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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Cinq

No need for a slouchy oversized turtleneck, this look can be turned inside out, especially useful if you need layers but don’t want to lose shape and an accentuation of horizontal lines in the process.

A slight nod to the seventies (especially under a denim shirt or jumpsuit) but a fitted turtleneck under a tied up shirt has a modern edge that can be quite useful for workwear, especially with a bit of volume on the bottom.

If you’re not a fan of the turtleneck -or the white shirt for that matter- fear not, the concept works just as well with a crew or mock neck (but you’ll want a collarless shirt or tuck the lapels under) and a variety of undershirts and colours.

One caveat, not mine, apparently you must accessorise this look with a hot beverage. I don't know why either, but the internet seems to insist on it must be hygge

DAY 4 - DAY 4 - DAY 4 - DAY 4

Pic still owed from yesterday as I still have allowed images, CdM embracing the grey and camel.

Now, if you will all excuse me, I'll be off having a word with myself for reading WaterLily describing me as gorgeous in all caps rather than the more accurate generous. Ahem

Oh, yes, I definitely do the jersey turtle/roll neck under a shirt . I don't think I've got any turtle neck jumpers big enough for the other look. Thanks, bo.

I don't know if this code is transferable, but for Celtic & Co FESTIVE18 gives you £20 off anything over £20 until 20.12.18. Seeing all the lovely jumpers and scarves reminds me.

Can’t wait to try all of these, nearly worth coming home for!

Thanks again bo. Maybe not a turtle neck for me but a flash of white at the cuff or peeping out under a jumper - I might try it tomorrow!

Thanks red. I think I ordered it previously but it was kind of sparkly and wouldn't have worked for what I wanted it for, so I sent it back. Was lovely though.

Have returned all Black Friday things for having all of the usual Mango problems, sigh.

The weather is certainly being sartorially challenging. Yesterday was properly cold, starting off frosty with sunshine and then just turning to very cold and foggy, and today is mild but wet. Definitely time to work the layers!

I didn't go with the flash of white in the end as I need to play around with it first but I'm doing Day 3! Grey narrow leg trews and tailored jacket with a silky (aka viscous) H&M top in a similar colour to that lovely coat in bo's first Day 3 (grey with camel) pic. I can't wear that yellowy camel but the deeper more tan / cognac shades work for me and I can't believe I hadn't thought of putting them with grey before. (Obviously the reason is, I'm not bo!)

Better still, that top had hitherto been unworn and unloved for at least 3 or 4 years but I'd kept on fishing it out of the charity shop bag cos I'd had a feeling I would regret it. So nerr to you, Marie Kondo

The only snag is, it's pissing it down so now I have to hide it all under a Seasalt coat.

quirky yes I feel your pain re weather... do not know what wear!
flo well done for sporting day 3!’ Sounds lovely, I am sure you will be able to get that coat out and reveal the splendour.

Weather ...top it all it was my hair wash day... bad combination if I have to wash hair the same morning it rains!
And the clothes I chose yesterday to wear today were feeling too warm, not helped by me trying to blow dry my hair . Ended with a last minute change and opted for a mustard yellow silk blouse slightly oversized and slim fitted navy trousers. Navy Whistles coat on top as is nice and warm without being too heavy. In the office I hope the temperature is just right and I do not feel cold in my blouse.

Hehe @Bo - - that made me smile ... I bet you ARE gorgeous in real life! Gorgeousness comes from within anyway so, based on your generosity (gorgeousosity?!) and kindness and welcoming-of-new-people on here not to mention your stylish tips which I presume you implement ... it seems likely to me!! What is that Roald Dahl quote: "A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts it will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely" - hehe - not suggesting that you have those physical attributes but just mentioning the spirit of the quote - because it applies here. Right - I will stop with the flattery!!! Derailing the thread. Sorry all

Thanks for the tips yesterday @Bo - love love love so many of those looks. The fabrics are all to die for - the way that they hang. I love the white shirt peeking out. I sometimes find it hard to find a neckline (on jumper) and collar (on shirt) that are compatible with one another. Similarly for the hems - the jumper (assuming it's over the shirt) needs to have a wide-ish hem so as not to "squash" the shirt hanging down from underneath.

I wanted to ask what people are thinking about jeans these days. I don't know what direction to go in. I have a pair of skinnies (I know I know - they're supposed to be over!!) that seem to be the only jeans I consistently wear these days - with brown biker boots. I have boyfriend jeans but I find it hard to make them work. I don't know if I'm just not yet used to that cut on me. Also, I have some ankle grazers but they are slightly flared (I hesitate to use that word because it's such a gentle taper) and I'm just not sure about them. I've spotted a few ladies around here (i.e. here where I live - not "here=Mumsnet") wearing essentially skinny jeans - in the sense that they are quite tight - straight cut but with this really nice sort of frayed hem. Typically these are worn with runners and a little bit of ankle shown. I spotted a similar pair on the Maje website the other day Maje skinny jeans with frayed -but not too frayed?- hem . I'll attach a photo as well. Does anybody have any ideas on other places to get jeans with that sort of a leg? Or, any advice on whether that is even a good "look" or on what jeans to wear this winter - I guess we are supposed to have our ankles out?? I see also a lot of reasonably tight jeans worn with heeled ankle boots where the jeans sit on top of the ankle boots either slouched or rolled up. I guess I could try that either - but would need probably to purchase both jeans and suitable ankle boots. Also, has anybody tried Sézane's jeans? Any advice/opinions very very welcome

Have a lovely day everyone

Hi Waterlily. On the jeans query, if you look back to January this year, we had a lengthy discussion of jeans and shapes... I bought, tried and returned about eight pairs before setting on the Girlfriend style from Hiut Denim and a wideleg pair from COS, which I am still tinkering with. I think I have the solution but need to explain it to my alterations lady!

