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

Outlets

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Thanks Red - that's less than I thought although I imagine leather might be more ££.
I'd just I'd take it in and ask for a quote but I don't know of anyone who might do it - which will be the next problem if I decide to go ahead!

The Celine top looks good, Elle. I love your list, bo, I'm intrigued to see what you find.

I did a charity shop run today, I bought a pair of slim, straight jeans in a taupe colour from a brand called Pret. A quick Google tells me they're Swedish. I also tried on a couple of dresses one by planet in a dark espresso brown. It was gorgeous but very formal and not something I would wear.

And there is light again in my life!

Back to the reality of work and life and sadly no plans to go Vegas 😂

Anyhow, you got me thinking about silk trousers ... these are not palazzo, but I thought they looked rather good, expensive but not eyewatering so ... I cannot afford them right now, nor Inam sure I will buy them, but does anyone know this brand?

I also thought these looked good ... again, no funds, just general browsing and hoping I get something similar for my summer ‘19 look in the dress agency/charity shop ...

Poetry send me their catalogues even though I've never bought. This last couple of years they seem to have raised their game although I'm not sure if the clothes have changed or if they're just using a better photographer. Seen a couple of their things in charity shops that have looked quite decent but never been right. They do seem to use mainly natural fabrics.

I also believe they're a sister company to Wrap London

flo, I get sent both Poetry and Wrap London catalogues. I'm not surprised if they're sister companies, I have a smoky violet (can't think how else to describe it) linen cardi from wrap that is about 7yrs old, it is very good quality. I think I tried a few other things on from them, all nicely made. They came up big, but it's a while ago now, so that may not be the case any more.

I have done a semi - spring clean of my wardrobe and I got a few pieces that I intend to take to my local dress agency. I am not intending to get much but happy for it to go and leave space in my closet, and a second bag to take to the charity shop.
At the end of May I will be in Paris again and this time for a few more days so I am hoping at least half day of shopping. What I will need for the summer is swimming costumes ... a swimsuit and possibly a two piece with a high waisted bottom.
Bo anyone else, what brands should I keep my eye on for this?

yay for light, xing!

Pret is indeed a Swedish brand. IMO dowdy but with a few gems, the kind it's worth peeking at if you see it in a charity shop. They used to be better I think, more classic. Gone a bit weird.

I think the Poetry trousers look lovely and would suit your figure, Red. :)

Thanks, bani, I think these are more classic I hope slim cut straight jeans in a taupe colour that fit nicely and hopefully go with lots of other things. I can't wear camel/beige but I can wear taupe.

Red I've just decided to get rid (well offer to dd first) a grey, Charli linen top that I keep putting on and taking off. I've just realised it's because it's too straight up and down, so just ok on me but I have tops that look better instead. I do go through my clothes as I get them out each season, I seem to be doing lots of replacing atm, though!

Glad you have light xing what a relief!

Heavy silk pants are indeed the holy grail. The Tom ford ones I got massively reduced from Glamood are exquisite. I keep checking back in the hope that they reappear. Comfortable and so heavy that they don’t really crease. I’m terrified of something happening to them, but I still wear them loads.

Anyway back to NYC. The next stop was Everlane. I’m guessing that the store was newly opened as there was a line outside. I queued for 15 mins, grateful for my sister’s company. I was looking forward to seeing the clothes having only seen them online, but I wasn’t bowled over. Quality was reasonable, but not amazing. I picked up a linen shirt and jeans to try and went to the fitting room... where I was informed that there was a 15 minute wait to try. I asked could I pop on the shirt over my t-shirt in the area in front of the fitting room and was told yes as long as I didn’t put my coat and bags down on the table or the floor I’m not that coordinated and my sister’s hands were also full so we just left at that point.

Next up was Cuyana which has a sustainable, simple ethos. I was impressed with the offerings in silk and bought the 2 attached dresses. I love the blood orange color of the first.

Last stop was Reformation. Nice sustainable ethics, but the fabrics let it down IMO. Too much viscose and not nice enough to justify price. The changing rooms though... these are the future - especially if you’re not fond of interacting with sales assistants like me. The main shop has just one of everything. You pick what you want to try and your size and enter it into your virtual fitting room via the iPads dotted around the store. You’re informed when your room is ready. You go in and low and behold all the items you selected are in your wardrobe. Now the real beauty is that the wardrobe is double sided and clearly there’s a corridor behind all the fitting rooms. Should you need another size you just tap it into the old in the fitting room, close the wardrobe doors and low and behold you’ll get a ping when it’s in your wardrobe. You can also set the lighting to your liking and plug in your iPhone for some music (this is admittedly overkill). I loved not having to hobble out of the room, trousers around ankles ‘cause I was too lazy to take them off, trying to attract someone’s attention. Pic attached of the set up.

Attempting to catch up, I see Red is still suspiciously mute about further details of the Vegas dreams, making me fear the worst of what went on there...

