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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I spent years wishing I had straight thick glossy hair too. And getting teased at school for the curls. I like them now though but it still seems more uncommon to see models/style pics with curly hair (as opposed to slightly tousled slightly wavy hair.)

Love the skirt Floisme

Gorgeous skirt, flo.

I was teased for having dark, curly hair too, now it's silver, even more unusual. Not sure my mum knew what to do with it when I was younger. Dd1 seems to have embraced her waves, which is good.

I thought the french generally went for making the most of what you've got rather than changing it completely, anyway. My hair straightens easily, but any humidity and it starts to look frizzy. I just keep it curly now.

Bonjour! Does anyone mind a tag along?

I love looking at French style pics, I enjoy the creativity but I’m pretty much totally style blind for myself (might be because I’m not French...) We go every now and then (Just really Serris area) because I have a Disney pass but I spend more time in the shops and I’d like to fit in a little better whist we are there.

I have also practically been living in Primark because I’ve been ill and it’s just been easier and cheaper than looking for niche items.

Fed up looking like a frump though, especially when I spend hours going through style Instagram pages

I’ll include a pic (a silly Instagram one, sorry) so you can see what I mean.

I’m smaller now than in that picture (it was in July) and finding it so hard to choose new things for Autumn. And now have small boobs.

Please don’t lynch me for being so out of place 😂

KLAXON ALERT

Elle, I've got the Antwerp sample sales dates: 5-11th of November but most of the big designers always do Thu-Sa. Some do Sunday but I wouldn't bank on it this year as the 11th is Armistice Day which is a huge deal to them and would probably mean paying their staff a really high rate on that day.

I have to confess Argentina has been one of the most amazing places I've visited, so I was always going to be biased for a good Pampas look. Just going by the pics from Moda Operandi and alongside a feature in MLF, I'm assuming they're Paris based and it does have a touch of Parisian to it. I hadn't really thought of romance as Xing mentioned, but you're probably right as it does evoke in a way clothes haven't really for some time. I blame Instagram where everything has to be 'relatable' and 'authentic' when it's anything but

I should revisit a tartan scarf too, quirky, I was looking at one last year to make my Jon Snow coat a bit less severe, just never pulled the trigger on one. My Shoptagr wishlist for A/W is also bursting at the seams, should probably move some of it into a fantasy wishlist

Definitely not sleek straight haired here, Flo, I go from wavy to curly depending on the state of my hormones. Bastards. I was very sleek and straight until they hit and announced adolescence, could never keep a hair pin, elastic, or similar to sit in it before, they'd just slide down. On balance, I prefer curly/wavy hair, mostly for the aesthetics but also they suit my lazy attitude to hair as well. I do really need to go see my hairdresser soon though. Like at least three weeks ago

Love the look of the Rundholz skirt, if it doesn't work out I may have an alternative at 1.5x the price but it's a FR38 and I get lost with the conversions when it isn't my own size, I think that's a 10? I'll PM you the link if interested.

Catharine, Lou Doillon has a lovely mop of curls, and I've seen it in the flesh, it's the ultimate French girl hair. Definitely a work with your texture rather than against it style.

Hi, and welcome, Schrödinger. Sorry, completely off topic to your questions, I'm all for not feeling like a frump and getting your fashion mojo on, but what is so petrifying about not fitting in when you're a tourist? I'd prioritise feeling great in whatever that is than blending in for the sake of blending in.

In other news flimsy excuse I had to hide out from the rain briefly yesterday, and Mango seemed the obvious choice Went in search of some heritage fabric pieces to experiment with, quickly came to realise if I do seriously wish to pursue it I'm going to have to go high end for it most likely because it just looks so shit quality wise on the high street. Doubt second hand would be an option as the cuts will likely be old fashioned on me. Which was echoed by this blazer as it's cut really sharply and it did work quite well with the outfit I had on (including new star trimmed camisole), so there's scope but it's going to have to be a modern cut but preferably not, like this one, modern polyester though I did wonder if the polyester was working in its favour, a tweed or similar would be thicker and less smooth so probably wouldn't fit as sharply? I also quite like the colour, it was sort of blues and cool light browns in a light base rather than the traditional colouring which I'm guessing also made a point of difference.

