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Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion

989 replies

botemp · 14/12/2018 19:06

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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Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion
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417
XingMing · 09/01/2019 20:15

I think trousers are getting longer. Every time I click on a picture since Xmas, they seem to brush the tops of shoes even in heels. Sometimes, they look so long it would be difficult not to stand on them.

Floisme · 10/01/2019 08:42

I’m getting the spring emails and catalogues and the trousers that aren’t ankle length are trailing on the ground. Nothing in between, not even places like Poetry who play it safe.

So I don’t buy new stuff very often but when I do...... which is my way of telling you I’ve ordered some Margaret Howell trousers. They had a bumper £100 off so down to ... um £250 Shock They’re already sold out so can’t post a link but they’re that pleated, slightly tapered, slouchy, mannish shape in a cotton gabardine. I can’t even argue they’re timeless cos the style dated badly last time around but I really love it and wanted the best I could afford.

And now no more new till I’ve saved up again. I’ll even have to sit out the next Uniqlo U launch and you can remind me I said that.

CatherineMaitland · 10/01/2019 08:56

Thanks all for the suggestions...still in two minds. LOL

I love the look of long trousers that graze the floor, but they seem so impractical.

Floisme · 10/01/2019 09:13

Trailing on the floor trews remind me of that so-called trend a couple of years ago of going bare legged in January: everyone might be doing it on Pinterest but no-one does in real life (unless you have a chauffeur and want everyone to know).

Sorry Catherine I’ve missed your pics. I’ll go back and have a look.

quirkychick · 10/01/2019 10:02

Wide, trailing trousers in cold rainy weather is just a no. I certainly veer towards slim, skinnier trousers in the cold and wet, as I can tuck them into longer boots which are warm and certainly better if you walk around a lot.

Your trousers sound gorgeous, flo Grin.

I've ordered some snowboots in the sale from Kimberfeel (no idea what they will be like), but my 20yrs old brown furry boots have died and I need something warm, waterproof and sturdy enough to put yak trax onto if the weather's anything like last year. They are black, with grey fur at the top. I really wanted Sorel ones, but they were £££s and a lot of the reviews said they were not great for wider, high instep feet. I'll try to find a photo.

ToElleWithIt · 10/01/2019 10:14

I agree about trailing trousers. Those ones are just hovering above the floor, but add in a puddle and I'll spend the rest of the morning watching the water wick up my calves.Trousers pooling on the floor are surely an instagram trend?

Those trousers sounds wonderful flo, please post a (masked) picture.

I'm repeating the camel skirt and boots, but this time with a looser jumper, probably works better.

quirkychick those sound like a good buy. I get loads of wear out of a similar-sounding pair and they were so handy when we had really bad snow last year.

I did order a pair of black boots recently, but I need to try them on over the weekend to see if they are the perfect boots they need to be to justify the price. If they're not, they're going back.

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion
quirkychick · 10/01/2019 10:40

These are the boots, but I got mine from Brandalley for £65.

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion
XingMing · 10/01/2019 11:29

Useful boots Quirky, I like 'em and a decent price for shoes you could be wearing a lot!

I'm not often speechless, but DH came home last night and announced that we had a kitchen planner arriving at 9.00am! He has always refused to contemplate any real change to the kitchen's design (in fact, the house). My flabber is completely ghasted, so I am now trying to work out where to start.

ToElleWithIt · 10/01/2019 13:13

You'll get loads of wear out of those quirky - good choice!

That's great news Xing How exciting. Any ideas on what you'll do yet? If you have any tips please pass them on. I'm reviewing the plans for the kitchen and need to have a serious think about where everything will go - depths of drawers, what will likely go in big cupboards versus under counter etc. Actually I seem to recall a very useful thread on here about all that stuff, must check.

botemp · 10/01/2019 13:55

I think Kimberfeel is the Canadian counterpart to Sorel. Agree the Sorels are terrible with a high instep, I sent mine back as they were beyond uncomfortable where the rubber bottom meets the top textile part. Found them very wide though. They look very similar, mine were the Turin or Torino from Sorel.

Lovely outfit again Elle, looks very cosy.

Trousers sound very promising, Flo!

Xing, I'd say most game changing in a kitchen is a quooker(booking water) tap and a steamer oven, they really do make life easier and more efficient. If you can afford to splurge get the plumbed in versions of the steamer oven.

Other things I'd consider is if you're keeping resale value in mind (over here) it's pretty standard to double up on appliances in a family home, on a base level dishwashers and ovens (one being a combo, you can even get a combo steam/microwave oven). I've never been convinced by the integrated coffee machines, they're more show ponies and from the coffee snobs I gather they don't make very good coffee either.

Other things to consider is whether you want to future proof it, so considering age it's better to get handles which you can easily grab hold of and grab on/into, self closing doors and drawers are a worthwhile extra, they're pretty much standard these days but there's a bit of quality difference between them (Chinese imitation vs. German originals). Keeping appliances above counter level and favouring drawers over doors below. Unless you're very tall it's worth considering dropping the counter level, etc.

