Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Orangutans in Paris make for poor gondoliers

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The sunshine might be fading from our passion fruit punch but we're looking forward to what autumn will bring.

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Wrong thread. Sorry

No, it didn't sound wrong at all, I know exactly what you mean. The other stuff you have to fight is crap.

Hairy is that a recently picture of your dad?! 😲
to you and quirky for having to fight the system to get the help your DC need.

Rosie, how cool about your MIL.

Methen if that MK top is to bulky to tuck in, would it shorten? I’m not sure what the fabric is but I sometimes just chop a few inches off jersey or fine knit tops and roll the edges a couple of times. It’s such a lovely colour I would take a chance personally.

Love all the short skirts - very jealous.

to everyone battling the system. It must be exhausting.

Thanks Peregrane and Floisme, sorry to derail the thread. Atm all is OK with dd2 as she's at an excellent Special School. I think for me interest in fashion, style, clothes is not frivolous but to paraphrase Vivienne Westwood fashion is life-affirming.

Hairy Wow at your Dad, he’s in amazing shape (hope that doesn’t sound creepy!).. The boots look good and I love the poses. I don’t think your legs look short, they look shapely.

I knew exactly what you meant about your daughter. Kudos to you and quirky for advocating for your kids so loudly. It can’t be easy and frustrating that you have to work against a system that is geared to provide less than the bare minimum at every juncture. I’d never heard that saying about being as happy as your least happy child, but it certainly rings true

Agree with Rosie that suede skirt plus chunky knit would be a good look.

Methen could the MK top tuck into an A-line skirt?

Daniel Day Lewis always seems like a decent person and an interesting character – must hang around Glendalough more, no hardship really.

I ordered that biscuit coloured skirt and when I had a look at that 90 per cent site I saw that they had a similar coloured knit so I’ve taken a chance on that. I will do some photographing maybe at the weekend.

After all the lovely velvet talk here I rooted out this velvet dress which I’ve barely worn. I always thought of it as an evening dress and I wondered if it would work in the office. I do feel it’s a bit “hand me a broomstick and call me Mildred Hubble”, but it’s nice to get another wear out of it.

I was in a store that had the green Joseph items that I’d been eyeing on line so I had a try on. Sadly the effect it somewhat lacking, not helped by the weird skirt length and bad lighting. They didn’t have the trousers in my size. Needless to say I didn't buy any of it. The coat was lovely though.

No worries, Hairy, I completely understood what you meant in your first post, your daughter is not the source of your disappointment, it's the world she is/will have to navigate. And sorry, quirky, had meant to cheer earlier on about ears becoming unstuck of glue and don't object to the deviation one bit.

Enjoyed the DDL article, Peregrane, it's interesting reading alongside the British style thread. Does he qualify as posh? I always lack the necessary observance of nuances in the British class system but his approach to his own wardrobe is very old money to me. Find something you like and stick with it for generations.

Hairy, love the poses of you and your DDad. I have similar feelings about my own legs when I wear my Acne Jensens under skirts, higher hemlines definitely improve the leg length look. I also slip invisible heels into my boots to give me an extra necessary (in my eyes) lift.

Gah we're an infectious bunch, I was just eyeing up a velvet camisole with a silk back on NAP the other day, Elle. I'm actually wearing them quite a lot in this transition weather under blazers. Spotted quite a few in the S/S 2019 shows so far so am delighted there will be more to come. Have to share some favourite pics of the shows when I remember.

Also eyeing up this navy silk Reformation skirt which I stumbled upon on eBay as the brand is pretty hard to get hold of here without heavy import taxes/duties. I'm worried it'll be far too long for me though and the seller doesn't accept returns.

This is just my personal association, Elle, as my mother always dressed me in those black velvet dresses with cotton collars as a child so I always feel the combo feels juvenile. Which is a bit irrational but there is something harsh about it. Have you tried a fitted roll neck underneath for a more casual look? Either in the same tonal family or a contrasting one? With knee length/mid calf boots or similar. Could even do a sheer version of the top for a bit of a throwback 90s look as the dress is faintly reminiscent of that as a variation on the camisole dress.

