Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Blue Stockings are Back in Fashion

[botemp]

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.

---

Recommended Second Hand Shops in Paris

Outlets in Central Paris

---

Previous threads:

Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

You're making me jealous with all your kitchen renovations. We bought our house five years ago as a project and two kids later we still have horrible 90s kitchen units with faux marble worktops, many stains and tears on the flooring and increasing shabbiness generally. We haven't got round to doing anything yet (we are planning major building work, with knocking down walls and putting in windows and doors towards a garden and big extension) and never seems to be the right time to do it... Sigh...

I would love to see the Dior show but I'm not sure I will be able to join you. I have a lot of travel planned for work starting from March and I feel it would be too big an ask of my poor DP. Unless I engineer a family weekend away in London and I nip out for a few hours once you set the date...

Flo I'm jealous of your trousers, I sometimes look at the pictures on the MH website longingly, the trousers are what she does best. Can't wait to see what they look on.

I agree with Esprit coat looking amazing on bo, I wouldn't have given it a second glance from the website picture.

Red I like the Bimba Y Lola coat, although I don't imagine it would work as your "main" coat. I have a few things from them and they have been really keeping well. Although the last time I ordered from there they changed their returns policy after I ordered and I had to pay for postage even though the T&C stated were different than purchased. I guess I could have argued but I just wanted the thing sent back so I paid, but wowed never to buy from them again.

Today I'm sporting a new jumper from Arket, I'm afraid it was full price but I have been considering it for a long time. I love the colour and softness and it's making me feel good and comfy. www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/knitwear/product.alpaca-wool-blend-jumper-green.0662218002.html

I'm also awaiting delivery of this dress from COS, inspired by the blue advent calendar www.cosstores.com/en_gbp/women/womenswear/dresses/product.a-line-merino-wool-knit-dress-blue.0678049001.html

Oh and Methen I did have a few thoughts about belts too. I found the slim belts don't actually hold up the trousers if you need them to do the job, rather than just be there for aesthetic effect. Bits of fabric just glide up and down it and bunch up the waist. I was surprised how difficult it was to find a belt that was just the right width, but managed a dark blue one from John Lewis. I needed it for high waist trousers and jeans.

I can do both March dates, 18th would work very well for me as it’s a bank holiday, May 20th works and all of the June dates are fine.

On the belt thing I agree that it can look strange particularly if a skinny belt is pulling at the “normal size” belt loops. If I wear a skinny belt with jeans it tend to be worn so that it’s not pulled tight, thereby rendering it more of an accessory rather than anything useful.

ferretface sounds like you got some lovely things.

Gosh I never would have looked twice at that Esprit coat online, but it looks so much better on. Way more expensive looking than t is it.

Floisme those trousers are a super shape and the colour is much more interesting than a light khaki.

Redandblue My favourite of the coats is probably the Bimba y Lola one, followed by the Boden. The sleeves on the Jigsaw one look bracelet length which I don’t like in a winter coat, or maybe it’s just short on the model? The French Connection one doesn’t do it for me.

Methenyou If the coat is a style that you like and wear then it seems like a good buy. I really like the cream top, is it boiled wool? Agree that the button gives it a slight dentist’s uniform feel, but change it up and I think it will look really nice. I hope your DS isn’t in too much discomfort with the tubes and that they are healing okay.

DAY 8 DAY 8 DAY 8

Since it's the full-on season of baking, we cannot skip Pierre Hermé in the run up to Christmas. These biscuits are both savoury and sweet, surprisingly simple to make and yield a lot. The finished sables can be frozen before baking for easy quick bake off if you're expecting any guests, they go great with drinks. They also make for great presents. The quality of the olive oil is one to consider but I'd avoid a very strong tasting one.

They may be a bit challenging to children's tastes, for simpler palates I can't recommend PH's Sablé infiniment chocolat (pic 2) enough.

I really love the sound of the olive ones, but had no fancy olives and I didn’t think that the jar of olives in brine on offer at Lidl where we do our big shop were quiiiite what Mr Hermé had in mind so we went with the chocolate ones. I did this with the kids and it was suitably simple. They were delighted by the fact that the rolled logs “look like poos”. Unfortunately they were not willing to wait the mandated 2.5 hrs to chill the dough so the cookies spread, but they still tasted delicious and I have 2 “poos” left for another day.

JonSnow I love love love the colour of the Cos dress. It looks very versatile and wearable too.

Also adore alpaca as a fibre, it's so soft!

JonSnow, we've been in our house more than 20 years and the kitchen is unchanged from the 1980s original, apart from replacing fridges and flooring, so I would argue that this renovation is long overdue! However, DH has always taken the view that "it won't alter what you cook or how it tastes, so why bother?" That said, it's a good kitchen, well-planned and with acres of counter space. We need more sockets, and the kitchen units' carcasses are now starting to sag badly, but I doubt we shall go wild.

