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

974 replies

botemp · 06/03/2019 15:58

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


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Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
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295
quirkychick · 09/06/2019 16:34

I hope the thyroid meds help, bani.

On florals, I find that as someone with a tall, boyish (on a good day) figure, ditsy florals look a but silly. I think it's a proportion thing as much as a feminine/masculine style thing. I find I can manage more dramatic florals, so oriental style, stylised or on a strong colour background. I always feel the need to toughen them up a bit too.

I think the rainy weather has put me in my wet summer uniform of dark green, Ilse Jacobsen raincoat and short, black rainboots. Audrey A La Mode did a good video on dressing stylishly in the rain. I can't link on my phone, but will try later.

Redandblue11 · 09/06/2019 19:00

I am re-arranging furniture trying to see what the best glass doors for that partition are... we are stuck as the doors we wanted cannot be fitted the way we wanted as we have a bit of an odd layout on the space for it (i.e not symmetrical). Very difficult to explain but I think I might have found a solution...
So today for park I did a navy ballerina type top tucked into a high waisted culottes I have with a geometric pattern in nude and navy. The weather behaved.

banivani · 10/06/2019 09:22

Yes, why is that re: florals? Yet men wear floral shirts - small pattern florals too?

I like the sound of navy ballerina top and culottes, Red.

Yesterday I went out before breakfast (about 8 o'clock) and took a bicycle ride (17k) so I'm feeling very virtuous. The white linen trousers I bought in the Zara sale last year still don't fit though lmao.

We are planning our holiday (at the last bloody minute) and it will involve about two days in Paris. Probably I will not have time to look at any shops, but if you had to pick one place to pop in, as a fatter individual, where would you go?

Floisme · 10/06/2019 10:04

I really like paisley - does that count as a floral?

I don't know much about modern Paris shopping, bani but I'm sure you'll get some answers on here. I hope the medical tests are productive. I know a couple of people who felt really unwell for a long time before getting an thyroid diagnosis but, once they did, it seemed reasonably straightforward to sort it out. Fingers crossed for you.

I love that Cos dress with the wonky neck. I'm staying away from their sale though - still too skint.

My style news is that I'm wearing double denim today: the jeans are black which is a bit of a cop out but I'm limbering up to go full blue-on-blue Wink

Floisme · 10/06/2019 10:09

Oh and quirky I'm afraid I have no helpful advice about menopause and sleep (other than that Black Cohosh did absolutely fuck all) but I can still remember my eyes snapping open at 2 or 3am and knowing I wouldn't get to sleep again that night. It's horrible and I'm glad to hear it's improving.

banivani · 10/06/2019 11:49

I freaking love paisley but am fussy about what kind of paisley and do not understand why this inherently fussy print is always being paired with ruffles and other fuss.

Am not even that ill? so we'll see what the meds do!

Bo, forgot to say that I know the feeling when you "go back" to a place you used to be familiar with and it's changed. Very bittersweet.

quirkychick · 10/06/2019 15:06

flo, I think most of the natural supplements work to some extent, but not enough. I haven't tried black cohosh, but I have taken agnus castus and maca, but neither of those work anymore. The medicine from the dr is more effective, but I have to decide whether I want to go for full hrt instead.

I like paisley too, I'm wearing a grey, paisley neck scarf today.

ToEllewithIt · 10/06/2019 16:50

Bani You’re absolutely right about paisley items often having superfluous ruffles and frills which is weird because there’s so much else going on with Paisley. Maybe we’ll see some more streamlined stuff as part of this 70s revival moment. Enjoy the holiday. Any chance the sun will help with the rash? I hope that the meds also kick in quickly. I very vainly did my own passport photo last time. I was doing my son’s (3 months) at the time and the helpful person in the pharmacy suggested catching him at a good moment, popping him on a white sheet and trying to get a straight on picture of him. They then zoomed and cropped to get the head in the right place. It was way easier than trying to hold him up in a booth. So while I was doing his I did my own too. Just emailed the pharmacy both images and they did their magic. Obviously you need a white background, look straight at camera, mouth closed etc.

