This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette

[AuldAlliance]

But we'll still enjoy it...

Thank you Gah, I will check those out.

Enjoy your holiday; your travel wardrobe sounds tres chic!

Gah you sound like you should be in some classic italian film, very chic!

I think I must be doing something right, as a friend thought I must be a size 8/10, when I am definitely a 10/12 (we were comparing charity shop bargains ), not to advocate being thin, but I must be choosing flattering clothes. My hairdresser also complimented me on my hair before she cut it, going for the natural, shiny curls look. Nothing like compliments to make you feel good!

banivani isn't everybody very stylish in Sweden? Admittedly, I've only been to Stockholm, and a long time ago, but they all seemed very cool and chic.

Quirky - Swedes seem stylish because there are so many genetically favoured people here who’d look good in a paper bag, or in the aforementioned Filippa K or Odd Molly. 😩 myself I lack that. Also Stockholm must not be the yardstick with which the whole nation is measured let me tell you they have more options. We tend to only get one type of clothes at a time high-street wise and very little variation in colour. I spent all spring looking for a pair of jeans that fit over my thighs and bum and reasonably in the waist with no success

Gah, you're a terrible influence. I want two opera coats now from SartorialMatters, thankfully they're too big but they're so lovely. Who knew I needed an opera coat? Should probably also acquire more of an appreciation for the Opera whilst I'm at it. Although I have to ask the vintage fans, does it bother you when things aren't in good/mint condition? I'd be okay with a bit of wear and slight discoloration from age but obvious things like stains or irreparable wear on the fabric would bother me.

I love visiting Italy for many reasons but very much up there on the list is that you're never really overdressed, large hats, giant sunglasses, ostentatious jewelry, it doesn't seem to matter. Don't know what it is, but you can be kitted out fully, overtly provocative, or wrapped up in acres of black lace and no one bats an eyelid. I have, unfortunately, made the mistake of buying things that only work in Italy as a result. Though my best buy ever I did get from Italy as a teen, from Max Mara in the sale, it's a wrap skirt and I still have it, still looks as good as when I bought it. Since it's a tie waist it always fit no matter what size I am and it falls beautifully and moves with an old-fashioned grace because the fabric weight is just the right, never gets caught out by the wind but moves beautifully with the body.

bani long time no see! So this is where you've been lurking I was about to say, when the Swedes have the good genes it's like winning the genetic lotto and you're so mesmerised by the sight you forget there are other people there. If you're saving up for trips to Stockholm I think I might join you, I love Stockholm but no one ever wants to join me there, complaining about the cold weather and high prices. I think Toteme has a shop there now, I'd be happy to go just for that and all the cardamom buns

Haha botemp, I only live an hour away from Sthlm so I’d only have to pay about 200 SEK there and back ;) (less if I take the train that doesn’t have staff to check tickets or barriers and just not pay like a freeloading teen). I love the Toteme clothes on the thread but hey wouldn’t fit me. Out of pure perversity I don’t want to lose weight just so I can fit into what some designer deems an acceptable size . Anyway if you come up let me know and you can be my personal shopper for a day - deal of a lifetime what?!

Anyway, I’m sitting here considering white shoes. These: www.kavat.se/collections/rea-vuxet-ss18-40/products/holmen-ep-vit#442599014437 (they may be Swedish stylish not European stylish).

Ooooh, opera coats! Don't start me. I love evening only coats. But, I have enough well too many to wear them really and the opera rarely comes close enough to wear them.

What IS an opera coat?

As far as I can gather a completely impractical coat that looks pretty over a frock and is made from similar materials but isn't really warm, doesn't always close, and isn't too structured on the shoulders and draws attention to the neck with wide lapels. I want some...

Flying to Stockholm is actually quite cheap, if done far enough in advance it's under a 100 euros with Norwegian. I don't mind being your personal shopper provided your funds are limitless and you pay me handsomely, although I'd probably settle for cardamom buns

I like the shoes they'd go perfectly under an opera coat, very Scandi, are they to go with wacky trousers?

It’s always been my dream to own impractical coats to finish off outfits - in reality any time I dress up my outfit is topped by a snowsuit or raincoat - ah Sweden. I’d never heard the term opera coat before though!

My funds are very much limited (mostly by my stinginess). I don’t suppose personal shoppers much like clients who finger the clothes and go “ah no, it’s very dear isn’t it? looks like it would be too small too. no, I won’t try it on sure no point”?