In other news, sized up Jacquemus trousers arrived yesterday and they're glorious. Size difference is very small so I won't even need to have them taken in, and I can now quite easily fit thicker jumpers in them. Also discovered I can wear them more casually with the Vagabond trainers as they give just enough height not to drag the trousers over the floor, despite their small cost they're turning out to be a great investment in the versatility department.

Only problem I now have is that I desperately want the slash neck white Lemaire jumper to go with it as they'd look brilliant together but had vowed to wait out the Uniqlo U collection first before even considering splurging on that.

Get the skirt Flo; it's gorgeous, and if it has pockets... and you hate it, send it my way!

Another head of short grey curls, as I grow out the boy cut my DH and DS weren't keen on; now it's headed towards asymmetric short curly bob. I've just found a combination of hair products that converts it from stuck-my finger-in the power-socket frizz into merely unruly.

My wool plaid scarf was bought as a Santa gift for DH a few years ago, but he never bothered to wear it, so I do. It has all my colours so gets a fair amount of use. Love a scarf. Have too many rather a lot. But you never get too old or become the wrong shape for them, so I keep them all. The oldest were my DGAunt's, and then one from first university term.

Sadly the Antwerp sample sales will not feature on this year's programme. I shall be on holiday in Antigua, as DH needs sleep, sun, reading and relaxation after two frantic years.

I have corkscrewy curls. Love Lou Doillon's hair though.

We didn't know how to deal with my hair when I was younger so it was cut short, brushed dry - all the wrong things.

Hi Schrodinger, and welcome, these threads really helped me, I hope they are good for you as well. I had lost weight and had to buy literally everything as nothing fit at all, and before that I lived in Next bootcut jeans, children's school shoes or trainers, and huge jumpers from Sainsburys . I was clueless. Still am fairly clueless, but less so.

I think the Mango blazer looks really good, bo

Catherine Thanks, this is exactly what has happened to me. A year ago I was 30kg heavier and am still losing (now 8st 6 but can’t stop it). So I’m having to keep re-buying clothes and as I am, I look at other people and wish I just looked like I knew how to dress myself as effortlessly as —a lot— some people seem to make it look.

When I’m in France the most though, although I love looking at everyone else around me, definitely more so than anywhere else!... so that was my reason for earlier comment.

I’m mostly happy in my skin anywhere, just not my clothes!

Shame about the fabric Bo as I really like that blazer on you. Great news on the trousers.
Funeral been and gone. Alas peplum jacket no defence to MIL telling everyone our news outside the church 🤦🏻‍♀️ But black was definitely the right call and I felt demure and elegant.
The temperatures have really plummeted here and I’m enjoying wearing some of my existing A/W clothes, thought I’d be too big by the time it got cooler. Excuse mess in background - rust suede jacket, forest green wool skirt, grey ribbed wool tights and chestnut boots and tan bag. Contemplating new chestnut straight knee high boots with a higher shine and small heel... Also want some black ankle boots with small heel - no suede, no pointy toes. Saw these in Russell & Bromley yesterday but not sure about the double zip.

Hello all and welcome SchrodingersMeowth

Thanks for starting the new thread Bo. I'm seriously behind! My first thought from the title was that orang-utan arms are useful in pilates or yoga because it makes one appear more flexible than you actually are (by always being able to reach one's toes etc)!!

Hope you are feeling better Peregrane.

I'm sorry to hear about the funeral Peony. You have a great Autumn look in that photo you posted.

Anyway, enjoyed seeing all the photos. You look a bit Autumn-y now. It's still v hot here (Greece - I saw there was some talk of a lot of posters on this thread not being in the UK). Was unpacking yesterday (returned from holiday) and realised I am still not wearing a lot of my stuff (despite the huge wardrobe clear-out at the beginning of the summer) so will try to wear something "unworn" every day. I can't think about Autumn clothes right now without swapping over my summer/winter clothes because I'm not sure what I do and don't have. But, I definitely need to buy more colour. I wear far too much black and white! A shame as bright jewel colours (red, green, fuchsia, blues etc) suit me very well.

