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.

Hello! I’m just delurking to introduce myself as I feel wrong just reading all your posts ‘from the shadows’

You’ve inspired me to do a heavy wardrobe edit and send most of the surviving items to be properly cleaned and pressed. I’ve also re-dyed all my black clothes in a bid to make them more chic and less tired. I’m hoping to achieve the same description for myself too!

I had a baby 18 months ago and I’ve slowly realised that I need to put more thought into my outfits. I “got away” with a fairly slapdash approach when I was younger but that time is over.

I’ve only read this thread and (most of) the previous one but I’ve already begun to feel a change in my perspective. Thank you!

Love your doors, Auld. They do indeed look very french.

Welcome, plimsolls. I'm a great fan of Dylon, myself, I've given a new life to quite a few clothes using it. The denim dye works well for jeans and I've a couple of uniqlo merino jumpers that I originally wanted in bright colours and red yes darker, so much more wearable (for me).

I'm sure that's why I've never bought anything from COS as there isn't a store here and online I've no idea what they will look like on.

*redyed, damn autocorrect

We don't have a local Cos either and I rarely buy because of their website. However, where I used to take the piss, I now think they have something - I just cannot be arsed to take a punt and order without seeing. There's probably still a thread knocking around where I underwent a very public public cosversion. I've tried on a couple of their dresses - the kind that inspire those point-and-laugh threads - in charity shops and been very pleasantly surprised at how good they look.

Waves to plimsolls. I'm another Dylon fan, especially for knitwear as there isn't so much of that tell tale synthetic stitching that doesn't take the colour.

Cos quality is amazing for the price, proper hems and seams. DD1 buys almost all her clothes there and I've been really pleased with the dresses I bought.

I don't like to put the hex on stores but my DM82 and I went to Oxford for an afternoon's shopping six weeks ago, and she liked COS and Uniqlo best (but behind John Lewis furniture/curtain fabric departments).

That's sent you all scurrying to deny all knowledge of COS.

Meanwhile I am (im)patiently waiting for the tailor to tell me he's dropped the rise and slightly tulip-tapered the leg of the jeans Bo spotted in my size in COS sale. Fingers still crossed... he's not very quick.

I can only speak for myself but that only makes me like COS even more Sock. Its actually something I always notice in COS, where in other shops it's often very much the same demographic and body types it's always absolutely brimming with young to old, various shapes and sizes, different races, cultures, etc. I work in an industry where pretty much everyone wears COS (we have no Uniqlo, otherwise that would probably be the default) and it's never been much of an issue, even when two or more people wear the exact same thing as it looks completely different from one person to the next.

Please don’t evict me from the thread. But I don’t like Cos 🙈 On me, I mean, think the clothes look fab on others but I don’t think the silhouette suits me. There’s a sizeable store near my workplace, and I’ve tried on lots of things but never been remotely tempted to commit to a purchase. I just feel that I need a more fitted style, otherwise I look huge all over

@peonylover22 I have to be choosy, nothing that hangs straight down from my ginormous boobs or I look much bigger than I am. DD is tall but very boyish and it all looks amazing on her

What's Cos sizing like? Seen a few bits on eBay that look interesting .

It's finally, finally getting cooler here so I can get out of the kaftan, sandals and sunnies and into some of the Autumn clothes I've been lusting after all through these threads. I've been wearing the hell of out my leather skirt, which I only used to get out occasionally. It's much more versatile when dressed down

I've unearthed my coats and am trying to decide whether I need a trenchcoat (or another coat at all, for that matter) for this season. I have a rather lovely, very plain grey Dolce & Gabbana pea coat, will have to try it with a few outfits to see if it's still working for me.

I now have to go back over previous threads for winter style tips, in particular scarf recommendations.

If anyone's in the market for derbies, I recently discovered Rollies, an Aussie brand with a bit of a cult following over here. Super lightweight and great for travelling - I've bought the Snow Leopard version. They ship internationally.

bagel I think the sizing is generous. That said the aesthetic is generally a bit oversized so it’s possible I’m correcting for that.
I haven’t bought anything there in ages. I really like a lot of their stuff, but I find it hard to get into a store. Even when in store I end up trying on a lot of stuff. I wish the online pictures showed the clothes better as it’s hard to figure out whether it’s the garment’s properties or the models’ slumping that’s making the clothes look like that.
Dylon reminder is timely. A pair of my black jeans are still in good nick but looking a bit faded. Dye should freshen them up.
Was having a look at some of the new arrivals from Dries at Browns. I have a hankering for some embellishment, but willl resist.

Ah, I just lost my post .

On the subject of dye, apparently using a sharpie on synthetic seams can cover where the dye does not take. I first started using Dylon with dd1, to cover stains on white baby clothes, brightly coloured baby stuff was quite hard to find.

I'm wondering what I'm missing with COS, now. Your dm sounds very chic, Sock, my dm76 has just been visiting from France and liked my faux leather, quilted skirt. Style should be ageless, really.

I’ve never dyed anything before. I’ve got some black jeans that could also do with a refresh. What happens when you wash them subsequently? Do you have to wash them separately so they don’t turn everything black?
Agree that Cos looks fantastic on athletic figures - my colleague is a very keen cyclist and looks great in her Cos items. Interested to know if anyone who is a pear shape has successfully bought clothes from Cos, and if so, what?