I’d absolutely wear the shoes with mad trousers if I could find any. But tbh I quite fancy a pair of bloody jeans.

I have 2 velvet opera coats and yes their distinguishing features are: 1. immense beauty 2. massive collars and 3. totally impractical and well .... pretty useless really. But because they're so impractical, they last for years and years and years.

I used to be pretty lax about the condition of vintage clothes but I've grown more particular over the years. I wouldn't buy anything stained now; worn fabric I might make allowances for if I really loved it. Interestingly I bought a tweed jacket at a weigh n' pay last winter that had a very small cigarette burn on the sleeve. I thought 'Pah, no-one will notice'. But the problem was, I noticed it every time I wore it and I ended up charity shopping it after Christmas (once I'd found a replacement).

I want to go to Stockholm now.

I like impractical clothes far too much

Bani, since we both lack the British prudishness surrounding dressing rooms I'll just be marching you into the dressing room and forcing you to try those things on. We'll sauna after.

Good to know Flo, vintage isn't exactly cheap so I kind of want my money's worth in terms of condition as I'd have the same irritation when wearing it as you mentioned.

And, yes, yes, let's all go to Stockholm. Sauna optional.

I am the same as Flo - if something has a particularly niggling flaw others might not notice it, but I will be super aware. I try to go for mint condition but if something is really beautiful and the flaw isn't underarm discolouration or moth holes, but only fading or thinning, then I will go for it and remind myself how nice it is these clothes have a history.

As for opera coats, I have four blushes. One 30s black velvet with a cape, one 60s gold brocade, one 40s cream and gold full length cape and one 40s white velvet.

Ahem. I do go the opera/theatre/black tie dos a fair amount and I always dress up but tbh, I am the kind of person who will wear a silk cocktail dress or 50s gold lamé out to dinner just because they are beautiful and make me feel wonderful and who cares if I am overdressed. And with those kinds of outfits I think it is nice to have something similarly beautiful (impractical) on top.

I think it may be the half-Italian in me (and that over the top dress sense that you captured wonderfully well, Bo. Everyone in my home town looks immaculate, even if they are just popping out to the shops!).

banivani have you had a look at Emmy Designs Sweden? They are a retro brand, a bit cutesy but I think they also do jeans that are cut for women with a waist/bum and I know lots of people who say their stuff is excellent quality. Though I think it is online only...

Gah, your clothes sound lovely. I love these threads but I’m not a stylish person at all, really. Nice to read about and see other lovely clothes though! Yes, have seen Emmy designs but would - drum roll - like to try them on. There’s a shop in Stockholm ... 😂 And in all seriousness when things are too retro they become a little costumey for my taste. I’d like to be a little more unremarkable. With a twist?

If everyone comes to Stockholm to shop we can take the ferry over to Helsinki and go for proper saunas 😉 just set aside at least five days eh?

Sign me up for Helsinki. LOVE Helsinki. I'll pass on the traditional beating with birch branches though. And I will draw the line at visiting the sauna inside a Burger King

When does it start snowing? We were planning on New York in the autumn but when we were about to book the news was dominated by children being ripped away from their parents at the border and it's completely eliminated any desire to go now.

I know it's not all that flattering to compare someone to a prostitute but you're conjuring up images of Malena with your dress sense, Gah. I was always mesmerised by the costume design in that film.

I have to do the math again, but I think I'm an eight Italian, it always seems to push for overdressing and drama whilst the Calvinist side deafens with a disapproving glare. The Asian bit pushes for delicate touches and thoughtfulness. Frankly, it's a miracle I get dressed with any sense of coherence

Gah your clothes sound fabulous! Have severe opera cloak envy. There is sadly absolutely no call for an opera cloak in my life at the moment, but that doesn’t stop me wanting one...
I like cloaks full stop. My mother was a nurse in the 70s and she had a fabulous uniform, including a cloak. I wore a navy non-maternity wool cloak during the Autumn of my pregnancy with ToddlerPeony. I replaced the buttons with gold military style ones and felt rather fabulous.

I have a purple velvet coat, which my mum dubbed an "Opera coat", she told me everyone needs one. I do the school run in mine in winter , it is actually quite warm and quite waterproof, so does for lots of days. It has a huge hood, though and makes me look a bit like a purple elf. My mum also always said you should have lots of shoes, then your feet get used to different styles and they don't wear out as quickly .

