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.

Love those slouchy trousers Bo, but am aware it is a look that doesn’t love me!

Have a v flattering bikini from Seafolly (via TKMaxx!), but it isn’t as immovable as my Boden one piece.

How have I picked up a cold when I have been snowed into my house since Tuesday?!? Do not feel like clothes shopping at all so must be ill!

Not in the same league but in the same vein perhaps? Somebody here might be interested.

eu.topshop.com/en/tseu/product/clothing-485092/jackets-coats-2390890/seamed-boucle-coat-7267318?bi=140&ps=20

De-lurking to say that we Aussies are a bit at the prices SeaFolly, Jets and Zimmermann charge nowadays for what is only a small scrap of lycra, after all. But their swimmers are very good. Personally I buy Freya cozzies these days (am large of nork) and love them, reviews on the Bravissimo website are really helpful when buying online here in the UK.

Love your work, @Botemp

My name is Bo and I'm a coataholic (keep reading that as Catholic which feels really really wrong to me) too. I've bought 5 coats (not counting the blazers that double up as coats) over the past year, but yes I'd still like a Suede camel trench (all the Parisian were hankering for one, ergo I must too), a leather trench from the Matrix (additionally I want those stupid slim sunglasses Carrie-Anne Moss had and are now all over Instagram. Whatever happened to CAM btw? She was really good in Memento.). Obviously I want a giant brightly coloured mohair blanket coat. And maybe some sort of denim jacket.

Flourish, no I personally hate Instagram as a whole, it feels devoid of a soul to me and where creativity goes to die aren't I a delight on a sunny Sunday morning?. But there was an article recently on French IGers to follow recently with quite a few with still very small following. It's in Dutch though but you're just clicking through anyhow. It's here.

Silky, I got all excited about the brand name Jets, thoroughly expecting Madonna by Jean Paul Gaultier and cone boobs (will these ever return? I'm strangely fascinated by them). Slightly disappointed they're not but still lovely-looking suits. I blame Instagram (I blame them a lot) for the inflated swimwear prices, before, one grainy shot sufficed to show you were having a good time whilst away and, you know, relaxing. Now one must bring at least two swimwear changes per day on holiday and be photographed next to exotic looking flowers in the lobby, on stupid giant inflatables in the kiddie pool and on some beautiful deserted beach, you'll never actually spend time on because of all the volcanic rocks that rip open your feet.

Oh Aussies since you've all gathered, any of you ever shopped with Grana by any chance? It's supposed to be very similar to Everlane, high-quality material basics at reasonable prices and the fair factory type deals, except their warehouse is based in Hong Kong or China and they ship worldwide (and pretty reasonably too). I can't quite figure out the import taxes and duties work with them though, they sort of make it out that they take care of them but not outright, it's a touch confusing.

Pah - I've bought seven coats since the autumn (not including jackets). By way of mitigation, none of them are new.

I'm afraid I'm of no help on swimsuits but I've worn a one-piece since I was 20. In those days I couldn't find a bikini I trusted to stay put and now I've just got used to being able to put on a one-piece and forget all about it. That said, I rarely swim and I have to cover up on the beach anyway.

Anyone have any thoughts on Riccardo Tisci taking over at Burberry? I know nothing about him other than it seems to have caused a bit of a stir. It's unlikely to impact on my world in any way but I'm still curious.

Should we ask MNHQ to amend our title to Sainsbury Baguette Hoarders Anonymous

I can't really get upset about RT taking over at Burberry. Burberry has been on an odd tangent for quite some time, hiring Brooklyn Beckham as a photographer purely on the back of possible social/PR exposure rather than artistic talent. They're the ones who were first with the see now, buy now strategy which was pitched as meeting customer demands but in most cases is more a way for fashion houses to economise as they show outside of the conventional fashion shows. Etc. etc. Thing is none of it really seemed to pay off and I get why Bailey would want to leave when creative and marketing seemed to be working against each other. Does he have a new home yet? Weirdly I think he should go and sort M&S out instead.