Red the culottes sound great, glad you’re honing in on a solution for the house. I had a look out for blazers for you when I was shopping, but sad to say that I didn’t see anything worth reporting. Zara was useless and although there were a couple of promising candidates in Massimo Dutti, the fabric didn’t justify the price. I prefer the rust coloured one, but would like it a little shorter on you. In any case it seems like you found a fab alternative in the pink (more pink on the thread! – Maybe the next thread should be titled something like “See life throught the lens of stunningly cut clothes so cheap you feel like a thief, but never wear them…”

I don’t know how I feel about florals. I generally get complemented when I wear them, but I mostly tend towards bigger florals rather then the ditsy ones. Maybe there’s a sense proportion issue where the big ones ar e a better scale for my frame?

Welcome back from your holiday bo Love the cos sandals.

PSA – Net a Porter sale is on.

Redandblue11 · 10/06/2019 16:51

[claps] 17 km Bani!

I am not sure I would class paisley as florals, I always saw them as different things... not that it matters.
I personally like to look at Paisley, but so far I have not been drawn to wear it.

Another torrential day and with a max of 13 degrees!!
I want to wear all my summer dresses.

Good news on the holiday Bani, other than sezane (which I wouldn’t recommend queuing for) I only stopped at Galleries Lafayette, where I got that swimsuit Oysho for euros 39. They have a good range of prices and designers. I think the summer sales will be on? Which I have been ages ago and you could get very reasonable stuff.
I know Bo recommended Bon Marche , but I did not have the chance to go and I am not sure how it compares to GL.

Catherine I am interested to hear about the skirt you got. Btw- anyone with ideas of skirts suitable for work (not very formal but conservative industry). What cuts etc are current / or classic without being same old pencil? I have realised I do not have much on that area (I think one decent) for S/S.

CatherineMaitland · 10/06/2019 17:46

Red - I kept this one in the neutral colour:

www.johnlewis.com/white-stuff-ione-plain-linen-maxi-skirt/neutral/p4089119?size=12

Came to ankle length on me. I'm not sure if it's all that work-suitable, might be a bit casual for some offices.

I also tried a pleated wrap skirt from Kin and a chino skirt, both of which went back very quickly. :-) The quality felt nice but they weren't for me.

botemp · 10/06/2019 18:44

This weather has left me out of sorts as well, mostly since it changes so much. The forecast changes day to day and even hourly. It was supposed to be reasonably warm today (compared to previous days) but thunderstorms and torrential rain throughout the day and then it ended up being two quick showers and an unpleasant balmy warmth. Too warm to really dress for the rain but had to anyway so quite annoying.

I've actually been wearing dark denim skirts a lot with something long sleeved on top and ankle boots. Blazer on top if it's chillier. The ankle boots seem to work well but that's probably down to the fact that they're tan or navy, I'd struggle to make it feel summery with black.

Otherwise it's trousers in summer fabrics with silk shirts or shells on top and I'll wear a summer shoe underneath to keep it summery, Isabel Marant white trainers if the weather is too chilly. Again linen oversized blazer if necessary as I'm trying to avoid wearing a coat in June(!) as much as possible. New Céline Trousers have gotten far more wear than I anticipated as a result of this weather.

My mother had thyroid issues and a lot of skin problems popped up every so often so I suppose it's possible Bani though keeping fingers crossed it's something minor instead.

Speaking of my mother, she had a lot of paisley in her wardrobe. None of it frilly or fussy but it was mostly from Etro. A few pieces from Oilily as well but not sure if they're still making adult stuff or if they're around at all. She did pick a few up on travels, silk scarves mostly and she'd always be finding some more in ethnic dress shops from the Middle East and India locally.

Since we're continuing the dissection of 90s floral, my dislike for it is primarily the 90s incarnation. I like my most recent Dries purchase which is a larger pattern floral but it's pixelated. I just don't like the array of the pattern on the 90s floral, it's quite static and the repetition doesn't feel organic at all, so it's just this vommit of repetitive florals that hangs like a drab set of curtains to my eyes. Contrast that to a bit of Erdem (who knows his way around a floral all too well) where it almost feels windswept and lively.

Not that anyone asked, but I hate florals on a man. Don't ask me why, I've yet to dissect that.

Bani, depends when you're going I'd say you probably have more success in the depot ventes over a size FR44 as there's always a fair bit hangin about. IME Sezane does run big but if you're there on a busy Saturday afternoon I can absolutely see you detesting the place.

