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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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quirkychick · 07/06/2018 20:26

Gorgeous trousers, they look really lovely! Talking of palazzo pants, I was just remembering a pair of pale turquoise, silk ones I had in the late 90s from, of all places, River Island, I think they died a death in a club in Hoxton Sad. Silly younger me.

Methenyouplus4 · 07/06/2018 21:52

Queen Letizia- now that is one stylish lady, got a bit lost in google images admiring her style.

Since last posting, I've went a bit wild (for me) and made several ebay purchases. As per, there have been some gems and some not so great pieces.

Goodies:
Real caramel suede (new with tags) marks and sparks autograph trench coat- tag is £299 but bought for £36 with delivery. Too hot now but already thinking of all the chic autumnal layering options.

X2 'jacket' type cardigans- structured but no buttons. One M&S and the other Zara. Only a couple of £ each but have really filled a gap in my wardrobe as an option to wear to work as morning still quite chilly but need to look smart.

100% silk black with cream dots wrap around midi skirt- will be beautiful in warmer summer weather but style is quite unforgiving on the waist so need to continue with better eating habits to look it's best.

A bit naff:
Tan leather ballet pumps from Gap with black piping. Sole was very thin, quite narrow (even though I went size up) and far too much toe cleavage to look chic.

A 'leather' jacket that turned out to be polyester, even though I specifically asked buyer if it was leather-waiting to hear back about return.

Your wise opinions wanted on...
A pair of real leather trousers, unhemmed and only worn once. They are a fantastic fit in that the leg is fitted but not skinny. They are beautiful but advertised as 10 but fit 12 and I would say they are defo a straight 10. I can get them on but there is a (deep) V in the zip- which I can't fasten. Would it be possible to get them adjusted by adding a panel? They were a total steal at £11 but seems sad to have such lovely trousers unworn in my cupboard. I'm not sure I would ever fit into them as only need to loose about 6lb to be back to size I am happy with. Attempt adjustment or pass on?

quirkychick · 08/06/2018 06:49

methen your trench sounds lovely and very autumnal! I keep remembering clothes I used to have (disclaimer: I used to have a lot of clothes once) and I had a dark brown, suede trench, it was very useful. As do the summer jackets and silk skirt. No expert on the leather trousers, but if you can't get them altered for a reasonable price they sound no go.

ToElleWithIt · 08/06/2018 08:42

Love the trousers. They're as good as promised. Dammit.

On seamless undies I have girl shorts from a brand called Commando that are holding up well.

I remember that trench coat methen. I think it was covered quite heavily in the press? What a great buy! The shirt sounds like a winner too.

Wearing a navy work dress today and the suede Bobbies pumps. I've had lots of wear out of them. They're a nice height.

OCSock · 08/06/2018 09:30

Adding my compliments on the silk palazzos, Bo. They look great. A thong for invisible underwear? I know, most normal people hate them, but I accepted not being normal some years ago...

The tailor is frantically busy on bigger commissions, so my jeans are languishing in the to-do pile, but it hardly matters at the moment as they would be too hot to wear, and he's "promised" to get them done for the autumn.

Digging through the market vintage stall yesterday, I came upon a very pretty navy/grey voile Ba&Sh blouse, in sheer viscose, for £12, so I took it home to wear with jeans. In need of nothing more than a quick iron. This is similar

botemp · 08/06/2018 10:09

I'd say I'm sorry Elle but I'm really not. Toteme is great and I'm so pleased to have finally found such a lovely piece of theirs that fits without an alteration needed Halo let's ignore the fact I'm now crawling the net for more pieces to snap up

The Commandos look good, I like that they're mostly cotton but the pair that would work best isn't available on NAP which appears to be the only EU retailer.

That Ba&sh top looks great, Sock. Lucky find. I tried a nude thong (I am not averse to them, nor subscribe to any sense of normalityGrin), it wasn't one with seamless finishing but I think it would still be visible as the zip is centre back so fabric falls differently. Something that covers completely like a boy short seems the best route for now.

Sorry, I've been a bit me, my trousers, and I. othgraph, it's been a while since I last had a Comptoir des Cottoniers trench but from what I remember it was well fitted and not bulky unlike a Burberry trench which makes me look like a barrel Hmm

quirky, as much as I love clothes my mother did always instill that clothes are for living in not to live for. I like the idea that you remember the history of all these great pieces, means you had great memories in them.

Methen, you need a specialist tailor for leather and they can get very expensive. It's also hard to match leathers if you're adding to it. It may be worth the expense but it'll be far more than the cost of them.

