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

[botemp]

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

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DAY 1

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Scarf 2.0

The old staple is finding a new lease on life in 2018. Instead of utilising it for its contrasting sculptural qualities to lift the silhouette upwards, creating height and focus on the face in the many layers of keeping warm, the scarf is increasingly draped as part of the silhouette which has caught up and has become sculptural and reminiscent of the way a scarf moves.

A scarf enhances this further, but now as an integral part in solid tonal colours that complement. There is a slight nod to the once ubiquitous, yet versatile, pashmina as the scarf is draped onto the body but the fabrics are thicker and in line with existing textures. The direction follows the silhouette, leaving a choice as to whether to accentuate the vertical or horizontal.

At the same time, a good warm scarf can still replace a coat all together on slightly warmer dry days and feel integral simply by residing in the same tonal family whilst mimicking the newer silhouettes without the investment. In its new place, the scarf may no longer be taking centre stage, but it certainly looks the part. Plus the whole keeping us warm bit is nice too.

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Thank you bo, some lovely pictures. As a petite pear with a pale, un-striking face, I do rely on a horizontally-draped sculptural scarf/neck-line to bring focus up away from my hips, and 'frame' my face a bit better.

Love the drapey neckline in the last of the 1st set of photos you posted. If anyone sees anything vaguely similar on the high street, let me know! Tho I think necklines like that - and boat/Hepburn types - require a bit more thought, technique (and obviously material) than most, hence one doesn't see them often at the budget end - so I'm probably best off hoping I get lucky in a charity shop.

I seem to have Arket offers this morning. Thursdays and Sundays seem to be the day when all the places I've ever bought things from send "buy this" emails.

Love the calendar!

Thank you, bo. Tonal, sculptural scarves are just up my street . I have far too many scarves, really, but wearing them on a bit of a rotation is good (some feel a bit dated and tend to get stored away, but another year, I might wear them lots). I know a few years ago, a few people were saying scarves were really outdated, though how you can live in a cold climate without wearing them, I don't know.

Maybe they have no necks though I suppose if you live a 'car in, car out' lifestyle things like gloves, hats, and scarves are less of a necessity even in some pretty cold climates

Chester, I think Cos and All Saints are your best bet for things similar to that on the High Street. I think you could DIY it too, essentially it's an oversized turtleneck pulled over one shoulder with a few strategic gathering of fabric on the sides which you could easily stitch in place.

You can still try the tonal feel without going horizontal, I had a picture that didn't make the cut but I'll post it in a bit for you.

I got an Arket advent offer this morning, Catherine, is your offer 20% off Cashmere too? Somehow missed yesterday's advent though.

Suppose it's better than boobage or bum size being outdated - hate that.

I love scarves in winter and will wear them even if they are outdated. Don't care. I only have three though, and all quite lightweight.

Yep, that was it - also some off men's merino jumpers.

Thanks for the pictures. I’ve already spent way too long zooming in to try to see how I’d recreate. One for when I get back!

DAY 2

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Style Hacks from the Céline Runway (Part I): The Other Semi-tuck

Céline, as we knew it under Phoebe Philo, may be gone, her influence is long lasting. Whilst runways may feel very far removed from the practicalities of real life, there are plenty of lessons to be learned and take inspiration from. And we’re not alone, plenty of other companies continue to shamelessly copy it into their collections and styling.

Where the semi-tuck in is well popularised, its more challenging cousin, a vertical variety, may require a bit more getting used to and experimentation to get down. In one of Philo’s last shows (SS18) it was heavily present, but rather than utilising shirts, it was done with blazers instead to break up the volume-heavy silhouettes and showcase the waist and helped accentuate the vertical character of pleated skirts and high waisted wide legged trousers.

The obvious entry into this style hack is through a simple shirt and keeping everything else simple, unembellished, and symmetical before venturing into high volume and colours. Either play up the contrast or keep the colours close together.

However, adding in colour and this look really comes into its own. Its presence suddenly more subtle but crucial in differentiating between colour and texture, naturally drawing attention to the waist and revealing a very complex look in a glance. Though equally, if you really want to ramp it up a harsh contrast can be just the thing to give that extra accent of length in the legs.

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Also, as promised for Chester, though I suppose Elle can practice with some fluffy towels and bathrobes on holiday too

Thank you! I remember some wonderful Winter White outfits from last year's calendar. However I still inhabit the land of sticky-fingered, chocolate-faced small people, so shall have to play around with sculptural scarves in some darker tones.

