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.

Proper do you have any vintage /second hand shops where you can ask who else does alterations locally? If they're into into the clothes, they may be able to give you a personal recommendation. That's how I got mine.

I think Edina makes a good point that it's easy to underestimate the complexity of an alteration, especially where shoulders are concerned - I guess that's why some people won't touch them unless it's a very small tweak. By way of illustration, I was talking to my tailor today (yes I know - pretentious moi?) about the men's raincoat I mentioned a couple of pages back. In addition to the other jobs, he's now going to move the cuffs so as to retain the working buttons/ button holes etc. So the grand total will now come to £65. With some coats, I'd have just asked him to chop a few inches off the sleeves and hem them, or even left the sleeves as they were and rolled them up but I decided that, in this case, it was worth paying to get it done properly. I did think of this thread and gave it another sniff first and it's odour free

Hello Parisiennes! Checking in with a quick review of the first part of my Everlane order, the red ballet flats, which arrived yesterday. They're beautifully made, with an almond toe and somehow more substantial feeling than a lot of flats out there (Repetto, looking at you here, you flimsy old things). They're also a very pleasing scarlet colour. I teamed them with a navy silk jumpsuit yesterday and had lots of shoe admiration throughout the day.

So far Everlane is living up to the hype. At that price point, it's seems to be a cut above Uniqlo and the UK high street retailers. I reckon you lot should start campaigning for UK delivery.

I'll report back on the t-shirts and jeans when they arrive. I find it strangely difficult to source a white t-shirt that I can get along with, they're either see-through, an odd shape or have some other detail that doesn't work for me. Hoping Everlane pulls through.

@Laksa, I clicked on your link as it sounded nice, and I too am too busty for a blazer- and I have the same one in the green! I paid slightly more, annoyingly, as I haven’t worn it yet- I nearly took it back, but tried it on again and it does suit me- I just don’t know what to wear it with. What are you putting with yours? Inspire me please!

Tanaqui Ah good I thought it was Le Stylish and someone agrees with me !

So far I thought of wearing it with black or navy slim trousers, ankle boots and a black/navy top (either a high neck or scoop) underneath..burgundy or charcoal would work also . In fact yesterday as it was so cold in our office I actually put it on ( I only bought it lunchtime!) I had on a grey skirt and top and knee boots and a blue v neck cashmere jumper over..and it didn't look too bad with that even! .

I think its going to be one of those useful things ( I can see it working with skinny jeans and maybe a tube dress also )

quirky, see I knew mignonne was a feline thing!

cactus, no, no, no! You were supposed to report back and say Everlane was all hype and too good to be true. Now we have to wait until the end of November for the one week they decide to ship our way. And ahem, some of us aren't in the UK so campaigning shall be to the EU as long as you lot are in it.

Which reminds me, I saw some Sezane in the flesh in Paris. Disappointingly (for me) it was everything it promises to be, exactly like the perfectly styled editorials, the materials are fab, I fell in love with a cardigan to be worn backwards (the Barry Gilet in ecru, terrible name but at least it goes well with the Steve trousers from IM), unfortunately too big and no smaller stock available. Checked online, turns out to be one of their bestsellers and they go for 1.5x the price on eBay .

So begrudgingly I will admit that despite how calculated it all seems, how annoying their 'drops' online business model is, and lack of sales and size availability, it's all really lovely. Where before I feared it would be overpriced tat that couldn't possibly live up to the expectation of the pictures I was proven wrong and actually think it's quite decent value for money. I fear for my wallet a tad too much. They're opening an outlet/2nd hand shop (where you can sell back your old Sezane clothes) in March, which sounds promising.

Sezane's cooper jumper (which I love) is a lot like this one from Hush which I was thinking of buying if they ever did a discount ..although the Sezane one looks thicker (and I love the red) ..

Hilbonaggins, please can you link to the boots and Uniqlo purchases - I’d like to dig myself out of a style rut?! The boots sound interesting!

THanks Laksa - I do have some black relaxed skinnies that might work, but not sure about the top- I worry if it is warm I will want to take it off, and then I don’t like a fitted top with skinny jeans, and I’m not sure a loose top would work under the gilet- first world problem I know!