In other news, Soeur is having a braderie sale (sort of An Outlet sale, last year's stock). Some good pieces in there, including trousers for banana, sizes are limited though. I'm tempted by a suede skirt, I've fitted it in denim but have forgotten which size. Probably a good thing.

Madame Le Figaro has a swimsuit selection with some great picks in them, lots of French brands I hadn't come across either and a wide price range.

quirkychick · 09/06/2018 13:01

bo I'm definitely getting back into not saving clothes for best. I think having babies and toddlers does mean you can end up in only practical clothes, now the dcs are older I am enjoying wearing my clothes. Love the idea that they are for living in and enjoying.

Methenyouplus4 · 09/06/2018 17:18

Just had to post this as saw it when I was lost down a pintrest rabbit hole and thought of you lot.

This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
MidLifeCrisis2017 · 10/06/2018 19:41

Right, mesdames, inspired by the very first of these threads, I'm now staying in the Marais. I've already sunk into a deep depression at the sheer beauty of everyone, regardless of age and sex....

Please cheer me up with lovely, not to expensive places to eat and shop. I'm here till Friday 😬🍷

botemp · 10/06/2018 19:42

Ooh, I'll probably need to get the kimonos out again this week as it looks like temperatures are dropping for a bit. May try a black camisole actually, thanks Methen.

So the sales seem to be really starting now. Usually, the rare time of the year I become rather apathetic and disinterested about it all as 30% really isn't that interesting on the spendy items you're holding out for and 40% just feels like an insult sometimes when you know the 50% is just round the corner. Buying things at full price also feels a bit risky. So whilst I'm mostly ignoring it all, others may feel differently?

The ethical brand that drew a bit of interest on here Olive has started its sale, pricing down aggressively as well. I'm strangely drawn to some brown corduroy dungarees which I assume are just going to make me look a bit Mr. Potato Head Confused

&Other Stories gave me VIP access to their sale and they have free shipping until the 17th (the latter may be a regional thing though). Hope the link works, I know it was testy last time.

Harvey Nichols started today which is always an interesting one online as they price down heavily and for a limited period of time so the increasing discounts go quick.

Mentioned it before, Yvonne Kone's sale has now started.

Net-A-Porter sent an announcement mailing yesterday to get ready for the sales. Upon inspection of my wishlist I realised I'm having a major trouser problem as aside from a few bags it's all trousers. Please direct me to the nearest Trousers Anonymous meeting already...

botemp · 10/06/2018 19:54

Go to Season in the Marais, it's relatively affordable Midlife. L'As du Falafel is also always great and cheap. Exki are everywhere, healthful-ish and tasty, good for lunch or a coffee break. The Japanese district is also really cheap for food, all around the Rue St Anne right by the Louvre. Marais adjacent, seek out Mokonuts. That entire area around Mokonuts is a bit up and coming and food is very affordable and they're all obsessed with natural wines, there are a few jovial wine bars too.

A lot of outlets and depots vents are in the Marais, I'm attaching the docs again:

Outlets in Central Paris

Second Hand Shops Central Paris

And please go see the Margiela exhibit at Palais Galliera on my behalf as, sadly, it'll be over by the time I get there Sad.

@ City of Paris Fashion Museum
10 Avenue Pierre ler de Serbie
Paris 16e

MidLifeCrisis2017 · 10/06/2018 20:13

Thanks Bo, DD going tomorrow while I'm working ☹️.

Great recommendations, food ones especially welcome as I'm trying to avoid coming back the size of a house! She has a knack for photographing me from the rear and it's strengthened my resolve not to overdo it this week.

CatherineMaitland · 10/06/2018 20:28

I wish I liked anything in the & Other Stories sale. I like some of their bags, but none of their sale ones; and all the summer stuff has looked too floaty and floral for me - I just don't suit it. Returns are a bit of a pain now too.

La Redoute seems to be having a decent sale, I got a few things from there earlier to try out. My £120 basket ended up at £52 with all the sale stuff and discounts.

botemp · 10/06/2018 20:28

Most museums are closed on Monday, best check that isn't the case. The newly opened Yves Saint Laurent Museum is just down the road from the Galliera, I wasn't that wowed by it, but then I had been to the Dior show the day before.

Nanashi in the Marais is also nice and healthy. The French are a bit health food obsessed at the moment. Maison Plisson is a bit like a fancy deli/grocery store of your dreams type place where you can also sit down and eat.

On my list for the next visit is The Broken Arm, it's a concept store with a cafe/restaurant attached and they have a daily changing menu inspired by the market. Lunch only I think.