I've just received the provisional CAD designs by email, and it's not really what I expected. Apart from anything else, I really can't imagine our kitchen without the clutter of kettles and toaster and gadgets, which all sit on the counter-tops. I am quite disconcerted.

I have the pink version of the alpaca jumper in my basket, good to hear it's lovely!

We are definitely birds of a feather here. I've been admiring that sweater too, but it's sold out in the dark grey. I acquired a grey/bois de rose silk/alpaca/merino sweater from the vintage stall which is very patterned and as DS (rather disparagingly) said looks like something the NDN would have bought in an African game park!!!

In other news I used some birthday present money to buy myself some perfume samples (a set of 5 from Papillon). Thought they would be fun to try out.

The "poos" look yummy!

I'll have to check the March dates WRT flight and hotel availability/prices as that's shorter notice. May is going to be more tricky, June dates should be good.

Anyone have any good recs for central London hotels and want to entertain me on Sunday as my experience has been awful across the board? Up to £150 p/n or so but would prefer to be much less, will pay extra for a good location.

WRT belt sizes I think it depends on shape, so for me as an hourglass adding bulk to the middle looks awful and like I'm trying to sinch in excess fat as it just throws the proportions off as I'm making myself smaller where I'm already small and subsequently bigger where I widen out. I tend to stick with the higher the waist the thinner the belt and vice versa. On coats I can usually do a slightly thicker belt as the coat offers a certain amount of mass. I can also do thinner piece of leather kind of obi belt with thin belt on top. My opposite body type, straight up and down ruler types will have the opposite approach, a wide belt actually creates a waist optically, thinner belts look lost on an already thin silhouette, a noticeable buckle helps in those cases. Unless a pear wants to accentuate their hips I'd probably stay away from too wide belts on a low rise, similarly an inverted triangle will make their bottom half look more narrow with a thin belt which some like (think Audrey Hepburn) but with others it can feel like it accentuates the bulk of the shoulders. Colour plays into it as well, so for the IT doing the previous with a dark belt on white or trousers balances it out again as the white gives some mass, the black thin belt breaks it up a bit again.

Xing, please inform XingSon, I bought some fantastic pieces in African game parks (the non hunting ones)!

Bo, I think he was referring to NDN's baggy half zip fleece garments, rather than the interesting cultural artifacts. NDN only shoots pictures; rather good too. But a style guru, he is not.

Happy belated New Year all (and thank you Bo for the wonderful advent calendar).

Long time lurker decloaking to share this shirt:

www.harveynichols.com/brand/alexander-wang/306732-striped-chain-embellished-cotton-shirt/p3383128/

I thought the chain is a very clever way to give an unusual shape to what is essentially a very simple shirt, and one that would be fairly easy to copy.

(Also loving the halftuck on the model, Net a Porter are watching)

I meant I bought safari gear, Xing, incidentally because it was far colder than anticipated so I don't blame your NDN for buying some dodgy knits when there. NDN does potentially sound like an ironic style inspiration, much like the dad sneakers, etc.

This, that's freaky on the synergy waves. I tried on this shirt from T by Alexander Wang yesterday that looks very similar and styled it the same way The lighting in that changing room is awful so have included two pics, the shirt is actually opposing fabric on each side. Still uhming and ahing whether to get it, I was ushered out by staff as it was closing time and couldn't make up my mind about the jeans (Essentiel Antwerp), they're very similar to my Levi's but more fitted and that side stripe seems to work well for me. Only couldn't decide on size, the smaller size was a bit tight but I'm right before my TOM and I tend to bloat out, and size up was certainly more comfortable but it's 100% cotton so likely to stretch out anyhow. I think I'll go back for the shirt, and revisit the jeans when I'm back to my normal size.

Speaking of jeans, forgot to report back on the Toteme ones, as predicted they were a terrible fit for me, my behind is not made for these vintage styles skirt was also a bit off, a touch big and too long, but I'm happy with the socks and I all came very beautifully presented, if a tad wasteful as everything was individually boxed up.

DIOR V&A

If March 18 is not possible Bo can you confirm
Then I suggest we settle for Monday June 3.

Bo re hotels in central London, for the Chelsea Flower Show I am going to stay in the Millenium at Chelsea fc, 4 star (allegedly).
Is the hotel right next to the football club in Chelsea, in non-matches days I expect is suitable 4 star standard ... or at least that is what I am hoping! Never stayed there but trip advisor seems reasonable.
Is in Fulham Broadway and 10 min walk to Kings Road.
When I am going is £150, but just checked and march 18 is showing rooms at £80!!

www.millenniumhotels.com/en/london/millennium-and-copthorne-hotels-at-chelsea-football-club/

Not sure if above is clear, meaning 18 March is a possibility unless Bo checks and advises otherwise.