As for RT, when he joined Givenchy there were similar concerns, it was also a prestigious heritage brand that lost its lustre in recent times and he didn't really continue on in the tradition as some would have liked but often you need that complete 180 turn to bring it back into the contemporary. I think Phoebe Philo would have been a more interesting fit for Burberry but AFAIK she's indicated not to plan on working for any other fashion house anytime soon, which I hope means she'll be building something for herself. But in a sense much like Burberry's previous attempts of attracting the very youthful Insta generation, RT fits right in with that questionable strategy considering his celeb fandom base includes the likes of the Kardashians and Rihanna.

That yellow coat is really nice, though I'd look like a demented canary in it. I love yellow, and have it on walls, crockery, etc., but it really doesn't suit me. When I lived in tropical climes, I used to love people watching as there were so many different ethnic groups and amazing combinations thereof.
Yellow saris look amazing on Indian women.

I am going to divert my meagre funds towards that paint for the house now, so won't be buying any clothes, chic or otherwise, but I still love reading all the posts on here.

I need to watch the money for a while too Auld - just as well it's not autumn! Summer clothes and I are no longer friends so, as long as I don't have to commit to a total no-spend, I think I've got a fighting chance.

Funny you mention Carrie-Anne Moss, bo as I brought her up on another thread only the other day. It was in the context of 'leading ladies' who vanish without trace while their perfectly competent but unremarkable leading men go on to stellar careers. But I really loved her style in the matrix - even that holey jumper she wore on the ship. Off to google her now.

I'd probably look like a demented canary too but I'd be a very happy demented canary

I'm having a whole 90s movies fashion revival for whatever reason Flo. Possibly because as I remember the 90s most people looked very ordinary and nothing like people in the movies, even when they were playing ordinary people so that's what the 90s means to me. There's a lot of Gwyneth Paltrow movies where I loved the wardrobes, even if the movies were a bit shit. Or Julie Delphy in Before Sunrise. Am also wondering how to channel Mila Jankovic's 5th Element wardrobe into everyday life I know we discussed Elaine from Seinfeld on here, didn't really appreciate the wardrobe the first time around but now I love how it worked to the advantage of portraying the character's personality. You don't see it as much anymore, except maybe in Fantasy shows or the odd Danish show. Maybe it's because I've given up on most films these days, it all seems to be about perfected images (which I think is kind of insult to the medium) and an emotionally manipulative soundtrack. I guess I am getting old and grumbling that they don't make them like they used to.

You sound just like my husband bo Anyway I'm pleased to report that Carrie-Anne Moss is still working, albeit a lot of voiceovers, documentaries and tv shows I've never heard of, apart from 'Humans' - think I'd given up on it before she appeared in that.

I have to say, I was a bit nonplussed when I first heard people talking about a 90s revival as style-wise, I could barely remember anything about that decade. It still doesn't seem to have 'a personality' to me in the way that the 60s, 70s and 80s did but maybe it's still too close for me to see it.

If anyone has a talent for alterations, you could always give one of these a shot!

www.etsy.com/ie/search?explicit=1&q=mohair+coat&page=2

I much approve of your choice of husband, Flo.

I feel the same about the 90s, I remember trends being much more about hair (that high volume bang look I've forgotten the name of, scrunchies, etc.) leg warmers and headbands because of all the aerobic videos, and LA Gear sneakers but clothes were fairly non-descript. I mean the GAP still pretty much sells it all. My idea of the 90s is much more film-related than what I remember. Granted I wasn't of adult age at the time but I have a more clearer vision of clothes trends for ordinary people in the early 2000s than the 90s.

Oh and Prêt-à-Porter, how could I forget about that movie. I was obsessed with it and the fab costume designs. I'm scared to rewatch it though, it's probably terrible.

A happy demented canary sounds fun, actually.
Maybe I'll go for it one day.
I'm secretly hoping that having all grey hair will later open up new colour options for me. Or I'll be like the old lady in that Jenny Joseph 'Warning' poem:

When I am an old woman I shall wear purple.
With a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me,
And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves.
And satin sandals, and say we've no money for butter.

