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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Hello everyone- so glad to see this is still going! I was bigbuttons. But we rescued a bee and called her Sandra.
I am struggling with clothes. I am a rectangle with no bust, I can’t wear neutral colours near my face either as they make me look like I have a terminal illness.
My choices are limited.
What I would dearly love is a tux kind of jacket that propely fitted me. X

Bloody love Grace Coddington, thanks, looking forward to watching that.

Sandra What colours do you wear? I find it's more about the shade than the colour itself. I have to be careful with neutrals like navy and beige and grey but if they're the right shade I can wear them. If it's black it has to be a bit faded and washed out.

Hi flo I wear a lot of navy, reds, greens. Some darker browns and charcoals. I suppose jewel coloursI need the stronger colours for sure.

Red, yes I did Hiut online, but I bought too big first and had to wait for manufacturing so it was slow (about a month). But I have been very pleased. Indigo and looser than skinnies, as the pictures show, nothing baggy. I roll the hems and can ease them over narrow ankle boots, or slide easily into wellies. Too hot for jeans this summer, but they looked great with simple trainers as it cooled down.

Those girlfriend jeans from Hiut look really gorgeous @Xing. I love that they are made in Wales - no fast fashion in site. For the finish on the leg, is it a straight cut? i.e. I'm trying to get an idea of what they'd look like not turned up. Also, tricky question I know because jeans are so difficult to get right size-wise but, how did you find the sizing? I see your first order were too big.

I still haven't got to the part of the thread where you discussed jeans in January because I don't want to "skip ahead" in reading the former threads! So, if I'm asking questions already answered, sorry! Just tell me and I'll find that part of the thread

The leg is tapered but the inside leg length tends to assume the wearer will turn up. I am a Small/10/12 in bottom halves, depending on company and cut. My jeans are 27" waist, and 30" inside leg and fit right. The original order was 29/32 based on an ancient pair of 501s, and swamped me. They were very very efficient with returns and refunds, and the fact that they are UK-based was very persuasive. The owners' previous company (Howies) was similar in ethos.

Sandra I was also going to say that maybe jewel colours work better than softer tones on you? On being a rectangle, I'm somewhere between an inverted triangle and rectangle, so widish shoulders, not well-defined waist, smaller than average bust. Shapes that I find particularly flattering are drapey, assymmetric tops, a-line or tulip skirts, fitted coats and jackets, all these give "shape" iyswim.

quirky thank you for the thoughts and ideas for tops. I do need to get me some asymmetric tops and also some tops with embellishment to try and disguise/balance out the flat chest.
I'm waiting on the sales!

DAY 6

DAY 6 - DAY 6 - DAY 6 - DAY 6

Jumper tie

Now try to forget the yuppie 80s over the shoulder in order to embrace the resurgence of the tied up jumper. Knotting fabric to create new silhouettes has been slowly emerging on the runways for a while but at Phoebe Philo’s final collection it was heavily emphasised which can only mean it will be incorporated everywhere. It’s an easy way to add dimension and surprisingly versatile.

Of course, it looks stunning when done in tone on tone, so if you’re Noah someone who buys two of everything you’re in luck but if you're like the rest of us, you can give life to that old somewhat tattered-looking jumper that is a bit past its best when worn but surprisingly not when worn tied up. Or as in the third pic you could just go out and buy a double set to wear to save you shelling out for the Céline prices (I'd be looking for a softer mohair, personally, for a softer drape).

Treating the jumper almost like an accessory or scarf is an easy in. Tying it across one shoulder and breast feels somewhat novel, and an interesting way to add a dynamic line which feels sculptural to the silhouette allowing you to play with shape, volume, and proportions. If you can carry it off and manage not to look like an 80s yuppie over the shoulder can work just as well.

Tied around the waist always remains an option, although it may not always feel like an intentional decision and rather a pragmatic one.

Though this advent calendar is about utilising what you have, and I’d definitely encourage to have a play with what you have first, if you are contemplating what to invest in next, I’d definitely have a look at knotted pieces in the upcoming seasons whether it be last remnants of the old Céline (pic 1) or something more watered down from Whistles* (pic 3).

*I could only find it still in stock at HOF, which I know is a bit worrisome to shop with currently so proceed with caution.

DAY 6 - DAY 6 - DAY 6 - DAY 6

Sorry, I really need to catch up properly soon. I have had many thoughts on denim lately. Hi again, Sandra, were you the poster I ended up drawing on account of your description? Or am I confusing you with someone else? I have thoughts on tuxedo jackets too, will try to get to it tomorrow.

Sandra did you initiated another post recently on the rectangle shape? I think I replied a couple of things as a fellow rectangle, slim, flat chested.
Talking about tuxedo, I got in the summer sales a really cheap Mint Velvet fuchsia pink jacket, (MV not my favourite store and jumpers etc lack a lot of quality imo), but this jacket was a bargain at £25 and feels very nice fabric and the cut is amazing, or at least on me works very well. I am rubbish to try to describe the cut, to help you with some pointers as to what you might want to look for … so I will take a picture and send.

Day 6 of the Advent! I did not see this one coming!!

tomorrow I have lunch with friends, just local and informal, but I am looking at which day I might sport and reuse some of my old clothes that have not been worn for some time, including a light grey coat, which is a bit battered on the inside lining but nobody needs to see that!