That allegedly is really selling it to me Red I'm assuming since the price is low there are no matches on as that would be annoying. I've had a quick look at flights and that should be easily manageable, couple of options. If someone can spare me the effort of looking it all up again Luton is in the arse end of nowhere and has no train connection IIRC, Gatwick has a train connection but it'll cost more than your plane ticket and I'm a bit clueless on Southend and vaguely recall Stansted being a budget airline one but not the worst choice?

That is incredibly spooky timing about the shirt, maybe a sign to go back and buy?

Those Totem jeans look so beautiful online, its a shame they weren't a good fit.

Cos have a pair of barrel legged jeans which I did not expect to like, but I'm actually tempted by after trying them on. But other than white trainers, I'm at a loss on how to pair them with footwear.

www.cosstores.com/en_eur/women/womenswear/trousers/product.barrel-leg-jeans-black.0695495001.html

Redandblue11 Cheslea flower show is fabulous, hope the hotel is restful for when you are there.

I like the shape of those jeans, This, I could easily seem them work with flat or heeled mules when transitioning into spring. If you can carry it off, combat or doc martens could work. My beige/tan Jil Sander ankle boots would look good under them too...

Bo Luton has a 30 min train connection into London
Station is luton parkway

I have been looking for those type of wide jeans the past few months ... ebay/ charity ... I am hoping to get lucky!

The wide leg jeans I bought in Jan18 COS sale, which I didn't like initially and messed around trying to persuade a tailor to tinker, have turned out remarkably well. All it took was washing the dressing out of the fabric. I'm wearing them with dark trainers and heel lifts... but planning to wear loafers in summer, though heeled mules may be another option, and a pair of open-toed tan shoe boots will get a trial run too.

March 18 looks as if it will work for me, V&A excursioneers!

Frantically working this am to be able to take the pm off for a last minute trip into Knightsbridge to meet a friend who is for a few hs here.
So we will have coffee in the area and since I am there I will nip into Harrods and try the Sensei bronzing gel that you Xing recommended.

Bo do you still need help re Airports info? From Luton you take the Thameslink train . There is a shuttle bus to Luton Airport Parkway Station.
The train takes you to a few stations in central London (St Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink ) . Is about £15 single .
www.london-luton.co.uk/to-and-from-lla/going-south-beyond-london

(I know the above as I live in Hertfordshire, so use the line into London)

From Standstead train takes you to Liverpool Street and from Gatwick to Victoria. Also you have Heathrow. Those are your options I think any is ok depending on what you find. But I would not discount Luton as connection is ok and if you go West of Central London is probably better than Standstead.

Let us know and we can give the go ahead to book the Dior tickets!!

This I quite like the shirt! I wonder if you will get it, let us know.

Yes, the Chelsea flower show is marvellous. As I am going this year on the first day when press and celebs are present and some lucky ones like meI will make a good effort and wear something nice. I am thinking floral/botanical print to keep in the theme.

Back to wide leg trousers jeans - I tried a pair last year but the waist was too low for me so it did not do any favours, I need it to sit a bit on the waist. Then I saw on eBay one that I missed , looked amazing a Max Mara one ... so since then I thought to wait and see if a high end / good quality brand (that I would not normally pay full price) would come up. So I am waiting, I recon for spring or not too hot summer would be perfect.
If my waiting does not materialise by the spring I might try the Cos one. Where does it sit on the waist? Xing / This?

I love all the wide leg jeans here. If you figure out how to wear them let me know. Maybe more of a spring / summer item given the shoe choices.

thisname that is a cool effect with the shirt and you’re right that it could easily be DIY’d

Botemp I’ve stayed in a few branches of the Z hotel. The rooms are very much an acquired taste since they are absolutely tiny and sometimes windowless, but if I’m travelling solo I really don’t mind that and don’t plan on spending much time in the room. On the plus side they’re modern, clean and have free wine and cheese in the evening! Not for the claustrophobic though… www.thezhotels.com/

Millennium hotel does look like a good option though and seems close to the King’s Road. I think you could get the tube from Heathrow airport (much cheaper than the heathrow express) and get off at Earl’s Court then it’s 2 stops on the district line or a short walk. Anyone else any suggestions?

Flights are a bit of a headache, or at least in the sense of getting preferred airport Gatwick (or possibly city but it's a really early flight and iirc it's a rather dinky plane so not the most comfortable of flights) the express ticket from GTW isn't insanely more expensive than the other airports and seems the quickest way in. Looks like flying on Saturday is easier though but I have no idea what I'm going to entertain myself with for two days by myself (apologies, but London has never really grabbed me as fun all round, love the museums and the occasional department store but that's as far as I get). I really need to have a proper search this weekend.

I've been looking at The Hoxton but not really all that familiar with the Shoreditch area which could be a positive or is it really painfully hip? I'll have a look at the Z hotels, I can do with basic and small, not sure if I could do without a window though.