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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I like the white tie top, but can imagine the long ties getting in the way. The wool trousers look nice from the front, I like your shoes, bo. I agree the cable jumper is nice and the jumpsuit looks gorgeous.

Particularly love the jumpsuit! Your mention of the leg length may have me taking a look for it.
I had been eyeing up that same sezane cable jumper. How did it come up size-wise?

I'm going back a couple of pages now but love that Jacquemus coat bo - what a shame it had to go back. Also that last(?) white cable knit jumper. And the red camisole. If I still had the body for camisoles, I would wear them all the time.

I see the U wide legs are sold out, although I'm sure there will be returns when people realise how wide they are so I don't think my willpower tussle is over.

As for contouring .... well nothing is off limits but I'm seriously wondering if I can even be arsed blending eye shadow, so... we'll see. But thanks for the Kevyn Aucoin rec. I'm still just on lipstick at the moment as I want to (rei)ntroduce things one at a time. It's quite fun to use (which is important) and I do like the way it instantly transforms your face. But then it's all worn off before I even get downstairs - except of course for those smears it leaves on cups which really annoy me. So my considered opinion is I dunno yet - I'll carry on a bit longer

Oh good for you Flo for mentioning the Jacquemus coat because I’d missed it so went back now. What a bummer it didn’t fit when you loved it, Bo. It did look big though so for the best. I’m liking these last few pics. Love the white top with ties btu I’m a real sucker for that type of clothing - ties and drapes 🤗. Had a look at the C Ritzler website and she does make lovely things albeit very fashun.

What exactly about the saggy arse in the trousers is the problem? I think if you want to wear menswear you must maybe accept a saggy arse. Part of the deal is that the clothes are not cut for women’s arses. Also, frankly, small and thin people can get away with it. Us larger and heavier people are more dependent on fit, things don’t hang if our arses in artful drapes 🙄 I’m actually looking at a pair of wool camel trousers in H&M atm - so easily influenced. Am resisting because really don’t think I’d like the colour on me. Like the shape and material.

I love drapes, too, banivani.

I missed the coat and will have to go back.

Faux fur hat. I would obviously wear with a jacket or coat, not jumper. Hair's looking weirdly straggly but actually a bit wet.

Sizing of the Sezane jumper is hard to say Elle, they're always out of my size so this is an S but I quite liked the loose fit of it. It has nice structure with the cables without being bulky. I think it would have a similar fit in an XS as there wasn't much between them, so take your normal size?

Bani, it's not so much saggy arse in the Ami trousers, where the IM actively gave me an unflattering behind that I don't possess, it's more that there's just a touch too much fabric in the back to sit 'naturally' is the best I can describe it, as if the fit's a bit off but it isn't really. I half suspect it may disappear a bit when the length is taken in. I'll revisit them tomorrow, it really is one where I would have preferred the option to try it on at home extensively with the option to return. Think I may just have to risk it as it ticks a lot of boxes and hope for the best unless the back really puts me off again...

Outlet was more misses, as predicted. Tried on a few things, will post pics later none of it exactly right unfortunately despite some stunners at Céline.

Ah, if it's the same kind of fit you get when you wear too-big drawstring trousers and cinch them in, resulting in a weird drop-shaped fold on your backside I get you. It's just bad, you can sort of see where you'd want to remove excess fabric.

Quirky - the hat does go with your new Sorels ;) Personally I don't like animal prints so for me it's a no, also if I'm wearing a hat it has to cover my ears otherwise what's the point (that's where I'm cold). But I see where you're going. It's too small for Russian rich bitch IMO though!

Gah you’re taunting me with outlet Celine/ Céline. They hardly stock the box bag in the outlet do they?

I really like the ami and Mirae trousers, the lemaire top and the orange sezane top (billy)?

Wore my jumpsuit out again last night (re run of advent calendar day 12) and managed to get some pics. It definitely has some light-bending properties or else the single fabric is super flattering. I am not as thin as it makes me look side on.

jonsnow glad the wide legs work. Shame about the rest.

quirkychick Your hair is great. The curls are so defined!

floisme love the idea of adding make up back one thing at a time.

banivani I think the sorels might dress down the hat. I'm likely to pair it with parka/puffa coat. I have plenty of hair to keep my ears warm , but if it's too cold I have a fleece lined ski beanie from tkmaxx which is men's so covers my ears.

