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

[AuldAlliance]

But we'll still enjoy it...

Here's hoping I won't lose this post once I've typed it.....

So Bo: I got the black hat. Was between black and white as they go with most things. The other colours are yellow, orange, navy, pink, red and green. Went for black in the end as decided white would get too dirty too quickly. Might buy another colour next summer once I've enjoyed this one for a bit.

The tinted version of Frezyderm is quite a different consistency from the plain one: tinted one is more like a normal foundation - not the jelly-like consistency of the non-colour one. I also found it harder to judge how much of the tinted one to put on.

Thanks Bo and CatherineMaitland for the matte lipstick information. I've had a look at the YSL colours. The no. 10 you have Bo does indeed look pretty red online (and I have a carmine lipstick already). The one they call fuchsia also looks a bit darker than I had in my head so really I had better have a look "live". I'll have a look Chanel ones too.

Hope you enjoy Paris Bo! In my experience (it's roasting here (Athens where I live)!) the fewer clothes the better -not in a trashy way! I'm mean sleeveless rather than sleeves and maxi-length always seems to trap heat (well on me anyway ). With silk I tend to find that if I sweat in the slightest, it just sticks to my body. And lots of changes of clothes which I think someone else suggested. I hope Paris has air-conditioning - London buildings are so not set up for the heat. We nearly passed out in the British Museum.....

Hello JonSnow I also did a huge wardrobe tidy a few weeks ago - it's so therapeutic isn't it? My wardrobe now contains only things I actually wear! And I re-discovered old clothes too and repaired where necessary.

So brown is back? I don't wear brown at all

That's funny - I never go sleeveless in hot weather, and while I won't deny there's some vanity involved these days (my arms are shot) it's mainly for comfort. I absolutely cannot stand the sun on my arms or shoulders. I can feel my flesh cooking. And a loose fitting silk shirt works best for me - yes, I sweat in it but I find it dries very quickly whereas cotton or linen ends up sopping wet.

That's fair enough Floisme! I guess it's all individual preference. Normally I try to wear something on my arms as I don't like the sun on them but when it's as hot here as it is right now, it feels too hot with any fabric touching my skin! Right now I'm in cotton shorts and a cotton vest top and flip flops. And SPF 50 of course

I am already onto my autumn capsule and have just bought a cashmere taupe oversized roll neck jumper and a charcoal cashmere double breasted blazer. The blazer will be oversized for a slouchy look with a bit of luck.

I have alsopicked up some silk squares in charity shops which I am really into at the moment.

However I am having no joy with boots. I want mid calf, pull on ones - preferably with straps but in a deep chestnut leather. Men shoes always seems to have the best leathers. I am happy to spend a fair bit if anyone has seen some....

I want leather like the lace up pair but boots more in the style of the other two.

Respect to you Iwanka I spotted your autumn thread but it fell off the front page before I could post.

I've got a couple of 80s wool/cashmere trousers that I'm looking forward to wearing. They're slighly pleated and tapered - the kind Trinny and Susannah really hated but I've always had a sneaky love for them cos they let you strut around with your hands in your pockets and they don't flap around when it rains. But I'm also thining of digging out a pleated knee tweed skirt and going full-on Miss Marple.

I've not seen any boots at all yet but I'm sure they'll be around soon.

😁

It’s all about autumn for me! Summer and I are not a chic combination- frankly it can bog orf

I think this jumper has a place in my closet.

Anyone else love the Un-fancy blog? Looking forward to seeing her autumn stuff.

WEll a pic would be helpful 🙄

QUITE like it in this colourway but not sure if I could pull the colour off...

Iwanka, like the tobacco colour, but you have to have the right, warm colouring. I would be sent straight to the crem. The grey donkey version is less lovely, but probably more wearable.

Someone told me that the English summer is set fair until the end of August, so the summer stuff will be getting hefty rotation. Can't imagine looking fondly at the waterproof stuff any time soon even so.

Nooooo I can’t cope with this heatwave until the end of August 😱 It was nice down in Cornwall but it’s horrid in London and especially on the tube.

I feel for you Peony, but I live in Cornwall! The quid pro quo is that I don't really have the need to buy gorgeous clothes; I just love them! But they don't go to places where they would be admired. My style spirit has to channel cool senior without going Iris Apfel or gardening geek. And most of the year, it has to embrace waterproof!

Iwanka the last jumper is the colour I want (I call it toffee, not sure if it’s right), but shorter and with a crew ir roll neck.