Also, how do I know what shade of red lipstick to get please? Dark hair, pale complexion, hazel eyes...

flo and bo thanks for the tips about finding a decent seamstress. I live in a bit if a 'middle class' area, I think that's part of the problem. I'v enow got ideas how to hunt for one though.

Last night I wore the Estee Lauder "carnal" for the first time and for the first time time ever someone commented on how well the lipstick suited me. It happened to be someone who I thought wouldn't even notice it, let alone comment. So there you go, thanks for the heads up bo. I would love to see how it compares to TF wild ginger.

cactusbutt Everlane sounds great. Would love to hear about the t-shirts. I also struggle. I have one that I like. I have a couple of IM Etoile ones that were nice when I bought them, but have really lost their shape. They were slouchy, but now they're heading towards shapeless.

On Sezane. I ordered a few things from them on two occasions. Knitwear was excellent as was a silk lace-trimmed cami (brilliant for layering). I returned 2 silk sort of boho blouses, that were very boxy and a blazer that was IMO really poor quality - cream and unlined, when it really should have been lined given the exterior fabric and price point. I think that may just have been a real dud though. Returns are a pain from my country otherwise I'd be tempted to try more. They have a bag that I like the look of too - The Gaby I think. I can't link to the site as a drop is imminent, but it looks lovely in emerald green suede IMO

Hi all, I read but don’t post very often. Just wanted to chip in that I have the Sezane brut sexy jeans and they are FAB! I am column/banana with boobs and they fit well but slightly loose at the waist and tight on the hips. They are very sexy and have lovely hardware too. I also have a few Everlane pieces, a beautiful racer back black ribbed dress that is incredibly refined and sexy and so versatile. Amazing fabric too. I also have some gorgeous flat front beige shorts that feel slightly 50s/retro. They are pure cotton but with a lovely sheen to them and a boxy t shirt that is also a favourite. I just like everything about that company, from the pricing strategy to the transparent supply chain to the aesthetics and their politics! If you’re swithering about ordering from them I defo would. My only word of caution re. Sezane is I have heard their knitwear bobbles easily and I would also say that the jumpers and boxy jackets are not for the broad of shoulder - too much volume and a boxy shape = yeti on me.

Also, size up if ordering the jeans. I am usually a 28/29 and ordered the 31 which is loose on the waist but I think the 30 would cut off my circulation!

I really like the Sezane Cooper jumper but didn't order as I wasn't too keen on the colours. I know the Hush one you mean; it looks very pretty.
I have a couple of pieces of knitwear from there which I really like and they haven't bobbled.
I like the look of those jeans but worry they might be a bit large on the waist.
I have tried a couple of bits of footwear but found the sizing off.
I would try more but the returns are a pain and refunds take a long time.

Sing what was it about the sizing that was off? I am eyeing the Django courts...

I can finally save you a bit of money, Elle. The only thing was very unimpressed with was the bags at Sezane. The quality wasn't there and specifically, the Gaby bag (had my eye on it too) looked a bit flimsy, uncomfy on the shoulder too.

I do sort of see what song means about the shoes, they were very varied in make by the looks of it (so from different factories) which made them feel a bit inconsistent as a shoe collection as a whole as I assume they're made per drop. The Djangos are longtime bestsellers though so I'd think they were a safe bet but they do size them in FR shoe sizing which can be half to a whole size out to IT sizing (which is more standardised) so the conversion into UK sizing may throw off the sizing issue further.

The belts were nice though and a good price point, the jewellery I really liked the look of but felt was a bit highly priced.

Huh, I was looking at the Brut Sexy jeans and wondering what made them sexy. Not meaning to boast but if it's just the shapely behind that flares out at the waist, mine already looks like that in most jeans, I guess it's the lack of needing to create the waist to hip ratio as its already there, hence they're a good fit for those straighter in the body. Will avoid, thanks for the insight Swimming.