Your corkscrew curls sound gorgeous Catherine. I also have curly/wavy hair and was using the curly girl method when it was long. But got so fed up of it a couple of years ago (it was getting more and more difficult to get it to behave itself - it used to be super easy: literally wash and go) that chopped it off into a very short pixie (think Halle Berry's hair when she was a Bond girl) on my first visit to a new hairdresser (at his suggestion). Really enjoyed the pixie but got bored with it just before Christmas and now growing it out. I do think that hair plays a big part in the French au natural style. It always looks so naturally perfect! I haven't actually been to my hairdresser since December but might go soon to tidy it up a bit..... Yours looks like a great length Bo. I might do shoulder length for a bit and see how easy it is.

What products are you using on your hair XingMing?

The blazer looks nice on you Bo (good shape). It's funny as was looking at my distressed jeans recently (distressed VERY popular here) and thought to myself that I've never seen Bo in a pair. Was wondering if perhaps they aren't really that chic French look and lo and behold, you post that photo!

It's a shame we don't have Uniqlo here.

Bo love those jeans, what style are they as I’m in need of new jeans and want to move away from my beloved skinnies!

Flo, the Rundholz skirt is very you alright! But why is it so wrinkly? Very offended about that. Can’t remember the price, looked at it when you first posted it but the page won’t open now, but for that money they could steam it a little. Grump.

I have straight hair haha. It’s very thick so if I just let it grow it stands straight out at the bottom and lies flat at the top because of the weight. Curly hair seems so much nicer. Greener pastures etc. I’m also very bored with the long straightened hair look. Very. :(

I liked the Rêve en vert shop Bo, thanks for the tip! Did not like the pampas. That’s where my limit goes. Feels costumey to me. However, if someone around me wore it I’d prob love it and give compliments - it’s certainly a look and I can appreciate that! I didn’t like the mango blazer either (sorry!) but it comes across as very beige in the photos so that might be it. Can’t see the blues. But I was thinking that in heritage fabrics if you want to look modern it might be easier for a woman to wear men’s jackets and go for a oversize look 🤔

Schrödinger - in your pic you look quite English, a little punk-inspired even. Very sorry if that’s not the look you were going for ... but ah well, I’ve said it now. ;) Nothing wrong with that! Is it a style you’re attracted to?

Peony that rust jacket is lovely, so appropriate for bump as well! Glad funeral went well (sort of). See what you mean about double zips, they can feel a bit jingly jangly blingy but honestly I think they can be very useful too!

Wedding yesterday, I was perfectly placed clothes-wise (for once) trousers are great, so wide they’re almost a skirt but not. Hell to cycle in. Found two clothespegs but felt insecure. Our local Tiger didn’t have bike clips obv 🙄 why would they have anything useful.

Sophie. I’m not English so I think that may be my problem! Picture was reposted by Jennyfer at some point but they seem to sell very British looking stuff anyway. I’m Scottish/German. I was mainly going for comfy.

Picture was taken in France and everything was bought there.

Couldn’t have looked more Britiah yesterday though, Fred Perry top (Amy wine house), jeans, patent docs (shoes not ankle boots) and a Hackett (boys) wool blazer. I think I need to add some bits to my wardrobe, any suggestions for some starting brands for some A/W staples?

I’m loving a lot of the strange tweed/clash patterns that I am seeing, helped along by buying a tweed skirt the other day that I’m dying to mismatch stuff to.

Very jealous of everyone’s curls! I have straight hair with a bit of a wave that is currently a kind of henna red/ginger. Have been thinking of changing it/doing something to it but no idea what. Might just whip out the chopstick curler and see what I end up with!

Ooh Antigua is lovely Xing, though I did have a near death experience there by nearly drowning when I was pulled under by an undercurrent Although maybe it was Anguilla, I've been to both and was quite young at the time. Should be the end of rain/hurricane season, so usually a good time of year to go.

