Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!

[botemp]

Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between.

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Favoured Parisian addresses for reference:

Second Hand Shops

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Oh, and that book looks good Jon, are the previous editions good as well? I like the look of the foodist one.

XingDog is so much better that she's gone back to catching rabbits. Oh dear, that really doesn't fit the zeitgiest here, does it. We also have a local big cat, escaped and gone wild, very locally which is having food fights in back gardens. No one really has an explanation, but there have been regular sightings and paw prints of feral felines the size of cougars and pumas that are thought to be making home in our wilder zones.

Quite separate, my road out of home into England has been closed for a while because a drunk driver damaged a 14th century bridge. I can escape, but it's a huge detour.

I love those Bobbies sandals. I think sandals with a heel cap are great, if you're heels are a bit scabby they're hidden. Plus for me I should prob look for them because of fecking plantar f issues. So I'm starting a sandal hunt too, I think I'm going to have to spend a few years some time now wearing only sensible shoes that don't make my feet worse. Am currently thinking of buying a pair of Birkenstocks since that's a Look that Just Is and won't make it worse I hope.

If we're talking shoes and body shapes, feel free to discuss what sandals are most attractive for those of us who are a bit cankly on a bad day. I hate this feeling of when my feet just seem to stick straight out like canoes or like the side stroke on an L to my legs (pic attached, one leg is sandal one is shoe - whose the artist now, eh?). This is also my problem with cropped trousers and shoes.

Thanks for the book tip Jon I put it in my Pinterest save.

Xing this all sounds very dramatic!

Ok, while adding to my Pinterest I came across this dress that would be my ideal bohemian rich bitch dress. I needed to share. I am actually, honest to god, tempted.

I now really want the Bobbies mustard sandals! But they are out of stock everywhere... You snooze, you lose 😬
Thanks for the mules advice Bo I think I’ll pass as I need something very walkable or they won’t get worn.
The quest continues...

bo I don’t own any of the other collections but as a subscriber to LRB of 10+ years, the quality of writing is rare and unmatched by any other periodicals out there. The essays in collections have all been previously published there. I imagine the Royal Bodies collecttion will have the legendary piece by Hilary Mantel that I have read and shared with friends many times.

Bani, that is a lovely waftaround the house dress... I could be tempted! Please report on quality if you succumb to temptation. There's been far too much drama around here recently and the enormous detour to go anywhere is a blinking nuisance.

Jon, the book looks fascinating. The Thoughtful Dresser, if it's still in print, is my recommendation on the same topic, by Linda Grant if I remember right.

Revisiting a topic from earlier in the year, my kitchen refurb starts after Easter; I'm dreading having to empty all the kitchenware and utility cupboards -- my Kondo moment may be approaching.

I would never dare buy from one of those suspect sites unfortunately - not without endorsements (which are conspicuously absent..)

I bloody love that dress bani - it reminds me of Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard. It would be perfect for that toyboy wedding in Ibiza you were all planning for me.

I like the sound of your book too Jon. I've not read The Thoughtful Dresser as a book but it was one of my favourite blogs. And now I'm feeling nostalgic for those far off days when bloggers blogged because they had something they wanted to say rather than something they wanted to sell.

I love flo’s jumpsuit and looks great on lightening and time, I’m very tempted myself, we can all wear it to the next meet! Speaking of jumpsuits did you see Cos’s most recent offering?

Also see Sezane has some sandal offering that are not dissimilar to botemp’s in feel. All the talk of paperbag trousers has got me contemplating these brown ones – thoughts?

Bani I like that Boho rich bitch dress, but agree that I’d be wary of the seller.

FestivaI love those yellow Bobbies what a shame they’re sold out. I don’t mind mules, but I prefer and ankle strap for longer walks. I bought a brown Bobbies last year and supplemented them with a pair of Ancient Greek sandals – these ones www.ancient-greek-sandals.com/en/eur/product/1121705/Women/Clio/?ColorAttr=15429&ShowAll=1 and wore both loads. I’m sure there are similar on Etsy for cheaper.

Re the house we’re demolishing the existing extension and kitchen and rebuilding it plus a “shed” at the end of the garden – more like a studio really. It’s about 40sq m, for the kitchen / dining, utility, wc and cloakroom so not a massive footprint, but the design is reasonably ambitious so we’re out for 5 months. If we didn’t have young kids, we’d stay in the house, but it’s not really an option with them.

One of the items that made the capsule wardrobe was the Joseph blazer that I bought on our London trip. Wearing it here to work.

I (obviously) LOVE those brown Sézane trousers Elle. In fact I love the entire website, previously dismissed as "won't fit". I now look at the size guide and I might! And frankly it's not that dear!

Heck Elle your renovation makes mine feel low key!

And, yes, definitely a greenlight for the rust trousers! The Joseph blazer is very spiffy too.

Renovations sound like so much work. You have to specify every detail, tap, bench material, paint colour, door design and get it right... no pressure!
I have been going back and looking at the photos from Dior. I wish I had gotten to it.
Those trousers are quite pure 70s with the long flow! I feel like I’m looking at a drawing from a 70s magazine not a real person.
Re sandals, I too need an ankle strap for proper walking/ toddler chasing. But I am still very keen on these Zara ones- the heel is a big plus for me as opposed to flat. I imagine it would take a little wear to get used to a toe loop. m.zara.com/uk/en/flat-leather-sandals-p15601001.html?v1=13144371&v2=1180331
Also, I don’t want to get banned posting a next link, but these popped up in an ad and I like the style - www.next.co.uk/g822168s5#911613

I have been following the posts, reading a bit while I am away. It has been great to catch up over here with so many people, I have done a tiny bit of window shopping but have not settled for anything just yet, in the next couple of days I might have more time.
I do like the last sandal link you posted time (not sure why would it be banned?)
A relative gave me here a present a pair of red sandals which I really like, single thick strap at front and very thick soles in leather. Which I have worn with loose high waisted Iight denim turned up quite a bit and a blue and white 3/4 sleeves cotton shirt tucked in.

