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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Oh don't let me put you off Xing. I am picturing you sitting out in them with the penguin on your lovely balcony, sipping cocktails.

I've just given my Protected Species mac a thorough 45 minute workout and it's come through splendidly, both in terms of looks and functionality. I was a bit grouchy about forking out for a raincoat when I'd made other, more fun plans for the money. But it was the right call.

Could somebody tell me what Everlane sizing is like? I am thinking of putting in an order for my mother, but I am interested in a silk shirt for her, ie no stretch so really must fit (and if it does, it will be their largest size so I can’t size up).

Oops, I missed a bunch of posts, apologies for my manners and the drive-by posting.

My lovely balcony is being lashed by a westerly gale at present ,Flo. The umbrella and chairs have gone in the cellar and even the barbecue is tied down!

DS has come home from his third 11 hour shift in his first proper job having had a rubbish day when he got it all wrong. It's tough, he even decided A level Physics was a doddle set against the demands of the head chef. But he needs to stick it out. He's got a job in the kitchen of a 5 star hotel on a single application CV with no experience. It was bound to be a baptism of fire. He gets his first solo shift next week: breakfast for 18 rooms! And he is working seven days on the trot, from 7 am until 6 pm, next week.

One of his teachers, a chum of mine, wanted to know why he didn't apply for uni. We were thinking it through and decided that (presuming he survives this), he will have learned very fast and under pressure

How to work hard
How to work with a team
About service
About the hospitality industry
Cooking to a high standard
Health and hygiene
And a whole lot more.

I would prefer him to choose a life with a better balance, but this is making him understand the real world of work. As he doesn't know what he wants to do, this is going to teach him more than 15 years of education in 15 days!

It's very windy here too, Xing, we took in our garden furniture yesterday. I hope XingSon has a better day, it is a tough industry, but your list of what he has gained is so true.

I'm currently reading an article on Isabel Marant in the Times Magazine (I think it will be behind a paywall), about her new makeup line. She says:
"Ah, I am often asked how can French girls have such supernatural style. And I am always answering, 'Ah, you know French girls seem very natural, but they spend a lot of time pretending to be natural.'" Lots of red lipsticks and mascara featured. They have a whole lot of "ageless" style articles in this edition.

Very windy here too, 110 km/hr winds and code yellow until later today. Think a few flights have even been cancelled. I presume I can safely put the summer wardrobe away this weekend and not have to take it out again. And probably start contemplating rain coats again. quirky, do you have a soft shell Ilse Jacobsen coat or more the rain coat type?

Peregrane, I had seen those Sezane boots but I didn't like the little buttons and even if I did it would just take one to dislodge and ruin the look of them, I fear. I actually ended up ordering a pair of tan Aquazzura Brera boots yesterday (could only find a decent on pic in black). They're not 100% what I want as I'm unsure about the nose but they're Italian designer so they'll be smaller in the calves and probably a touch shorter in length too. Presume the higher level of craftsmanship will see them not slouching too quickly. They also do half sizes which is rare so at least they'll have a higher chance of working for me and if they don't I should probably accept defeat and sell a kidney in exchange for the Saint Laurent pair

I did also manage a Uniqlo U order yesterday, 4 knits. There were a few other things I was considering but I did see the Amsterdam shop will be carrying the collection so I figured I can see it in shop when it opens up next week. Should arrive this afternoon, think the Lemaire jumper should arrive sometime today as well.

Stella Tenant was my favourite picture from that selection too, Jon. So does she qualify as posh then?

Xing, I think there's only one thing for it, we should organise some sort of event so we'll have an excuse to wear impractical things so you have an excuse to buy white heeled boots and I can justify a yellow Jacquemus dress...

Peregrane, no personal experience but AFAIK Everlane comes in on the roomy side and advice is usually to size down if you prefer a fitted fit. Each item does have an individual size guide so you should be able to have a good idea provided you can measure something else of hers.

Xing, kitchen life is tough and not for everyone. I do suspect at that level they make it extra tough at the beginning to weed out those who wouldn't sustain in the long term. Not dissimilar to art schools now that I think about it. He'll gain a lot by sticking it out but even if he doesn't he'll have gained loads as well, at the very least an understanding of what his limits are.

Ah yes, I had seen voverage of that IM colab too, quirky, it got released on the 19th here. I'm finding it on the pricey side but perhaps if there's an offer on I'll contemplate the highlighter which is more of a skin perfector and the liquid blush and some of the lipsticks. I'm a bit of a packaging snob so am a bit disappointed on that front.

Morning all! The gale has blown out and it's distinctly colder as threatened so I'm planning to continue the seasonal clothes shift between wardrobes. It started yesterday, when I couldn't live without my everyday wedge-heel ankle boots to wear with the running tights and cargo shorts that cover walking the dog, Pilates class and the shopping run on autumnal Thursday mornings.

