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.

I love seeing all the outfits botemp. Those H&M Studio trousers were a a great find. You've only reinforced the idea that I need a chambray shirt and maybe some slides? I really like the Levis - would you mind sharing / reminding me what style they were?

Sezane shoes arrived and they're all wrong. Firstly they translated a UK 7 to a 41. Which I guess might be the correct conversion in France, but I think the shoes are made elsewhere. In any case they were much too big. They were also shimmery and faintly peach (the universe is determined to get me into peach it seems) which I did not anticipate from the photo so they're definitely going back.

Bobbies were much more successful. I ordered a 40 EU - which I think is a touch large, but I'm really pleased with them. I have a photo which I'll post when I'm back on my phone. Sandals look good too, but I haven't properly assessed.

Delurking to say OCSock I saw some of the Hawaiian/printed shirts in H&M yesterday. Obviously not as nice as AllSaints buy pricing ranged between £12-18 so a big difference. Also at the cheaper price point BooHoo Men have a very good selection of that type of shirt. I find BooHoo not great for womens clothes but surprisingly very good (with a lot of searching0in the mens department.

Thank you DreamQueen! I shall pass through H&M when I visit the nearest city.

Very remiss of me not to say how much I enjoyed your recent collages, Bo; like Elle, I was taken with the H&M men's trousers... another reason to visit the store. Fingers crossed some of that has been delivered to this less-than-chic backwater.

Elle, they're 501s in the finish 'You Pretty Thing', can't really find them elsewhere than on the US site in the one size.

I haven't come across any good chambray shirts so far. Lots of lyocell ones but that fabric looks similar but it's a lot more slinky so it sits differently. The ones I have from Isabel Marant are all cotton/linen mixes. This year's versiob are ruffled and without a collar unfortunately I did buy one in the sales in Paris from Levi's which are all cotton but I'm not thrilled with it as it requires a bit of pressing and then loses that effortless slouch, so I have to rumple it after pressing slightly.

Not sure I'd recommend buying slides, on me they only look good under really wide leg trousers or leggings that cut off at just the right place on the ankle. The latter I don't ever wear out unless you count exercise leggings Not the most versatile of shoes anyhow. The H&M ones only cost me €10 IIRC so not a huge issue on the versatility front. They do look good under maxi skirts on other people.

I find H&M quite shit outside of the largest cities, they send the worst things out there. I'm sure there's some strategy behind it and probably backed up by sales numbers but it feels terribly snobby.

New Parisian brand launch alert, very similar in feel to Rouje but with better fabrics and it's all made in Paris. Also started by a French blogger. Very small collection but I do like a lot of it, especially attached silk dress but wrap dresses tend to look shit on me and also minor disappointment, the size range is very limited FR36-40 only so far.

www.musier-paris.com

Lovely pics. Yes our local H&M has pretty much gone to the dogs too. And I'm not ordering from them online unless they sort out their sizing, which will probably be the 12th of never.

Sock this probably isn't helpful as I know you're not in London but I bought an men's African print shirt on Brixton market a few years ago, if you're ever visiting. I'd really like a fitted, l/sleeved one in a woman's size - years and years ago I saw a woman on the tube years wearing one with an otherwise very corporate suit and I'm still kicking myself for not asking her where she got it. I'll check out those links - thanks!

Just checking in to say I'm enjoying the links.
The heat isn't too bad here, Bo, and temps are set to plummet next week, luckily, as after May it's just an onset of accumulated high temps, dry heat and sweltering nights.

What is keeping me offline is the fact that students are blocking the campus where I work, making life rather tricky and work extra time-consuming. You'd not know it when you arrive, but 3/4 of the building are inaccessible, exams are all rescheduled elsewhere and admin staff are homeless, meaning a huge backlog building up. But it'll be OK - Macron is in the US allowing Trump to pick imaginary dandruff off his suit. hmm

We have a lovely big new H&M in a capital city and we still don’t get the Studio or the conscious collection. Go figure?!

Thanks for the Levi’s link. Alas too small. The stripe gives a really nice effect.

What do we think of florals and Parisian style? I see that dress has a little floral print and I do have a few floral things - some Erdem bits that can lean a bit British/ Irish wedding guest. Fine at a wedding, but no for every day. Any thoughts on how to toughen them up?

I saw this years IM chambray. Didn’t even try on as that style would be hideous on me. A bit Sloane ranger?

Shoes attached. Work outfit again so a bit corporate. Uniqlo dress getting lots of wear.

I meant , not hmm.

A wee bit frazzled, clearly.