For Paris swimwear, I'd say Eres if you want to spend big and find it impossible to not look good in all of their offerings. More realistically probably, Yse (Marais) has some lovely swimwear. Princesse Tam Tam is pretty popular and affordable but don't expect it to last you forever or get fantastic support. Since you're short on time probably easiest to hit up a department store, BHV if you don't want to spend much, Le Bon Marche for a mix of budgets and more relaxed atmosphere. Near BHV there's also an outlet store that carries quite a few high end French lingerie brands and swimwear, I'd have to see if I can find it on Google maps.

Glad to hear there's light again at Xing's.

Flo, different countries so probably not the best comparison but having a coat relined was such a shocking experience (didn't ask the price ahead), I've always done it myself since, it's not hard but it is more labour intensive than you think, and a fair bit of handsewing, hence the high price. Leather would add an extra premium IME.

Your purchases look lovely Elle thank goodness the shiny affront to my senses was too small. I love the look of the Céline top and have always been curious about Cuyana, they do ship to Europe iirc but quite pricey and it's already on the pricier side. Was it busy there at all? Americans are notoriously tight when it comes to clothing and I've always wondered how they stay afloat. I very much like the reformation fitting room process, assume you can also reserve online and book an appointment time? Shops as partial showrooms do feel like the next step in bricks and mortar retail. Interesting about fabric quality, I always suspected as much on how it sat on the models and also wondered how revealingly cut it all was, though the dress you tried on doesn't look outrageous. Looking forward to the rest of your trip pics (if you visited more shops).

On my end, the Mango shoes were as predicted not as photographed, although one pair which was pretty expensive by their standards was quite nice but they were too wide. I've got a few things earmarked but Antwerp sample sales are next week so not placing any orders until I've been there.

Today's Times frock pages introduced (me to) a new blogger who is very much a woman of like-mind to us. Have a look here and tell me she's not one of us! Obviously, she's younger than me (old witch emoji needed) but her style is gentlewomanly and her shopping tastes are similar.

The painting continues I didn't know I lived on the Forth bridge the next week is going to be the biggest challenge as things get torn apart.

Looks like the vacationers have had fun and made some delectable buys. I am still holding my resolve!

Shame about the Mango shoes

Cuyana was not that busy considering that is was a Saturday. I agree that I don't think Americans like paying up for clothes. Cuyana and reformation are both about $200 for a dress and the fabric was way better in Cuyana, though the style though was definitely older and looser. Reformation definitely has a sexier vibe, everything is either low cut, short, slashed and in many cases all three. I have to say that mostly the fit there was very good, or maybe it just suited my body type. I don't have a photo, but I tried this dress and I did feel amazing in it, it was really flattering, but I don't have much opportunity to wear that type of dress and like I said the fabric was so-so. It has been on my mind. The other thing that bugged me was that a lot of the buttons on items were decorative only, so no button holes. At 200 bucks, I'd expect more.
I have no more clothes photos from the trip, but one more thing that I bought. I'll try to photograph what I got on me. I do have a food photo from Ivan Ramen. That was excellent, super casual, very reasonable, but great fun. It does take reservations which is nice. We had a fried chicken starter which I could not recommend highly enough. We ate very casually this trip and also went to Momofuku noodles which DH preferred to Ivan Ramen, while I preferred Ivan. Lastly we went to La Esquina which was tasty, but a little touristy. The octopus tostados were amazing.

red I second Eres and YSE. Also, although not French, Seafolly has been recommended a few times here and is really good. I've been using the same Seafolly suit for weekly swims with the kids in a very chlorinated pool and 2 years later it's still in perfect condition. The construction is a bit "heavier" than the other 2 brands which is good or bad depending on what you're looking for - it has more structure and support IMO.

Maybe it's just me, but that ramen looks a bit like Cookie Monster I tend to describe Momofuku as food on steroids, it hits a lot of the flavour high notes but it's not exactly subtle about it, really depends on your palette what you prefer.

Red, address for the outlet is 63 Rue de la Verrerie. I don't have a name for it, just says luxury outlet on the windows. When I was there they had a bit of Eres, Chantelle, Huit and some other brands. The fitting rooms are crap though, so be prepared and it all felt a bit temporary but it's been there for years now but may very well be gone just the same.

I had meant to mention Seafolly as well, definitely for two pieces, the thicker fabrics and shaped cups without being push up numbers really are worth the extra money. There's a French brand for bikinis as well which are very nice, Pain de Sucre, I think they were called will have to check. Similar price and quality.

Cos also has some suits in at the moment in that Yves Klein blue, they're very simply cut so it's not going to do anything life-changing and no good for any boob support but if they suit your shape then it can be a good choice.

Thank you for swimsuit recommendations. I will compile my list and see in map and depending on where I end up staying it may also influence which shops I visit.

Great finds there Elle, and I browsed the article shared by Xing Which looks good and but later on will have a proper read.

