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

995 replies

AuldAlliance · 23/05/2018 10:06

But we'll still enjoy it...

OP posts:
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CatherineMaitland · 27/07/2018 10:29

I hadn't actually! Thanks!

Very few floral or boldly patterned or light bright colours work for me but I'm not sure if it's me not being brave enough, and therefore I can't carry those things off, or if they just genuinely don't suit me. I love some of the looks in the article but they just don't feel like me. I feel more comfortable in black or khaki or navy or dark red, maybe rust or dark orange.

I have a dark red jumper bought from the East closing sale that does seem to produce a lot of "you look well" type comments.

Floisme · 27/07/2018 10:37

I guess I'm on the wrong side of history again as I've started wearing the odd bit of black after not touching it for 20 years. At first I only wore it well away from my face (with other dark colours) but lately I've decided my face can take it as long as it's a faded, washed out black and not all shiny and new. It does look a bit severe but I quite like severe at the moment.

I still like colour but not bright - it ovewhelms me

banivani · 27/07/2018 12:05

I think, at least here in Sweden where the colour palette is always black and white with a bit of beige, a colour doesn't have to be that bright to be deemed bright. ;)

SophieLion · 27/07/2018 12:24

Oh that's bizarre that someone thought you were showing at 7 1/2 weeks and it's only
your first, Peony. Is your tummy usually really flat? Trying to think what I wore at work during my pregnancies but I don't think it will help as I stop working in the City before I got pregnant and in Athens I could wear more casual work clothes. I did wear quite a bit of empire line during my pregnancies (can't normally wear as doesn't suit me).

It is really hot in London. Not hotter than Athens but none of the buildings or houses here are designed for this hot weather and they retain all the heat. I couldn't sleep last night at all. Miss air conditioning!

I actually wear a lot of black. I can wear it near my face too. I also like bright colours like reds and fuchsias and white.in always trying to buy more colours as I'm always attracted to black and white first!! Don't wear beige or brown at all. I'll have a read of that article Catherine and will take a look at the thread Bani. Thank you.

botemp · 27/07/2018 12:30

Sorry meant to post this yesterday for Pupsie, but the heat has been draining my energy.

I'll post pics and attempt to reply like a proper person later if I can.

The farmacy haul:

Repurchases

Vichy Thermal Water
Lrp Toleriane ultra nuit
Biologique Recherche P50
Pommade A313
Bioderma Cicabio SPF50
Bioderma Hydrabio SPF 30 (water spray thingy for face)
Hydrabio brume
Rene Furterer dry shampoo (much prefer this too the famous Klorane one, that just cleans well, this has a bit of clay in too to give that gritty 'I just woke up like this” Parisienne texture)

New things

Granions de Selenium
Granions de Manganese
Granions de Cuivre
Vichy Ideal Soleil Protective Solar Water in hydrating

Just ask about anything of interest, easier than me doing it up front.

Pupsiecola · 27/07/2018 13:49

Interesting haul Bo. Thanks for posting. Some things I've not heard of and some old faves!

banivani · 27/07/2018 16:28

I take back all I’ve said about camisoles. Am standing at the station waiting for my train and a young woman is wearing a pale yellow/cream camisole top and a midi length flowy green skirt and looks lovely. All polyester (recognise it as H&M) but still pretty. Silver ballerinas.

I’m just jealous. I want to wear camisole tops and no bra. Why am I all back.

MidLifeCrisis2017 · 27/07/2018 19:00

I'm with Floisme, just started wearing black again after 25 years. Don't know whether it's skin tone changing but DD, my self appointed official stylist, forced me into Cos and I bought a beautiful black, wide legged jumpsuit which is a joy to wear. It's also very unlike my usual white/tan/grey/navy jeans and shirt combination and I've enjoyed stepping outside my comfort zone.