I like the Joseph coat and the padded cell surroundings. I know what you mean, Joseph can be strangely disappointing sometimes, I always put it down to me being short but you lack that excuse. It may be that thing Mango has as well, the photographs are too well done that they no longer represent the reality of it?

The British style thread is quite interesting reading, bo,not sure whether DDL is posh, I believe he went to a Junior school in SE London (not posh) where I used to teach, obviously before my time, but that may just be a rumour but Wikipedia agrees with me. Wearing a few beautifully crafted things sounds very "old money". I think some of the British class nuances are probably lost on most of us, they also change with time.

Ankle boots and legs can be tricky, it really depends on proportions. I've resurrected (had reheeled) a pair of navy, bikerish boots. They're almond toe, not super chunky, but the ankle part is quite high and wide, but actually emphasises that my ankles are slim, so they are weirdly flattering, though somehow I feel they shouldn't be. I am quite tall, though, and my legs quite long.

Hello again, Parisiennes.

Just for Flo... there's a two-day Margaret Howell sample sale at The Music Room in South Molton Street, if you were interested? Thursday and Friday, 9 am -7pm. Whether it is feasible for you, I don't know as I have a feeling that you may live some way north of London.

Admiring Hairy's DDad's climbing picture, as well as the fortitude required to do battle with the educational system to get what your DCs need.

And some lovely pictures have been posted in my week's absence.

Sadly, DM doesn't own any opera coats; she is, on her own admission, tone-deaf.

I would peg Daniel Day-Lewis as upper middle class, rather than upper class. High culture but not old money. But that was apparently sufficient to be bullied at (quirky’s?) school for being “posh”. Mind you I’m no expert on class. There’s an excellent book called Watching the English by Kate Fox, a native anthropologist, that gives very interesting insight into the class system.

Elle it’s not one of your best outfits posted here, but that’s a high bar to start with. I don’t think it’s bad, and I like the idea of getting more use out of clothes than their official purpose! The V of the dress is cut at a lovely angle. Bo’s suggestion to pair it with a polo neck would make the front look very current.

Not high fashion or high style, but this is where I’m at: my Massimo Dutti order arrived. DS’s trousers look great, which is the main thing. I need more casual clothes that I can fit into, and I got to try on these jogger-meet-suit trousers. They make me look more thigh heavy than I hoped, but then again I am thigh heavy now and a
size bigger than before. The material is a decent thick cotton in a charcoal check, at not too high a price point, and they are an improvement on maternity leggings so I think I’ll keep them... Also a pleasant surprise, there is about an inch of material folded up in the legs that I could let down.

I’m not sure about keeping the grey jumper. Pro: I love boatnecks. It hangs decently. The sleeves and body are long enough. It’s a lovely soft material. Con: probably less versatile than seems. It’s cashmere so I’d want to wear it with a base layer, but it’s very thin and might not work with one. The boatneck is too high to show my collar bone which would be more flattering.

I was leaning towards returning it, but having also tried the trousers with this Sézane silk tee from the summer, they make the jumper look fantastic by comparison. That tee was a mistake but too late to return that now.

Gah if it had been last week I might have made it Xing but by Thursday I’ll be back home and unable to travel again. But thank you for thinking of me. Which reminds me, I can’t remember where we left it with those wide leg jeans - think you were giving them another go which I hope has worked but if it hasn’t and you’re still looking for a home for them then I am here for you but no worries at all if not.

For some reason I had never twigged that Daniel DL is the son of Cecil Day Lewis. I’d have thought that would make him moderately posh, no?

Ok I will now lower the style tone a notch. I like to come back from holiday with at least one ridiculous purchase and this year’s contender are these ultra low crotch MC hammer tailored trousers. They’re in a fine wool mix which I hope means they will keep their shape better than jersey harems. No way am I modelling them, or at least not till I’ve seen myself in my own mirror and had a go at styling them. I was picturing them with something anti-hippy e.g a tweed jacket or flannel blazer but I may get home and wonder what in hell I was thinking. My husband thinks they’re pretty good. This is not as reassuring as it may sound.