Redandblue11 yes it was me and your tips were really useful. i have been looking at clothes online in a different light- rejecting styles I might normally have gone for so that's been great. i would love to see a photo of your jacket, it sounds amazing!

bo hello again! It wasn't me you drew an outline for, but I do remember you doing it.
When I went for my stay workshop earlier this year i cam away disappointed. I was hoping for her to look at my body and tell me what would suit. Basically she seemed to think that because I was straight up and down that I could pretty much wear anything, fitted would probably be better But if I wear tops that are too fitted I look like a man. It wasn't very helpful
I think I need some really good shirts and blouses.
I am thinking I need to try and wear heels?
I would really love your thoughts about tux jackets. I seem to remember we discussed them many threads ago and it has always stayed in the back of my mind.
My body shape means if they fit on my shoulders they are really baggy around my waist and lower back. if they fit on my waist the back is too tight. So I guess I am a slight inverted triangle rectangle- bit like quirky.

Sorry to make this all about me. I really appreciate your help and am really enjoying the advent calendar. I remember being gutted when it finished last year! x

Thank you very much @Xing for the information on the jeans . It is much appreciated. I am considering purchasing a pair but it would be in the new year. I have a pair from AndOr that I'm wearing at the moment. I had them shortened and I think that I got a bit too much taken off them - instead of being 7/8 they are probably closer to 6/8. My own fault. Length on jeans is often a problem for me so it's great that Hiut let you choose the waist and length independently of one another.

@Bo - thanks for another great instalment of your advent calendar. I wonder if your picture number 3 from Whistles subliminally influenced my decision to give this cardigan from COS a try - it doesn't resemble the Whistles jumper in any way apart from the tie detail! I expect that it won't work as well as I am imagining on me. I also, on your (I think?) advice, bought one of their cashmere scarves and (unrelated) am giving this paper-bag skirt a go. There were many other things on their website that were tempting me but I was afraid that I would fall in love with it all and not be able to bear to send it back!!

Have a lovely day all

So today I am doing the Day 4, white shirt under light grey jumper with added bonus I did not have to iron much the shirt as you only see bits . Will add grey scarf and grey coat I think. All happen to be in a light silvery grey and all pieces I had for more than 4 years.

sandra the jacket in the pictures I do not think looks remotely appealing 😂 might put you off? But was worn at the end of summer in cooler days when I was bronzed after many weeks on the seaside, so the tone worked very well.
Many blazers, etc do not fit me well in my rectangular shape but this works I think because :

• sits on hip
• collar is thin and goes down a V very slowly (not a big angle)
• has this extra cut at the front , see panel above pocket and when worn gives a lovely fit
• it has a single hidden hook instead of button at front so it looks as it is just sitting and you get the V from neck and V inverted ... illusion of waist
• finally I did a pink on pink and worn it with a silky cami , very low (for what I normally wear) but had my strapless good bra on.
• worn with slim black trousers with detail on the side (tuxedo type ) .

Not sure if helps and I am by no means expert on fashion so bo or the other ladies might have better ideas but I think that is what helped me re the jacket 🙃 , might not be very French either with that brash colour!?

Looking forward to today’s advent already!!

On an unrelated question - what bottoms to wear on a long haul I will do soon ... the other end will be summer ...
although they do not upgrade these days, specially if traveling with a child .. I want to look good without trying hard . Lovelies ideas will be appreciated

Tied jumpers as fashion - genius. Thanks again bo and of course to Phoebe Philo, so many interesting shapes there and much fun to be had messing about with them.

I thought I'd read the other week that Hiut had closed down but it turns out they'd just closed their website for the day as a Black Friday protest

Water I really like the shape of that Cos jumper.

Sorry cross posted with you Red and missed your question. I haven't done any flights of that magnitude but I'm sure someone will know!

Jacket looks good and your description makes it sound very flattering, Redandblue. I like blazers, but you're right in that you need to be particular about the fit. A slight flare out at the waist, a narrow v, all create more shape and make you look less up and down.

Sandra, I don't really try to accentuate my bust as I'm only a bit smaller than average, so some of the styles I would wear, may not be suitable. I find anything that creates a central focal point, as opposed to your outline, like Red's blazer is good. Today, I'm in an ancient turtleneck cardigan, it has a silver zip down the middle which draws the eye, other styles that are good are knot fronts, shirts, anything ruched or twisted.

Trying to catch up with everyone, it was my birthday yesterday and I got to wear my new petrol, tartan scarf and use my grey bag. Not today, as it's been torrential, so a quick swap for more practical items this morning.

DAY 7

DAY 7 - DAY 7 - DAY 7 - DAY 7

The New All Black

Yes, all black looks amazingly cool, but it also obscures. Sometimes the whole point of all black but in a season where all the shops are pretending navy never even existed it only makes sense to stick two fingers up to all black, snub the black and navy combo for a bit, and revel in all things all blue.

There’s so much more than just navy out there and when combined it can be downright magical. Unique details don’t obscure into darkness but enhance the materiality. Something black can usually only manage inexpensive rich fabrics whereas blue rarely looks inexpensive. Speaking of fabric, if you insist on doing that shiny thing, go for navy already...