XingMing · 27/07/2018 20:37

I'll bite bo. What are Granions? Tablets, vitamins? I recognise some of your repurchases because I like the same items. And I know you are not a fan of the subscription club model it works on, but there are a couple of Beauty Pie products I repeat buy now. Apologies, but I can't face three regular frequent posting threads, so I'll stick to this and the perfumistas! Most of the skincare buffs are too advanced for me.

quirkychick · 28/07/2018 07:47

Just posting to say lovely things you've tried on, bo. We've spent the last two days on the beach as it's been cooler than at home. Norfolk beaches require a degree of practicality, though, as you need to negotiate sand dunes and cliff paths, so denim skirt + loose tee and then denim shorts + long, loose stripey shirt. Yesterday, was boiling, 27° on the beach, but 37° when we got home at 5:30pm! I agree SophieLion our buildings aren't built for heat. Cooler today and the first rain last night after 6 weeks.

botemp · 28/07/2018 08:53

Sorry will pretend to interact like a normal person and respond to questions and lovely comments tomorrow when we're back home. Posting the try ons from Thursday now, may attempt to post Friday fittings on the train tonight.

So saw lots of lovely things, bought just the one thing, a lovely signature Rick Owens top, I only have one really shitty blurry picture of it because the Lafayette fitting rooms were crap but it's the usual drapey twisty sleeveless vintage cotton thing. I have something very similar already and was bemoaning the fact it's gotten too big. I'm pretty sure it's the same or similar colour which means I can layer it over a long sleeved Rick Owens top in the same colour I also have in A/W.

I've also become infected with the same horrible disease as Elle, I tried on Eres swimsuits and will never want for anything else. They are weirdly flattering and make you look at your body all anew. Bastards. I didn't buy one, the one I liked best was the one Caroline de Maigret is always sporting, strapless with a little u between the boobs so have simply budgeted the ridiculous amount of money they cost onto the next holiday where swimwear is required. In a similar vein I tried on bras at La Perla in my 'wrong' size and now I don't want anything else on that front either but even at 50% off the prices are a bit insane when the before prices are €300-€500. Did get one that was a bit more basic without underwires but with a wired v neck that allows to wear low plunging things. It sounds a horror to wear but it's dead comfortable and perfectly accommodates the shelf boobs (for those asking, it just means I have little volume at the top so my upper chest is flat and then suddenly there's the bottom half with volume, it's not saggy boobs matter territory, think the politer term is teardrop boobs or something). Anyhow the rest of le shopping.

Stop 1 the Sezane apartment and the charity shop next door demain. (Xing you need not go to Paris, they're opening up one in Notting Hill in September although personally but probably heavily influenced by a professional eye, I hate their 'appartement', it's not overdesigned but overengineered to sell their lifestyle aspirations to you, their products are good enough not to need that extra dressing up IMO). I went to the Demain charity shop next door first, basically it's an outlet and it takes in old Sezane clothes as well and all proceeds go to charity. Pic 1 is their Yse colab bathing suit, and a suede pair of shorts. Was a bit meh about both. It may have been the high temps in the changing room, I vowed hereafter not try on anything in shops without air-conditioning unless it was absolutely amazing as it's not worth the risk of combustion.

Wish I'd considered that before slipping on this white fluffy sweater over it. It doesn't look that bad in the pics but in reality it was far too large to be useful.

Check jumpsuit looked promising on the hanger but they just looked like pyjamas to me Hmm

This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
botemp · 28/07/2018 08:56

Oops posted to soon with the pics above^. First two pics are Sezane.

