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

Comfort doesn’t equal dull anymore, push-up bras are almost frowned upon, and when M&S gets criticised for peddling ‘sexy knickers’ you know the times have moved on. The Guardian covered the changes recently, as did Madame Le Figaro. Victoria’s Secret clearly missed the memo and committed the ultimate faux-pas, appearing severely out of touch.

It’s transformed so much so that the distinction between under- and overwear is blurring. Meaning that the integration of lingerie is more fluid, belts exist in states between bodice and its original form without intending to be titillating. Lace has always moved back and forth, or rather up and under, so the sighting of it is not that unusual, and let’s face it, it’s pretty but not exactly groundbreaking. In lace’s favour though, the lingerie as outerwear is not being utilised this time round to basically undress, lace is coming in as an extra layer instead.

This is really where this gets interesting, within layering it’s seeking out the billowing and lightweight effect seen in lingerie and nightwear. Going so far as to mimic the silhouette, like a nightdress and matching robe. In the abstract, it’s adding something new, and even a plain black bra on a black top is able to add dimension.

This form of layering does have its reach, most interestingly is the low narrow v neck, reminiscent of camisoles, that layers over a contrasting top. Equally, the transparency of lace helps bring an extra dimension to tonal looks, especially once we move out of cooler weather and the added textural dimension of wool is lost.

Still sceptical and thinking, is this going to go the way of white trainers and just be another 'look at me I’m almost naked' moment for publicity opportunists? Probably, my advice, keep your eyes out for the silver-haired sirens, they’ll show us all how it’s done.

DAY 22 - DAY 22 - DAY 22 - DAY 22

Ouff bo you really are dragging me out of my comfort zone now But then this is why I love these threads. I guess the last group of pics look the most do-able for me but I think the idea of lace as an extra layer might have some legs too. I’m mulling over lace and androgyny but so far I haven’t got much further than a lace hanky peeping out of a jacket pocket!

Incidentally the other day I was looking at this aqua green silk cami with lacy detail that I had for three years or so and never worn. Every so often I take it out, try it and try to think if to ebay/charity and then goes back into my draw as I really like the fit and colour but I would not wear it on its own a step too far for me .
So watching with interest this one Bo to see if once and for all I wear it or decide is not for me.
I do quite like the third image on the second lot tough, the white lace over dress , I supose I could haf recreate that with a lacy vintage white top that I have not worn either...

Flo your wardrobe clearance sounds great! Would love to be the lucky ebay/charity recipient you must have some fab stuff there!

Actually my blue Joseph trousers need taking up ... just not sure how much up ... I am likely to wear with low heeled brogues/boots
Where should they sit?

Argh I've just seen one of the images messed up I'll find it later.

Flo, I always knew this wasn't going to be a popular one but that's why I put it in, to reconsider the comfort zone.

John, it's interesting what you say about colour. Theresa lot of colour theory put there (not the seasons nonsense) about how we respond to colour. I'm definitely someone who acts in opposition, so I love a bit of all black in the height of summer but will only go as dark as navy and black in winter. I just find it infects my mood too much, similarly I'm easily read as feeling crap if I overdo it in the getting dressed and made up department where others tend to care less I care more.

Jane, I hope you did manage to catch your flight yesterday and I hope you've moved on from the tears Red.

Red, they're tapered trousers, right? I'd take all the shoes you're most likely to wear with you to the tailor so you can check the length that works for all. Usually around the ankle is good but it means bare ankles/socks on display. I don't mind the latter so much if shoes and socks are darker or the same colour as the trousers.

Welcome back Methen! So glad to 'see' your face pop up again. Hope all is well with the family and you're getting some much needed catch up sleep now.

That lady sounds amazing with the set curls. Speaking of, I always pull them out around Christmas time and always forget that those Carmen curlers are so easy and useful and you can actually multi task whilst wearing them.

Argh typos

Sorry I wasn't clear - I haven't had a clearout but, judging by the local charity shops, other people have had one! So all the labels I mentioned were things I turned my nose up at. (The Max Mara coat is still haunting me but it was way too big and beyond altering.)

I do need to have a clearout of some of my vintage clothes but I'm partly hanging on to them in case I'm ever on my uppers and need to raise some cash. Plus I don't really know what to do with them - Ideally I'd like to pass them on to someone in the family but there are no obvious candidates as yet.

I remember my mum and aunties going for a shampoo and set - it would be great if that became a thing again. But hopefully the technique has moved on as they had to sleep with their hair in rollers.

flo I think it was me misreading your post as last couple of days have been a bit of a haze for me with my trip ruined.

But I am actually looking forward to it now as DH managed to get out of his Xmas shift work and we be booked ourselves with dc in a posh hotel for a few nights.

