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

[AuldAlliance]

But we'll still enjoy it...

SophiaLion That sounds very distressing. It’s just awful and the loss of life is so tragic.

I really like that Zara dress and I like the sound of the colour. I might check it out IRL and wear my FRAMBOOZE dress while skulling back rose in the sun.

Enjoy the shopping botemp

Glad the trousers hung in there banivani

Dress looks cool Catherine

I love this video. I am about to go through all my clothes. I'd like to do this sort of thing for every day living, let alone holiday packing! Does anyone do this? (Stick to 3 or 4 colours only?). I love bright reds and greens and blues. I don't know how I'd make it work!!

Pupsie I can recommend a blog called the Vivienne Files. She puts capsule wardrobes and travel wardrobes together based on a selection of two or three colours. Alternatively my fail safe method is to only wear black, admittedly not for everyone but it makes my life easier.

Thanks Mrs. Found her on IG.

Yes, it's very odd, Sophie, on the Dutch news and the main sites it's been the opening story for the past few days but if I look at international sites it's hidden away.

I can't access the video (patchy hotel WiFi) but I do usually travel in a limited palette, Pupsie. Depends on season/destination but usually black, or navy, pretty much always white, and then cream or beige. It's a rather classical palette, especially black beige and white. Think that originated with Coco Chanel. I usually toss in an item or two of colour though, just in case I get bored with it. I've gone for the Chanel combo this trip, although cream rather than beige, knowing I'd be bringing my sunhat along which has all three of those colours.

I tried lots of lovely things on today but I'm a bit pooped out and indulging my inner juvenile by watching vintage Tintin cartoons in bed in a fluffy bathrobe instead of uploading it all here for your enjoyment. I didn't buy much yet but did find a lovely silk black camisole at Sezane (FINALLY!), have attached pic from the internet in a rusty colour may need that too. Only other purchases today was lots of skincare.

Bo please share your skincare buys here or elsewhere .

Tintin is calling, I'll list it all tomorrow but it's mostly familiar stuff I always buy.

Ok, I have time to kill as the shops don't open until later. Bo tries a lot of stuff on fancy Paris department store edition.

Stop 1- Lemaire, fellow orangutans gather as their sleeves are exceptionally long. Pic 1 I thought was a shirt dress but turns out it's on of those thin shirt cover ups where there's a split in the sides up to about waist level. I think they were a thing in the 90s. I definitely remember my mother having a lot of them to wear over dresses. I was on the fence whether it does anything for me, or if I'd have use for it or if there's even any sense in buying more summer clothes. Tried on two other white shirts from Lemaire, forgot to photograph them but they were non starters anyhow, but they also had very long sleeves. Though I came across them elsewhere so I suspect it may be an A/W trend.

So onwards to new collection Lemaire jumper in the much loved brown tones. It was very comfy and the right type of oversized but I felt it was a bit cropped at the wrong point for me, I'd be worried I'd be playing peak-a-boo depending on the rise of my trousers.

Stop 2- Soeur who are throwing me with their sizing as it was always teeny tiny and I needed to size up. Suddenly it was all too big The skirt is new collection though, so should be able to seek that out elsewhere in a smaller size. I don't know if I need more denim skirts but this one felt more A/W and felt formal enough for my office needs. Blouse felt a bit straight jackety...

JW Anderson skirt which was surprisingly nice as I was somewhat apprehensive of all the volume. Was marked down really aggressively (€135) but unfortunately someone had ripped the zipper to a pretty rough state. It was a rather small size 6 so I can see how it happened but fixing it would mean making it even smaller and it just about fit me.

Isabel Marant Etoile jumper and skirt. Skirt was a bit off fitting for me, not visible here but very wide on the waist and a smidge to snug on the hip bones. Jumper is new collection, I did like it quite a bit but I need to try it on with a proper bra as shelf boobs aren't helping. Speaking of, I think I shall rename them Parisian boobs as no one wants to wear a bra with this weather and shelf boobs are everywhere now.

