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.

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Recommended Second Hand Shops in Paris

Outlets in Central Paris

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Previous threads:

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It sounds like an FT fashion shoot. That's arch-typical Damien Foxe styling.

Some lovely necklaces on that site Bo.

I have a few bits I like to wear but nothing blingy or expensive at all - a black pearl pendant, a gold spear pendant, and a cheapy Mango shell special pretty much on rotation. And a few Celticy silver rings. I can't tell what looks better on me, gold or silver.

Loving the blue advent outfits. And all of them really.

FT sounds like an excellent medium and target audience. Now I'd like Erwin Olaf as photographer and attached dog. Initially I thought black but actually with the mud it will have a lovely ombre effect. Will also demand one picture like the third where dog wiggles off mud and jewellery in spectacular fashion. I'll accept a bit of Photoshop for the jewellery. Other random thought, penguin can wear the parka.

I'll stop now, I promise...

That is one awesome dog shake, Bo. Quietly thanking my lucky stars that XingDog is a very sleek flat-coat. She spreads muddy water far enough already when she shakes in the kitchen.

I cannot put a huge LOL face here or I would

I found this little gem in a second hand bookshop.
I love reading, specially interesting life stories. I am quite early in the book and I did not know about her past as an Eastern European, and the war, being a refugee (although a “lucky” one as her family seemed wealthy).
I am quite early in the story before she created the brand and enjoying how she describes the clothes and family members influence in her.

Are we talking the “How to Spend it” supplement? I love the image of the Bulgari flying through the air with specs of mud and water. I’ve always wondered about the insurance logistics of those jewellery shoots. They always seem to be very straightforward still life spreads or worn my models in studio. I presume that’s to do with the inability to procure, or expense of, insurance for an outdoor shoot featuring multiple “POA” pieces. I also presume there are security guards at the shoot with the jewels, but who pays for them – the jewellery house (and if so do they split the cost among themselves) or does the magazine pay?

What a great book find Red Also love the tonal / Camaïeu Blue outfit – nice work.

xing what a lovely project. Looking forward to hearing how it progresses.

Lovely bangle quirky very simple. I commiserate on the wrists botemp I don’t think I told you, but I lost my lovely wide enamel Bangle-Up cuff in exactly that fashion except I didn’t notice it had dropped off and despite retracing my steps I couldn’t find it. The thinner ones are lighter and therefore less problematic.

Retinol has arrived so I’m going to give it a go.

DAY 10 - DAY 10 - DAY 10 - DAY 10

(Wo)man spreading

Excerpt from Botemp

There’s nothing new or revolutionary about women wearing men’s wear but there has slowly been a shift. Perhaps because it’s become so much more mainstream it’s lost the shocking allure and sex appeal it once had. Nor is it necessarily advertising your relationship status by wearing a ‘borrowed’ piece, no boyfriend needed to buy a pair of boyfriend jeans, etc.

With the loss of its exotism, a new set of eyes can be unleashed on these clothes, and we can see them as clothes and, crucially, can wear them accordingly. Subsequently, the way they’re worn has become more intuitive, clothes that take up space suddenly seek out room rather than being bound by a reassuring sign of femininity.

My Attempt

I’m really enjoying wearing this and yes I even think my postures changes in the wider trousers. I’m on the fence about whether or not the jacket works and I think a grey t-shirt may have been a better bet. I went with cheetah Stan Smiths for the full-on Phoebe effect.

Ah I love the idea of muddy dog and jewellery, sounds so decadently stylish! I'm always inspired by images of Diana Vreeland and her chunky jewellery, she wore it so well.

The March date sadly won't work for me, I'm going to be in the States. But I will see the show in February, and will make sure to include no spoilers in my report. I would love to meet you all some time. I try to involve DP in conversations about clothes, but he gets bored easily. To be fair I get bored of him talking about records... I need more stylish friends IRL.

The blue dress from Cos has been and gone. It is meant to be drapey but somehow ends up droopy instead, the proportions of the sleeves were all wrong, right on the shoulder but too deep under the armpits. And the texture of the dress has small punctures but they are too discreet to be seen as a feature, they more look like faults on the fabric. Shame. It was a lovely colour. I'm yearning to wear more dresses suddenly after a few years of almost exclusively wearing trousers.

I'm loving all the blues from the advent calendar. I love how all the styles are translating into stylishly wearable rather than fashion victim.

For everyone with an eye on the Arket alpaca jumper - they come and go in stock, if you really want one, it's worth religiously occasionally checking their website...

I love that shaggy dog!

Very chic, Elle. Commiserations on losing your cuff, it's horrible when that happens.

In all that typing I forgot to say that I'm on for the 18th. Will we go ahead and book out exhibition tickets?

Bo so we are all re-confirmed about the 18 March. Just let us know and we book it!

Update on my purchases/trials:

• Sprit coat : amazing fabric and feel, sadly not good shape in me. I look like inside a big sack. With my shape I need a different cut. Sadly it will have to go back. But certainly amazing bargain for those (like Bo) that can carry it and look super luxurious.
• Blackhorse Lane jeans: the fit is too big, but I am not even sure a size smaller will look right. Or certainly like I expect for a £100 pair. I tried a levis slim ones in the sale for half the price and they looked much better. So I will go for those.
• My gestuz silk matte blouse (from second hand shop) , which has always been a pain to get nicely ironed, now looks much better than has done in ages thanks to the vinegar rinse!!!
• Finally the Sensei bronzing gel is amazing. For a no make up make up look is just great. I ended up with a great tone but looking completely natural.