Me too, ChesterBelloc. They would not stay white!

Thank you, bo, how talented is Phoebe Philo? Such a simple, clever look. I must wash some of my shirts, now, to try this out while the weather is still mild (but the forecast is very wet). I did watch a recent ILoveParis YouTube which had lots of winter and wet weather clothes.

Thanks to this thread and all the wonderful people on it, I have been mistaken for being French several times now.

Can't seem to make the tucks work though. Sad face.

The gilets jaunes protests/unrest in Paris is all over the news this morning. I haven't seen any violence where we've been, but lots of protest, roadblocks, pallet and tyre-burnings going on.

Oh wow I was so busy shouting at the moon I hadn't realised the best advent calendar on Mumsnet was open. Thank you bo. I bloody love the untucked look cos it's a natural extension of how I dress anyway. I'm not sure if a half tucked blazer will catch on in these parts but I'm hoping it will herald a new era - the absent minded look - where odd socks, jumpers worn inside out and skirts tucked inside knickers will become the height of style.

I love the sculptural look of those scarves but I may have to sit this one out. Obviously when it's cold I wear a scarf like everyone else but they do me no favours as they draw the eye to my jawline. At the moment I'm wearing a lot of vintage men's silk/wool scarves - short and usually a paisley pattern and they just hang straight down. But they're purely decorative - no use at all against the elements.

Hope you're ok Catherine. I must confess to a sneaking admiration for the way the French always take to the streets whereas we opt for a slow, lingering death by Brexit. But it's easy when you're watching from the other side of the channel - quite different when it's your life.

botemp what a fantastic advent calendar! I will be checking in regularly for updates.

Not sure if you remember I am a newbie posting here and went to Paris a few days ago. botemp kindly shared a file with boutiques etc. As I suspected I did not have time for any shopping, I did stop in Sandro and Maje but I am not good at under pressure buying so as I did not have time to try properly some stuff I decided to pass.

Love the Day 1 advent - plenty of inspiration there. I have been in the look out for a luxurious simple scarf either in camel, stone white or alike so I am very happy to see the look featured here.
For a smarter look I had this idea in my head of a short scarf that I could wear with a pin or brooch, at the neck so it would not interrupt the silhouette of the rest of outfit. But I want a brooch on the right style .... for the moment I have settled in wearing a black faux faur neck think, the faur is very soft and straight so I think looks put together.

Reading this thread makes me look forward to my commute 😀

Red, have you had a look at the Acne Studios Canada scarf? They're really lovely wool and come in good colours. The Tuva scarf from Weekday is a good budget alternative, but not as nice and colours are a bit flatter.

Quirky, PP is definitely very talented but of course she didn't do it all on her own. I think especially things like styling were usually done by others but her aesthetic definitely has inspired quite a legacy. It's sort of happenstance but whilst sourcing images it became apparent that most things in this year's advent calendar had a moment with Céline at some point.

Flo, blazers are indeed a touch more challenging but I can totally see an oversized thick cardigan work in a similar way with a pleated skirt.

I wouldn't envy the French much, it's a sad state of affairs that ordinary folk have to combine forces with extremists spoiling for a fight to be even remotely heard. I seriously worry for the day the anti establishment movement grows proper roots and momentum in France. Theyve come close quite a few times already.

Are you okay for fuel Catherine? Getting caught out without in France is a nightmare when tensions are running high.

Yes sorry that comment was crass. I suppose I was trying to say that I think there's comparable stuff going on elsewhere and that the way it's working itself out over here is just as self destructive, if less explosive. (I say that as a remainer who thinks brexiters had a point.)

Anyway back in the shallows: I spent the weekend trawling Christmas markets which, I have to say, were mostly death by scented candle. However I did spot a 1960s vintage coat which I stared at like a child in a puppy shop until my husband took the hint and asked if I'd like it for Christmas. Cannot wait - I just hope he remembers to get it cleaned!

I'm fine - currently on the ferry back to UK, sad face. I have some friends who are stuck for fuel but luckily they saw what was coming and adapted accordingly.

We were in France for the last fuel strike in 2010, the big farmers strike in 2015/2016 (I think it was then) and the unrest in 2005...good timing, not.