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:

Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

Thanks Xing and Red, I've put my literally worn through grey bag in the same clothes recycling too. I have got a new grey bag, but maybe I need to look out some snow worthy boots...

Gorgeous trousers, Red they look very like PP'S in the advent calendar.

Just seen your jacket, Red, that piping is super flattering for rectangle types. Very chic.

DAY 17

Apologies, due to unforeseen circumstances I won't be home until quite late tonight. I have to rely on my mobile for posting today's planned advent post which is just too much hassle as it requires downloading all the images individually and copy pasting text over multiple pages, etc. so it's just an improvised one for now.

So please enjoy some YouTube Paris tidbits instead

DAY 17 - DAY 17 - DAY 17

Great buys RedandBlue. I have had so much luck with eBay recently, I had some wonderful bargains and have taken a punt on a thing or two that are not normally my style and am delighted. I was complimented a lot recently at a Christmas part and I realised that apart from tights and underwear everything was from eBay. I kind of had a plan at the start of the season about what I’d like to buy but ended up delightfully sidetracked with bargain hunting. (I did have few duds but let’s not dwell on them now 😀)

Elle thanks for the Uniqlo U link, there are a few promising things there. I wonder of those trousers are ponte again.

Flo wow it’s nice to be thinking about spring already. I agree with everyone May can still be unpredictable. Do you feel the cold? I tend to feel weird wearing tights past April yet am usually too cold to go bare legged so light fabric cropped trousers are my go to at that time of year.

Lord yes I do feel the cold Jon - would you believe I hadn't thought of that Doh. I also hate the feel of tights - I don't mind opaques but those nude ones feel like wearing clingfilm and I always snag them before I've even left the house. It's one reason why I wear mostly trousers April to August.

Ok I am going to step away - mentally - from this for now. It's funny as I can dress for pretty much any other occasion without worrying and, even if I get it wrong it doesn't really bother me but weddings and their secret rules and codes are like a club where I will never fit in, which is probably why I got married in a dress from Warehouse.

Love those buys Red - the trousers are a great colour and the detail on that jacket is really clever.

Sorry Elle forgot to thank you for the Uniqlo U link. I was disappointed with their last collection but hopefully this will be a return to form. I was looking at the curved leg trousers too Jon and I've a bad feeling they'll be ponte or some kind of floppy jersey again. I wish they'd repeat the cotton canvas ones, or that I'd stocked up more at the time.

And bo I am so behind with the Avent calendar but I'm going to enjoy a long catch up this week. Thanks again.

Bo great improvisation with the videos. I loved what Lauren Bastide had to say. I was a bit ignorant in the past as I am not close at all to that industry in my own profession but I always had a bit of anti-consumism within me, but not always consistent in my acts as I am sometimes easily lead by “beautiful looking things”.
However in the past few years I learnt other ways and to be careful on what I consume and try to reuse, still a long way to go.

Great videos, bo I may have to check out some more of those StyleLikeU videos, very thought provoking. I do like the ILoveParis ones, I think there's a few of the Christmas ones, I love all those Christmas trees covered in lights outside the shops.

Love the blue trousers and very envious of all the Ebay luck!

Is anyone good at perfume? I've never actually worn it but having collected some free samples in various magazines I've been trying them out and wondering whether I should buy some. But the choice, ah the choice, 'tis huge and I am lost. I've quite liked J'Adore out of all the samples so far. Not really sure where else to go or where to try.
Tried on an expensive Penhaligons one in Guildford on Sunday but it just smelled like washing up liquid on me, at least to start with.

DAY 18

DAY 18 - DAY 18 - DAY 18 - DAY 18

Defying Coco

Now I’ve always been a big fan of the ‘less is more’ philosophy (within reason) and Coco Chanel’s oft-quoted take one accessory away method but that is just one way to reach a goal.

In sculpture people usually veer to one preferred method, either taking a large solid mass and hacking away at it until you achieve the desired shape or taking a plasticine material and slowly adding material until you achieve the desired shape. Both go through a process of refining, adding and subtracting, polishing, roughing up, etc. but methodology and method expose different qualities in the finished work. If successful, both methodologies show off the editing restraint of the sculptor.

When it comes to dressing Coco Chanel’s method is a successful display of restraint through editing starting from a point of excess. However, with the way that accessorising is now developing it feels somewhat outmoded and it’s worth exploring with an editing eye that adds up to a point of balance rather than subtracts.

