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.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the link to the Sapeurs. What a joy! I now want the book...

Not chic or Parisienne at present (though the jeans are elephant-grey 7/8 Annette Görtz, with a very lovely tulip-shaped leg) the rest is Uniqlo henley in air force blue and knackered old trainers as I am hanging washing and about to mow the lawn. I do have my lovely new specs though. Paul & Joe frames good; varifocals essential. The romance, the glamour...

Oooh everyone sounds so chic! Still struggling with summer dressing here. Opted for pencil skirts, suede courts and silk short sleeved tops the last couple of days, but I feel very blah in them. Today is a cobalt blue silk top, black pencil skirt and black Sezane courts, leopard print ballet pumps for outside.
A girl came into my office yesterday looking amazing - scarlet short sleeved wrap dress, grey suede pointed courts and a thin gold chain necklace. Colours and styles wouldn’t work on me, but reminded me that I simple outfit can look very chic. Must take a look at my summer clothes this weekend and work out some better outfits. Desperately want to buy some new summer clothes but I’ve spent so much on clothes and skincare this month that I’m sitting on my cards until payday

I love my outfit today: high waisted wide legs, ankle length, slightly tapered in heavy dark blue canvass, (from last year's Uniqlo U range - absolutely nailing my favourite shape) with an old lightweight Levi denim shirt over a red vest top. Plus Boden leather plimsolls of many a yesteryear. I am a whisker away from full-on double denim and you know what, I rather like it.

It also feels good to be wearing a bit of colour again. I've been choosing a lot of greys and oddly flattering sludgey stuff lately - not a deliberate choice but I guess I'm just drawn to a more severe look at the moment, and I'd forgotten how much even a flash of red can lift the spirits.

Flo, good call on the red, next thing you know you'll be sporting the red lip too I never get the hate for double denim, I quite like it.

I love the Les Sapeurs video too, don't think I noticed a Guinness in all that visual delight though. I found the documentary I mentioned earlier, where they're also referred to as Les Sapeurs. It's The Importance of Being Elegant:

The Sapeurs come from the Democratic Republic of Congo and have elevated high fashion to the status of a religion.They are the ultimate fashion victims, a cult group who live in the slums of European cities and go without food to finance their addiction to designer labels.

Looks like the documentary is available in full in the link above (with English subtitles). Pretty sure it's a lot older than 4yrs though.

Auld how are you holding up with the temps? It was 28 here yesterday and we're still a fair bit away from SoF.

Elle, I really liked the whole suit with that jacket, especially belted, but I fear the proportions would be off for me, they'd suit you well I think.

My Mango bag came in today, not sure whether to keep it though. It's lovely but the finishing isn't the best and it's slightly out of shape from transport which probably isn't making it look at its best. Main issue though, is that when loading it with the bare necessities it feels very heavy to carry (some bags have this for whatever reason) and the thin cord digs into my shoulder. I really was hoping for a casual small versatile bag for SS but I fear this isn't it.

Outfit today, Equipment silk blouse (not petrol but close to it, a blue with a greenish undertone), navy H&M Studio men's trousers, currently wearing my TKees in black underneath but Margiela ankle boots earlier and some minimal barely there rings, bracelet and necklace in gold. Will switch out shoes again to some old Supergas in a bit for drinks on a boat. Oh and I was probably unknowingly channeling Flo when I added on my Carven sunglasses, they're a bright orange that cheered me (and the outfit) up with its brightness.

Think I took some pics of my outfits a few days this week, will check my phone in a bit, still need to post the faux Dries trousers at H&M I promised to previously too.

Also, welcome Dragon! Sorry I missed you last time, sorry I'm no help though with a dress suggestion as I'm not in the UK so not sure where to look for something that would get to you in time.

Oh I love the red lip on other people. I am very lazy and it's the quickest way of transforming your face I know. I just can't get past that feeling of being 5 years old and playing with my mum's make up.

DS is as beguiled by les sapeurs as I am. Wants to know how he can join from Cornwall with white skin.
I reassured him that he is already an apprentice.

