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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Bo! That jumpsuit! I fecking love it and sort of hate you for scoring such a bargain! Wow! That’s amazing (must be nice fitting in the small sizes that are the only ones ever discounted that much ) (I’m not handling this with poise and grace am I)

I'll take the abuse in exchange for the massive discount I don't know what it is about department stores and murky corners but they often have the best discounts. I had no idea it would be this cheap, it had a sticker on it that indicated it was in the sale but not by how much. I figured it would be 150 or 300 so I was looking a bit odd at the register and asked twice if the price was correct.

I'm not that keen on M&S food, apart from their meal deals - all the supermarket "better" ranges are just as good now.

My grandmother used to keep M&S carrier bags for her Tesco shopping because they were "posher."

Love the jumpsuit.

One thing I still like M&S for is tights. I have a pair I bought from them in about 2001 that are still wearable. And I did buy myself some nice silk underwear just after Christmas. Sorry if TMI. :)

I also remember people loving the M&S sleep cream, but it genuinely did nothing for me.

I agree that m&s food has a lot to compete with, ours has a massive food hall, so quite a lot of choice. I don't go in there often, actually, but some of the biscuits and chocolates are good when discounted. I think it's better than the clothes, though, I mostly go in for school uniform, as they do dd1's uniform (it needs the school logo embroidered) without having to schlepp to the out of town uniform shop. I'm surprised ours survives, tbh, there's a lot of competition from four other department stores, which are all struggling and which hold proper brands rather than m&s weird made up ones.

That is a lovely jumpsuit.

My mum and aunties used to moan about M&S jut as much as we do but they also felt a loyalty to them. It was never just about the clothes - it was partly because they were a very forward thinking company back in the day. I remember in the 60s a lot of shops still kept their clothes on a shelf out of reach but i M&S you could touch them and pick them up (although not try on). And you could return something just because you'd changed your mind - that was unheard of. And they were known for looking after their staff - they paid more than other stores and hairdressers and chiropodists.

I used to have big rows with my mum when she insisted on buying my clothes there but I now have a real soft spot for them and hope they can pull it out of the fire.

That jumpsuit is amazing botemp What a bargain!

I do think that this M&S collection is a move in the right direction though. The narrative certainly feels like they're moving away from the more-is-more attitude that they had to embellishment and colour for the last decade.

I like their sweets and melting cornish cruncher in particular.

Ah you may take the abuse Botemp, you know you came out the winner. Agree completely on the murky corners - often real finds there!

Tried out the bleached denim yesterday from the advent calendar. No picture but wore bleached jeans with tan boots, woven belt, bronze polo neck and grey merino jumper. I really did feel a bit brighter on what was a grim day, weather-wise.

I'd absolutely hate to see M&S go completely. I forgot to mention my husband likes their socks as they do some without a ridge across the toe, which he finds uncomfortable. And my kitchen utensil holder is actually a plain chrome loo brush holder from their home section. Works beautifully.

Was there someone looking for botanical type prints? Saw this in the last of the Uterque sale:

www.uterque.com/gb/last-days/ready-to-wear/floral-jacket-c1893503p8303522.html?colorId=500

Great minds Catherine I was looking at that yesteday. I might order it. Has anyone had experience ordering from Uterque?

Hiya Red, yes, I bought some sandals from there last year:

www.uterque.com/es/en/footwear/view-all/suede-sandals-with-buckle-c1864004p8336604.html

They were nice, and I didn't have any problems with the order so I don't know about their returns policy.

Your outfit sounds lovely, CatherineMaitland. The bronze/grey combination sounds chic. I'm wearing a bleached denim skirt with burgundy tights, navy jumper and lace up navy suede boots. Not necessarily new for me, as I wear this skirt all year round, but I agree the bleached denim adds a bit of interest, maybe a hint of spring .

So much to comment on! I’ve just been too tired. I love the sound of your outfit too, Catherine. Enjoyed the vicarious shopping trip with bo I recall the red Barryesque jumper and the impractical PP top as particular standouts :) I didn’t think the white tie detail top did you as many favours and the Jaquemus dress? top? with the cutouts on the back seemed a touch too fussy, but maybe it’s me who is too fussy.

The Margaret Howell action shots are also making me wish I could try some on!

Re. pillows, I am squarely a member of the feather/down brigade, but I am fortunate not to be allergic to them, knock on wood. I also confess to alternating with a Tempur pillow. I don’t like the idea of it but I do like the feeling!
I find it a bit mental that much bedding, above all mattresses, include so many chemicals, and I bought an all natural mattress for my elder DC, which didn’t even smell when brand new, but that turned out to be pretty uncomfortable. My dad reminds me that many in his generation slept on straw, compared to which DC’s mattress must feel like a fluffy cloud, but I will stick with my chemical laden pocket strung affair...

Back on topic, I finally took some long-promised Everlane action shots. The first photo shows an Everlane boxy mock neck and the Everlane Form bag in burgundy, worn with my Barry jumper and the Bobbies loafers (and jeans I finally can squeeze back into, hoooray!). I bloody love those loafers! I am not sure the top works well with the jumper, but I am stumped by the Barry. I don’t feel up to wearing it without anything underneath, but nothing really goes with it that I tried. Given its popularity I’m clearly the only person for whom it’s not quite working.

The second photo shows the same with my Massimo Dutti “burgundy” men’s jumper. The whole shebang would possibly work better if I had some light camel trousers I fitted into. Or light denim, as per the advent calendar :)

The third is the mock neck on its own. I conclude that cropped tops still don’t work on my body. I’ll just wear it under other things.