In terms of long term trends, kitchens are becoming more integrated as a part of the (adjoining) interior living space and butler pantries are on the rise, meaning you have a smaller and functional front end and a storage area at the back with extra appliances that pretty much functions and looks like a second kitchen but hides most of the mess and boring bits. Very useful for entertaining especially if catered/staffed. Also the front end is pretty efficient and easy to keep clean.

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botemp · 10/01/2019 13:57

*Boiling water tap not booking water Blush

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ToElleWithIt · 10/01/2019 14:34

That's really useful botemp Is a double dishwasher one with 2 drawers? My parents have one and it's handy, but typically the top drawer is the only one that get used regularly! We do full loads due to kids being at home all day so it's easy to generate enough dirty dishes for a full dishwasher, but I can see how the ability to run a half load would be handier as the kids age. Quooker is definitely on the list

What's the advantage of a steamer oven? I do actually cook a lot, but know nothing about them. Also on the potential list is a warming drawer, but I'm slightly worried that introducing more electrics introduces more potentially for breakages!

I was wondering why our architect kept calling what I would call our "utility" our "back kitchen", that explains it! Sadly I don't live in a world where I get caterers in and ours would barely fit 2 people anyway, but it will be really handy for stashing dirty dishes and other stuff when we have people over.

botemp · 10/01/2019 14:51

Plate warmers are another show pony in my book, if you stick your empty plates in the microwave on high you achieve the same thing. Handy for aesthetic purposes sometimes if you have a space left under a microwave or similar and don't want a drawer there so you have something in matching stainless steel.

Steamer ovens are handy for veg and similar, you just shove it in and it's cooked perfectly to programmes, you can multitask by doing several things at once and you just have a few trays to stick in the dishwasher rather than loads of pots and pans. It's like a better and more reliable microwave for cooking and the nutritional value is higher than other methods of cooking even compared to normal steaming as the temperature and pressure is higher so cooks faster. Food doesn't dry out when reheating, you can also make pasta, rice, legumes, etc. in it. Great for bread making as well if it's a combination one as steam makes it very crusty.

Two dishwashers is just two dishwashers side by side, means one is always able to take dirty dishes and you don't get a pile of dirty plates sitting in the sink because no one wants to clean out the clean one, you generally establish a rhythm of clean plates are taken out when needed, dirty one gets loaded. When the clean dishwasher is nearly empty it's a minor chore to clean it out, so easier done and by that time the dirty one is usually nearly full. Mind you that's for a smaller family, larger families just run both at the end of the day usually.

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JaneR0chester · 10/01/2019 15:34

Bonne année mes Parisiennes.

Catching up on the thread, some lovely photos and great attempts at bo's calendar. We were luckier than Red and managed to get away smoothly through Gatwick (we travelled the day after Red I think), skiing conditions were great and surprisingly not too cold for that time of the year.

I don't often wear make up, very sheer/light base at most. The easiest base I've ever used is Origins VitaZing, amazing stuff that seems to blend invisibly into the skin, leaving a smooth complexion. It's about the same price as Xing's recommendation, and easier to get hold of.

My favourite sunscreen of recent years is Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence SPF50+/PA++++. I've bought it abroad and via Amazon in the UK. Really lovely light texture that works well for my combination skin.

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion
Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion
Redandblue11 · 10/01/2019 15:56

Xing do you have a tap water filter? If not I would say to consider that for drinking water. I have one installed under the sink is a Franke one , with 3 taps, the usual two plus this one and the drinking water comes out great taste, similar to having a Brita jug type thing integrated.
Also, do you have space for salt water filter? Again we have obe near the “back kitchen” where all water supply comes in and deals with the hard water, we have no water markz built up in taps or bathrooms, very useful and also keeps the life of your appliances.
I love a house project, that sounds exiting!

Redandblue11 · 10/01/2019 16:05

Jane [envious] about you flying Wink great that you enjoyed your holiday! I cannot wait for my skiing trip in a few weeks.

Elle I love the outfit with the looser jumper

Flo those trousers sound amazaballs

I am trying to find a coat, in wool, mid length, possibly camel or other timeless colour (not navy or black) but I want with wider sleeves so it would be comfortable with a jacket or bigger jumper underneath. It does not need to be for the worst winter but for when temperatures are cold but not freezing, lurking the zeros. I will post some of the contenders later. Budget £100-£200 ideally, could be stretched for the perfect one.

CatherineMaitland · 10/01/2019 16:05

My kitchen is tiny - no room for a dishwasher, freezer, or microwave. But I do love my saucepan drawer. So I would definitely have one of those in any new kitchen.

XingMing · 10/01/2019 16:10

I think the kitchen thread we need is the Lessons Learned in the Property section Elle.