Morning all, I've been lurking and reading all three threads, as I'd love to get back to enjoying my wardrobe after a very long period of being either pregnant or breastfeeding. I quite liked dressing for the former, but the latter totally cramped my style. Looking forward to a New Style Era!

Floisme, I think we're a similar shape IIRC not a stalker, honest, and I'm intrigued by your Uniqlo high-waisted, wide-legged trousers. Do you have a link/photo/know if they're stocking anything similar this year? I need something other than jeans in my life, particularly in this mini-heatwave London is enjoying.

Chester They were in one of the Uniqlo 'U' ranges last year. I can't see anything quite the same at the moment but I'd keep an eye out for the next 'U' launch. They were described as 'tulip' shape - cut wide and straight (as opposed to wide and flared) and they taper very slightly (but not too much) towards the ankle.

These might be similar although it's sometimes hard to tell from the pics alone:
I've tried these in H&M and they're not bad but I wasn't keen on the faux fold lines at the hem. They're ankle length on me cos I'm short.

Also maybe these but I haven't seem them for real.

these on the other hand look like they're a bit too tapered for me.

Tried and quite liked these in River Island - not a place I normally shop.

Also tried and quite liked

I've not tried these and I've never ordered from Other Stories but they look promising.

Hope that helps!

Thank you so much, Flo, for taking the time to post all those! The River Island ones look v promising.

I also found these Uniqlo ones which are sort of what I imagined, but I'd prefer them in navy:

www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/product/women-uniqlo-u-wide-trousers-406660.html

Can't do clicky links, hope that works

Lots of lovely trousers, flo. ChesterBelloc I think the link is fine but the uniqlo site is busy. I will try later.

Aha! Sorry Chester I looked on Uniqlo but missed them. Yes they look like the right shape, in fact I think I might have sent for them but returned them because the fabric/colour weren't quite what I wanted - I like a slightly heavier fabric because I think that helps them hang properly. But that's a bargainous price and I really like that green.

I am patiently waiting for my busy tailor to call. I bought jeans from Cos, which were everything bar the fit, so he is lowering the waist rise and tuliping the hem. My fingers are crossed that they are awesome, but if not, they were on final sale and cheap. Maybe this week.

Oooh I love the sound of your outfit Bo, especially the almost petrol blue blouse. I really like that colour, but you don’t see it that often. Please do link some of your outfit photos if you get a chance, I’d love to see them!
Temperatures have dropped here, which is a mercy as closer inspection of my casual summer wardrobe didn’t reveal any treasures. I can’t think what I used to wear, but it’s all a bit of a jumble. Maybe I have always struggled with summer weekend dressing, or maybe I wore more of my silk tops which are now strictly work only due to sticky, snotty toddler.
I’m going to try and build a summer capsule wardrobe. I have a navy a line skirt, and navy chino shorts which fit well. Going to look for a few (machine washable) tops to go with them, and maybe a couple of dresses. Intending to stick to palette of navy, white, pale grey and red.
Added a skinny scarlet belt to my work outfit today which I think lifts what would otherwise be quite a dull outfit - excuse mess in background

Yes yes for more outfit pictures, or even outfit inspiration pictures. I love looking for new ideas.

The skirt and top are lovely with the belt peony

Lovely links to wide-legged trousers Floisme. I like the black river island ones and the stories ones in particular.

Am I the only one who finds summer an easier season to dress for? I love summer dressing. No tights, lovely shoes, no endless layers for warmth that need to be coordinated. Just throw on a dress and
go. Unfortunately it only last about 3 weeks here. I find stories great for summer dresses peonylover. They're often machine washable - I have a sticky-fingered toddler too and I lived in last year's version of this www.stories.com/en_eur/clothing/dresses/midi-dresses/product.printed-sundress-blue.0631012001.html Shape / style might not be for you, but I do find their selection good.

Actually - since you mentioned Equipment botemp I should update that I emailed them re the colour discrepancy of the peach / luminous apricot shirt and they said no problem to return it and refunded me. Very good customer service as it was marked "final sale".

