Flo, I don't know. I always struggle to believe women when they say that. Not that I think they're liars with a better than thou attitude but more slightly delusional. Like it or not, the way we dress always stands in relation to some extent to the outside world. There's people who avidly reject mainstream fashion but I've yet to see someone disentangled from it completely, unless it's a work uniform or similar. Conservative or even sustainable fashions are subject to changes just as easily, they're just slower in becoming apparent and there's less radical change. I always think those studies about shorter hemlines and brighter lipstick in poorer economic times are fascinating. We're indirectly influenced far more than we think and it's more than this anonymous block of anonymous 'fashion dictators'.
Bani, I faintly remember the b&b line being launched and oddly it was loved by a lot of my mother's older friends (post menopause basically) and they were obsessed with it, thought it was very odd at the time as they weren't plus sized at all.
Pond water and other mystery sludge probably describes my usual autumn colour palette, quirky, screw rich chocolates and caramels, I'll take a bit of grubby dirt with it instead 
I actually had a bit of a play with some of the slingbacks and kitten heels I still have this morning, Elle. They're a bit different than the ones out now, but the look is the same. Does still feel a bit too formal but I was trying them on under my Max Mara skirt and that's how I wore them then, I need to try them under other things I think. A wide leg trousers or maxi skirt maybe, I'll have to have a proper paly. Did end up choosing a pair of mid heel Ferragamos that I don't ever really wear except to funerals, touch overdressed but I'm going with it for now. Shoes do tend to stick around long for me. They're the only things I properly invested in from the get go and I rotate them often enough so they rarely wear out, they feel out of time rather and just get stored away for a few seasons instead.
I remember Minimarket, I worked on a design proposal for them once. I wonder if they're still in business, the dress looks lovely and 100% silk to boot. The Everlane flats look great on you too, lovely and clean but still dressed up without feeling overtly formal. Currently I can't stand anything with straps around the ankle on me, I can't make up my mind if it's a shift in proportions or if it's a time related thing.
Can't really advise on the things that are smaller thing. I was very consistently the same size for a very long time. I've held onto things I genuinely loved just in case i fall back into a bigger size again but if I was someone who would easily drop and gain I think I'd still do the same, or at least cover the practical stuff like a mini work wardrobe but realistically at one size down it isn't that noticeable that your clothes are too big. Not sure how helpful that is 
Ah lovely trousers, I've fallen down the vintage rabbit hole myself when Farfetch alerted me yesterday they have a vintage section which allows returns (as I understand it). It's mostly from the 60s onwards (though possibly they have earlier stuff, I tapped out at the €300 mark) but have seen some lovely pieces. Utterly confused by the sizing though, they give good measurements and the models have very similar measurements to me, they're just taller but I do wonder if they've clipped certain pieces in as I struggle to see how it would fit with some measurements. Anyhow, totally enamoured with some brown wool 70s Ungaro trousers and there was another 90s pair from Jil Sander but that definitely looks to be too big by the measurements. Too many nice things overall, some great Yves Saint Laurent work skirts. I've filled my wishlist up accordingly. Pricing is high I would wager but the possibility of no hassle returns makes it an easier entry for me. Not going to purchase anything yet, waiting on my Jacquemus order first and visiting the Antwerp second hand shops this weekend but loving the discovery. Have also spotted two green silk moire tops in there, not the thing I was looking for but it shows it is out there.
I really like how they've styled things as well, very much with other contemporary pieces which is how I'd want to wear them. They've also got me thinking a pair of sculptural slingbacks a la Dries or Rejina Pyo (or Catharine's Uterque ones if I wasn't on the fast fashion abstention) would be a nice addition to my wardrobe. They'd certainly make today's outfit that bit more interesting. Will try to remember to take a pic when out and about later.
Slightly off topic, Cecily/Chloe/Camilla, sorry have forgotten your exact username but you started a thread on dressing like a woman and femininity and paged the bo and Flo show in and I assume you're lurking on here from that. Sort of related to that thread, watched Hannah Gadsby's 'comedy special' Nanette on Netflix last night which was really interesting, sensitive and explorative of the subject (less related to dressing itself, but definitely what stands at the foundation of it) as someone who fails at femininity (I'm paraphrasing, she said it much better but I've forgotten the exact phrasing). Really recommend it.
Welcome, Messy. I've never bought from Rouje as the fabrics have put me off. You can have a look at Musier Paris which is similar but better fabrics. If you're ever in Paris it's worth visiting Nathalie Dumeix, I'm pretty sure she designs the Rouje line behind the scenes. There's a few designers of interest on Tictail too, Laura Laval Paris is great on there.