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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Thanks for pointing out that Uterque had some two-tone boots, and that the sale is getting underway. I took a peek and it's yet to open on these shores, but I'll keep my eyes open for it. I've always liked the style when I have walked past the shops but there isn't one closer than London.

The second-hand market stall had a top-quality Scottish cashmere jumper which I nabbed, hoping the crew neck wouldn't be a deal breaker, but although the camel is more flattering than I feared, the collar ruins it for me. I shall try it preppy-style, with a shirt underneath as a last resort but I suspect my mum is going to get lucky. The tiny men's mohair scarf is quite divine though.

bo cherry red corduroy dungarees, not jumpsuit and an article on jumpsuits, care of You mag.

So many exciting things! Been a busy last couple of days with DS Xmas concert , which I was all proud mum as he played a solo the opening so I was there first row!
Primary school , still it was v proud moment both for him and me.

flo I think I might copy you and do a Dior and Mary Quantas at the same time!

Jumpsuits - never tried one! I thought it was a fast fashion and would not catch on (do not normally jump on those trends) but I have been proved wrong!! I am tempted to try and see how I can style them for me ... at this rate though I will be the last one and then they will be truly out of fashion.. what do you think Bo? Or are they here to stay?

I have been automatically deleting any sales ads that come in my inbox, I hate that bombardment and just shut down.

DAY 13

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Coat on coat on coat

If you’re feeling the cold and how can you not right now? then you know layers are key but sometimes that is not even enough and if you’re sick of the ever practical parka or similar why not venture into coat on coat territory?

I'll be honest I’m not too sure on the warmth front unless you actually wear a puffer underneath but it is rather effective in creating shape and volume with a vertical line.

It’s also a great medium to play with pattern and colour, either by working with contrast within the same family or as a means of transition in tones or tying together different colours in a pattern.

A denim jacket is also useful with this look, it helps extend its wear beyond the traditional seasons and is a useful dressing down piece. The stiff material means gives a bit of solidity that can be emphasized, giving new meaning to double denim, or softened with a more fluid fabric.

Going by these layering developments we’ll probably be seeing layered skirts next, I mean Phoebe’s already suggested as much...

and I may already have worn two denim skirts atop each other, completely unintended, just forgot to take one off when deciding between the two and being too lazy to take one off, so to save me from further embarrassment I've decided it's a thing now

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The tiny men's mohair scarf is quite divine though.

Xing, this sentence had me imaging a poor tribe of teeny tiny men standing around in the cold shivering and demanding where their scarf had disappeared too and preparing their pitchforks in pursuit of Marie Kondo because the scarf didn't spark any joy for the teeny tiny men's wives

I quite like those too quirky noshame

I definitely feel they're firmly embedded now, blue, and despite being a trend introduction they were never really ubiquitous in one dominant form. Playsuits probably had a bit of a dodgy moment but even they managed to redeem themselves in the long run. When I was last in Paris in the summer I saw some stunning jumpsuits, and these were just a couple I managed to quickly snap on my phone I think the boiler suits are really hard to pull of, they definitely need tailoring but I do think it's the case that when you find a great one you're reluctant to be without one again and in my wardrobe they do get more wear than dresses.

Another genius post, bo. As someone with a well documented coat habit, I love the idea of wearing them all at once!

But it’s also - and for me this is when fashion works best - an extension of something I do already. E.g just yesterday I was wearing a tweed overcoat over a flannel blazer cos it was cold plus I needed to look vaguely smart for work. I never thought of making a feature of it or of playing around with colours and fabric. Better still it doesn’t involve any further shopping. Bring on extreme layering!

Tiny men everywhere, weep for the scarf! DH is very tall and broad, so this would barely go round his neck. It is a delicious mix of black (both warp and weft) with blurry stripes of copper, teal and blue threads along the warp.

Love jumpsuits, and agree that there's a perfect version for almost everyone. I'm still missing two wool-knit jumpsuits I wore to death in the 1980s. If I were all-powerful, I'd have them hanging up in mint condition, perhaps in grey and navy rather than the original copper and ochre tones

Group outing to the V&A for Dior and Mary Quant in spring anyone?

Just a quick hello and thanks for all the new advent calendar inspiration.

I'm going to try working my way through the days starting next week.

I see that the new U Uniqlo lookbook is out: www.uniqlo.com/UniqloU19ss/uk/en/

I like the look of some of the trousers, but they'll probably be too short.

Xing I am up for a group outing on spring a day of designers galore!

Out of yet another Xmas get together with one of my many groups ... I do not think I can keep up with this anymore, I am stuffed. Went for blue dress and red burgundy ankle boots just to honour my mn name

DAY 14

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Matt and shine

No, I haven’t been abducted by tinsel and forced to highlight the magic that can be a bit of shine in your wardrobe. Honest, not a bit of duct tape or a gun near my head as I type.

See a bit of shine can be great when used precisely and is an interwoven part of a look, it needs a bit of matte to offset it and as a rule, less is more is often the case when it comes to high shine and the more impactful it tends to be. A bit of strategising and experimenting can add a dimension that’s difficult to replicate with matte shades only.

Arguably Haider Ackermann is an absolute master when it comes to playing with what is essentially shade and light. Where others colour block, Ackermann explores the graphic abilities of the same colour by playing with its matt and shine variations. Heavy multi-layered silhouettes gain a streamlined shape with a leather belt with just the right amount of shine to draw the eye. Leather, often with a metallicised shine, almost becomes hard, almost armour-like is contrasted with the softest of wool expressed in curved lines.

Even in the smallest gestures, the use of shine is purposeful. Those ‘fancy’ shiny shirts that sit languidly in many a closet with perhaps a yearly outing around Christmas time, become extremely wearable on Ackermann’s runway as an underlayer that gives a soft outline or a lift to an otherwise drab fabric. Or just the mere drama of a lining being revealed in movement, if you’re ever going to replace a worn-out lining, always use the opportunity to consider going very bold with it.

Leather’s natural sheen is a key element as well, and since many accessories come in that material the silhouette can be elongated and accentuated.

Long leather gloves or leather trousers and shoes draw excessively strong vertical lines. Famously the sculptural belts create hourglass-like figures on those that are actually straight and narrow framed.

Now to translate this to the real world, as surely we don’t all have a wardrobe full of Ackermann, it’s about trying to wear pieces with shine in an altered way. Layering it under a tied up shirt and pushing up the arms to reveal the shine in dedicated spaces. Metallic shoes are surprisingly versatile but you do run the risk of them being the only thing you notice, so offsetting it with something similarly bright, white works especially well, be they trainers or socks, as it helps conquer some of the excessive shine.

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New thread as this one is nearly full:

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion

Thank you Bo once again expectations are surpassed.
Will go to the new thread next

The right amount of subtle shine ... yes I agree that on that front less is more and how nice of you to guide us through some good explained examples, specially when you bring it back to real examples and show us how is done.

I have a silk matte blouse from Gestuz in a copper(ish) colour, which reminds me of this. It has a matte finish but with a subtle shine, deoending on light and shade ... if that makes sense. I like it with high waisted trousers, specially for work.

Btw- in the new year I will search for a jumpsuit(s). You have inspired me