I’m sitting in a pub waiting for a friend to join me for a drink and I was so happy putting my trusty jeans back on after weeks and weeks. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad it’s not so hot anymore.

Flo pleated and tapered wool trousers is exactly what I envisaged for myself. In dark green. I think I’m going to have to find some second hand shops and do some rummaging.

Jon I got them a couple of months ago in a 'vintage' shop that was otherwise wall to wall plaid shirts and 90s denim. They're a really nice, drapey wool. I'm hoping there'll be a fair number of them around as they've been in the style wilderness for so long.

And brown jumpers again too

Miss Marple is an underrated style icon.

Iwanka I like the Un-fancy blog too, though she posts much less than she used to. Very considered and explores lots of ethical brands. I'm not quite ready to look at autumn clothes, it makes me feel hot just looking at them gorgeous boots though.

Yesterday was melting hot, but I think today is supposed to be a bit cooler, thank goodness. I think in the strong heat I tend to cover up either legs or arms, so that that part of my body can get a break from the sun. I know just what flo means about being pale and feeling like your flesh is cooking. I prefer to be in the shade - I feel rubbish in the sun and have been known to feel quite ill when too hot. Be careful in Paris, bo.

Thanks Sophie, I should probably have awaited your reply instead of ordering it 4am yesterday morning . It'll arrive later today so I'll just have to wait and see how heavy the coverage is.

Black sounds like a versatile colour for the hat, well at least in my current wardrobe anyhow. Paris seems somewhat better equipped for airconditioned spaces but some places can be a bit dodgy. I promise I'll be careful mum quirky. Annoyingly my phone has decided to throw a tantrum with the battery last night so I'm hoping to get it fixed or buy a new one before departing as I really can't be without one with that heat and any issues that may cause. Thought I had an old back up one but that doesn't seem to want to start up either

Ahem, I’m still alive but feel a bit odd as I’ve branched much outside my usual staple of shops and style comfort zone. Haven’t bought much as of yet, in mulling over mode about most things.

1st shop, little boutique where there are no mirrors in the changing rooms so you’re forced to go out and be convinced by an eager salesperson telling you that top isn’t transparent at all when you can see EVERYTHING in detail Main reason I tend to avoid the place but I knew they’d have Equipment silk pieces and was hoping they had some camisoles. They did but, unfortunately, they weren’t that great, they used to be two layers of silk, now it’s just the one and they only had light colours which was like not wearing anything at all.

Did really like attached from Mes Demoiselles but it was too big, will have a look for it in Paris in the size smaller. And will also have to try and find these billowy silk trousers which I spotted whilst sourcing the pic. They have some great lightweight silk pieces on there, a bit boho, or rather boheme, but not too folsky.

Also had to try on some shorts with the camisole, indiscriminately grabbed a pair of J Brand ones as they were my size and was amazed to discover they were not awful. Didn’t feel like spending big on denim shorts though, but will keep it in mind if I ever convince myself of a necessity for denim shorts again.

2nd shop - another small boutique that had some nice Majestic Filatures dresses in linen, unfortunately, none were my size.

Next stop, Vanilia. Another shop I tend to avoid as they start at size EU36 though I did find some EU34 in the new collection which is still on the large size for me. Anyhow, it’s a good workwear place at reasonable prices. They also have an in-house tailor in their larger shops, they were helping someone else and really knew what they were doing, I was very impressed. They’ve really been upgrading their fabric choices lately so was pleased to find some silk pieces there.

Black camisole top in a far too large size but there are several shops so I’ll keep an eye out for it elsewhere as it was very affordable at 30 euros but sold out online. Saw some good silk shell tops for you too Elle with a cowl back but shipping is rather pricey internationally.

Also saw attached white silk camisole dress (apols for the visible pants). Again far too large size, have ordered the smallest size hoping it fits better, will arrive later today. Normally don’t like these type of dresses but have only ever really tried them on in black and the white surprised me and I think the hat makes it look less like I’m wearing nightwear out, worst case scenario they will just be nightwear, at 50 euros it’s not far off what I usually pay for a silk nightie.

At full price (119eur) they had these two linen shirt dresses. The linen quality was better than most but not the best quality out there either and I felt a bit Amish in them. Especially in the darker one it was really too large on the shoulders whilst being the same size. It improved marginally by purposefully misbuttoning it but I still wasn’t feeling it at that price.