You admittedly can’t see much of it, but the top I am wearing under the jumper is the Everlane pima cotton tee with a ballet/deep v neckline. This is a total winner. It came out of the wash just as soft as when I opened the package and will make a perfect base layer. I’ll spare you a photo of it without a jumper, it’s a bit too close to the body and for me, a bit too much in the underlayer category to be worn on its own.

Forgot to photograph the waffle knit jumper, I may get around to it this century... And I haven’t bought anything else in the sales, other than children’s clothes 😇

I really like the first outfit Peregrane. Love the bag, particularly. Very chic and gorgeous!

Yesterday I tried a max mara suit in a dress agency. I only tried it as it was such a bargain at £12 and the quality was amazing and condition perfect. But it made me look like a charatyof Dynasty, big shoulders, the trousers were slightly flared too. In an other era it would have been perfect. I did not take a photo unfortunately to amuse all.

Unfortunately I could not rummage as much as I wanted in this place as we were going to a showroom. We are looking at internal glass doors as divider for our livingroom and dining. The showroom had some stunning stuff, mostly Italian and German. So lots to think and wait for a quote .

Peregrane I also really like the first outfit. I can imagine how tired you are,I just hope you feel it is easing a bit, even if you do not notice it much yet.

Love the first outfit as a whole and actually the cropped one as well, Peregrane. And I might try the men's jumper tucked in slightly at the front, it's a really nice colour.

Part of me has always wanted to be in Dynasty!

Love outfit 1 Peregrane The bag is gorgeous and perfect with the loafers.

I have the same barry jumper and wear it with a U-neck most frequently, but I wear it with buttons at front. This one from majestic filatures. V-neck may work too.

I did a charity shop run this morning, I tried on a couple of Phase 8 dresses and concluded that I'm between sizes. One was a knot fronted, size 12, and was a bit loose and a bit too browny grey for me. The other was gorgeous, purply burgundy and drapy size 10.The top half fitted OK, but the bottom half was too bodycon for a woman who's had two c-sections.

I tried on a pair of beige, heavy twill Ted Baker trousers which were lovely, but not on me. Obviously, influenced by all the camel trousers on the thread. The top bit didn't flatter and it confirmed that beige is so not my colour.

I came away with a pair of quite tailored, cropped jeans with a big turn up cuff. Great with trainers or sandals in the warmer weather and super flattering on. They're by Denim & Co, who I don't know, but have high cotton and low elastane, as well as seem to have good reviews. Definitely lightweight denim, though.

Sounds like a good find quirky I've seen Denim & Co but never tried them. I'm having a lean time in the charity shops at the moment which is strange as I normally find these are the best months (People get the Marie Kondo book for Christmas and hey presto - lovely clothes in the charity shops for me. Maybe she's falling out of fashion - hope not.)

Quick Make-up-February report: I tried my old foundation again this morning. So far I'd either used nothing or Xing's Sensei bronzer but I was curious to see how it would look after a break. I bloody hate it. All the light and shade has gone and it looks and feels like I've painted emulsion all over my face. It makes lipstick look really garish too.

This is Bobbie Brown Skin Foundation so not cheap and I couldn't tell you how many others I'd tried before I settled on it. I really thought I'd found something that was a good match and not too heavy. I want to take it all off but I set myself a stupid rule that anything I tried I would wear for at least a day. Plus I've no time now cos I've been sounding off on here.

Flo, what about blush? Blush seems to be the thing that makes me look not dead this time of year and gives the face a bit of structure. Cream blush is definitely subtle enough, and a lipstick works if you're just trying it out?

Got some lovely images in my inbox this morning from The Row and the 3.1 Phillip Lim shows. Someone's been paying attention to the advent calendar delusional. Spotted lots of turtlenecks and cooler whites leaning into grey paired with camel.

Loved the all navy look and was -shock, horror-struck quite taken with the glittery trousers layered underneath. All stolen from the advent calendar obviously

Also really liked the layering of transparency in this one, also a feature on the AC

Will get to collaging 3.1 Phillip Lim later

I am enjoying these last few pictures. I was not familiar with this designer so nice to see new things.

I ordered the uterque dress/jacket that Catherine mentioned, my size was not there but as it was £59 decided to order and try to return if it did not suit me.
I am afraid is too big for me, one or two sizes smaller would have been better, and sleeves too long making it look very robe like.
The fabric is lovely and has enough weight.
Yes, the more I look at it the more I see someone wearing a robe ... I tried it quickly as a jacket too.

Sorry, Blue, that's very much a robe... Mind you, I've had some very memorable stays in Paris hotels where grand dames descended down to the breakfast room in their stunning colourful patterned bathrobes. Uterque is part of the Zara group, their equivalent of COS in terms of price point and age demographic.

More collaging. 3.1 Phillip Lim a bit of a different course in comparison to previous years. Very utilitarian chic with some great jumpsuits. I'm seeing a lot of the little side slit openings on oversized blazers which gives them a sort of cape-like quality. I like it but I expect lots of moaning about this when it trickles down to the high street. Also spotted a bit of double coating with sort of hoodie/coat/dress.

Also had a look at Proenza Schouler which had some great slouchy menswear inspired looks, and the models certainly carried themselves differently, accordingly. The scarf was also a binding feature of the collection as it flittered though the silhouette as a part of it rather than as an accessory. Quite liked where there was contrast and it played into colour blocking/pattern.

Think Gabriela Hearst was on the schedule today, will have a browse in the morning for it.