I'm trying to keep away from the sales, my net a porter wishlist mostly has bags and shoes in it. I'm contemplating and order with Farfetch as they have an extra 30% off the sale but it has to come from all over the world and the timing of the arrivals isn't that great (3 separate packages arriving over a date range where I'll be mostly working away from home). Harvey Nichols also tempting me with up to 60% off and their sale ends quick. I'll be in Paris at the end of the month Blush so feel I should hold off any major purchases until I've seen everything there's to be seen there but my inbox overfloweth with temptation currently.

Catherine, I have some hats from Zara that random people on the street always ask me about. I'll try to link one I bought last year but saw in the shops again and I bought another in my pre holiday panic buy mode but that one is definitely more beachy.

OP posts:
Redandblue11 · 10/06/2019 18:47

Catherine thanks, looks good but not really suitable for my office.

And good to hear from you Elle, yes Massimo Dutti has good cuts in general and I agree that a shorter cut is better for me on jackets. Sometimes I forget!! And cannot pin down why is not quite right ... that is why I need you all 🙂

I hope the house renovations are going well. What did you choose re terrazo?

XingMing · 10/06/2019 19:45

losing the will to live as the epic that is kitchen fitting, and redesigning the room and choosing furniture takes its toll. Today no kitchen fitter, just painters, so the doors and windows that have been reglazed are the planned colour. Everything works again but nothing is finally finished. I think it's going to look fab once it's all done, but getting there is wearing. Not helped by DH saying that he's always disliked x, which was a design anchor in the old design. It's a B/W panorama landscape, and I feel he's being awkward.

XingMing · 10/06/2019 19:46

Just for the sake of being awkward....

quirkychick · 11/06/2019 10:41

Horrendously rainy again here, today 12° feels like 11°, according to my phone app.

This is the rainy day chic video, as always take from it what you want m.youtube.com/watch?v=a2JVzbVWTXI. I definitely need a hooded raincoat on school run days, so trenches and umbrellas are more for when I'm without dd2 or it's not windy. I like the idea of spraying your hats with waterproof protection for the rain, as well.

ToEllewithIt · 11/06/2019 14:50

red We are going with the limestone - the warmer one. I've asked for some larger pieces of the mother of pearl which has kind of warm brown tones to give it a little more interest without looking spotty.

xing Sympathies on the DH curveballs, we've had a few of those too. He who has expressed little interest all through the planning now has very strong opinions about small things.....

I've basically responded to the crappy weather by bringing out a series of midi dresses in black, black and well...navy. though admittedly I had to lighten up the second picture to show that it is in fact navy.

Third outfit was worn to go shopping. I'm not in love with the top and jacket together, but the weather was all over the place.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
ToEllewithIt · 11/06/2019 15:05

Also some of the things I tried on shopping:

This dotted dress was a nice alternative to florals - It's Massimo Dutti, but I have enough dresses and the fabric was only okay, so I resisted. Please note that I would not suggest styling with your jeans around your ankles as I have in this picture. That's the look of a shopper who has truly had enough.

I bought this black linen top with the scalloped detail from Stories. It'll be good for work and casual wear and I thought the scalloping was a nice Chloe-esque detail. I wouldn't wear it with these jeans, but have plenty it'll go with.

I also bought this black silk dress from Stories which I love the shape of. It's so flattering. Fabric is very light and construction isn't great, but it's not mega expensive so I guess you can't have it all. I tried it in the rust which is a much better colour for me, but the cut was different and it was really baggy around he armpits like it needed a bust dart. They only had one in my size in store. I may check for it online, maybe that one was a dud.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
XingMing · 11/06/2019 20:49

I am so going to spam this thread with pictures once we're done. You've all read it without seeing it. I have had tradesmen and Radio 2 up the kazoo. And I am missing frock therapy. I would like to wear something new as I am getting bored with ringing the changes on my practical routine of jeans and a top. The decorators are stultifyingly dull but very obliging, and I feel bad that I hate having them here. Project manager is never using them again! But he's slow to perfectionist and what I was told would take a fortnight is now six weeks. Tentatively, this Friday should see it done,

quirkychick · 12/06/2019 06:47

Nice skirt, CatherineMaitland very chic and versatile. I can't see bo's pictures, for some reason. Lovely photos, Elle, the black and navy dresses look very elegant and suit you well. I think I've been wearing quite a bit of trainers with jeans as well, when it's not been raining so badly that I need rainboots! I did manage navy birks and jeans on Sunday, as it was dry and warm. I think we have a few more days of rainy weather to come, it's just been cold here too .