Schrödinger, I went from a size 12 to a 6 last year (technically one year into the next) and it was health related (as was the initial extra weight) and it was highly unpedictable and I'd drop weight in plateaus, so one day from the next I'd be scrambling for clothes that vaguely fitted. Did push me to be more creative what I had, quickly caught on what were sensible buys which would carry me over more than one size drop but it was all very sensible and I embraced oversized a bit more than I otherwise would have. I had vowed not to buy anything not sensible and/or outrageously expensive until I was a steady size for a good few months but by the time I got down to a size 6 that didn't make much sense as you can't really go smaller (anyone who sells a 4 is usually just vanity 6 IME). Then I just started buying things I really loved again and built my new wardrobe around that. Since I was starved from that for quite some time it wasn't much of a challenge. What has been a challenge is not settling for things, which had become a bit second nature during the weight loss period. Things have to fit really well (or easily altered to), fabrics have to be right, colours that do more than just look a bit inoffensive, etc. etc. Which was how I always shopped but I had fallen out of practice a bit and being the smallest size does make it more challenging now as a lot of things just are too large fitting and I have to beware of love for an item blinding me.

So that's my journey, doesn't have to be yours, and it's not easy. It takes a bit to get used to a new body, my mind took quite a while to catch up. Despite my proportions and shape being exactly the same, I am different now and whilst most things that work and didn't work before, my body is just different and not everything suits in the same way.

As far as effortless goes, these threads are probably testament that there's nothing effortless about it, the effort is still there but the obvious effort visible is just spent on making it look like no effort was made. We can be very mememe on here, which come with a lot of apologies but I do think this is part of getting to grips with things, comparing just leaves you imitating, meaning you're constantly looking outwards for the next thing to copy whereas looking at yourself, critically if necessary, with a certain objectivity and working from a point of what you've got makes things easier to adapt into your style/wardrobe rather than see you trying to adapt into someone else's.

You look very autumn appropriate, peony, it hasn't been that cold here yet. It was under 20 yesterday but also storming and raining all day, but it'll be mostly sunny and warmish the upcoming week and looking to be even warmer than that the week after.

Sophie, I really hate the current length of my hair, it's just a touch too long as it sits and gathers on my shoulders now, I prefer it when it's just skimming over it. I like how that looks but it does mean seeing the hairdresser more often and trying not to freak out that he cuts it too short My hair was the most low maintenance when long, I think the shorter you go the more it requires.

I don't think distressed jeans are very French chic but the Parisians definitely wear them, but like me, they didn't jump on the trend when it was skinnies. I've attached a few pics from a Parisian blogger who wears them loads (the third pic is actually the same pair I have, I don't actually follow her but we end up owning a lot of the same pieces, have just seen she has the same Mango camisole that I bought recently) I don't expect to see Ines de la Fressange in a pair anytime soon. Caroline de Maigret probably would have some, it suits some but not all.

Does Uniqlo not deliver to Greece? The first Uniqlo is opening here end of September but they've delivered for a long time here.

Shenanigans, they're an upsized pair of Levi's 501. I normally wear a size 23 or 24 but these are a 27 so they sit lower and more like a boyfriend fit. 100% cotton jeans tend to look terrible on my shape (hourglass) in my actual size. I've never tried the CT version of the 501s they might be an option if you don't want to go upsized. I've never washed them though, I just stick them in the freezer overnight.

*order of the pics are messed up, so pic 3 is now pic 1

Thanks Bo, I was actually in a Levi shop yesterday and reminiscing about my most precious 501’s from my student days!

Hope your health has stabilised now and totally get what you mean about your body having the same proportions but your different.

I lost a lot of weight but now I’m doing a lot of exercise and the body is changing again, all good though!

Thanks for the positive comments on the skirt. Whenever I've seen Rundholz in real life it's always been distinctive but it can get a bit rococo. (If you can use the word about black - Rundholz always seems to be black). It's a very fine line and I don't want something so startling I only dare wear it on special occasions. So yes please bo a link to another Plan B would be great if you don't mind. You're right bani the link doesn't work any more so maybe I've started a rush and they're all sold out It was £98 reduced from about £180. I find non standard shapes always come with a hefty price tag which I assume is because they're harder to mass produce.