Now is this necessary, of course not. CC’s method is a tried and true one but accessories are changing from standalone eye-catchers that finish off and elevate a look to integrative structures part of a silhouette. It’s worth exploring as accessories often tend to move ahead of silhouette changes and subtly motivate change.

Even something as simple as the belt is slowly undergoing a metamorphosis. Suddenly longer to look a little less wimpy and lost on a wide leg trouser, introducing a strong vertical line to compliment those wide legs and directs the volume vertically. Lengthening the belt gives it new possibilities, wrapping around the body almost like a corset, or see it array in its extended length in repetition to create new shape.

Similarly, bags are in transition, slowly we’ve seen very defined sculptural shapes that were carried around like special trinkets away from the body move closely onto the body, integrated into the body by colour and/or shape.

I suspect we may even start seeing a movement from doing away with traditional handbags all together (as a fashion statement). It’s not unusual now among celebrities as they simply have assistants to carry around all their necessary items, arguably it's simply a display of wealth not to carry your own bag now, but a push for deeper and securer pockets in women’s wear will make it more accessible to go without.

Now suspenders aren’t really considered staple accessories but they fit quite well with the integrative accessories movement and it’s one where the initial choice is defining. In the subtraction method, the final subtraction is the defining one, with the addition method it’s the first movement that defines what follows.

I’d argue suspenders definitely benefit from an addition method, their aesthetic defines what follows, so whether it’s very strong and masculine or extremely delicate once you’ve decisively placed that first stroke the rest is quite easy and must follow suit.

Thankfully, we’re just dealing with clothes and one thing too many or too little is easily altered and a change of direction can be a refreshing one. It’s worth exploring switching up perspective now and then, recognising the irony that when we obscure they suddenly become the main focus in order to hopefully achieve a different, but equally satisfying, outcome.

DAY 18 - DAY 18 - DAY 18 - DAY 18

Doing quick catchup, Blue, some wonderful ebay buys there. Colour of the Joseph trousers is stunning.

Just to clarify WRT the trainers post, there is no wrong or right way to wear them. I was just observing that unlike a lot of other Celine style choices the translation down wasn't as literal as it is otherwise, therefore there's still lots of scope to explore the original intent without it feeling stale.

Blue, WRT being led by beautiful things, I actually think that's good instinct, but you sort of have to keep in mind beauty is rare so you're doing well so long as you can still find beauty in things, but if everything appears beautiful and desirable then it's probably worth flexing some discernable muscle to your approach.

Catherine, I'm useless with perfume as it gives me headaches and my skin is sensitive to it but if I didn't have those issues I'd be looking at something less mainstream, I did like the smell of some of the Buly 1803 scents when I was last in Paris, they're not that expensive either but possibly that's because they're EDT rather than perfume?

quirky, I do like that channel but I would warn they're very liberal American in approach and that sometimes gets a bit wearing. Also, a lot are there for their own social media exposure boost which can also be a bit annoying at times. My advice would be, don't binge watch it too much.

Catherine I always wear perfume, literally do not leave my house without a tiny spray of it. I do not consider myself to be good at it or very knowledgeable but I tend to go for fresh and sometimes citrus type.
The last one I have been using is Chloé and is lovely, I tend to get compliments with that.
Having said that , perfumes are basically a chemistry reaction, so you have to try how you react with it. But I highly recommend trying the Chloé one.

Catching up and digesting today’s Advent now, very timely as just finishing reading a CC book on her life.

Talking about that - any other books / biographies worth reading? Specially some interesting life in the fashion world?

Parfume is a rabbit hole ,Catherine. The friendly perfumista thread on MN is between 12,000 and 15,000 posts, and I have been a contributor forever. If you're interested, check in there, say what you've liked/disliked and someone will have ideas.

Heck, I have sample sprays and things I have and haven't liked... I could send a care parcel of sniffs. If you'd like one PM me; we swap stuff all the time, and loads of the samples I have came via that thread. It would give you a start point, cheaply, but you will need to track what you notes like; your nose will quickly learn. I really don't like strong floral jammy scents for example and I find tuberose extremely difficult but it's a favourite for lots of people, yet even there there are a few I like and wear (if not often...for weddings mainly).

The Bill Cunningham biography is the fashion book I might buy myself. I used to see his work in Details magazine when I was in NY and the man was obsessive and had a fabulous eye. Before NY was all about money.

I was going to suggest the Bill Cunningham book as well. It's lovely, as is Grace Coddington's biography. On the whole fashion books don't make for great reads though, documentaries are my preferred medium. The books worth having are usually the expensive photography heavy ones. I still need to see Phantom Thread (I'm terrible at keeping up with films), I think that was originally a novel?