Looking forward to Xing's kitchen pictures. We now have a plastered bathroom, with lots of test pot paint all over it atm. It's funny how it all looks a vaguely creamy colour on the front of the pots but on the walls one is barely darker than the white undercoat, one is a neutral, cool cream/beige and a third looks the same colour as the wet plaster and is quite brown. We're likely to go for the creamy beige, as it's the dcs bathroom mostly and it has the same undertones as the existing floor and panelling.

Redandblue11 · 12/06/2019 07:36

That sounds lovely Elle, the choice of terrazo, and the blue and navy dresses look great, simple but so flattering.

I am looking forward to xing’kitchen photos. Perhaps you should get out your most elegant dress xing and walk amongst the builders tellings them what to do Grin

quirky i had issues seeing some photos here too, then following day seemed ok. Although I think i cannot see still one of bo’s pictures.

Redandblue11 · 12/06/2019 07:45

Oh, if I can spam with more interior deco here... while I wait for quotes to be redone on glass doors. I think we are opting for bifold four panels opening at the centre, something similar to this that I found online. With the sliding doors you do not have he door opening into/out but it incorporates a lot of issues for our layout and we measured and measured and the door opening will be good we have space.
And I think I am going for a line (like photo), but I am trying to get the position of that right ... having seen many of them, i believe is not centred due to visual perspective, so is it 1/3? Or 2/5? I am researching and looking, and changing the line on the sketches superimposed in the photo of the actual space ...

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
botemp · 12/06/2019 08:54

I'm attempting to attach floral pics again.

Cos order came in yesterday but it's all going back. Navy dress was too big, puritanical dress was well puritanical. Didn't remember it being that bad but I did get my hair cut shorter yesterday and I always forget how clothing can look different as soon as hair is above the shoulders. Shoes were too wide unfortunately. Did see these shoes at Mango that I popped into post hairdresser, they were setting up for the sales which I think start Thursday so I'll wait till then to purchase. They're not as high as they look, not quite a kitten heel but not much higher.

Love the new Stories purchases Elle. Think they've had that scalloped top in their collection for quite a few years. I nearly bought it in white but that was around the time I started losing weight mysteriously so held off buying at the time. Silk dress is great also, might have to see if they have it in store here as well.

Tell the DHs deadlines have already passed for small changes and it will only cause more delays. Just make sure you tell the tradesmen that too, they're always annoyingly eager to offer last minute changes as it's a nice money earner. IME it's quite common that the less involved party starts picking up on the annoyance of progress of the build from the more involved partner and their idea of helping is by picking up little 'faults' in some weird show of solidarity. For some it is just that they lacked any sort of imagination and only until it comes together do they voice opinions. Either way, opinions need be squashed Wink

Are you talking about the horizontal glass 'divider' Red? If so, it's usually golden ratio. Though, since you're in a 30s property check if your house still observes those ratios as they switched it up from around that time period. More contemporary builds are always 1/3 as it all comes back to the standard measures of 60cm, 360cm, 540cm, 720cm, etc.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: See life in pink, but do not wear it!
OP posts:
quirkychick · 12/06/2019 16:25

I can see them now, bo, probably an mn glitch. I think the first type of florals, would look too chintzy on me and maybe the second ones as they're more stylised. Though, I'm not a great florals person.

Redandblue11 · 12/06/2019 19:17

Yes, Bo I was trying to talk about the horizontal lines “divider”. Good call I will check that for my property.

I can see the florals now. The first one I doubt would look good on me browns near my face typically wash me out. The second one I can see myself carrying that cut very well Wink but looks for a very formal occasion to me, which I do not have many on the horizon... although I have a black tie ball coming up next month, not sure yet what I will wear but is with a crowd that have not seen any of my gown /cocktail dresses so I can choose from my current wardrobe.
A question here, I have a lace black dress that fits me v well (or used to) would you wear black for a summer ball? What would you acesorize it with to make it more summery ... or would you avoid?

Redandblue11 · 12/06/2019 19:24

Bani this one is for you! You were after some shirt dresses, right? That potentially could be worn open as jacket? I tried this today in the Cos sale £35, is way too baggy on me as I need some sort of shape / belt and possibly a size down.
I thought the price was good for the quality. Not sure if is your type of thing but thought to share it , even if I look terrible on it .

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