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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Elle, I don't think so given that they're fairly skinny.

CatherineM, that's a side of Zara that's new and appealing to me.

Hairy, you look great!

Elle it depends what footwear you want to wear with them. I've got a pair of slim, cropped jeans that I wear loads because they look great with both low trainers and ankle boots. Gorgeous top btw.

Lovely, Hairy, I like your hair colour too.

CatherineMaitland that zara range looks great, I don't really look at zara much, so I'm not sure if it's new or not.

I like hearing about the real life version of MasterChef, Xing. So long as XingSon himself is fine with it as well. Know I wasn't always that enthused by my mother's recounts at that age but that probably had more to do with the added fantastical touches.

Jon, I have a crate at the front of my bike with a coverlet that holds up well in a light shower and otherwise I always carry foldable grocery bags with me. Ortlieb and Rains are popular here for waterproof bags, the former sells panniers too IIRC.

Catherine (Gah autocorrect changed that to Catheter ), I think they've had it for a few seasons now but it just looks to be a selection of things. It's kind of what I hate about minimalism as a current trend, the whole point is that you can't buy into it in an instant, it's all about the laborious process that has a thing as a byproduct, but it's not the purpose of the exercise. I do like the look of the belts though, but I should be allowed anyway, I'm more of a minimal maximalist

Hairy, that dress is truly fab. Hope NYC is treating you well, you certainly look it.

Elle, difficult to say without shoes on but it does look a bit off and makes your calves appear bulkier than they are. The bunching around knees and crotch would also make me think you may need to size down as that will only exasperate with wear.

I think we can officially conclude the slackers at the Observer are lurking on here. Please PM me so I can send over an invoice Several of the hidden assets brands are obscure brands I've mentioned on here (I counted 8 but don't think Arket really counts) and they've even used one of my selected pics from the Ami Paris collection that had us all drooling as the main picture

amp.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/sep/23/hidden-assets-the-fashion-labels-you-need-to-buy-right-now

Not anything to say about Parisian style but thought you all might like a photo of a Parisian orangutan .

Bucket baskets are toute en vogue CountFosco! B ut without the contents!

Ahem, my first thought was that the picture was of the bag attached

The contents are the best thing! Orangutans are not our closest relative but convergent evolution means they are the most like us. Fabulous creatures, we spent ages watching them.

bo the Sunday Times magazine has a whole How to Look Like Parisian in Autumn feature, along with an interview with Jeanne Damas. Photos a bit dark, as it's early, labels recommended Rouje, ba&sh, IM, Sessun, Sezane and Maje (not sure you can make out in the photos).

Lol at the orangutan

The content is absolutely charming and probably very diverting but it might be a bit chilly for the orang-utan here this morning... he/she/it would need a warm jacket.

Which do you think?

CountFosco, I agree the Parisian orangutan looks very chic. Their posing skills are putting us all to shame on here.

Thanks for that, quirky.

Sigh, Xing, I think I want the Bloomsbury Pea Coat for myself and now I'm all enamoured with duffle coats again, I used to have a cream Gloverall one that weighed a tonne but I loved dearly as a teen. I'd probably look like a toddler in one now.

My mum used to have a string bag like that.

Duffle coat. I used to hate mine but now I think they're beyond cute.

For Jon and anyone else who's interested, the U curved wide legs have arrived. The shape is great, the fabric less so. I knew it was synthetic but was still hoping for something with a bit of substance - instead it's kind of stretchy and lightweight. They're also pull on style which I hadn't noticed as I was too busy racing to the checkout. I don't mind that too much as there's an internal waist adjuster which is really useful when you're often in between sizes like I am. However it means they don't feel that far removed from posh joggers.

I do really like the shape so the jury's still out on whether they stay but, if Uniqlo are reading, I'll say it again: please do these in a more substantial, higher end fabric. They're such a great design and you're wasting it. You keep repeating the style so it must be selling well and I'm sure I'm not the only one who would pay more.