Yesterday's missing picture (2nd in the last set)

DAY 23

DAY 23 - DAY 23 - DAY 23 - DAY 23

Style Hacks from the Céline Runway (IV): Shoelhouette

Endlessly long legs have been a part of the Céline look long before Phoebe Philo entered the scene. Boots have always been an important aid in that, blending footwear with tights, legs, or trousers and creating the illusion they are one to counter top-heavy silhouettes.

It’s easy to see why under Phoebe Philo the next step was made and leather leggings and boots simply became one in striking colours. The sleek silhouette almost becomes otherworldy until it is 'dressed'.

Now there’s no need to physically go out and buy a variation of these boots, enticing as that prospect may sound, tights are your friend here. Dark colours are obviously the easiest to replicate as both tights and shoes are probably already in your wardrobe.

Navy, dark green, and burgundy are particularly impressive, black less so. The trick was seen often enough on the Céline runway as well. But it’s with colour that it gets exciting, and this too was visible on the Céline runway, to lend silhouettes an extra edge of vibrancy.

Matching footwear isn’t absolutely necessary but some cohesion does help. Regardless, coloured tights, leather/suede leggings can work well too, and even trousers and a bit of variation in footwear leaves plenty to play around with, with minimal investment.

DAY 23 - DAY 23 - DAY 23 - DAY 23

Ah thank you bo I think I was posting about colour tights + same colour shoes just last week. I wore this in my 20s and early 30s, that was very much a staple thing in my style. Then, in a combination of black/grey being prevalent in fashion, my style incorporating mainly trousers, and me somehow feeling outgrown this I stopped wearing them for the past finish years. I have been thinking a lot how I can wear this again but in a more grown-up way. It used to be part of my look of vintage dresses and pretty cardigans which just don't suit me anymore, and potentially look like costume. I think it's about more structured top parts and keeping the colours simple with no pattern may be the way to do it. I had the middle picture of the second post on my Pinterest for a long time as a reminder/inspiration how to do it.

Agree middle photo of second section is stunning. It has made me think about navy footwear as this would blend in with the colours I already have, though I wonder how easy it would be to find a harmonious tone of navy tights (or perhaps dark grey?) to go with them, I think it's such subtleties of shading that probably make the difference between looking stylish and looking like you got dressed in the dark.

Re: lingerie as outer wear, the furthest I've got with this is a matt black cami with a very slight lace trim and a navy silky one with even less of a trim (more a hooped piping on the top). My hope was to get more day/casual wear out of them (rather than just nights out) but no success so far.

I had planned to wear them under a loose, v-neck jumper (in something soft and tactile like cashmere). My issue is that because I'm reasonably flat chested, if I bent forward, the jumper and cami would gape if I bent down and show off my bra. I tried to get round this by wearing a non-padded lace bra (bought lovely rust brown one from H&M to experiment with) but glimpses of bra during the day with 4 kids in tow (inc a teenager) just felt too tacky for daily life.

The closet I got to success was wearing the matt black cami under a pink ballet wrap top for a night in the local pub. Still felt a bit OTT but certainly a better option than daytime.

I do like the high neck, long sleeved gothic lace top that come round in black/burgandy/ivy green every 7 years or so.

Bo- still not much sleep but off for the holidays now so lack of sleep feels a little easier to handle, especially as I can just relax in the evening (currently in bath with a glass of mulled wine) rather than being hunched over piles of marking.

This was closest I could find to the type of top I meant. More gothic lace than lingerie but think it would look fab with jeans/ flat shoe/red lips for day time. Not sure how long it would take for one of kids to become attached to me by the zips on theocrats or something though .

Their coats even.

Just checking in. I have been reading, but not contributing. I find the underwear one quite challenging, too. I do like the idea of underwear being more natural looking, and I know we had quite a long discussion about bras on a previous thread. The Guardian and Madame Le Figaro articles were interesting (I must reread the latter, as my french is not what it was). Some of the brands mentioned I liked very much, and agree with the wearing of triangle bras and bralettes. Methen I know what you mean about those got hic tops as a layer, I think Caroline from Un-fancy showed a Free People one under a satin slip dress recently.

I do have some coloured tights, but I haven't really worn them this year. I was thinking of getting some navy tights as I have quite a few navy boots. I already have grey and grey boots. That second Celine image in the second set is stunning, I agree. Thanks, bo, another thing to play with.

gothic, obviously

I’ve always liked coloured tights. I’m not wearing skirts or dresses much at the moment but the last time I was into them, I wore burgundy or navy opaques quite a lot with grey ankle boots.

I won’t (or shouldn’t be) around much today as the true meaning of Christmas at the house of Flo is cleaning. But thanks bo for a brilliant advent calendar and happy Christmas to everyone.

Bo thank you for another day of great advent images and inspiration.
I used to wear blue or burgundy tights in the past but have not done that for a couple of years.
I have a few coloured shoes in navy, burgundy, grey so I could experiment too.
I expect all to be getting in the Christmas spirit now!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