Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion

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Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset to our wardrobes. Occasionally we pretend this is a proper Salon of the non-beauty kind.

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Recommended Second Hand Shops in Paris

Outlets in Central Paris

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Bo you read my mind! I was going to message today re Dior V&A outing. I will send later a few proposal dates and see what happens .

Methen when I tried it on (velvet top) I took this pic, I was wearing grey skinny jeans and thought that looked well for a not too formal night out in a cool pub/Bar?
This am after my shower quickly tried it on with a black skater skirt. If I wear in cold winter, could I get away with opaque tights and ankle boots?
Or am I deluded?

Photo of my rear in jumpsuit...
Picture quality atrocious, if you cannot tell from this I will ask DH to take picture of me tonight.

Elle good work on continuing the advent calendar wear, you did the jumper on shoulders ! Well done. You are brave, I was considering that but was too self conscious.

Sandra Shame that service is not offered in London! I was going to nip there later on the week... do you know where is offered? Did you go near London at all? X

Here is photo! I look like I hunching , I think it was me trying to get an angle to get the photo in mirror...
And one from the front ...

To add my not very knowledgeable penny's worth about skincare, I'm 48 but would say I have pretty good skin. I think a lot of that is eating a good, nutritious diet: lots of veg, some fruit, nuts, healthy fats, oily fish. Also, a big thumbs up to SPF 50, I've been wearing some form of sunscreen since I was 16 and I'm absolutely sure it's made a difference, looking at some of my contemporaries. A year ago, I started with LRP retinol and could see a difference in a few frown lines and pigmentation pretty quickly. When I finish this I think I will probably need to go up a %.

I can't remember who talked about dark circles, but I've always had them. Dd1 has too, so pretty sure it's genetic. I use a BB cream round my eyes and then a few dots of either touche eclat or the aldi dupe. I also read that they have been developing a melatonin cream, which is supposed to be particularly effective.

A thread and a half to catch up on, but just blustering in to say Call My Agent series 3 is available on Netflix. You’ve probably all discussed already, and I haven’t caught up yet ...

I wish I’d looked as good as Camille when that much pregnant 😂

Andrèa, not Camille

Splat, I must admit that I spent most of the first episode trying to figure out where she managed to find that great green silk shirt that fit perfectly on the shoulders, the boobs, and the at maximum capacity bump without a single button pulling. I also fell asleep at some point in episode one (no reflection on the show), must do better and pay attention to the story line in the next watch attempt.

red I am in Brighton- You could always phone the store beforehand and ask?
The jumpsuit looks ace. I fear at 51 I am too old to wear something like this?

Sandra, 51 is not too old to wear a jumpsuit... and nor is 62! Obviously, the right jumpsuit, in a flattering shape but I've always thought they work on all ages. The logistics of the loo, however, are an age-related hazard, underscoring the need to maintain a good pelvic floor regimen.

There's no age limit as far as I'm concerned, I think any age can pull them off successfully. IME it's usually the very young (no offence Kaia Gerber but it's likely a stylist put you in that anyway) that can look a bit out of sorts in them where it's very much 'wearing a jumpsuit' rather than sitting like a second skin.

I think they're more challenging to certain body types, eg. a very pronounced apple hides all their best bits and puts a lot of emphasis on their midriff which usually isn't their first choice, but the crossover ones tend to work with them. As an hourglass all the bunching around the waist which is never small enough tends to work against me, probably less so for a fuller hourglass, I always need one where the waist sits low so I have a longer upper body that sits straight and usually wear some sort of footwear with a heel and prefer tapered bottoms.

V&A Dior exhibit and possibly M Quant

Possible suggested dates:
Sat 11/ Sunday 12 May
8/9 June
15/16 June
13/14 July (This is the last weekend)

I can probably suggest another one but let’s see if people can make any of the above.

Plan would be to meet up for the exhibition, etc.
An idea would be to do both exhibits, but we can also see what people decide, some could do both of them if they wanted (personally I am not sure, as not sure about overloading).

If people are interested, can you let me know the dates you can and I will collect and decide based on most people’s availability, and arrange final details.

It could be a great outing!!

Sandra thank you for feedback on jumpsuit.
I second the above on never too old for one, just need to find the right one for you.

I love a jumpsuit. I've actually ordered a couple in the sales to try.

I would be on for the meet. I can't do May 11-12. The only other potential conflict is that we haven't booked our summer holiday yet and it may clash, but I'd take a chance and book a ticket for the exhibition. We'll hopefully pin down the holiday in the next month or so.