Thank you for your input Bo -- I often forget you're an architect by training, and I'm interested in your enthusiasm for the steam oven, which I initially rejected out of hand. Like Elle, I don't have staff, and there are only the three of us. We do have a utility room, and the kitchen is fairly big anyway (18 ft by 40ft). Our hand is being forced into action by the imminent demise of our ancient gas granny cooker. And resale value matters a lot as we shall probably downsize once DS leaves home. Houzz and Pinterest here I come! And Remodelista, any more sites that I must not miss?

Redandblue11 · 10/01/2019 17:11

V&A Dior exhibit update

From the dates only Bo and Elle and myself can make either

Weekend of 8/9 June or 15/16 June.

Xing can possibly make a Tuesday or Wednesday , which Bo could potentially make and myself too with enough notice as I also dictate my hours etc at work.
Elle would during the week be an option at all?

If not we stick to above dates. Anybody else interested?
So far is only 3 of us, I will probably go anyway even if by myself/can drag anogher friend.

ToElleWithIt · 11/01/2019 10:29

I could do a week day if I've no work commitments, but would prefer a Monday or Friday so that I could have one leg of travel on a weekend day (I'd probably stay overnight).

botemp · 11/01/2019 11:01

Downsizing the beautiful view Xing Shock please tell me that means building another home at the bottom of the garden hogging all the view that will be documented by Grand Designs and somehow by the end you will be miraculously pregnant by Kevin McCloud.

Sorry no use on sites as I don't really frequent any consumer sites, but I did have a look at Readly and there a few kitchen focused magazines on there, would be useful perusing a few of those to get a grasp of what's out there. With reselling in mind I'd also be looking at comparable properties in the area up for sale. And as much as I'm a fan of steamer ovens, in terms of resale value most don't really see the added value of them unless they already have one.

My preference for during the week would be Friday too, if there's any resolve anytime soon WRT Brexit I'd probably book an overnight too, although I've hated every London hotel I've stayed in. It's been a while though.

Red, I tried on attached coat at Esprit a while back. Was hoping it would go in the sale (it's a lot more expensive in Euros strangely enough) in one of the other colours as I don't need another camel coat but was pleasantly surprised by the fit and feel of it. Collar manages to stay up by itself which is usually only a feature in the high end sector. It looks a lot more expensive than it is, it's mostly wool and has a camel hair texture. Sleeves are pretty wide and you can easily wear a thick jumper underneath. Only downside I found is that it has an interesting detail on the cuff which tapers, but the buttons used look very cheap, it's sprayed over silver plastic, so I'd replace those.

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion
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botemp · 11/01/2019 11:03

Forgot to add the link, appears the camel colour is now on sale with a further 20% off. Bit of a bargain:

www.esprit.co.uk/womenswear/clothes/jackets-coats/coats/made-of-blended-wool-coat-with-retro-charm-108EO1G033_230

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botemp · 11/01/2019 11:17

Ignore my previous rambling all colours are on sale now, must have happened overnight as I had the window open from last night when it twas still full price I have ordered the other colours and the camel as they are 61% off here plus an additional 20% off so came in at a little over 50 euros each Shock Hoping the other colours take my fancy as I don't need another camel coat.

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Peregrane · 11/01/2019 11:27

For the expectant Parisiennes: I wore a couple of Cos pieces last year as maternity wear. I would have snapped up this silk top, on sale: www.cosstores.com/en_eur/women/sale/product.strappy-silk-top-terracotta.0653019001.html

I keep spotting items in the sales that my DB/DF/DM would love and would look great on them. For whatever reason I am finding it much harder to shop for myself (and DH). My many wardrobe gaps include navy blue cord trousers (preferably with a thin “stripe/rib” (sorry, brain freeze) in a straight cut that covers my ankles, and warm oatmeal trousers in a natural fibre for spring/summer. Nothing I see is just right :) I’ll really have to tackle my wardrobe systematically once I finish with the piles of admin, house issues, etc etc. At least to have a solid overview.

Our oven is also dying so I am also following bo’s generous pearls of wisdom on this keen interest! DH took charge of this but got stuck after a bit of research- he claims that built-in electric stove tops are sold separately from ovens and it’s not remotely obvious which ones are compatible. I fear this is one more thing that I’ll have to take into my own hands... A bunch of other house projects are also kicking their heels. Not helped along by an article I recently read on how the construction industry is globally one of the biggest contributors to climate change.

botemp · 11/01/2019 11:41

I have to say that's one of the trappings of being discerning, peregrane you struggle to find the exact thing you're looking for. I still find my best pieces by shopping in shops. Welcome to the princess and the pea society Grin

I'm a bit confused by your DH's issue with the oven and built in electric stove. Or do you have the older setup of a built in hob and oven (seperate from each other with a work top in between and using a single socket for both appliances) and the controls for the hob are on the oven? You can pretty much match any built in hob with any oven. If you're replacing like for like, ovens usually aren't an issue as the sizes are pretty standard but for the hob you need to look up the sparing in your current work top and find one that matches roughly or is requires a larger sparing (provided it's an easy material to adjust). Or be prepared to replace the work surface.

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