Thank you, Elle I always think my hair looks fluffy. Gorgeous and flattering jumpsuit! Very chic, you look very slim and tall.

Jon if you are not too shy, I would not mind showing us a photo of your new uniqlo wide legged trousers.
Bavani oh what H&M trousers are they? Curious here . I want to see!

quirky I like the electric look of the hat. I could not pull it off.

bo the jumpsuitsuit is lush. The red dress too (I have a pure silk in identical colour and very similar).
And the white jumpers really suit you.

I ordered the trousers now - have some important things to do so obv am procrastinating and feeling more and more anxiety as a result but feck it ordered the trousers. They’re pure wool so can be great or terrible (like itchy), who knows.

Ooh I've influenced you Bani mind you, if I ever had an insta it would probably have to be called 'things Bo returns' or 'things Bo didn't buy'. I do hope they're not itchy the model looks like she has a yeast infection though

No no box bags, hardly ever see them in stores never mind the outlet. They wear terribly though, it's a real shame as they're not the type to get better with age.

Red dress was awful in real life, red, it's a miracle what photography is capable of. Same goes for the Mirae trousers, really not as flattering as on the pic.

I've lost track of the red Sezane top likes as I think I've tried on about five now... Will have to finalise tonight with what to actually buy.

I love the idea of a "Things one didn't buy" Insta. :)

It’s def a niche no one else does 😉

Am now procrastinating even more thinking what goes with camel 🙄 Stupid, they prob won’t fit anyway. For 999 kr they have to be pretty great. I find that the good stuff in Hennes disappears, esp in the larger sizes, otherwise I’d hold on for the sale. Now I’m out of pocket waiting to try something on... but at least it’s free shipping and returns these days!

Hoping for those trousers of yours to be a pair of softies Bani

As quite a lot is written here, re-reading some of it. Taking note on Bo comments about second hand. Yes agree that for some of that quality those prices are very good. But you need certain knowledge of what you are buying.

Here is the oversized cardigan I bought the other day. As said initially I would never be attracted to this sort of thing and somehow caught me eye. This is something that can be return/exchange it was only £23 in a local tiny boutique.

Are you not completely convinced by it, Red?

Well Bani I do like it. I love the colours and in my mind an oversized piece of fabric draping graciously down can be good. I also like the fact is comfy and some days you need a sort of protection comfiness around you.
The only reason I mention it can be returned is that sometimes my judgement is clouded and I get something (although has not happen for a year really) and after a couple of wears I realise it was a mistake and ends up collecting dust until I take it to the charity shop. So I do not want that to happen.

I think there was a brief YouTube movement of 'What I'm not going to buy', or similar, that was started by a drag queen but it was mostly calling out over hyped products in the beauty community that really no one needed.

Anyhow, yesterday's edition of what I didn't buy.

#Marni

I was pleasantly surprised by these trousers at Marni, normally cropped and wide are not my best look but the stiffness and the volume made them work as they resembled more skirt than trousers. Had a very Japanese vibe and subsequently I was quite taken with them.

So here's why I didn't buy, they were a size too big which wasn't really the deal clincher. Rather, I know Marni gets discounted massively online on all the Italian outlets and even tkmaxx often has loads of cheap stock, a quick Google had me finding it in different colours and even a size down that I didn't know they carried (Italian 36- Marni comes up big) for about half the price.

#Céline

Sigh… ok lots of lovely things but I had to be picky. The blue trousers were stunning but they very closely resembled silk taffeta (80linen/20silk mix) and it was more noticeable on so they felt very formal and like silk taffeta they were very noisy when walking.

The t-shirt/cape top I loved for the sculptural element but the colour was a bit odd with my complexion. It also had leather detailing which meant it was specialist dry clean only. I'm not a complete slattern and do prefer to wash a t-shirt after every wear so this was parked in the not practical aisle.

Side angle, no idea what my other hand was up to I don't have a yeast infection

Sales assistant was desperate for me to try on this, and it was very beautiful up close with alternating pleats of burgundy and transparent black, very captivating in movement but it was just too all encompassing on me and not my best burgundy either, made me very pasty looking.

This dress, oh how I sobbed (not really, but let's pretend for effect), it was so beautiful on the hanger and had me going are you the one to clear out my special Céline money pot as it ticked quite a few boxes as I imagined it would work for formal and work wear and even the occasional semi casual dinner out. Alas, it looked pretty stunning so long as my arms were held close to my body and forced some shape into the middle but it absolutely swallowed me up and lost its impressive quality as soon as you held the arms as you normally would, especially noticeable from the side (forgot to photograph, was too disappointed it was a no-go).