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good Auld. Not forgetting you've got the first of May protests to look forward to on top of that. Not. The French and their methods of activism have always puzzled me somewhat but that's probably because they were an inconvenience whilst on holiday, but it does often feel like shouting for shouting's sake and the primary reaction rather than a last resort.

Elle, I did spot a chambray dress from Madewell on NAP that I quite like the look of but I think it's probably massive US sizing.

WRT florals, they do wear it a lot but it's usually very dainty tiny florals. Shoes make a big difference, heels always feels very occasion wear and wedges can feel a bit provincial. I think a pair of Western boots would work well this season, the biker jacket combo has become quite known at this point but the idea of jarring something so very feminine and dainty with tougher, decidedly casual accessories, and distressed pieces is a good starting point. A thing I often do with dresses to get more wear out of them is tuck them into trousers/jeans so they're basically a top, or a textured jumper over the top so it works as a skirt.

I’m off of work at the moment. Boo to feeling unwell but yes to being able to catch up here! I missed a few threads!

I started following a few Parisian instagram accounts which are inspiring especially alongside these posts.

I have a stupid shape of no height, no curves, nothing. I try to dress for my shape but at times am tempted to wear everything at once!

I’m so glad to have dug my sandals out!

Elle I love that dress, and your outfit full stop. I work in a corporate law firm, so any corporate outfit inspiration definitely welcome!
I agree with H&M being disappointing instore. Despite being smack bang in the middle of the City of London (the financial services district), the store near work never gets the exciting collections.
My outfits have been a bit meh this week. But it is FINALLY pay day and I am about to place a Sezane and a Bobbies order to get the sandals I posted about up thread. Trouble is other things keep sneaking into the basket. I’ll report back on my acquisitions when they arrive.
I also need a new neutral work shoe to replace ancient and unstylish nude patent heels - did a whole other thread about this and the limited consensus was that metallic (especially gold) was the new neutral. I am quite taken with the idea of gold shoes, but am also wondering about cognac? Pictures of the Bobbies options currently residing in my basket, but I cannot in all conscience buy both, especially when I take into account the cost of the sandals too... Also not sure whether cognac ones are too pointy for my wide rectangular feet What colour would you put with a teal skirt?
I went to a university alumni event the other night. It was a lecture on the history of the colour blue by an art historian and it was absolutely fascinating - not just the use of the colour in art, but also its presence in nature, effect on mood, history of synthetic blue pigments and use in clothing. Made me think of some of you, especially Botemp The presenter is writing a book on The Meaning of Colour which I think I will get when it is eventually published.

@ToElleWithIt not exactly the same as bo's Levi's, but Whistles have some jeans with a stripe down the side in the sale atm, limited sizes left I'm afraid.

Whistles stripe jeans 1

Whistles stripe jeans 2

Just delurking to link these Me and Em side stripe jeans and Sika designs which uses African cloth.

Enjoying the thread!

Hope you're feeling better Chocola

I'm very partial to Cognac leather, Peony. Not a fan of metallic in shoes unless specific designed with lots of detail (like trainers or brogues), I think they can look a bit occasion wear and they don't tend to age well. I quite like suede in summer as a neutral, the material also seems to work well in summer. The first two attached are from L'exception. The first have a longer footbed so perhaps a better fit with your feet shape? The third is a pair I've been contemplating from Aeyde but they're a completely different thing, they're very sculptural and pronounced but would work well in balancing out more casual pieces which is the balance I usually need to navigate. I do like grey suede as a neutral though, it's surprisingly versatile.

Do let me know when the book comes out, it sounds good. Blue (and purple) have a really interesting history, there's something about it too when you see pure pigments, it's absolutely hypnotising.

Thanks for the links, everyone, will go and have a nosey. I think I saw a version of my Levi's at Mango or Zara as well but it looked a bit crap in comparison, my stripes aren't straight, they go in and taper at the ends which makes them a bit more flattering, I feel. But they're probably based on Levi's Re/done jeans which go for megabucks but often are discounted to normal Levi's prices on the Outnet and similar.

I've also just seen Uniqlo has a Collab with Princesse Tam Tam again (French lingerie brand) with lots of great looking swimwear and beach/pool dresses and shorts for very little money. Hopefully they'll have some in Antwerp when I'm there next week.

Peony Of the two, I prefer the cognac. I'm not super keen on the gold. I also have a bit of an aversion to stacked wooden heels (but I'm weird about lots of things). What about these ones - also in Bobbies sale? The suede is admittedly less practical though.

What are you thinking of in Sezane? Just out of pure nosiness! (just btw the sandals I ordered were a full size too large - I ordered a UK 7 and the send a 41 which seemed like a true EU 41 i.e. too big for me).