I tried a jumpsuit from People Tree last year and it was the most unflattering thing I think I've ever put on. I think I'm an awkward height for jumpsuits - just too tall for petite, but on the short side so regular sizes can sit oddly at times.

Sadly, none of the proposed Dior outing dates are likely to be possible for me because of holiday plans or family commitments. I shall probably go before then, maybe in March. It opens in early February I think. If I go alone, I promise not to say too much and spoil the fun!

Thanks Red... Just to clarify publicly, I'd prefer mid-week as I have the freedom, and it would most likely be a Tuesday or Wednesday. If any of the Londoners here were at a loose end, it would be lovely to meet up and share the enjoyment. Day trips by train from the SW are awful at weekends.

Ouff Sandra don't get me started. I will confine myself to saying that the reasons I don't wear a jumpsuit are to do with my arse, not my age (although I will concede that there might be a correlation going on). I think fashion should be for anyone who enjoys it, not just the young and the beautiful.

I'm afraid the only date that would work for me would be the last one and even then I couldn't commit at this stage. But I hope you all go and report back. I'm beginning to think I won't get to the Dior at all but, if I had to choose one of them, it would have been Mary Quant and that's on all year so hopefully I'll make it at some point.

I'm not sure if I could make the dates either, depends on what happens with Brexit. But would love to see it!

I'm rather fancying this skirt today -

www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/sale/product.bias-cut-applique-silk-skirt-black.0716461001.html

Any ideas as to what else one might wear with it in terms of footwear?

Catherine I assume you are outside the uk? I might be naive but how would it be different to travel to another non-EU after (if when) Brexit?

Anyway, when we set a date hopefully you can join .

Will that skirt work with ankle boots? Obviously model is showing with loafers type flats so dark flats/brogues. Also what about block heeled sandals?

Today I am feeling very accomplished with myself.
On the train a lady who I do not know, very kindly said to me ... you look so elegant! And is so early in the morning! That lovely coat and scarf and hair ...
I must admit o was quite chuffed and I partly thank it to this thread!
What I did differently:
Not brushing my hair 😀 (not sure who posted that tip here) but carefully making it into a loose pony tail.
I got BB cream and used a tiny amount , around key areas . Used a lot less make up (I do not wear much anyway but was feeling to slowly creeping up on it). But a bit of blusher mixed with the bb cream to make it less harsh and a new lipstick in a subtle red on the nude side (if makes sense)
I was wearing blue dress, navy blue coat and a silk Liberty scarf.

That's a lovey boost redandblue. The outfit does sound very elegant.

Catherine I reckon you could wear a host of things with that skirt depending on how you were styling it, slip on sneakers to high heels.

DAY 7 - DAY 7 - DAY 7 - DAY 7

The New All Black

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.

My attempt: Reads as black in the full length photo despite me trying to lighten it a little, but hopefully the navy can be seen in the second. I felt really great in this. The pants and top (which is kind of a shell top) are a couple of years old and the jacket was bought last year from Arket. The pants could do with being taken up a fraction and I should have put on some accessories. I was in a rush this morning. Shoes are burgundy and were a recent purchase. Next up... biscuits! I'm hoping to try these this weekend, they sound awesome.

red how lovely! You sound very chic, I'm a great fan of blue, BB cream and not brushing hair (I'm curly it makes me completely frizzy).

Elle great minds, I've been living in navy. Though more from ease, I have lots of navy clothes, and being full of cold this week . Great photos.

Lovely ensemble, Elle, I actually quite like the length of the trousers a little longer but perhaps less ideal when walking?

Catherine, I always struggle with those kind of pieces that are essentially party wear, as they go quite formal easily. I think if you're someone who can easily dress down they work but if you're always attempting to dress down even casual things then they're hard work.

From the dates I can make them work but I'd rule out the July dates as the final weekend is just going to be ridiculously busy. I determine my own hours so non weekend dates are fine with enough notice. I have similar reservations about Brexit, not that worried about flights not running, or gaining entry, etc. Just with the current uncertainty still unresolved post Brexit London simply doesn't pass my litmus test of feeling confident I'd be okay on my own if a sudden 24hr power outage were to occur. Not insinuating that's on the cards because of Brexit but it's been a universal guide for me whenever travelling on my own as that's pretty much all it takes to unmask the veneer of civility in most places. Anyhow as mentioned previously, don't hinge the date on me.

Hurray for unbrushed hair (possibly it was me but way back in earlier thread) no need for newscaster hair to be perceived to be elegant