@peonylover22 I'm a pear shape and look like a fat potato in Cos.. I think you need to be straight up and down and skinny** for it to work. I've attempted shopping there a couple of times. Never managed it.

I'm somewhere between pear and hourglass but also petite. The main things I've bought from Cos are cropped, boxy jumpers which work really well for me as I have a high waist. The charity shop dress I bought is quite voluminous and pleated and should have looked all kinds of wrong but I really like it. I've noticed they often do clever things with pockets and position them in a way that gives shape to an otherwise boxy garment.

Sock your mum sounds super cool It's true there aren't very many shops where you see women of all ages (unless it's mums shopping with teenage daughters and having a sneaky look for themselves). It's one reason why I still retain a soft spot for M&S.

Re dyeing - I was separately the first couple of times afterwards and then with everything else.

Well, I am definately not Cos model shape but still love the aesthetics of the brand so I laboriously trawl through their stuff a couple of times a year every time I pass by one of their shops.

Despite being short and curvy, I have several dresses which work really well for me. And this week in the sale I even bought some wool trousers. I look nothing life the model, the trousers sit slightly differently on my much shorter frame, but it still gives me the relaxed look I was after. I'm really pleased.

I also saw this jumper online but when I tried it on, it just swamped me. Even the XS was too big, but I absolutely loved it.

I once used Dylon on some black jeans, they came out a greeny shade of black. Not what I wanted so that was the first and last time I tried refreshing black denim.

Speaking of Cos I did see this green dress I'm bridesmaid for my sister later this year and she has asked us to pick our own green dresses. She wants knee-length and it's a city wedding with a civil ceremony and reception in a (fancy) pub so it doesn't need to be traditional bridesmaid gear. It could be awful on though. It looks really droopy on the model, but it could just be too big? It's hard to tell. It depends where the waist hits me too. It might just end up emphasizing my hips. I will see if I can try it in store.

I'm getting great wear out of my the things I've purchased since finding this thread. Today is blazer + silk shirt + short skirt and flat shoes.

I also managed to buy this silk blouse which was on sale and I was able to avail of an additional 25% off so GBP70 for an equiptment silk shirt in what I think looks like a nice wearable colour. It's being muled back from the US for me!

Okay, you know I'm a sucker for fashion books. There's a new one coming out in April: 'Dress like a Parisian' by Alois Guinut. She's a stylist who has written for Figaro and the Observer. I'm not connected to her at all so this isn't a plug. Book costs around £17. Her blog: dresslikeaparisian.com/

Elle, that dress looks promising, but could work or fail depending on where the waistline falls, I think. I like the colour, and the cut looks better on the models than in the pic of the dress alone...

I've gone into loony hippy mode and have been making my own household products from savon de Marseille, bicarb, soda crystals, essential oils, etc. Not very s&b but when I move on to making the hair masks, I'll keep you posted. The book I'm using is French, so there may be a tenuous link with the theme of these threads

COS seems to be mainly made for very tall people - which is great for me. It's very hit and miss though, you really need to try things on. I've fallen in love with stuff on the rack there and screamed in horror in the dressing room, whereas random items picked up on a whim have become wardrobe staples.

Elle, the dress is a lovely colour, very spring. Reckon trying it on is a good idea though. COS waists don't always sit where expected.

Auld, I make my own cleaning products too - I use Dr Bronners, white vinegar, bicarb and eucalyptus oil in various combinations.

I very much like Elle’s dress. It’s more fitted than I would expect from Cos. And I am pretty tall (5ft 10), maybe I should have another lunchtime forage...

I think I would like that dress (although not for me - too floppy) but I just don't trust my judgement re Cos unless I can try it on. I don't think I have ever seen a more unhelpful shopping website than theirs. They seem to go all out to cultivate this 'only cool people get us' image, I assume as part of some kind of reverse marketing policy. It doesn't endear them to me even though I've grown to really like some of the clothes.

Flo, I agree. It's oddly anti-commercial, the whole Cos sales thing. The manager of our local branch is married to a friend, and I must ask her about it.
The dress needs trying on. Let us know, Elle, if you try it.

It's spring here: grape hyacinths and tulips in my garden (before it turns into a parched desert in summer), and the MD green blazer is perfect.
Wore it into town today, with my trusty bootcut jeans, brown ankle boots and a pale beige scarf, and felt good.

I went to the local chocolatier on my way back. The two ladies in front of me spent 85e and 97e respectively on Easter goodies, I'd guess for grandkids and family. They were both chic and slim, and well-dressed, with minimal make-up and nice but natural hair.
I wish my hair would just go grey, instead of doing it in random streaks and clumps.

Cactus, I washed my floor with my new homemade mixture today (savon de Marseille, bicarb, lavender oil, linseed, white vinegar) and it looks and smells really nice.
The laundry liquid was a pain to make, but the washing seems to like it; the dishwasher powder I made has left everything shiny and the machine smelling nice, not that chemical smell you get from commercial tablets.
All good so far.

Still not bought powdered green clay for the hair mask yet

Crappy day here, tried for a child-free annual leave day but said child had other ideas...
Contemplating splurging in the BrandAlley Stella McCartney lingerie sale to cheer myself up .
Can anyone advise on sizing? Normally wear a 32D (30DD /E in bra intervention method) and a 12/14 on the bottom (technically a 12 but hate tight pants), but I seem to recall that it would be different in Stella? Sale is definitely worth a look too!