Photo of the jeans and my blouse after a really quick iron (not even a full one done properly) just 2 seconds to try.

Shame about the Cos dress Jon.
I am sure we can do another meet up another time. X

Elle loving that look on you.

I've already confirmed above Red, booked flight and hotel yesterday.

Is it necessary to buy tickets ahead for V&A as I saw you needed to book a time slot and since several of you are coming by train don't know how flexible that would be (or I've misunderstood and the ticket is valid all day?).

I'm sure we can arrange another meetup at another time, I'd suggest Paris itself but probably not until you all know what Brexit entails. I was rather shocked how cheap my ticket came in (price actually dropped when booking), it's cheaper than a train ticket to Antwerp so with advanced notice I can probably do an easy in and out exercise.

Is the "How to spend it" supplement the same one that had Gabriela Hearst and her prehistoric earrings in it? If so, this means I need to pick out a really expensive designer chair to appease that advertiser.

Love the look again Elle, I see what you mean about the jacket, I think it's the rounded shoulders, they read less menswear.

I'm very saddened to hear about the missing cuff. I once lost a Christian Lacroix broche and was beyond consolable about it. Ended up going back to Paris to buy another one

My bargain of the day, went back for the Alexander Wang shirt and there was an additional 20% off the already discounted 70%.

My esprit order actually came in the other day but haven't got round to trying them yet.

Yes Bo, How to Spend It is the FT's weekend supplement, with all the glossy pictures and financial celebrities' picks. It can be either awesome or jaw-droppingly sick-making, in about equal measures. The wonderful bit is that the clothes features are totally unwearable, but so beautifully styled that it matters not. It's extreme fashion as fine art and generally adorable. Well, I'm fond of it.

red, I think those blackhorse jeans do you no favours sadly. Levis sound a better bet if you liked them.

Is the Dior show timed tickets? I will google and act accordingly. I plan to buy the ArtPass I posted before Christmas as there is such a number of local options, and that sounds as if it gives entry to V&A special shows too. Otherwise, I sort of plan on taking the 10:00 train which gets to Paddington at 12.30, so would be looking for a meet around 1.15-1.30. How does that sound to everyone? It's the best part of four hours each way from Cornwall.

Yes the tickets are timed and weekends seem popular. The weekend I’ll be going (admittedly that’s soon after the exhibition opening date) is all sold out already. V&A shows do tend to be popular so I recommend booking asap.

Yes we need to book asap.
Shall we book a 1.45 slot? That should account for any delay.

I will be there much earlier (my train is only 30 min to London plus underground another 20 min). So I should be there for 11 am.

I am happy to wonder around or meet for lunch with those that can be earlier.

That works for me.

My flight is at 20.00 so I'd have to leave from Victoria Station at 18.00 at the latest but preferably 17.30. So whilst manageable I might not be all that relaxed nearer the end or bow out for any post exhibition activities. Do you have to physically enter at the specific time or do they give a bit of leeway? I suggest we wait until Elle has booked her flights?

X-posted with Elle there.

Don’t hold off on account of me. There should be oodles of flights but I will probably try to get one departing at 9 at the latest and ideally 8 so will be on a similar schedule in terms of departure to botemp depending slightly on which airport I choose. I’ll book tomorrow hopefully. Just need to grab a bit of time.

They normally give a bit of leeway.
What time would work for you Bo? I can be in london at 10 am

Red, my geography of London isn't that great but I think Victoria Station isn't that far away from the V&A so as long as I leave by five-ish I think it should be manageable. I do want to see another display about experimental architecture in social housing there but it's two rooms so doubt that's going to absorb hours and I can go before meeting up.

As for meeting up before, I'm not sure, still exploring what I'll get up to the days previously. I tend to be up early, I have breakfast included in the hotel so I'll probably be checked out by nine or ten at the very latest. Will head to Victoria to store my baggage there but have to check if that's possible. So I'll be in the Kensington area around the same time you'd arrive.

Before I forget to ask again, all lurkers please reveal yourselves again, any good addresses for charity shops and dress agencies worth a visit? Preferably with the good stuff somewhat curated, I'm useless in the proper rummage for a rare gem sort.

bo I don't live in London any more, but when I did I always found the op-shops of Pimlico to be full of treasure. There are around 4 of them from memory, best find was a pristine Valentino wool jumper for my husband at 10 quid.

Bo from Victoria underground in district line (green) to South Kensington, 6 min, the other end 4 min walk to museum. 10 minutes total.

Would all be ok to book a 1.30pm ticket then. We wait for Xing and if we are a few min earlier/later I doubt (hope) it will be an issue to go in.

I will do a list/map the three shops I know in Notting Hill that had really good stuff. This is in the village away from the turisty main street where vintage is sold.
Also off Kings Road there is an Oxfam, very small and tidy but sells high end stuff. No need to rummage a lot, is all neatly tidy.
But I welcome myself more ideas! To add to this list 😀

1.30 seems like a good option and as you say there is probably flexibility built in. Just to note that you can buy V&A membership for a year for £70 which includes access to special exhibitions. Might be worth considering if anyone plans on doing a few other visits over the course of the year.