The wide leg jeans have been put on (and taken off) a couple of times this week Flo. I haven't made any shoes work with them yet and unworn is unwashed; apparently they could shrink 5%. But really, I think the problem is that they get wider and wider all the way to the hems, and I feel they need to turn inwards, subtly, so there's a tuliping to finish the silhouette nicely. I may take them to see the dressmaker, rather than the tailor. The high waist (slightly too big, but not unwearably --just enough to encourage overeating) I might reconcile myself to, but I don't want to muck around with them if it's not going to work.

I know what you mean, I prefer a tulip shape too. A flared wide leg feels a bit too early noughties still - it's not that I dislike it but it feels too soon to be going back. Plus they're useless in the rain. I don't see why that couldn't be altered although I suppose it's not working along a straight line so might be trickier than it looks.

Place marking

Peregrane I really like the grey boat neck- and I think you look absolutely fantastic. If I looked even remotely like that at a few weeks post partum I’d be thrilled and amazed
Welcome back Meuthen love the suede skirt, my favourite pairing ideas are a cream chunky knit or a fitted jumper in a burgundy or berry shade, but that colour suede would go with lots. Also like the cashmere jumper - could you wear it with some neat flat fronted high waisted trousers? Less convinced about the MK top I’m afraid.
Elle really like that Joseph coat! Not tempted..?
Bo - beautiful Reformation skirt. Could it be taken up if it is too long?
Still in lovely Normandy. All I have bought is this ludicrously expensive copper casserole pan.

Well this is very meta, article in Madame Le Figaro on Londonnienes autumn style, high praise as you lot excel at the season totally want the brown bag but it all looks very Parisian madame to me, I'm so confused.

Quirky, yes I've come across that, depending on who you ask 'posh' has a different definition. Hence why I find the British class system so confusing, it's tiered and then sub tiered and then there's the regional variances and then you lot factor in which secondary someone attended IME though it's often the upper middle class high culture sorts that get labelled old money, then again I often think cultural capital is undermined as a form legacy.

Peregrane, I quite like the grey jumper too, and I'm still not convinced about there being no magic dust in your grasp! I think it works well as it's quite neat looking where the trousers do have a casual edge to them, with the t-shirt you're doubling down on the casual which probably makes it feel a bit meh. I tend to find low scoop back long sleeve t-shirts work well underneath a boat neck jumper.

I have pan envy, Peony, it's lovely. I hope you got some polish with it though. I always want a pan like that but I never make anything that would warrant it.

I suppose it could get the skirt taken up but since silk is so delicate I'm always a bit scared of getting it altered, it's also a US size 2 which by their online size guide would probably be too big for me but I suppose it means I could tuck a thick textured jumper in easily? I wouldn't dare alter it too much as seams are so tricky on silk but length would be doable. If I was able to return I wouldn't hesitate this much.

I'm getting myself ready for the Uniqlo U launch tomorrow. Had sort of forgotten it was also the end of my fast fashion abstention period. Will have to do some reflection on it. Also jumped the gun last night and ordered the Lemaire jumper I was too hot and braless for to make a proper call on when in Paris. Matches had sent me a €100 off coupon so that helped, figured it would be good to compare alongside the Uniqlo U versions and see what will work best for me. Possibly contemplating ordering in some boots, not perfect tick all my boxes ones but sort of close enough just to sort of guage how tricky it's going to be as all the ones I've tried so far have come up too tall on the knees and wide on the calf. I'm hoping that's just down to buying for the Dutch market.

I'm sure I posted yesterday, but it seems to have disappeared!

peony nice casserole dish.

Peregrane I like both the trousers and the grey jumper.

flo I love those trousers! Yy to with a tweed jacket, maybe traditional footwear like brogues or lace up workman boots? But then, I love silly trousers .

peony I love your copper pan! What will you be making in it?

bo do I recall correctly that you were looking for boots with straight shafts? Sézane seems to be preparing to release a pair.

Also saw these £££ trousers for the tulip wide leg lovers in the Toast catalogue. By Marlene Birger has a pair that narrows in at an angle on the model, but it looks straight on the garment photo

Flo I salute you for those trousers, the closest I got to that look was a shalwar kameez, so not very close at all... and my DH hated it on me, so I’m envious that you have an adventurous other half :) (not that the menfolk get to dictate what we wear, it’s just nicer to hear praise..)