Elle, I used to be a big fan of IM Etoile Linen tees too but I've found the quality declined in recent years along with their overly slouchy fit. I bought this cotton tee from Soeur when in Paris and it nips in beautifully and very subtly in the waist whilst eyeing very relaxed elsewhere the way the old IM E ones did, it may be too short for you though as it's somewhat cropped. The Cyril had a similar fit but I wasn't a big fan of the shoulders on me. On the budget end, in the past I've had really great success with t-shirts from Weekday.

Botemp yes I think it’s the high waist + hip hugging that’s sexy... detracts from waist & focuses on the hips. I do suffer from pancake bum in some jeans but these are nice, not too much but a definite curve.

Sorry had to look up the names again, but I also went a bit misty eyed at Majestic Filatures and Fine Paris. They're both basics brands in luxe fabrics, really, really lovely quality and fits. I got a cashmere and cotton blend long sleeve from MF and it's so comfy, warm but not boiling and all their stuff had that magical nip into the waist whilst still eyeing really relaxed. They also had really nice jersey blazers if anyone is looking for one of those.

Fine Paris is more knitwear based but it was all really lovely. No idea how it wears but it was all still in good condition in the shop. The only thing that wasn't looking its best was their most expensive cashmere aran style jumper, which was a shame as it's a beautiful colour and fit.

Another brand I stumbled across for basics was Hircus which is an all cashmere brand with a similar business model to Everlane, very transparent short supply chain to offer high quality at the lowest price possible. They hint they use the same factories as Loro Piana and I could only really judge by feel and it does feel like high end cashmere of high quality. They have a bit of a sale but their business model doesn't really allow for much of a discount (5-10%) and for high quality the asking price is reasonable (around 150 for a jumper, I'd give the coats a pass though, they're not very exciting or special).

I've had a few pieces from both Sezane and Everlane and love both. Great basics from everlane at reasonable prices - their jeans are old style with little lycra so they actually hold everything in - super flattering. Cashmere has been good value and not bobbled yet.

swimming- the first pair came up quite a bit bigger than expected. I ordered a pair of boots a few months later half a size smaller and they were too tight and didn't fit around the ankle. I don't have particularly large ankles but they didn't work for me. The Django courts do look nice.

How is the shipping/returns to the UK for Everlane? I am generally quite wary of ordering from abroad as not keen to be left with huge return costs or have things lost in the post!

One of the things I’m enjoying about this thread is getting out of my style rut and trying new brands, different options, as well as new ways of wearing old things.

I recently discovered Majestic Filatures too bo. They do luxe t-shirts which are nice and long. I bought a couple of items from them in the sales including a cashmere jumper which fits like a t-shirt (cuffs not gathered) and is so soft.

My massive Uniqlo order arrived recently. Like Floisme, I wasn’t that impressed with the Lemaire tulip trousers. They’re going back. However, I’d also ordered some high waisted, super dark denim, wide legged jeans which are awesome. Perfect fit with no alterations needed (practically unheard of for me.) Can’t wait for the warmer weather to wear them. After wearing skinnies for so long it’ll be fun to rock a new silhouette.

There’s a new Uniqlo collaboration with Ines de la Fressange due out in a week for Parisian style on a budget. Preview here: www.uniqlo.com/ines18ss/uk/en/sp/ Nothing really appealed to me that much though - it’s all very summery. Think I find it easier to get excited about colder weather clothing.

Sing I have to admit I didn’t send anything back! I think it’s pretty expensive though. Also I ordered when they were doing an international shipping special, but my bro lives in the USA so I can also get things that way. So to modify my earlier recommendation, definitely order if you see something you really like, not so much for the maybes! Also, I found the sizing to be spot on for me (tall size 12). I would be more concerned/careful if I was under 5’7” as I do think it is designed for taller women...

Oh dear, I feel a Uniqlo/Ines splurge coming on....

Ooh, I've just spotted the Ines cotton pyjamas

Majestic Filature stuff looks great.

Good new about the handbag - I'll credit it to your account botemp!

The majestic filatures t-shirts look lovely. I'll have a proper look at the later.

I love the look of that Uniqlo connection. We don't have Uniqlo here and as a result I don't own a single piece. Really like the look of these bits. Is it generally true to size? Would I be wasting my time with the trousers at 5'10?