Oh! and it sounds that you too had a good find there Quirky.

I really did not share about details of Vegas dream as it was one of those hazy dreams only flashes of us walking in this very Parisian looking street with boutiques and lovely arranged windows, then a group of us splitting and going thru this Plaza where we went down marble stairs and a huge fountain ... oh when I was with probably Bo in a corner boutique shop with very wide windows (while Elle and Xing were in another shop...) I saw this Scandinavian lady come in and say hello (Bani) and I looked down to see her wearing black velvet block heeled pumps with fine ankle straps and diamanté incrusted heels (which I thought looked amazing ) and this satin loose fitting trousers ... and I admired her stance... then turned round and Flo was at the shop door with light behind her, like a luminous apparition in this orangy kimono type...
I feel so not need to justify myself but will do anyway: this was a dream, I had no control over it so sorry if anyone was missed from the scene and I promise I do not normally admire diamanté heeled shoes

I have just gone to dress agency and need to think if the money offered is worth / I will not regret partying with some of the stuff ...
They are 8 pieces, 3 of which are good, the rest is debatable...
On the other hand the same shop has this brand new Bimba y Lola wide high waist straight jeans perfect on me for £40 plus this Zara jacket in a cotton mix light grey so I could do a swap of the 8 items for these 2...
The jeans are probably last season in darker colour than these below but not too dissimilar: www.bimbaylola.com/gb_en/blue-wide-jeans-191br6150-t1403#from_id=60

If I want them I will have to pop tomorrow as I have run out of time now.

Hi all,
shame about those outfits Bo! Flo's jumpsuit sits a little high on the shoulders on me and the bust is quite a narrow cut (which is fine for me) , but I assume it will be better when I have lost a little weight and also I get high on shoulder a lot so have rather given up on avoiding it completely.

The poetry stuff is interesting. It keeps taking me to the US website, I'd quite like to see UK. I don't think there are any dresses there I'd buy but this one is a gorgeous fabric. I would jump at it in a different (less droopy) cut www.poetryfashion.com/product-VT52-POADS/dresses-skirts/sleeveless-linen-dress.htm

Another contender for comfy travel friendly mum friendly sandals came up via a friend yesterday: good old clarks! www.clarks.co.uk/c/Botanic-Poppy/p/26141996

For swimwear as well as seafolly Jets is a good brand. I have one of their coverups - too lacy to be child friendly so I doubt it will last forever but feels very glamorous. I'd love to splash out on a quality one piece, shame I'm afraid of cold water.

&, wihtout names as I will attach all the wrong names from scanning upthread, three cheers for light - having power can never be overrated!
What amazing changerooms re NY. I love the idea of closing the wardrobe, opening it et voila! new outfits!
And I forget the tante word but I really liked the cuffed trousers! They really grabbed me actually - a kind of business shirt touch applied to casual trouser legs. You can tell I haven't really seen cuffed trousers like that before (except for knickerbockers a la royal wedding pageboys) so there may be some attached connotations I'm missing.

I will catch up properly later, but I can't unsee cookie monster now, bo .

I like those sandals Time.

I will not make any swimwear decision just yet as is not really needed till July, the current one can do for local pool with kids.
However I have decided that when time comes I will first order one of the ones made of Econyl (fabric made of recycled nylon found on sea) or Escolast which seems to be the equivalent made by Zoggs.
There seem to be a few brands making using that fabric, and I have seen them at £70-£120 ish for an ok range. Obs you can pay much more.

Today I got to looking at the brand that made the jumpsuit Sophie Turner just got married in and saw this bevza.com/collections/ss19/products/knitted-tunic-with-cuts?variant=12908913262643 which I just had to share with you all as An Option For Something. They did have some interesting things I thought (for thin people).

I love your NY pics elle and the description of the futuristic changing rooms - oh my! Did you really like the dress with the high slit? Was it not too high, as in "I'm feeling unsafe now" high? ;)

Red, sadly I don't look Scandinavian at all but that dream gets better and better - I'm googling satin trousers as we speak... Actually I have a pair. But they're pyjamas (naice pyjamas but nonetheless).

Red if you have that dream again please can you ask the dream-me where I got that kimono? I really, really want one now.

I can't decide what to make of that changing room. I agree that able to send for another size without having to get dressed all over again and find an assistant is very appealing, but I think I'd find the lack of human contact a bit weird. I'm a big cheerleader for real shops but I'm not sure they're going to win people back by trying to be futuristic. I think it's their traditional traits - see and feel real clothes and try them on before parting with your money, and speak to real people while you're at it - that they could sell better.

Thanks for the coat lining experience bo. I'm not sure I could manage doing it by hand cos, even leaving aside my sewing skills it's old school, aged but very tough leather (which is one of the reasons I like it so much). But there's no rush as I can't afford to do anything about it at the moment anyway.

banivani surely that "dress" is for Vegas .

Or for visits to the downstairs doctor