Shop 2 Isabel Marant Etoile cotton and wool jumper it was nice enough but sort of a difficult to gage colour between grey and brown. I wasn't wholly convinced but there was something about the neckline that I liked, it was a high v-neck that was mirrored at the back. May go back today and try it on again, was well priced at €60, possibly less with and additional percentage off, can't remember.

botemp · 28/07/2018 08:58

Shop 3 Tom Greyhound Oxford blue Phillip Lim shirt. I'm not usually one for billowy sleeves but I kinda liked it and the colour isn't one I've had in my wardrobe for a long time. Had lots of interesting details would make for a good work shirt but I did wonder if it worked well on top of my dress only. No air-conditioning in the shop so I couldn't be persuaded to try them on with their selection of winter trousers but temps are a cool 27 today, so may have another look. Have attached extra pic from online as my pic doesn't pic up all the details.

Shop 4 (where I had a personality transplant) Lemaire sorry for crap pics as it was a tiny slim mirror and the usual giant mirror with salesperson setup. Although to their credit they had the loveliest sale staff there ever. More on that later.

I loved the trousers, the pics don't do them justice got as far as talking alterations. I don't know why I walked out without them beyond that it was hot and I was tired and clearly wasn't thinking straight. Staff promptly offered to set aside the trousers until Monday as if it was no issue at all. Going back today to get them, don't know what I was thinking leaving them behind, thank goodness the salesperson knew better.

The billowy silk white top (had to think of you Elle, I only see it on Farfetch discounted to what is the full price, it's 50% off here), excellent salesperson again as she insisted I try my size and one up as the oversized fit was better according to her, and she was totally right. I really loved that too but I don't have much need for something like that, much as I love it.

This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
botemp · 28/07/2018 09:00

Jumper from the new collection with the most lovely sort of slit neckline. Loved that too but it's a touch pricy at €400 but since it's new collection I can always get that later. In answer to Sophie above, no I didn't get the other Lemaire jumper in Brown above (shorts are my Weekday playsuit I bought a few weeks ago, posted pics of it IIRC) as that was €700. I have a bit of a bad inherited habit from my GM to not always check the price tags Blush

Red top like the silk top but in Poplin cotton and a touch cheaper. Loved the colour but I really preferred the silk version. I think this is where my decision fatigue set in.

This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
botemp · 28/07/2018 09:04

Shop 5 vintage don't ask me why I ventured into another shop, my only excuse was I was waiting on OH to join me and he was late getting in so I wandered into a vintage shop. Haven't really been seeking them out as the few trusted addresses I did try to visit were already on their annual monthly leave.

So the Louis Vuitton skirt was ehm interesting Confused not quite a leather penis but more like I forgot to discard my femidom Shock

Linen trousers, I actually quite liked the shape of them, some interesting details with colour but they were really scratchy and then I had a closer look at the label which was vaguely familiar, Made in Holland for C&A Shock. I thought they were a bit pricey at €35 before for second hand in reasonably good condition but I think you'd struggle to pay that kind of money at C&A today.

Totally forgot I tried on a horror of an eighties frock in another vintage shop on Wednesday (I think?) Which I'd thought would be more pretty woman at the races but was something else entirely, will try to remember to post that pic too.

This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
Pupsiecola · 28/07/2018 10:25

Love that orange blouse Bo. The colour really suits you, and is sth I'd go for too but the shape is wrong for me.

ToElleWithIt · 28/07/2018 13:41

I really like the red top and blue shirt on you. IM jumper seems like a solid buy at that price. Apologies for increasing the cost of your next holiday!

XingMing · 28/07/2018 15:41

Shopping with Bo is much more entertaining than shopping for oneself! You did go back for the trousers I hope?

Main clothing is sorted for the time being, but I think it's verging on too classic (and dangerously near dull) so now feeling a need for a handful of really outre fashion-y oddments. Any suggestions? Ideally cheap and colourful to balance the spendy bits so I can toss them aside when the moment has passed.

SophieLion · 28/07/2018 18:19

Actually someone once advised me not to check price tags Bo as that can influence one's decision and if you really love it, then you should buy it!! I think this only works to a certain point Grin

I forgot to say that I liked the green Sezane dress on you Elle. Obviously I can't really see the neckline well enough to see the bird you didn't like.