The lecture sounds really interesting.

JaneR0chester Thanks so much for the links. I love the second pair, but sold out in my size. Hmmmm I think I may have to search for denim in person. I really struggle with it. I'm never sure what suits me.

botmep I must try the jumper over dress thing. It's so obviously when you say it!

I'm off to Toronto next week and might get a chance to look in the shops. Maybe try Levis for jeans and I'll have a look in J Crew too. I was hoping that there might be a Madewell or Everlane, but alas no joy.

Hello Parisiennes!

/

Does anyone actually live in Paris or is this thread just about finding your inner Parisienne?

We're all imposters, Tokyo, some are in France though and someone is relocating to Paris. And some of us probably visit it too often and pretend Antwerp is a lovely leavy suburb of the city of lights.

Elle, I'd have thought either Nordstrom's or Holt Renfrew would have a Madewell concession stand. Everlane only has one retail location in NYC as far as I'm aware.

I think denim is a bit challenging at the moment, as the sizing is all over the place but also the silhouette change. I'm not used to having so much denim real estate on my stomach, hence in the pic previously with the Weekday jeans I couldn't make up my mind whether I liked them or not and I deliberated for a really long time over the Levi's as well but I absolutely love them now.

Now all I want to wear is a fake moustache!

I am actually in Paris but am trifling to find my inner French girl.

And clothes are reeeeeeally expensive here so I am still buying everything in the UK.

Struggling, not trifling!

Definitely haven’t eaten any trifle here!

Yes, unfortunately clothes are more expensive in France and the things that are cheap tend to disintegrate quite quickly (although places like Monoprix and Uniqlo can have some great quality pieces). So the ethos of buy once, buy well, is less choice and more necessity (along with limited closet real estate).

Don't know what budget you're looking at but the outlet centre in Marne La Vallee can have some great bargains but they are the expensive at reasonable prices kind of bargains rather than Primark prices, though there is a Primark and some more 'normal' shops in the normal commercial centre next to it which you wouldn't come across in Paris Centre that quickly. It's about 45mins on the RER A from central Paris.

The Vente Depots are also worth checking out, they're all over the place and you can get some great pieces from there, especially if you drop in regularly. I'll try to post some addresses later as I promised Auld ages ago and never did it.

That would be great, thanks. I will try to get out to Marne La Vallée some time at the weekend when the trains aren’t all on strike.

I like Sinequanone and Esprit.

Sure enough Nordstom does have a Madewell concession. Good thinking! I think I'll head there. Holt Renfrew is lovely, but tends more towards the big designer brands which I can get at home or in London. I'll have limited time so I want to try to get something I can't get closer to home!

I agree on denim. A big try on session is needed.

I'll try to catch up properly with the thread. I picked up a black polka dot blouse in silk from Jigsaw for £9 from the charity shop. I was trying on a pair of grey, levi's but they were far too low cut.

Okay well you have successfully quashed my desire for the gold Bobbies heels. Still contemplating the cognac. I’m ordering the gold Bobbies sandals so may as well add the cognac to the basket... Elle I like those suede ones too, although they might be a little too dark? Decisions, decisions.
Bo unfortunately my feet really are quite wide (and rectangular) so I think the two cognac ones you linked may still be too pointy, although hard to tell from the side. A shame as I really like the pinky hue of the 2nd pair The grey pair are amazing (but not quite what I’m looking for) - you should definitely get them! I think a grey suede pair might be very useful, am remembering the girl I saw last week in red dress and grey shoes. I’ve found this Carvela pair that I’m going to give a whirl...
Elle I have whittled the Sezane order to the two pictured tops which I think will be good for weekends and the coral red low Elise sandals

I am lusting over all the heels, but especially the grey Aeydes Bo linked and the cognac suede Bobbies. Neither would get enough wear to justify the purchase chezSock (and I can no longer walk in heels, being an old biddy) so let me enable instead... go on, you know you want to.

Round here, despite the resolution to resist impulse buys, I was fllicking through the vintage-y stall locally, liked a fabric (black/taupe taffeta stripe) and pulled out an ankle length Ischiko narrrow A line skirt with huge angled front pockets. Maybe not totally unworn, because no tags, but in perfect condition and marked down to £6. I handed over the money in my packet (a few pence short) and it was mine. Not sure whether it will remain ankle length or get shortened.

And went later to a lecture on Sense and Sensibility by Joanna Trollope, who looked very chic in a red/cream stripe jersey, black jeans and perfect ghillies. Age (she is 74) is no bar to elegance!