As a Times' subscriber I could try (if anyone would like) to post the IM article and anything else people want to see too, but the paywall will probably prevent anyone reading more than the first five lines. Heaven knows why they do this in the soft and fluffy bits. Even the FT lets you read their style magazine online for free.

Here we go

Admiring Bo's purchases, especially the boots. I do hope they satisfy the YSL cravings.

And yes, Stella Tennent is very posh indeed! I think she's a granddaughter of the Devonshire-Cavendish-Mitford dynasty.

Bo my Ilse Jacobsen is the Hornbaek raincoat, it's kind of rubberised (?), so more like a traditional mackintosh. It's been getting a lot of wear atm. It's pretty waterproof in a downpour but not completely, it does get a bit damp around the join to the hood. The IM highlighter or "magic beautifier" does sound interesting.

Xing I think working in the food industry teaches you loads of skills, particularly about pulling together and working under pressure. But it can be a very macho environment - strange I know when it's so female dominated - where attitudes that wouldn't be tolerated in other workplaces sometimes get indulged. (And then they wonder why they can never keep any staff.) On the other hand, it can be enormous fun and some people really thrive on it. I'm not sure where I'm going with this really but basically, if your son makes a go of it, he need never be out of work but, if he decides it's not for him, I wouldn't worry about it too much.

My packages have arrived and I'm rather annoyed with Uniqlo. It's all going back, I'm never ordering anything off-white again because clearly, it's the label used for a vaguely light colour they can't describe properly. It's a weird blue and pink melange, I mean WTF

Brown jumper is very blah and too big, the fitted merino jumpers are really delicate, don't think they'd last long, the white arrived with two snags on already and the shape made me overly booby.

Also, please remind me never to order with Uniqlo online again. I could handle all that disappointment, but not so much the knowledge that returns are at my expense. I'm even more ragey at the fact that I have to send it to Germany at great expense, so I'm out 15 euros on top of the 5 euro shipping costs . Thankfully PayPal will cover the return costs with their return service and it is my own fault for assuming they offered free returns like any comparable retailer in their class, but it's bloody annoying as their European distribution centre is in the Netherlands (hence why it arrived so quickly) so why I have to send it to Germany is beyond me. End of ragey vent.

Lemaire jumper is great though, works well with a bra, but I'm wondering if it is the same one I tried on in Paris as I remember the neck a bit differently so I'll have to dig up my photos of it. I'm also wondering if the crap lottery of Uniqlo has left me overly vulnerable to the next nice thing in my hands and I'll need to have a better fitting session with it as well as it is a somewhat cropped style, so delaying the final verdict until then.

Thanks, quirky, I was mostly wondering whether the soft shells were truly waterproof. I had been contemplating the polyurethane versions as well but my main gripe with raincoats is that they'll either leave you feeling the chill or you need to wear it over another coat which can look a bit odd. So a hybrid style jacket may be a better choice, but I'm wondering if they really are all that waterproof, especially since they're substantially more expensive than a PU jacket.

Hey bo get off the fence and tell us what you really think

Sorry it's such a disappointment, it doesn't sound good. I nearly sent for some of the knitwear and I've been wondering if I'd end up kicking myself but it sounds like not. And that's very poor about the returns, especially when the U sizing is pretty random. They use Hermes in the UK so, providing you live reasonably close to a centre, there's no cost.

My trousers have been dispatched but not arrived yet. I do hope the range isn't going to the dogs already - it's been one of the few bright spots on the high street for me this last couple of years

Wow that was quick bo I’m not sure if my purchases have even been despatched yet. Shame that none of the things are keepers.

Am I mad or do I remember seeing short sweatshirts in the lookbook that were also due to be released on the 20th? It can’t be that all colours and sizes are sold out already.

I have the Ilse Jakobsen Hornbek too. The good thing about it being unlined is that you can wear it over three seasons. I have a long cardigan that I wear underneath it in the winter, the sleeves are cut wide to accommodate underlayers. I haven’t gotten wet underneath it in the three years I had it so far although I have to admit that when it’s proper downpour weather I opt to dive or take bus rather than cycle.

My only regret is going for dove grey colour. It goes with lots of things but gets grubby quickly and despite the fabric being smooth it’s not really wipeable, i have to put it in the wash every now and again. But you may not have that problem if you’re not wearing it to the park with children who like to climb all over you with their muddy wellies.

I knew someone else had the Hornbaek, Jon. Bo my truly waterproof coat is a Craghoppers parka, which is more winter wear. Mine is 3/4, navy, fitted with a belt and a huge, white furry hood. I have worn it when doing 2 separate drop offs of dcs (hour+) in torrential rain and I was completely dry. It has a lifetime guarantee too (though, I haven't tested that out). It looks like a kind of twill/canvas fabric, but honestly is completely waterproof. Dp has a Jack Wolfskin jacket that is very warm and also completely waterproof.