Cos, thought the navy silk dress had huge potential but upon putting it on it was rather suffocating with the high neck. It’s a lovely office dress though for anyone looking. Think it was marked down 50%. Other thing I tried at Cos was this silk shirt in their largest size that I thought would work as a dress on me. And it did, sort of, I felt just outside of ‘did she forget her trousers’ territory but it was a rather heavy silk and the long sleeves had me too concerned that it would not be cooling enough and beyond that I don’t see me wearing this much so felt like a poor investment in that sense.

Found some lovely black silk trousers as well, a touch large but sitting low sort of worked in its favour. But again, concerned that this wouldn’t work in the desert melting heat anticipated.

Do quite like the trousers though may go back for them.

Found this white floaty top at Monki that seemed ideal. Bargainous 6 euros but it really was far too big and the shorts whilst fitting and thin cotton felt a bit too basic and lacking any personality.

I bought a bag . Was a bit of an impulse buy at 70% off. I may return it, even if it was only 12 euros, I worry it’s a bit like playing dress up, but it matches my hat

Mango- I really like the linen camisole but I’m not convinced by the pink colour. Linen shorts were another potentially great but not in reality, it was rather poorly constructed at the waist and I suspect that was going to be annoying during serious heat as it really needed to be cinched in with the fabric belt it came with.

I got on well with the cutout detail camisole, although I discovered later that’s supposed to be the back. Not my usual thing but it’s very thin and billowy and I can see me wearing it on the 501 jeans to toughen it up a bit when it’s moderately warm. It looks nice worn right side round as well. Thought it was a bit overpriced (19,99) but bought it anyway.

Am still considering the white linen camisole dress, it’s the same model as the camisole above just longer and a bit shapeless in the middle but it doesn’t cling, isn’t see through, etc. and the top saves it a bit I feel. I tried it on a size smaller in another colour (salmon) but I didn’t like the colour but preferred the fit. May have to go look elsewhere for it, unfortunately not available online in the necessary size either.

Still Mango- Didn’t hate this playsuit but didn’t love it either. Felt a bit too see through and heavy on the shoulders.

Department store 1 - T by Alexander wang silk camisole dress. A bit meh for the price they’re charging for it (240 and that's reduced by 50% ).

All Saints dress - not terrible and worked well on my shape but this is double lined cotton clinging to the body, probably not the best choice for extreme heat.

All saints dress 2 - a lot thinner cotton and just the single layer, very roomy without being shapeless so better suited for purpose but something about the construction on the shoulders was annoying me. It kept moving about, it may require a bit more shoulder width to carry it well, I’ve noticed that before with All Saints, they’re quite inverted triangle geared.

Frisur skort and top - they didn’t really work together (but again needed a bottom to fit with tops since I was wearing a dress). Skort wasn’t awful but it’s wool and a bit of polyester so not an option. The top I liked better on the hanger than on me.

Second Female viscose and silk camisoles - I got over my lace aversion. I preferred how it sat on the orange one, think the black one was poorly made as the lace was flopping all over the place on that one. The fabric on the orange one wasn’t in the best condition though which made me hesitant from buying either one. Argh.

Je suis suivant 🇫🇷

Second female camisole in black from above

(Sorry no pics on me, they're on my phone and I forgot to transfer these) Stradivarius - denim skort and thin cotton top with buttons. I liked both actually but think the skort would be too warm. Couldn’t really make my mind up, there was a white, a beige, and a linen/cotton blend in the beige/taupe stripes. They all had a charm of sorts, I liked the beige best on my skin tone but I’m not sure how versatile the colour is in my wardrobe. May go back for these. Possibly even the skort, there is versatility to a denim short that I don’t have with my denim skirts and it was very affordable (19.99)

Department Store 2 - Ba&Sh green dress. Waaaaaaaaaaaay out of my comfort zone, it ticked all the shapeless boxes of being very lightweight cotton, billowy, etc. etc. but I just can’t. It looks odd to my eye and I just can’t justify paying 170 euros for a dress that looks like you picked it up in an Indian market (with similar thin fabric quality) on your holidays. If I’m desperate I’ll run into a Ba&sh store in Paris waving my credit card and looking the other way...

Claudie Pierlot shorts that, again, were surprisingly not horrendous when paired with the Mango top. Wasn’t completely convinced on them but they had a lovely scallop detail at the top that lured me in. I got distracted by shorts a lot…