Tried on a few other things elsewhere but I tend to be extra picky at outlets as it's all designed to lure you in with the guise of discounts, which often aren't that remarkable unless you really luck out with the timing. I also have to watch out for buying things I once bought, at Prada there were lots of lovely Miu Miu skirts I tried on, but they were the things I loved wearing in my twenties and not so much anymore as they're quite girly. If I remember I'll post pics later but the mirrors were cut in half there with weird decorations, so bit hard to see properly.

My list for today is very short, the second hand shop and Sezane are closed on Monday so that's forced those decisions which I'm fine with, the RA top whilst fun would hardly ever get worn, and camis are having a moment so surely I'll find plenty to choose from this year. The other Sezane pieces I can get at Le Bon Marche or order online. So just looking at the Ami trousers again, the Carolina Ritzler jumpsuit atelier and potentially the Lemaire top but I really haven't been giving it much thought so I'll probably reject it.

Love the Marni trousers and they look great with the jumper (there's a boss here at work who has some great trousers with Japanese vibes, some of them actually bought in Japan I think, def trouser goals for me but she's very thin though so different body shape), love the blue Celine trousers but can see how they'd be too formal but they do tick my boxes haha, dislike the sculptural top with leather trim, the leather trim doesn't improve it at all, esp if it only makes it impossible to wash? Agree with you on the burgundy thing, and that last grey dress looked good as a line drawing I'm sure but then come real people with, like, bodies and arms and it all falls apart.

I think you've given the shops a good run all the same! Been fun to see!

Red I think for 23 pounds I'd keep it, if it ticks that many boxes for you. You can always let it wander back to shop in a year or so if you decide it wasn't for you. I think it might look a little too over-sized, maybe that's what you're not liking? So hard to tell from these tiny photos though, I'm squinting at the screen most times ...

I like the Marni trousers, bo. Though if you can get them in a better size, fair enough. Shame about the Celine top, I love the shape and ties. I agree about the dress, what a shame. I'm enjoying all this vicarious shopping.

It's full on rainy this morning, so it was faux leather leggings with black, short rainboots (a bit Celine from the advent calendar, with matching legs and footwear, she says hopefully) and waterproof navy parka, so I was at least dry!

Well bo I never thought I'd say this but I don't think that Celine dress does you any favours whatsoever. I love that cape-top though, in fact if it's a truly bargainous price, I'd be tempted to take a punt and hand wash it. I have some trousers with a leather trim and I machine wash them. On the other hand it could end in tears.
The Marni cropped wide legs look great (although admittedly I would say that). I couldn't tell at first whether it was trousers or skirt and I like clothes that do that. Definitely worth tracking them down in your size, especially if they're an even better price.
I've already forgotten what the burgundy top looked like, which says it all I think.

Red I love an oversized cardigan. My only question with that one would be the fabric - I find that if they're not wool they can go droopy after a couple of washes. But when it's a good price, and you're trying out something you don't normally wear, then that's less of an issue.

You look lovely in that jumpsuit Elle. In fact all these pics are making me wonder if I should be challenging my jumpsuit phobia.

Fingers crossed and positive thoughts for the wool trousers bani

Today I'm test driving the lovely Xing's Sensei bronzer - which is all she said it would be - very light, dead easy to apply, and just gives my skin a bit of a glow. And a Burts Bees lipstick in a berry shade that's the nearest I've ever found to my own lips but better. On the downside, mot of it had worn off after half an hour.

Red I actually really love that cardigan, it looks fun (in a good way :)) and comfortable. I really like how you're wearing it, with shirt and jeans.
I'll photograph the trousers, hopefully tomorrow.

Bani those trousers are an amazing find!

Bo I really like the Marni culottes, I have a similar shape pair from Cos. They are dramatic and wide but because they are properly fitted at the waist and short they don't swallow you. Also, they are surprisingly easy to wear. I agree with the judgement against the dress and Celine trousers (remembers a beloved tafetta coat that never ever got worn because I don't have that life. I would just put it on every now again to enjoy it, and feel a bit Grace Kelly, and replace it with rain mac for when I'm actually heading out).

I said this before but your shopping and trying on stamina is impressive.