I am in Argentina, in a relatively remote area. So fashion as is it is in the south hemisphere runs six months behind. However I always find their take/interpretation is slightly different so is not strictly speaking behind but I would say has a different edge and influences which I do really like.

bani I'm another plantar f sufferer, what has really helped me is a book by Katy Bowman (a biomechanic) I bought the barefoot book, who am I kidding, I'm not a Californian hippy , but it does have good advice, this one is supposed to be more practical www.amazon.co.uk/Simple-Steps-Foot-Pain-Relief/dp/1942952821/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?s=gateway&keywords=Katy+Bowman+foot+pain&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1555051046&sr=8-1-fkmrnull. It does take time, but over the last two years, I can wear much more types of shoes and rarely need my arch supports. I would also say birkenstocks are great as they have an arch support, any sandal with a footed shape will help. I used a pair of teva sandals as an in between as they have some support but not as much as birkies, last year I managed a completely flat pair, but I do swap round my footwear styles from day to day. I hope some of that helps, it's so miserable and painful.

Red I'm intrigued by the Argentinian style, I have an Argentinian friend here who is an artist and is very chic yet eclectic.

Elle you look very stylish, as usual, I've been eyeing up that jumpsuit as well. I can't really justify it atm. The Etsy sandals I bought last year were from Pterna www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Pterna very similar to ancient Greeks and I would highly recommend them, really good service, lovely quality and they adjusted the straps as I have high insteps, I am tempted again for this summer.

Well Quirky I'm very peeved at my foot troubles since I've grown up in sensible shoes, played barefoot a lot, never worn high heels or anything unsensible except for these last say ten years when I started branching out from Eccos and, like, got a pair of clogs, tried ballerinas and twice a year wore sensible heels. It's not fair, IMO.

I'm close to considering these: www.footway.se/swiftwater-sandal-w-bronze-oyster.html

This is how desperate I am.

bani me too, I always wore sensible shoes growing up, we were barefoot a lot at home too... mine apparently was pregnancy related, the loosening of ligaments (on the plus side I stopped needing glasses). Those sandals will probably be comfy . I hope you find some respite from the pain, it's horrible, I understand your desperation, rolling a ball under your foot can help, especially a massage ball. Also, those toe spreading things for pedicures.

I'm just back from Milan and may be suffering from visual overload but I don't hate those Crocs

And speaking of Teva, I ran into an old mentor of mine and she was singing their comfy praises and they looked really good on her too, didn't scream sensible shoe at all. She rocks the typical sculptural pieces with giant geometric necklaces look. They're the Voya Infinity model.

Never thought I'd be talking about Crocs and Teva so kindly. No, I haven't had a personality transplant, I promise. I may be due a little lie down though...

Will catch up properly in due time.

I wonder Quirky if we spoiled our feet in our youth and made them unable to adapt to the changed circumstances we then wanted them to accept ;) I hope yours aren’t too painful - for me it’s just the right foot and this time it’s not too bad because I caught it and started doing stretches, taping and wearing better shoes and my crocs indoors 😇

Hi there Bo - I agree that as crocs go they’re not awful but they’re still plastic shoes ... have to say those Tevas aren’t bad either - a definite look.

bo I had been eyeing those up to replace the old tevas I have, that are super comfy and I walk a lot . Tevas are less supportive than birkies, but they helped me transition to flatter shoes. You generally need practical sandals on Norfolk beaches, rather than glamorous ones, too.

bani my right foot too, it's mostly fine, but I get the odd twinge and have to go back to do some exercises. I can wear a much wider range of shoes than I used to. I really rate Katy Bowman's "movements" as she calls them because they do work over time and help how you move your whole body. It has taken me 2yrs to get to this stage, though.

There's a lot to be said for simplicity and comfort. I hope it's warm enough to wear sandals here this year!

Quick question: what do people wear to hen dos these days? I'm going to one in August which is a morning of non-messy crafts, followed by afternoon tea at a posh hotel, and then an escape room - so wouldn't need anything too smart or night-out stuff.

Arrr ... my long post deleted ... sorry I do not want to ignore previous posts on sandal / hen dress but Internet here not great.
Here is a photo of trousers I tried by local Argentinian brand , fit , fabric etc are good . Price ok I suppose at £60 coverted ... the main issue here at the moment is that due to huge economic issues in the country the local factories suffer and shows in workmanship and material quality.
But the design and style is there .
This is a A/W piece but the fabric texture would be a spring / autumn in UK IMO so thinking if colour would be good for that ...

Catherine I would not focus on how to dress for hen do ...but just wear what you would normally do for a posh hotel afternoon tea if that is what you will be doing.
Not sure if this helps

You will I assume need to move / climb in an escape room? So for me either trousers or opaque tights and comfy skirt /dress. Whichever you are more comfortable in, with a blazer. I don’t really have dressy casual trousers (notes wardrobe gap! Must rectify!) so I’d wear a skirt. I’d take flats and heels but thats because I couldn’t miss an opportunity for heels these days 😬

I like the shape of those trousers Red and although it's hard to tell fabric or workmanship from the pic, it's supporting a local industry which sounds good to me. Hope you're having an amazing time.

I'm not ignoring your question Catherine but the hen dos I used to go to consisted of a pub crawl where you presented the bride-to-be with a box of sex toys and pinned condoms on her dress. When she couldn't stand up any longer you put her in a cab and got the last bus home. What on earth is an escape room?