Found a slouchy crewneck cashmere jumper in pale grey and black in TK Maxx's clearance section on Monday, which will work with Bo's camel/grey images, as well as the black things that I haven't worn much lately. My late great-aunt's coats (1950s black/camel blanket plaid, sort of sackback wrap shape with 3/4 sleeves, and early 60 double-faced (real) camel racing coat, with a (different) plaid interior reverse) will be pressed into service again. That's why I'm with Flo in rejecting Marie Kondo!

The Festive18 Celtic code does work, and isn't dependent on having received a personal card though I got it just bought my great nephew (7 months) a pair of their bootees, in grey to go with the T-shirt and sleep suit he will be opening on Christmas morning.

Thanks @Xing - I will search for that discussion and will read it with interest! I'm up to the 26th of December 2017 in my "catching up" so I hadn't come to it yet.

Xing I'm glad the code works, I used it yesterday for dp's slippers . I thought I'd only just replaced them, but it turns out they are 5yrs old worn daily and still in not bad a state, so pretty good quality. Your great aunt's coats sound gorgeous! I have a streamlined (capsule-ish) wardrobe that I rotate each season, but also store stuff that is good quality but doesn't feel "current" for when it does. Otherwise, it feels wasteful and it's always great to rediscover old favourites.

Going for the light grey turtle neck under a dark brown shirt. I tried the vertical tuck with my jeans, but it didn't really work. I think I need to play with that one a bit.

On the jeans front, WaterLily, I needed to replace some skinnies last year and ended up with a pair of slim, straight indigo jeans (Ralph Lauren, care of tkmaxx). Slim/straight is a good step towards a changing silhouette without it being too drastic. I also have a pair of secondhand, indigo bootcuts that I chopped off to make straight, frayed jeans. I will probably look to get some black or grey straight jeans in the new year, as I haven't yet replaced my old ones.

When I tried on my skinnies again in September, after not wearing them all summer, I realised how bad they looked. I’ve since got rid - didn’t even put them in the recycling cupboard so that, if I’m ever tempted to go back, I’ll have to shell out money which will hopefully make me stop and think. But I still like my ankles warm and dry so this winter I’m wearing girlfriend (Whistles, Autograph) or narrow leg (NYD) cuffed with ankle boots but no gap. I’ve also kept one pair of skinnies from the early noughties which are pretty much indistinguishable from the girlfriends although the low waist is annoying me so they may go too.

At the last weigh n’ pay sale I went to there was a rail of ‘Madonna jeans’ that was selling very well.

I struggle with jeans too. Skinnies are so practical with boots so I do still wear them that way. I want a pair of straight legs to sit on top of boots. These are prettty close, but low waisted and that is annoying me. It’s funny, I wore jeans much lower in the early noighties, but they feel weird. So I’m basically on the look out for mid rise, dark wash straight legs. I’m not sure about the roll up on these, but it’s close.
I do like the boot cuts I got recently. They feel 70s in a good way.

I can't seem to find non-skinnies that look halfway decent on me - the looser denim just seems to make my legs look huge and thick (and they are quite chunky anyway.) I have found looser chino/utility type trousers that work but not jeans.

Those look nice, Elle. I have slim, straight legs which are really a hair's breadth from skinnies. I agree that slimmer jeans/trousers work well in the cold with boots . CatherineMaitland jeans styles and fit can be a bit of a nightmare, tbh. I know they are one of the few items of clothing I am much better trying on in rl, I can choose better jeans if I can actually see them.

You just touched on the jeans point, which is one item that I do need to invest in! Aside from a good scarf and note taken on bo’s recommendation...
I read the first thread and I think it was said the French spend more on a scarf than on a coat ... I always thought it as a “less” important piece of clothing... but makes so much sense to invest in a good one. So I will do!

Back to the jeans -
xing did you order online the Hiut girlfriend jeans? They look the type of what I would be prepared to invest in. In general I prefer to see , touch and try a lot of them.

flo I cannot see online the Whistles jeans you mentioned... maybe they are not made anymore?

Sorry Red I should have said they were from a charity shop (as are a lot of my clothes) and I can't see them on the website either so they've probably been discontinued. If it's any consolation, I really like the shape but I'm a little dismayed at how quickly they're starting to look worn out and I suspect they hadn't been worn that much when I bought them. Which I find is typical Whistles - good on style but poor quality for the price - and the reason I no longer buy them new.

And I'm now going to completely contradict myself cos I do like the look of these Whistles barrel leg jeans and if I'd had a spare £95 - which I don't - I might have been tempted.

DAY 5

DAY 5 - DAY 5 - DAY 5 - DAY 5

A touch of Grace

Time to direct you all elsewhere and listen and watch someone else for a bit because it’s Sinterklaas here and I’m short on time .

It’s worth a watch despite seemingly hidden in a back corner of the internet as the enigmatic Grace Coddington isn’t much of a talker, which usually means when she does speak it’s definitely worth a listen.

The guests she interviews are of interest too but excuse me for being mesmerised by some fantastic red hair instead.

Face to Grace

DAY 5 - DAY 5 - DAY 5 - DAY 5

Flo you are right re quality. I have started to buy more second hand, so I think I will hold off and try to find a good pair that way.
Btw - love those whistles ones you linked

bo I will watch that before bed! (hopefully)