We have Eres in Greece. Very popular I think. I've only tried on once and ran away due to the price tag! I've had expensive swimsuits in the past (Melissa Odabash, Missoni etc) and cheap or expensive, mine all seem to end up a gluey mess with sun cream stains after a few seasons....

I like the white/cream Sezanne jumper Bo but not the jumpsuit - it reminds me of something. Perhaps you are right it looks like pyjamas!! I like the Marant grey jumper and it looks like something that would get lots of wear. Also like the Philip Lim shirt and the white silk one. Happy to hear you found some trousers that you love! Also like the white jumper (Lemaire?) and love the red colour of the other top.
I'm not surprised you got decision fatigue - you managed to get through lots of shops and clothes!! Smile

I'm laughing at the LV skirt and the C&A trousers! I actually like the trousers! Remember C&A from when I was v little. Do they still have it in NL?

SophieLion · 28/07/2018 18:20

Elle - obviously I didn't mean "bird you didn't like" on the dress Grin

Meant to say "bit you didn't like"!

botemp · 28/07/2018 19:00

That vermilion (official colour on the tag) does suit me really well but the style of top is a little too formal/occasion wear for me to really get enough wear out to justify the cost. I did try another piece from Lemaire in the same colour and fabric but that was too oversized on me, I felt. I do tend to grab a good red when I can but opportunities are scarce. I think everyone officially suits red but it's really a colour that suits me. I've been eyeing up a Tom Ford lippie in Vermilionaire recently, apparently Clare Foyle (sp?) wears it in The Queen. I really should get it...

Yes, bought the trousers, Mistress Xing, and a dress, I blame OH. The blue Oxford shirt was still nice but it lost all that was special about them tucked into trousers and it just looked odd with a half tuck or untucked. Did buy the IM jumper, figured I'd be sensible, also I packed loads of warm weather clothes but nothing for cooler temps and when we arrive it'll be low twenties and today's 28° degrees almost felt chilly after the last few days, so it was a very sensible buy and should save a cab fare which is about half the cost of that sweater. So bargain Grin

My GM claimed that too, Sophie, I think it is a good thing to do in shops where you can easily afford to do so but it's trickier elsewhere. I do prefer trying something on blind and then determining what I feel it's worth but I don't know if it works for everyone.

Yes, C&A is still alive and well in the Netherlands. Polyblend hell, though I can't remember when I've last seen the inside of one. Passed by one in Paris even. I'm a bit mystified by the love for it on here as it always comes up on the oh why did they forsake us threads. I don't ever remember it being that great.

Xing, what season are you looking to supplement with fun pieces?

DULLDull · 28/07/2018 19:19

Hello. I have been lurking since yesterday. I found this and thought some of you might want a read www.redonline.co.uk/fashion/what-to-wear/a529351/french-autumn-wardrobe-style-tips/

Peregrane · 28/07/2018 19:59

Drive by posting to say I've been reading through this thread the last couple of days. What an inspirational and knowledgeable community you've got going here!

You are also responsible for the hefty order I've now placed with Sezane, in spite of being a 39 weeks pregnant heffalump...

I really want to go back and read the threads where you discussed body shape but I couldn't yet find the original one where I gather this came up. I will come back and post more, if I may, unless baby decides to make an appearance in the meanwhile...

XingMing · 28/07/2018 20:10

I'd now like a few bits to liven up A/W18, into early next year. Ideally, a bit loud because everything I've got is ... a bit too safe and tasteful. Yes, I shall wear most of it to death or gardening. I would like to know what's fab and a bit blingy and teenage, as I don't have a teenage daughter, and there's a limit to clothes sharing with a teen son who is 10 inches taller.

XingMing · 28/07/2018 20:16

With apologies for overlooking your introductory posts and going me, me, me, welcome to Peregrane and DULL, lovely to "meet" you. Settle in and prepare to jettison your spare time!