I always wondered if the Perfumistas or MN Vogue threads are the most long-standing on S&B. Whatever happened to the crepeys?

I seem to have completely missed the perfume threads...will go and have a look.

Yes, that's what puts me off buying J'Adore...so mainstream and I dunno if it's the best thing I could be buying, and £55 is a lot of money if I decide there are better choices for me. Think my sample will last a few more days.

Thanks Xing, that's really kind! I think I will try and do some more research first - I'm 39, but Sunday was the first time I've ever tried any perfume at all (Impulse body sprays don't count) - so I've got a lot of catching up to do. But may well be in touch at some point in the future.

Thanks Red, will give it a try.

I see the skincare threads a lot and have even read some of them - are they babies compared to the perfume and Vogue ones?

Bo thank you for the wise words, I like to think I have some discerning approach to the finding beauty , even if completely against the mainstream beauty. But you seem to be spot on, on the observation.

Regarding the other threads I have tried MN Vogue and the Perfumistas, but somehow I did not get hooked. On the other hand you people have hooked me! Thank you.

And actually I came to this thread thanks to Flo who commented in a small thread I started and mentioned this. Forever grateful Flo

Bill Cunningham - great, I will try that

redandblue I love the blue trousers - great colour and the jacket. I need to reacquaint myself with eBay!

I love perfume and did briefly participate in the perfumista threads, but couldn't keep up. They're a friendly bunch and you could definitely ask them for recommendations. I see Fragonard's Belle de Nuit often mentioned as similar to J'adore www-uk.fragonard.com/en/product/G-FC050BEL/women/pouches%20collection/belle%20de%20nuit%20eau%20de%20parfum I was in Grasse 2 years ago and was impressed by the quality of Fragonard at a really reasonable price point. They've a lovely perfume museum too. Also in the fruity floral space is Celine by Celine! Discontinued I believe, but worth keeping an eye out for on eBay www.omfragrances.com/celine-pour-femme-women-p-8376.html?currency=GBP&_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=CjwKCAiA9efgBRAYEiwAUT-jtLFYIKa6JQJZRarJKD-wQCwdZ14QrAuJtCJy-XElAzGXS2nbqGV7JRoCkecQAvD_BwE and Hermes - Jour d'Hermes Absolu

Fruity florals aren't really my thing so I don't have any other great insight. If anyone fancies any decants of Orientals or aquatics I'm happy to help - can list what I have if it's of interest. Speaking of decants, they're a brilliant way to test out a perfume before buying. Lots available on eBay or perfume forums, You can get sets of fragrances in the same family too, which is a nice way to try stuff.

botemp can it be true - is the penis belt happening?! Lovely inspiration pictures. I'm failing badly in my attempts to recreate. There's so much going on at the moment that it's hard to find the time. I may have to postpone until the new year, but I'm determined to do it.

Thanks to whoever it was that recommended the VI Warshawski series (Floisme / Xing?). I read the first one on holiday and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've spent a good bit of time in Chicago for work so it was nice to recognise the locations too.

I haven't ventured near the shops, virtual or real for anything other than presents. I'm getting so many sale notifications that it's a complete turn off. They seem to have been in permanent sales since the pre-Black Friday sales.

In other news I'm annoyed with Sezane again. I had major problems getting them to pay a refund for returned items back in the summer and now the (faux?) leather label on a pair of white shorts has run all over the shorts, ruining them despite being washed at 30 as per instructions.

You're welcome Red Was it the thread about shopping in Paris.

Thanks for more ideas bo. The long belt thing looks interesting - I think last year (or was it the year before?) there were lots of half or unfastened belts on the runways and I remember thinking it looked like an easy / fun trend to copy them forgot all about it. Looks like they're now taking it a level higher.

That Chanel quote always makes me smile (in a fond way) as she seemed to actually wear quite a lot of jewellery e.g. in that photo she's wearing what looks like two necklaces plus earrings and I bet she was wearing rings (on fingers) too.

Ok, I admit it, this advent calendar has nothing to do with Céline, I'm just attempting to make my fashion oops moments mainstream so I look less of a tit

The skincare thread is a foetus Catherine, I've been on there since the beginning and it's a little over two years old.

Flo, admittedly I didn't do my due diligence and check if the attributed quote is actually hers. May very well be a Marie-Antoinette let them eat cake scenario. She also likes to pile on the pearls and considering her other contemporaries in different disciplines like Eileen Gray she wasn't much of a minimalist but I suppose in reaction to what came before her it was probably quite radically less and restrained.