. Have to say the U ones don't look particularly high waisted on the model but we'll see.

They seem to have added some things at the last minute e.g. a jacket with a bit of a 60s vibe that had been in the January preview but had never appeared but I didn't want to get distracted. I've been caught out that way before and missed out on stuff. Plus I need to watch the cash for the next few months - may even need to cut down on second hand shopping - and I'm not exactly short of jackets.

That's annoying about Ines Elle. I think the collabs are the best thing about Uniqlo (though I don't think I've ever bought Ines) but the erratic sizing is a big downside.

I feel honour bound to add that my Seasalt coat has been amazing this last couple of days. I may not feel stylish but I'm warm and dry.

Mine has too Flo!

Swimsuits- for chasing children and not budging try Landsend or Boden (but as they tend to be thick fabric and lined they do take time to dry).

We've got about 8-9" snow in Norfolk. Dd2 was off Monday and Tuesday with a cold and the last 2 days, both dds schools have been shut. No more snow today, but very cold, so I think it will have all iced over during the night. I've mostly been out in my duvet coat, a very plain, charcoal grey down-filled coat from phase eight, it's quite fitted so I don't look like a Michelin man. I've been wearing a grey ski beanie, extra fleece lining and either an oversized grey alpaca scarf or a black/grey Mongolian furry scarf as they are both super warm. Lots of heattech under jumpers too.

I've had trouble with the uniqlo website, but seem to manage to get on via email links, weirdly. I'm not really after anything atm really.

I used to have a bathing suit from Aubade, it lasted quite well. Think the French lingerie brands in general are quite good for swimwear. I've never bought from Princesse Tam Tam though, but they are very popular in France itself.

The ozzies on here should be experts on this surely? I think Seafolly is always well regarded for a good flattering stay put suit that are a touch pricey but not outrageously so.

I'd been looking at the preview for the new Uniqlo U range earlier this week, Flo, but couldn't quite discern what was new apart from a pair of shorts that intrigued me but seeing them on the model I think they're going to be far too long and wide for me. The rest seems to be mostly basics or already sold out.

I did manage to snap up a TKmaxx bargain yesterday, a denim utilitarian jumpsuit just days after deciding I'd like one. Only €32 and from a Parisian brand I hadn't heard of before, Lab Dip Paris. It's cropped but weirdly is the exact same length on me as the model

Did you manage to get the western jacket Elle, saw very similar looking western belt Emanuele Alt wore with it at ba&sh and tried on some western boots at Mango (in leather) that I really liked as they were well fitted at the ankle and not too high but they cut my leg off at the wrong point, probably a better fit for longer limbs. Sorry can't link, have attached a pic.

botemp No joy on the jacket. I did trek down to the local Zara yesterday, where the website had said it might be in stock, and the staff could see two in stock on the system, but couldn't find them. So that was disappointing. Oooh the boots are nice. Jumpsuit is very cool too.

An alpaca scarf sounds divine quirkychick

Tanaqui Thanks. The Lands End ones are a bit low cut around the legs for me...and yes I'm aware I just said that I wasn't sure about very high cut, but maybe something in between - medium-high! I like the look of this from Boden though. Some of their other styles are okay, but all halter - what's with that? I find it uncomfy and not very secure. The Maratea looks good though. I'll do a bit more looking as time is on my side.

Seafolly often in TK Maxx

Elle I just ordered this swimsuit in red but from the US jcrew site, shipping to my brother who lives out there.

On the up side I paid less than £50 for it, on the down side I won't get it til April! I like it because it has a low scoop back but bra shelf support and padding, which weirdly, always helps my big boobs look better in swim wear, it kind of holds them up and you can't see the outline of their shape under the fabric so much - at nearly 40 and after 2 kids, I only want one other person seeing that . Like bo I'm excited by one pieces just now, also because they are so easy to just throw on. Having bigger boobs means I'm always adjusting my swimwear and hoiking things up which is not really the look I'm striving for. I have had retro boy leg one pieces in the past but as I'm quite straight up and down but not in a sylph-like way (think rower) it never quite works for me. I have high hopes for this one, let's see...

Thanks, ToElle it's quite an old Celtic & Co (from when they were Celtic Sheepskin) scarf that I got in a sale. Huge and extremely warm.