Umm, so did I Flo... You know how to make a woman feel old! I never had a duffel coat though, growing up in the wettest part of the West. It would have been sodden most of the year. Sorry about the fabric on the Uniqlo U trousers. Disappointing. Apologies, my laptop has forgotten how to do paragraphs.

That’s a shame Flo, but I’m unfortunately not surprised. I also found my ponte trousers quite cold for winter, they were more May to October kind of thing.

Xing I don’t think it’s computer, I can’t do paragraphs either. My Uniqlo order has arrived, I’m not sure if their sizes run mega large or something is wrong with the cut of trousers I ordered, they definitely don’t fit close like in the picture, they were very baggy on me. I’m sending them back but may have a look at London shop when I’m there next week. They are thick and warm looking so could be a good winter staple. The brown merino roll neck is definitely a keeper, I got it for layering and it will do the job perfectly.

Ha I thought the same when I saw that article in the Observer. I never knew about the Aeyde shoes though, another one to add to the lust list. Luckily the ones I like the most are sold out in my size so my bank balance is safe for now. You look great in your New York purchases Hairy.

Sorry for the flurry of posts, hating not being able to do paragraphs. Thank you for cycling bag recommendations Catherine and Bo, I can fix panniers as the back racks carries the child seat and where I live is pretty heavy so front load will make cycling even harder work. Will have a look at Ortigia and Rains again, they are popular here too.

I didn't have a duffel coat either, Xing. I grew up on the south coast, the winters are mild and wet. Much drier here in the east, but windier and colder (gets very foggy too in winter).

I don't seem able to do paragraphs either. Another magazine shot, You magazine, I love this Jacquemus outfit, great tone on tone and I think they're trousers?

Sounds like there has been quite a lot of disappointment with the Uniqlo U arrivals. What a shame! Hairy I love that dress, hope you’re having fun! Elle , a bit late but I think those trousers are too short, sorry. I won my Sezane coat on eBay. I actually love it! It’s an oversized style so I think I’ll be able to get a few months wear out of it whilst pregnant, and then definitely good for future A/Ws. And... now I’ve got a coat for it to go with I can get that Brora stole.

Sorry Xing I wonder what'll be next to get the retro treatment although there can't be much left now surely? Maybe those solid blocks of mascara with the little brush you had to spit on?

I can't do paragraphs either! I've decided the U trousers are going back. I'd have felt disappointed every time I put them on and it means £35 for my next saving pot. Their trousers are always generously sized Jon - sorry I could have warned you about that - although mine seemed a bit more 'true' than usual. I will be quite bereft if Lemaire has lost the plot at Uniqlo, those first couple of collections were so great and it's about the only thing on the high street I make a point of looking out for.

Argh no paragraphs either! Flo, the block mascara was briefly revived a few years ago. I'm hoping I just picked the wrong things at Uniqlo U, the company that owns Uniqlo recently injected a lot of money into Lemaire's own line so I'm expecting they'll keep the alliance going but perhaps there are business strategies at stake to get some of the U cross buying up Jon, I've been using after a grey pair from Aeyde for some time and holding out for a discount that never seems to come as it's not a style I'll wear often.

*crowd not cross Also, I need to sleep more, I'm becoming an early morning shopper. Decided I needed wide leg black wool trousers, so ordered the Jacquemus Grand Pantalons that I lost out on with the German boutique that had sold out of them when selling them to me. Forgotten the bargain price they were by now, so okay to swallow the price difference. Also put in an order with Yoox for a back up pair of boots by Jucca (unfamiliar with the brand, I assume Italian?) which are significantly cheaper than the Aquazurras that are coming in later today, and a hat from Sessun, just cause. Ahem, will attempt to get more sleep and avoid early morning spending sprees from now on

Block mascara revived? Glad I missed that one. Nostalgia gorn mad.

To be fair I do think it was primarily Besame pushing that revival, (clearly it didn't catch on) who are a bit of a vintage brand anyhow. Think it just did the rounds on social media where anything 'novel' is considered content.