Rosie Assoulian a piñata exploded on me yellow pleated top. This was marked down a lot but still really frighteningly expensive so I felt safe to try it on for the experience knowing I'd never shell out the asking price for something that deeply impractical. Was quite taken with the yellow despite it being a bit overexposed at the moment, this then became a bit of a theme...

Ahem, yellow enabler number two, Jacquemus. It was a very good thing it was a size too big because I may very well have walked out the door with this dress. I have no need, lifestyle, etc. for it, the purposeful dropped shoulder would annoy the crap out of me but I was a bit lost to OMG pretty and nothing else. Swore I could hear my mother egging me on to just get it and create the need for it in my life. Thankfully I got distracted by others Jacquemus things.

Just for you Bani, glorious 'pelroperly' wide trousers from Jacquemus. Epically long but also a bit big for moi in the smallest size (this is the new collection, dress above was in the sale).

Then I tried on 'the jacket', I was a bit unaccountable from that point on as I fell madly in love with it. However, it's new collection and therefore over my projected Jacquemus birthday present to self budget. I don't need to get it here and now though, I can order it online so the itching panic to get it is being carefully contained for now.

Back to yellow at Sezane. Slight disclaimer all the Le Bon Marche changing rooms are absolutely stellar, in terms of space, hanging space, lighting, mirrors, individual air conditioning in each one, etc. but for whatever reason the Sezane one had really bad lighting so the colours are majorly off. This yellow was much more golden/richer. It's a bit of an Instagram dress though, something the colour blinded me too on the hanger. Better suited to someone with a bit less shoulder on top, someone straight up and down or a slight pear would do well with it as it has an elasticated waist.

The reds dress was all wrong for me too. Definitely needs someone taller, everything was just too proportionately out for me. Both those silk dresses were well priced, well lined as well. Sezane was once again annoying me with how right they get it.

On the third dress I felt they didn't get the price/quality equation right. I really liked the shape and feel of it but it was viscose and the crunchy type that can be a bit cheap looking. It was cheaper than the silk dresses but really not by much.

I was really pleasantly surprised by this cotton pima dress from Sezane. The fabric was absolutely lovely it hung from the body just right when you weren't really expecting. It also has a lovely braided detail on top so it doesn't feel to basic despite being just cotton. But the stupid lighting had me thinking it was navy rather than black. I don't know, I may go back for this as I did really like it but I was having a bit of a do I need another black camisole type dress?

Each X other wool black blazer. This was really well priced (€165) but I tried it on after the Jacquemus blazer. It stood no chance, looking back now I was probably being a bit unfair to it. May have to take a look again, I quite like the length like that.

Last pic is just to prove how awesome the Le Bon Marche fitting rooms usually are where I'm standing about halfway in. Sezane need to fix their lighting sitch already.

Kind request, I can't access the Sezane site for whatever reason, well I can access but can't click on a thing can someone check if the Lela dress is available in any other colours?

Bonus pic, my Parisienne of the day, well yesterday. Jumpsuits are very popular at the moment, especially on the over 35-40+ age range. In really quality fabrics and fits though stiff cotton like this or heavy weight silk. Also popular, silk two pieces that basically look like a jumpsuit, often with print. Lots of wide legs too, worn with Castaners. I never really got those to work for me before but I really should give them a go with wide legs.

Ooooh botemp thanks you for giving me something to read with my morning coffee!

I like the Sezane cami. I tried the dress version, the same as you tried in the yellow, as an option for a bridesmaid dress for my sister’s wedding, but I don’t love that neckline on me, the shoestring strap cuts me at an awkward part. Even the kids’ polar bear basket doesn’t approve in this pic. The black Sezane is really cute on you.

Love love love the Lemaire jumper and the IM Etoile jumper. The Soeur shirt is a bit denist-y alright, but the skirt is nice and would see lots of wear.

I’d describe the Rosie Assoulian as sea anemone inspired.

I love the yellow Jacquemus dress on you, but agree it’s not exactly a practical choice, the jacket will get load of wear and is worth holding out for.

Are you back in the shops today?

Does anyone know how best to tackle a grease / fat stain on a leather hanbag. Can post a picture later if helpful, it’s fairly firm leather and the mark is about the size of a 2 pound coin.