Ok I've got pics...

That's great to hear about Equipment, Elle. I need to replace a white one that's now seen better days and is also too big but I'm also thinking of sending for it in the colour in pic 1. Pic 2 is the not quite petrol I described above, but this was taken weeks ago, I'm still not sure what to make of those jeans on me. Pic 3 is the Dries inspired trousers I saw in H&M (not the conscious collection ones), they're a really odd shape though, they'd make me exceptionally wide.

Outfits from the past week, will have to say some sort of hail Marys for the cliché stripes

Pic 1 are the Isabel Marant Steve trousers I picked up in Paris in January, H&M linen top, H&M slides (they have them again this year, they cost next to nothing, I bought them as slippers but then decided to wear them out).

Pic 2 are MIH slim fit jeans, COS belt, Filipa K stripey knit, H&M trench and acne pistols

Pic 3 are my upsides Levi's 501s, t by Alexander Wang silk shirt (technically also upsized), Isabel Marant trainers. Was trying on the bag.

I quite liked the APC bag in pic 3 but it's more purple than burgundy in RL so am on the fence about it. They do have it in navy online but I fear it's a bit too lady like then.

Pic 1 are the men's H&M studio navy trousers, Stradivarius linen stripey tee, Isabel Marant etoile chambray shirt knitted over it, IM trainers

Pic 2 I don't have a full pic of me in it, but I wore that when it was boiling. It's from Iro , all silk, and it was the bargain of last year at 28€ including shipping from eBay.

I wore more clothes but I don't photograph them all the time, alas. The unexpected warm weather did help lay bare what's missing so quite helpful. I really would like some more skirts and day dresses that can switch between casual and semi-formal. Far too much of it seems to either be occasion or holiday wear, haven't spotted much though. I like the look of the dress in pic 3 from &other stories despite the cliché stripes. It has some added padding but not full on shoulder pads to sit a bit stiffer and interesting dart details for the breasts and what looks like a tapering at the waist. They currently have a 25% off offer too, don't know if I have time to stop by the shop before the offer ends though. May just send for it and see if there's anything else worth looking at.

Also my previous boie des rose mood seems to have expanded to a sort of terracotta, blushes, and (darker) reds currently.

But I have actually been spotting some African inspired prints here and there too (Zara and Mango so far). Unfortunately it's all polyester.

More African inspired prints at Mango (previous were at Zara)

And even though the prints are very traditional European at Soeur, I found the way they're coloured and combined to be very African inspired too.

All this talk about African prints and Les Sapeurs has me pouring over Yinka Shonibare's mesmerising work again too (pic 3). I went to an exhibition of his at least a decade ago and I can still remember it so vividly, it was absolutely breathtaking.

I'm not sure how SockSon can become a Sape, Sock, but hand me a Sainsbury's baguette and I'll happily knight him into this Social Club

Peony, love the touch of red to your outfit. Belts are high on my list of need to buys at the moment.

Ok, I'm all pictured out.

Anyone seen any lovely but inexpensive African or similar inspired men's short sleeve shirts? SockJnr is buttering me up for one of the AllSaints SS that he's spotted browsing online (instead of revising for A levels) but they are more £ than I want to spend. This is the range.

Thanks to Botemp, I'll look at Mango and Zara.

I linked to them earlier, but Afriek has some men's things too. Not cheaper than All Saints, unfortunately, but not far off and probably better quality and fit and the model is so delightfully smiley. Or perhaps Sock jr. can be appeased with a fab bow tie in African print from them?

I'm a bit confused as to why All Saints are labelling kimono prints as Hawaiian though Granted they are Hawaiian shirt shaped but it's the prints that make a Hawaiian shirt, surely?

Also, random thought, but surely the real thing should be easy to source cheaply on eBay?

That is a good thought Bo; I shall look! I know he likes the kimono prints, and the Hawaiian shape, and we liked some of the same items. Somehow, I think the bow tie would be too much, ever for the aspiring sape...

...even for the aspiring sapeur...