Thank you for the input on the grey jumper, you are making me reconsider it. Also for your very kind comments... they don’t quite measure up with how I see myself, probably because my body changed less with my first pregnancy and because I am too ravenous and sedentary to expect to return to normal any time soon - and what are you doing about it, I hear you ask but I’ll shut up about it.

Congratulations on your uber-shiny pan, Peony! Will it be on display?

Thanks for the tulip trousers picture, Peregrane; Toast is a brand that rarely works on my body, sadly, though I'm fairly sure Flo is a fan.

Gorgeous boots and trousers. I love Toast, but I've never had luck with their trousers, I've always found I've been between sizes but they're beautifully made. I believe they may have an autumn sale on, too.

Peregrane I think your muscles etc. expand more with second pregnancy, I remember having a much bigger bump. Even though, I put on less weight - that might have been more to do with swelling up like a balloon due to water retention with pre-eclampsia first time round, though! You honestly look great.

Yes I'm a fan of Toast trousers, not keen on some of the other stuff they do but the trews are great. And yes there's a mid autumn sale on, although how they can describe this time of year as mid-autumn is beyond me.

I've just had a foraay into the Uniqlo U collection and - predictably - came away with the ponte wide leg trousers in black. I'm not normally that keen on ponte but I'm hoping they're a slightly dressier version of some cotton canvas ones I got last year that I absolutely love - they curve a bit in the leg.

I was tempted by some of the knitwear - men's and women's but really don't need any more.

I'm now calling a halt to my autumn spending spree (unless I need to replace some flat ankle boots but I'm hoping the cobbler can nurse them through another winter). There are a couple of things I'd still like but they're expensive so I need to go back on the second hand only wagon until I've either saved up or talked myself out of them.

I came to say where is everyone, but turns out the thread is well and truly lively but Mumsnet seems to forget to send me notifications.

I was so excited about Uniqlo U when I first saw the collection but this morning not much felt like I really wanted to buy. I did take a punt with brown cotton trousers and brown rollneck jumper for layering but won’t be too sad if they have to go back. I had a bit if a spree with my birthday money and am getting to the point of being saturated with new autumn things. But probably when the cold and rain truly start I’ll find that I’m missing something again.

I have been checking in on Le Figaro Madame since you first shared it Bo, thanks for that. I agree that the supposedly uniquely London street style just felt like any Instagram very trendy look. I loved the picture of Stella Tennant off duty, hers was the only photo that felt like someone with a personal style yet very current.

Flo let us know what ponte trousers are like, I really like the shape of them but my past ponte trousers were losing shape and getting baggy at the knees quickly and just looked past it after one season which felt a bit wasteful.

Another vote to keep the jumper Peregrane, It looks great on you.

Peony that pan is a thing of beauty.

Bo I LOVE the white jumper.

I used to shop from Toast a lot but in the last few years I haven’t been able to find many things that look flattering in me, or that I can justify paying the price they ask. Their printed catalogues are beautiful though so I’m not completely giving up.

Well done, Flo! There wasn't much left by the time I looked. I had wondered about the white ponte trousers, but too late. I did buy IdlF henleys in navy and olive, and took a skid on a couple of pairs of very cheap shorts for holiday use... if they fit! Only XXS left but the size guide suggests they will go around my bum waist is another matter so worth a go.

I will Jon. The quality is my one gripe with the U collection. To be fair they’re hardly alone in that but I’d really like them to offer that particular style in a premium fabric. They’ve run it 2 or 3 times now so they must realise there’s a demand for it.

I was briefly tempted by the off white too Xing but then reality kicked in and I remembered they wouldn’t make it through breakfast. If you fancy them, there are always returns - I imagine a lot of people order more than one size so if you wait a couple of days they’ll almost certainly start popping up again.

If I have a rush of blood to the head, I may look at the off-white again later Flo, although I'm sure your assessment of the practical aspects is spot on.

I know it's daft, but ever since Bo posted the Mme Figaro pictures of Copenhagen Fashion Week, I've been fantasizing about white heeled boots. Realistically, this would be idiocy for a woman who lives in the sticks, in one of the UK's wettest regions, and has a large dog.