Glad you wore those trousers bani What top did you wear with them in the end?

It was a couple of posts back but I really like that fitted blazer bo. I don't know that much about the construction of clothes sadly (something I must rectify at some point) but a couple of my tweed jackets are that shape and also very fitted so they're certainly out there. But they may need to be made by someone who knows how to handle the fabric.

Schrodinger I really like the sound of your style and we're a motley crew here - as I've said before, I don't look remotely French myself!

I haven’t read everything yet but just saw some tartan scarves/stokes on the Brora website and thought of you bo

Thank you for sharing your Bobbies experiences. peony!

Realise I sounded very rude about the blazer Bo which was not my intent, it’s just with the small photos it didn’t tick my boxes. I’m getting old and need big pics 🙄

I’ll post a small pic of my own of the wrinkled outfit I wore yesterday for Flo. The top is really nothing special and actually more raspberry than deep red but has a nice drape and I can wear it again. Wore it tucked in so the high waist of the trousers was shown off. And tried to stand in Pilates stance as often as possible 🙄😂 ... mr bani opted out of a suit and picked trousers and a jumper instead so we were more evenly matched. ;)

Met a real-in-the-flesh French woman at the party who was just as effortlessly stylish as we all imagine but her dress wasn’t ironed at all which surprised me - however it is the quintessential effortless look! (I often sport it myself but never look as good 😬)

I love the colour of that top, bani! Whenever I spot something in that colour online (the only way I really shop), it’s always sold out.

Hopefully your MIL was just really excited peony and is not usually so tactless.

I seem to be doing better, Sophie (knock on wood), thank you. I’ve ventured on a walk with the baby the last two days. It’s so good to finally get out, even if it’s tempting to try to take a nap instead. I wore the Fold trench 😁 with a pair of frumpy maternity jeans 👍 as I cannot fit into any of my pre-pregnancy trousers/skirts. Trouble is I have no willpower to stop snacking on sweets, including during night feeds (but at least I brush my teeth after)... very un-French, I have got to hope that half an hour of walking will make up for platefuls of biscuit...

And I will have to figure out what kind of a scarf might go with the trench. A bare neck or poloneck might look best, but I am not any better at feeling cold than at feeling hungry, and polo necks tend to annoy me at the moment.

I forget if it is Floisme who has a particular fondness for Margaret Howell? This weekend’s FT has a good article on her. Online version though probably behind a paywall: ig.ft.com/bespoke/art-of-fashion/aw18/index.html#group-margaret-howells-house-style-8U3RhuXhlL

I love that skirt too Flo, did you order it?

I have terrible hair, fine, wavy, and thinning horribly (and it used to be thick and lovely!). Any tips on a good style that requires minimum effort yet hides the balding bits?!

I love tweed but traditional tailored jackets look awful on me (even the slightly stretchy ones that I want to love, my mum has fab ones from crew and joules (not French at all!) which I look awful in); last winter I got a longer length hunting type cut and was very pleased, will try to find a pic. However, despite normally being English in England, am currently working in Sweden. Bani, once I get paid, where shall I shop?!

Thank you, Shenanigans, I am a lot more stable these days but I'll probably always have some ups and downs with my health, but it's quite manageable usually.

Definitely give the 501s a go, I was initially really hesitant and they were sitting unworn for quite some time as I was still deciding to keep them or not but once I started wearing them they became a firm favourite. I do need to wear something structured on top, if I go full casual I go a bit shapeless.

Flo, I've PMed you the link.

Thanks for thinking of me Peregrane, I'll have a look at Brora in a bit. Last year I was set on a Royal Stewart tartan but, of course, only liked the one from Johnstons of Elgin which probably makes Brora look affordable in comparison.

Can you post a pic of the Fold trench again? I can only vaguely recall what it looked like but I did see a lovely alpaca scarf at Max Mara that I think is similar in colour tones.

It was cold today not really, just a flimsy excuse so I wore the Jacquemus trousers out. Belt doesn't come with it, it's just a straight vintage style tie (I think) from the boy's department but it's the perfect waist size for me. Was 70% off to boot because nobody straps a tie on a child here and lives to tell the tale but it was ridiculously busy at the till, which is also a cash desk here apparently and I needed the bathroom but there were loads of ties left so I'll go back for it.