In the interests of tailoring, my other denim skirt is a Dolce & Gabbana... not the most flattering angle, but I was trying to show the pleats, it looks a bit fishtail from the back. I can't compete with Gah but it is Italian. I bought this about 9yrs ago for under £5, I'm sure the charity shop had no idea what it was. It's actually getting a bit loose for me now .

I’m thinking of going for a pedicure this afternoon in the name of Style so you all know. And buy something to fight the mosquitoes with. We’re being eaten alive.

The snow in Sthlm/Helsinki area can come ANY TIME between October and February. 🙄 But my feeling is that global warming has shifted the seasons slightly so winter doesn’t really start until January nowadays and ends in late March at the earliest. Of course there might be no snow all winter. Who knows. Shouldn’t speak for Helsinki really sure what do I know. But I can tell you that I loved my Kavat booties all last winter! Great quality and so comfortable. Mine are a very dark green. www.kavat.se/collections/produkter/products/bodas-ep-ljusbrun-2#1303882891335 :)

Lovely boots, banivani. I've been to Stockholm in January, it was snowy and very beautiful.

Well, I have been MIA as I have now spent £400 (yes, really) on swimwear. I have decided that I much prefer a bikini and come to the painful realisation that this process should have been started well before the sales.

I bought a couple of sets from Seafolly (as advised), and while their is no doubtING the quality is excellent and I imagine they would really last, none were quite the right fit. My issue is a rectangle of 'crepe paper' tummy that sits above almost every waistband (thanks for that twin pregnancy ); high waisted bottoms cover this but also make my arse look the size of a small island.

The best offering so far is black bottoms with a totally non-matching navy&white striped top from a different brand. They only total about £10 so tempted to keep both for now to see if I can match either one (due another delivery on Monday).

On measure, I think in this case, fit may be more important than say, colour/style. I doubt I will look French chic in a totally mismatch set, but hoping the added confidence of wearing something I feel comfortable in will help me pull it off.

I'll keep you posted!

I agree, swimwear just needs to fit. I have found one model of bikini bottom that fits me so I bought a good few pairs. I like shorts - so I don’t have to remove a load of pubes - and for them to cover my arse, and for the CROTCH NOT TO BE SO NARROW ANY LITTLE PULL SLIDES THEM IN BETWEEN MY LABIA so basically there’s just one model available.

I hear you banivani.
For those who have been lamenting the lack of bargains in charity shops lately, take a look at this gem in my local hospice shop today

Wow but 480 pounds?

From the small image of those Dior shoes, I thought the sales assistant had written the brand/price on the actual shoe in permanent marker .

Bani- I did decide if I found a great bikini I would be happy to pay more £££, but as thst seems elusive, I'm thinking go for cheap and cheery as I imagine my shape/preference may change over the coming years as this past 18 months I have found it far harder to stay in reasonable shape.

Not a bikini but in case you change your mind on swimwear Methen, this one from Boden got compliments even from my notoriously hard to please cousin when I bumped into her on the beach yesterday: m.boden.co.uk/en-gb/womens-swimwear/swimsuits/s0025/womens-maratea-swimsuit

And bloody hell, Bob. I wonder how long those will hang around for...

I love the images, bo (not least because I think La Bellucci is fantastic). The long-sleeved dress is actually uncannily similar to a navy 40s one I have from Dorothy O'Hara (wonderful draping, one of my favourite designers) and I also have a similarly cut suit . Now if only I looked a little bit more like the woman in the pictures! (With apologies for the unwieldy link) www.google.co.uk/search?tbm=isch&q=dorothy%20o%27hara%20crepe%20long%20sleeve%20dress&oq=dorothy%20o%27hara%20crepe%20long%20sleeve%20dress&aqs=mobile-gws-lite..&ved=2ahUKEwi4q7CioPjbAhVJ8BQKHWefAxAQ2-cCegQIABAB That also sounds like a great style heritage - I could definitely do with my British half having a little more sway over my Italian half but at the rate I am going, who knows - perhaps I too will end up going to the beach fully made up and bedecked in gold jewellery like nearly all of my (Italian) aunts!

Those Kavat booties are lovely, banivani. Thinking of visiting our Norwegian friends this winter... perhaps I may need to invest in a pair...

What a fab skirt, quirky - if it's getting loose can you have it tailored? Have never had denim tailored but assume it is mostly the same as other fabrics?