I really like my Uniqlo jumpers, but I have to point out that I redyed mine . I went through a phase of thinking I wanted bright coloured jumpers, but they didn't really feel like me, so the bright, peacock green is now navy and the fuchsia pink is dark, purply berry. That's so annoying about the returns, bo, I stopped using Shoeaholic as they cost so much to return that it cancelled out discounts.

Ha that’s a great idea quirky, I always find Uniqlo colours v v strange. What materials are the knits you dyed (secretly hoping that a lilac cashmere from the bargain bucket may some day get worn in new incarnation).

bo sorry that the Uniqlo order didn’t work out. On the returns though, if you are visíting the Amsterdam shop within the return period, can you not drop them off there for free? I get the principle of the rage though.

Thank you for the Everlane input. The tricky part for my mother is the upper sleeve girth, so I’ll just take a chance on it.

Xing that sounds like a really valuable experience for your DS. If he feels down you might get him to read George Orwell’s autobiographical Down and Out in Paris and London - in Paris he worked at the bottom of the restaurant hierarchy (as a plongeur), though in much more brutal times.

Peregrane, when will poor XingSon have the time to read? Genuine question though, is it even legal to work such long shifts so close together in the UK? They'd get shut down pronto over here.

In theory, yes I could return in store, but if you paid with PayPal it's not possible for unexplained reasons I'm also too annoyed to go visit them now, rage may subside, I'm mostly annoyed with myself really as I usually check all the return fine print before ordering anywhere. I was only on two hours sleep the night before so that may explain it

Everlane does list the arm circumference, I think, or maybe it's just the armhole?

Right I'm continuing the rage theme. I've just discovered H&M has taken over two months to refund something I returned. It was a small amount so I didn't keep track but am in a ragey enough mood to send a snotty email about it. Had even been contemplating putting in an order from their studio collection, which I had somehow missed, now that the fast fashion abstention period is over but not so much now... although there's a really nice brown officers jumper.

Ninety percent also took receipt of my return package on Monday and promised a 5 day return process to get my money back, though technically if you don't count Monday they have a work day left, but will be prepping another email for the occasion.

Jon, even though you opt out of the bike when raining, can you cycle comfortably with it? I had been thinking of going for a bright colour actually (not yellow) as rain makes it both difficult for myself to see but you also become less visible to other traffic so something like red seems a good choice?

I did notice a few items were missing from the U collection, there were some cheaper knits that I wanted that never made it on there (I was there at opening hours). They usually do another drop a month or so later.

DS is working 45 hours per week, over 5 days, but if it works out to be longer, he gets overtime. He's been started on breakfast and afternoon teas, plus bread-making (favourite task) and staff meals, but next week he is excited about the prospect of his first dinner service. He is quite cheerful, but tired, and yesterday nothing went right. The formerly disapproving teacher (his BF's mum) is actually quite interested in seeing how it goes and is coming round to the view that he may not be totally bonkers, which is reassuring!

Do you want to know about all this? It's a long way off topic, but he did buy a very chic leather jacket this week. Due to arrive on Tuesday, it was a bargain and if it's not perfect, he'll return it, just like the rest of us!

Jon I used Dylon machine washable, one jumper was cotton cashmere and the other two were extra fine merino. I dye stuff often, but would only dye things I am happy to risk, I've had a few disasters.

Bo I realised that I never even thought about cycling in that rain coat as in I never noticed it being uncomfortable on the bike while wearing it so yes it’s ok. I don’t think I ever used it with my road bike though, only the step-through one.

Speaking of cycling, what do you use for bags in the rain? I’m a bit bored of my backpacks and don’t want to ruin my leather handbags, thinking about going for a waterproof crossbody but so far haven’t found any options that excite me much.

quirky thanks for that, I think I’ll give it a go, the jumper is only worn around the house anyway so won’t have much to lose. Do you think there is a difference how colours take depending on the dye, i.e. is it better if I go for a dark colour?

I would try to dye something a similar hue, so the peacock green > navy and the fuchsia > purply. So, if it's lilac something in a purple/plum/ berry shade. I haven't tried it, but if you don't like the stitching, it's usually synthetic and doesn't dye, apparently a sharpie will solve the problem. It does breathe new life into things, I've a couple of tops, one white, one pale blue that are looking a bit dull that I may well dye a darker blue.

When I cycled regularly I used panniers and just put my usual handbag into those, wrapped in a waterproof rucksack liner (or carrier bag) if it was really wet.

Has Zara always had a Minimal Collection or is this something new? There are some quite nice bits in it -

www.zara.com/uk/en/woman-trend-3-l1064.html?v1=1074597

Hi all. Fell into a Maje on off 5th and got fabulous shoes, dress and belt.

Here

Dropping in with a very quick request while I’m on the move: are these leather trousers too short?

I owe you all a more fulsome response and will try to get to it tomorrow!