Should I mention the really special eclair shop and excellent chocolatier both located in the Marais?

botemp · 10/06/2018 20:31

I wasn't lured by anything in the &Other Stories sale either Catharine. In store hasn't made me want much either, I thought it was just me but I've noticed they seem to be intensifying efforts with influencers and that's what it's all beginning to look like to me, designed for squares (on Instagram that is, not square-shaped people).

CatherineMaitland · 10/06/2018 21:09

Yes, all the dresses beloved of the big Instagrammers seem to be like that. I've come to the conclusion that I prefer plain things with more structure.

Saw someone say on here on a different thread that if you liked Cos you'd like & Other Stories - I honestly can't see much resemblance between the two but I admit I'm no expert.

I do have a nice leather rucksack from & Other Stories that I really like, and a pretty ring, so I haven't given up hope entirely of finding other things there. But haven't liked anything out of their spring/summer stuff.

botemp · 10/06/2018 21:18

Catherine, I think it's more of a size/fit thing across the H&M group, excluding H&M itself as they're not so consistent in that department. I think Weekday is actually a bit closer to COS stylistically, a bit younger and materials tend to be crappier but they often sell the same jewelry pieces at different times of the year and a lot of it is oversized. Monki and Stories seem more closely related to me. Arket is the serious grown-up sister, who is a tad boring but dependable in a crisis. Their new venture, nyden, is the weird cousin that no one quite dares to approach.

CatherineMaitland · 10/06/2018 23:03

Oh gosh...I can never remember who owns which brand! Thanks bo.

MidLifeCrisis2017 · 10/06/2018 23:27

@botemp DD had lunch at The Broken Arm on Friday, said it was amazing and great value.

quirkychick · 11/06/2018 06:20

& Other Stories does seem very floaty and floral CatherineMaitlandatm, there isn't a store near us, but I do remember looking on the website when it first came out and thought it was more minimal/structural than that. at nyden being the weird cousin no one dares approach, bo Grin.

botemp · 11/06/2018 08:04

Should I do the Zara group next, quirky? Bershka is soooo that annoying teenager that rolls her eyes at EVERYthing, she was such a lovely well-behaved girl once, sniff, sniff Grin

Thanks midlife and DD, I'll definitely be stopping by, and I did notice it was very affordable mostly under 10 euros. There was something else on my list but it got booted out for being vegan but if you're up for that level of healthy, Cafe Ineko on 13 Rue des Graviliers in the Marais. Not sure on what the prices are as they have no website.

Le Camondo also looks great, especially the garden but it's a bit spendier.

ToElleWithIt · 11/06/2018 10:52

Please do the Zara group!

It’s funny that you both mention Stories. I had the exact same thought at the weekend. Feeling inspired by all the “don’t save it for best” sentiment I wore a cream dress into town with a toddler in tow. He slipped and fell and cut his lip. He’s absolutely fine, but when I scooped him up he burrowed into me smearing blood all over (and I mean all over) the front of my dress. We were due to meet friends for lunch so I figured I’d pop into Stories and see if I could find something I wanted to buy and I could pop it on straight away. I found nothing! I usually find stuff there, but I felt the fabrics and finishing were much poorer than in the past. The only thing I saw that looked good was a double layered swimsuit.

I was very sensible with the sales. I’ve ordered 4 pairs of trousers for work from Matches, but I will only keep one, or possibly two if they’re really great. I’ll see what they’re like when they arrive. There are a couple of Toteme shirts in the NAP sale.

Enjoy the trip midlife

This thread is about as French as a Sainsbury's baguette
MyNewHobbyIsGin · 11/06/2018 11:07

Oh Midlife you've just reminded me. DH and I off to Paris in October. Im not sure where I'd like to stay. Last year we stayed in Montmartre, which was really nice, we found some lovely rooftop bars, corner pubs and neighbourhood restaurants. Couple of years prior we stayed in St Germain, which I loved. I don't want to stay in the Marais, and I'd prefer not to repeat St Germain, but it was my favourite. Any recommendations??

quirkychick · 11/06/2018 12:54

Yy to the Zara Group, I don't know Bershka (do I want to?) Grin.

Lots of nice black trousers, Elle.

whataboutbob · 11/06/2018 13:24

@Methenyou Hankburgers ( vegan/ vegetarian) is on the rue des archives for good value tasty burgers . Get there earlyish eg about 7 pm for a table. L’as du falafel on rue des rosiers does v good falafel sandwiches.
If you walk past a chocolate shop called Puyricard, roughly as you exit the Marais towards the Seine I can vouch for the fact that the chocs are really nice and for Paris, not too expensive. There’s also a nice shop roughly opposite puyricard that sells products made in monasteries/ convents in France and the holy land. Stuff like honey, herbs, soaps.