Was actually looking at lingerie today, I'd cleared out the underwear drawer this weekend as the boobs were really the last thing to get to a steady size and I've been buying practical or bargains in the sale in the meantime and holding onto things that were just a touch too comfy. Now I don't have much left (in the drawer that is, though probably applicable to the chest size as well in comparison to what it was) and I really wanted some nice underwear. Came away a bit disappointed, probably because I'd snuffed up all things lovely and lacy in Paris but even the few French brands here had kind of cheap looking lace. I want the lovely fine ones that I just sent into exile, not the course floral stuff. So I'm spoilt and want what I want and can't find it. There's the internet but I kind of prefer shopping in person when it comes to underwear. Argh.

Sophie, my curl recipe seems to require a metric tonne of stuff but not all the time. I wash it a couple of times a week with (ATM) Mane & Tail, which I think was developed for horses, but have run out of the conditioner, so I bought a random coconut oil job in Boots last week, which is okay-ish. While hair is wet, I run through a DHC leave in conditioner (x2 pumps) and a small dab of a Davine curly-girl product bought from hairdresser. Then wrap it for 10 minutes, before walking dog with damp hair. If I don't like the dried texture I run some DHC hair oil through to define the curl. It's probably over-the-top, because it's a bit flat now it's shorter again. However, the airing cupboard holds a ginormous Carrefour shopping tote full of my rejects. I could start a small shop .

It's been wet, windy but warmer than one might think here today and we were meeting DSis, BIL and a v old friend for a pub lunch. Hiut Girlfriend jeans, Naketano hoodie in indigo and Japanese trainers (with heel lifts, thanks to this thread!) and the Parfois cross body bag (also found following Parisienne's recommendations) that I bought for dogwalking... but which is so useful I wish I had also bought the olive/orange version. The restaurant was hot and something lighter might have been more comfortable.

No shopping still! Although as this is S&B, I will confess to having acquired a very beautiful mid 20C glass penguin paperweight this week. I thought it was Scandinavian, but the only similar item Google found was Murano, which doesn't chime with the rest of the vendor's collections according to the dealer.

Haha cash desk. At least it was two words.

tanaqui whereabouts in Sweden are you? 😊

Well I have straight hair and I’m only now learning to like it. I always hankered for curls but any attempt at curling my hair would make me look like Baby Jane and it would straighten out in half hour anyway. I always smile when I read about people complaining how hard it is to cut curly hair. I’m sure it is but dead straight wiry hair doesn’t take prisoners either. I have one hairdresser back home and have been known to book flight to motherland just to get it sorted.

The IM silk top arrived, I’m relieved that it’s not as billowy as in some of the pictures. It’s really nice and feels feathery and luxurious on. I haven’t had yet time to play with different outfits though.

I have also won another Ebay bargain, Sandro Prayer trousers for £20. They are a size larger than what I usually wear but putting my hope that the brand runs small. They are very close to what I had in mind for my winter wool pair, bar the wool 😀. I’m thinking about wearing them with a burgundy or rose silk shirt and a different belt maybe.

Also considering these gray wool trousers from Cos, I have the spring issue in black cotton and they have been so comfortable and versatile. I’m just not sure about colour, my autumn was going to be brown, rust and camel with bits of pink or blue. Can’t decide whether to hold off and wait if they bring out another colour. Also the length is maybe not the best idea for cold weather (or I could invest in some interesting pattern black socks and wear them with black loafers- haha I’m teally talking myself into buying them aren’t I).

Flo please post pictures of the skirt when it arrives. It looks pretty awesome in the photo.

bo in case you missed today’s Observer www.theguardian.com/fashion/gallery/2018/aug/25/la-vie-en-rose-nows-the-time-to-rethink-pink-in-pictures.

Great outfit peony, I love those colours on you. And you look warm. I’m still holding on to my flipflops and short sleeve vests and ignoring the weather through sheer will.

Welcome Schrodinger.