It's weird as the Sezane dress looked to be just like the cami but they're quite different in the way they fit. Think the dress just gave way too much ambiguous shape in the mid section.

Yes, the Sezane cami dress is cute, I'm a bit on the fence about being cute though. Just how long can one milk that, and should one?

Yes, back in the shops today. It's really warming up today and the shops are a great recluse. That's my excuse anyhow

I have some sort of specialist leather cleaner for bags but the name has long worn off. Horsey people always know on here. It's usually best to clean and then buff in some grease all over, think sometimes mink oil is helpful but maybe that was if the stain doesn't come out and you basically want it all one darker colour.

botemp I did think that about "cute" as I was typing it. I was referring to the first black dress - the one with the shoulder ties, the second one is less cutesy. Not that cute is bad, it can be great. It's not generally available to me as a look.

The Lela dress only comes in black and is only in stock in S,M and L on the website.

Thanks for the info on the Lela dress, Elle. The cute thing has sort of magnified with becoming a smaller size so it's a bit of an odd thing when you're becoming older as you'd expect it to be waning instead. I don't really know what to make of it currently. I associate it with youth but also naivite. I know I don't want it in my professional wardrobe but I'm on the fence in the casual corner. It's a fine line between cutesy and cute, I suppose.

At the airport waiting with the DCs (who are probably in the process of messing up all the shelves in the shop next to us) and so going slowly through your photos Bo.

I like the Lemaire jumper a lot and it doesn't look that short from the photo. Did you buy it? Also like your black shorts - but i take it you already own these?!

I don't like the Soeur blouse. The top part just looks really odd to me. I can't really see the Anderson skirt that well. It's a shame about the zip but sounds like not worth repairing it.

The Assoulian top is cool! I personally don't like the colour but I'm saying that because I would never wear that shade of yellow - would look awful on me!!!! Like the Isabel Marant jumper too. (Not heard of shelf boobs before but can guess what you mean!!)

I like the Jacquemus dress - apart from the sleeve that is off the shoulder and was about to ask if that was the style of the dress or whether you put it there! Then saw you wrote that's the style of the dress!

I also like the Jacquemus trousers and that jacket looks gorgeous on you!!

I've run out of time. Will have a look at the rest later but glad you are having such fun trying on all these clothes

Tintin

Lovely pics Bo. As always, your close encounters with exotic clothing hasn't failed to amuse and delight. I loved the Lemaire khaki jumper and the two black jackets, and now find myself wanting a trip to Paris for Sezane. The fuschia jumpsuited Parisienne was tres chic, and the tonality with her bag was inspired.

Yellow dress - the Jacquemus one.

If it doesn't fit in with your life then change your life.

Ooh Bo goes shopping! Hurray! Like the IM jumper, the Sezane rust camisole. LOVE the Jacquemus blazer and the yellow dress.

I am MELTING in London. It is ridiculously hot and I don’t know what to wear. Settled for black skirt and black silk camisole (untucked for commute) and added cardigan once I reached air conditioned paradise of work. However the untucked look prompted my first unsolicited congratulations on your pregnancy remark so not a look to repeat. I’m only 7 1/2 weeks and really didn’t think I was showing yet so slightly horrified!
Did an emergency panic dash round the shops after work in the hope of finding a sundress with a bit of room for a bump to take me through until end of September. No chance! Somebody has bought all the summer clothes. Let me know if you’ve got any ideas - would ideally like something empire or high waisted rather than a tent!

Bo, I have a few things from Oliver Bonas, they have flair but strike me as quite expensive for the quality at full price. Most of mine were on sale. I find the website a bit frustrating as I can't seem to find necklace lengths/measurements anywhere when I'm browsing. Have not tried any of their clothes.

Saw this in the Guardian, made me think of the bright pink jumpsuit and red bag above - www.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/jul/26/the-bright-side-why-women-fell-out-of-love-with-black

Great article, Catherine - have you seen this thread as well? It's the bright clothes that rake in compliments for the majority apparently!