I can't offer much advice on swimsuits, I have a boy leg one that I wear under a rash vest, but the Norfolk coast is chilly, the North Sea after all, and lots of people wear wetsuits in the sea. More sports chic than riviera.

I like that one swimminguphill. It’s nice and simple and I agree that the smoothing effect of light padding can be great. There are always lots of J Crew discounts and could get it delivered to my sister in the US.

botemp this popped up on my feed. Am I right in thinking it’s the Raey coat that you spotted before? It’s glorious!

I think it may very well be Elle, as if I didn't want that coat already, that picture and she even has boots very similar to the Mango ones.

I was quite charmed by the H&M studio collection that showed yesterday and was on sale since last night. Totally wanted the high waisted slouchy trousers but they were instantly sold out online after finally figuring out they're from the men's section. Managed to find them in store today though, I could probably get them a size bigger to fit like the model but that wasn't available but I'll keep an eye on online returns as I needed a bigger size than I thought to get the right amount of slouch. They're a really lovely dark navy with a hint of sheen, I anticipate they'll be great for transitional weather.

I'll be avoiding the new Arket opening tomorrow though, I'm far too purchase happy at the moment

Oh my, that green coat is the business. Want. (even though it's 30 degrees here today. I'll just crank the air-conditioning).

As for swimsuits - as bo noted, Seafolly do lovely one pieces. I believe they ship all over the place.

I also like Tigerlily. They tend towards boho but are very flattering on.

I've been decidedly unParisian recently - it's been very warm, so I've been getting about in a vintage Mexican kaftan dress and white Birkenstock slides. Seeing all the snow pics popping up on my socials from friends in the UK and Europe is making me feel quite homesick.

cactus I was homesick too but currently in the uk and it is miserable! Trapped in the house with feral toddler eating my body weight in mini eggs. Can't wait to get back to warmer climes!

I had totally missed the H&M Studio Collection so thank you bo. So many great things - much like mainstream H&M used to be back in the day. What was I saying about watching the cash? Just as well for me that it's mostly sold out but I fear I'll be watching for returns.

I assume it's still bonkers H&M sizing though which always puts me off ordering online with them. I can tolerate ordering - and paying for - 2 different sizes but 3 or 4, which is what I have to take into their changing room, is taking the piss.

Proper, I was looking at the Isabel Marant runway pics and then there was a suede waistcoat that made me go 'ooh, want that!' You win!

Also, I think I want to be a reverse centaur this winter on account of the ponyhair jumper very western inspired overall but not the cliché stuff, almost felt a bit like when the Japanese do Western. Full show coverage here thought it was an interesting parallel to draw in that article that European fashion designers tend to focus on this version of the American dream whenever the country itself is in turmoil/an identity crisis.

Flo, I find the H&M Studio collection to be similar in size to the Trend collection (the one with the pink labels) and their colabs, so more like a European fashion brand, as in on the smaller size. Can't make much sense of men's sizing, I just grab whatever looks like it'll fit, I have a good ability to determine that by just seeing things on the hanger.

Thanks bo - smaller sized is useful to know as we don't get any of their more selective collections in these parts, barely even see the 'Conscious' label.

Oooooh Raey coat on lots of colours If only...

That coat is fab but there MUST be a high street version. There always is, it’s just a matter of finding it.......

Maybe we could buy it between us and share it?

Well it is oversized, surely we can get five us in one

Zara has one but it's a shadow of the real thing

I've sold at least two posters a Raey leather skirt on here, surely Matches owes me a coat in commission. I'll take yellow or green, I'm not picky at all

Does anyone follow any french style Instagrammers, just out of curiosity?

Yay bo. I clearly am very forward thinking in my fashion trends .

I am very definitely avoiding any discussion about green coats, or any coats, but particularly green ones.

The temp goes up to 9 degrees tomorrow. I won't know what to wear.

I love that coat in the pink also (luckily it is just in fantasy-land on price for me)

Someone (probably Bo? ;) ) was talking suede trenches a while back. Massimo Dutti have got a beautiful one in their new collection. Going to Barcelona soon so hoping to get it at a slightly better price, but it's definitely a classic, keep forever.

My name is MidLife and I'm a coataholic.