Hello everyone, I know you are a forgiving lot so I hope you’ve got over my original post about Sainsbury’s baguettes.
Just back from Paris, went for the Salon international de l’Agriculture (not an overly stylish event). But I want to report on a super product I bought while over there. Melvita’s Eau Extraordinaire a la Rose. It’s like a serum, you rub it in before moisturiser. It’s doing my 51 year old skin a ton of good ( looks fresher, rested). I don’t usually recommend products. I think it was about 18 euros.

@whataboutbob you've redeemed yourself on the best thread on Mumsnet. I'm glad I'm not the only person who gets to go to really exciting trade shows! The location never influences my decision to go, oh no. Came back from Spain last week with Retirides and now my face is falling off. However the Security Show was amazing

@Floisme interested to hear your view on summer clothes. At 55 I find I need a bit more structured, heavier fabric to flatter my wobbly bits. Also, I naturally veer towards smarter stuff which is harder to find in the summer.

Thanks midlife. It is a good thread 😃. Hope to contribute again after I visit Paris in April. The weather was so frigid this time, everyone was in those “ doudounes”like vertical sleeping bags. I hope better weather will bring out the stylishness in time for my next visit.

Some red lipstick advice from Sali Hughes in yesterday’s Guardian

I don't get on with summer clothes at all midlife. I'm losing my body's natural structure so I want my clothes to compensate and wafty, floaty summery fabrics just don't cut it. And of course you can't find sleeves anywhere plus I don't really suit either very pale or very bright colours. On top of all that, I burn very easily so I just feel more comfortable covered up.

Last year I adopted Katharine Hepburn as my role model and pretty much stuck to a uniform of ankle length cotton trousers with either a silk or cotton shirt, or a loose fitting V-neck cotton jumper, sometimes an interesting jacket (I have a couple of nice vintage ones). Brogues or leather plimsolls (not sandals as my feet burn). I'll be doing the same this year. It's party why I like cropped trousers so much - they're a wearable nod to the season, as fashion editors would say.

The good thing is I don't spend nearly as much on clothes as I really couldn't afford to maintain my autumn/winter spending all year round. Plus of course summer barely lasts more than a few weeks in the UK here so there isn't time to get bored.

Waves to bob

Don't think there was anything to forgive, bob, you brought some levity and saved us thinking of a new thread name

For whatever reason, I always think Melvita is British and not French . I know their rose water is well loved as well and I think the makeup remover with blue cornflower.

Ooh, I had been meaning to link that article too, Splat. also showed up on my suggested YT feed and makes for quite an enjoyable watch. Though I have a hard time remembering (despite the fact that I wasn't born yet) the Parisians embracing that full-on vinyl look in the 60s

I may join in on the financial diet, just found out the Antwerp sample sales start the 30th of April (anyone joining me? ) which is sooner than expected, so will try to keep it minimal till then. Even though temps only seem to be slowly going up I do think it's time to switch out some seasonal things. Also off to consign some things with a newly opened shop.

That's spot on about the red lipstick. I am buying too many of them, but SH is quite right, it saves a tonne of time and makes you look good. i am really liking the mini Dior 999 I got. The colour lasts and lasts, much better than my chanel which seem to disappear in a flash. I am not one for endless priming and prepping so was very surprised to still see traces of the Dior ( like a stain rather than patchy) hours later.

I am just recovering from finding a giant spider crawling over my ear.

Proper, my grandmother always said never to fear spiders as they come to bring you money . Some sort of superstition.

Also, for those not on a financial diet, &Other Stories has a secret VIP sale even though I don't remember them ending, don't know if the link will work but posting it anyway:

clicky link

I know what you mean about losing the body structure Flo. I am fighting it hard with exercise and meal time self control when I can ( with varying degrees of success). That's one thing that can be inspiring in France, women " d' un certain age" who retain a silhouette and dress well for their shape.

They're clearly not eating those baguettes 😉

I spent last summer travelling Europe in a camper with my dog (hence the username). I liked the way Italian women got round needing structure in the horrendous heat by wearing quite plain linen dresses with very blingy sandals and jewellery.