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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Previous threads:

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Six

Sept

Blatant place marking

Hi Bloomed! Sorry to hear about your bad health 😢 I was in Uniqlo yesterday and I felt that the website had what the shop had (I was in Stockholm). I tried on loads of things because I wasn’t too enamoured with much online so wanted to see if it felt different on (some did some Did Not). But anyway, I saw no surprises, but imo it feels like more in the store and it might feel like there is something to try.

My daughters made me try their super a-Line linen dresses which, as I suspected, did little for me - but I tried anyway! I’d love to wear that silhouette though because it seems like such easy dressing. I end up looking like a triangle with two sticks at the bottom end

I did much more prefer the shirt dress in rayon with 3/4 length sleeves. My girls said I should buy it but I dithered because my legs are still so spotty from the rash I felt self conscious. Kicking myself now. It’s sold out online. They both bought stuff in Uniqlo - all I ended up bringing home was a lovely emerald winter scarf from Cos 😂 So seasonal!

I saw lots of straw hats somewhere - might have been &stories as Eve mentioned! Possibly Weekday. Neither shop might be near you of course ... but I think they’re out there!

I love how the orange VB dress in Bo’s pics and Elle’s gradient striped dress echo one another. I also approve of the yellow linen trousers (SURPRISE). Agree that the acne blazer is wrong but IMO swedish designers don’t often get blazers right. They just hang. It’s like they’re making a point about how a blazer isn’t a proper jacket against he elements.

All in all the shopping trip was a bit of a dud for me but I think I wasn’t much in the mood to spend money tbh since we’re going on holiday soon and that will cost a little. Also
I can’t decide if I need things or just think I need them. Like a decent little handbag - would I even use a handbag that doesn’t fit a spare cardigan? But if I had one I’d feel so much more put together. If it was the right bag - how do I get the perfect one? And so on.

Also, I googled Alexander Lewis and this is from the website:

The stories he tells are of women who are confidently nonchalant, modern and soulful. Women who map fresh connections between old school and new. Women who can move to the samba beat of Lewis’ native Brazil, and who casually embody the tailored elegance of London, where Lewis was trained and now makes his home. For Alexander Lewis’ women, fashion is a lingua franca, and they speak it fluently.

Is this you Bo because if not maybe you can’t wear the trousers you know.

Thanks Banivani. It might be worth me having a look in store. I'm an inverted triangle so an a linen dress may produce an unfortunate result. I saw a couple of men's hats in h&m yesterday which may be promising.
I don't speak fashion fluently so Lewis would probably leave me trouserless too

What a load of wank fashion is sometimes. Sorry everyone for my foul language but sometimes it's deserved. Lovely trousers though. And interesting to see Alexander Lewis trained on Savile Row which makes him a serious contender in my view. (I hadn't heard of him either.)

I'm very fond of men's hats Bloomed. Is it mainly hair coverage you're after or do you need a wide brim too?

Well I giggle a bit but I read a few articles about him and they talk about the same things we talk about in regards to what his clothes portray iyswim. His brand seems to be dormant at the moment though.

Thanks Flo. I'm looking for narrow and wide brims (want head cover and also a bit of shade as I burn very easily). Am hoping it'll look like a fashion choice rather than a necessity.
I am looking through my wardrobe today and will need a pair of low block heels and some sharp tailored trousers (not skinny). I've been looking for those since an early thread Good to see some things don't change.

This looks like mine Bloomed although I bought it last year and the ribbon was navy. I haven't had much call to wear it this year but it survived last summer, including being taken on holiday folded up in a suitcase It should have a size adjuster thing inside which is useful. The brim doesn't offer much face protection though.

That looks really nice. Suitable for days when I'm on public transport and at risk of hitting men in the chest with my brim (I'm short).

Hello Bloomed! Hopefully the fashion chat plus other random chat here will grab you.
I do not wear loads of hats in the summer, but I saw in jigsaw one (first picture) that reminded me of one I have that I bought in Cuba a couple of years ago, the brim is not very wide but might be just wide enough.
I like the tan leather trim and I think with think tan strap leather sandals can look great.
I thought the second lighter colour with a yellow stripe might look well on the right person.
Current fashion is mistmached clothes after weekend family camping in music festival. I need a good shower.

And here are the hats
I think I need a proper sleep in a real bed...

Thank you I love the texture on the first hat!
I don't think yellow likes me unfortunately. I've been motivated not to wear yoga pants and am now in white linen trousers (raw edge as actually cut off. A stop gap charity shop find but the linen seems top notch) and a white broderie anglaise zara jacket.

I have a question for flo / xing, If I remember correctly you have mentioned a brand of chelsea boot made in england, good soles, good in rain, grippy, etc etc. What was the name?
I need as my previous black ankle boots are in the last legs, so I am not sure if there is anything in the sales ...
I am looking currently at these from the shoe embassy, which I have a couple of shoes from and I rate their quality greatly. But I wanted to compare just in case.
Thanks!

xing at the thought of an ivy being attacked by a woman in boilersuit.

If it was me, then I was more likely linking to Valverde des Botas, who make a nifty replica for Penelope Chilvers Chelsea boots and the iconic riding boots, at about 50% of what PC wants to charge. I have the suede Urban (2,5cm heel, knee length). Paid about 140 euros including shipping three years ago. Very comfortable, after a few hours wear. But not fashion-y, just useful.

Red, it's not any ivy.... it's the pernicious invasive weed that wants to swallow everything in its path! A boilersuit is just okay; hazmat suit would be better, especially when you factor in the giant hogweed.

Xing, the short, waterproof boots on that site are gorgeous. Good luck with the ivy clearance, it's terrible stuff. I moved into one house where the neighbour's fence was covered in several feet thick ivy growing over to my side and was horrendous to clear. Luckily, they moved out soon after and the new neighbour dug up the whole lot.

Thank you Xing, they look great but I need more dressy boots, they do not need to be too formal but ok to wear for work (which is not overly formal).

Red if it was me it will probably have been Solovair The ones I have are probably these which are very similar to Dr Martens, except that they're all still made in the uk. The last pair I had lasted well over 20 years (albeit worn on and off) and I normally go through shoes quickly. They also have a factory shop in Northampton with an outlet section (50-60% off when I was there) and I think 20% off current stock - although that's from memory and may be incorrect. I've seen their Chelsea boots and they look very well made and they don't all have those garish coloured inserts - not sure what they were thinking there, not their normal thing at all!

Although having just read your last post, they may not be dressy enough for your needs either!

Red have you considered Grenson www.grenson.com/uk/grace-womens-chelsea-boots-in-black-leather-on-leather-sole.html
Another UK made brand.

I'm getting ankle boot lust . So many lovely boots! that I don't need

Bloomed, I'm also an inverted triangle (but not very busty) I don't know if it's any help, but I have a few jersey knot or twist fronted dresses which are very flattering. The knot or twist draws the eye away from wider shoulders and the jersey drapes over waist and tummy allowing for any fluctuations in size. They are easy to wear but look as if you've made a bit of effort.

Oooh I like that idea quirkychick. Any recent purchases you could link?
(I've suddenly acquired F cup breasts which make me feel frumpy).

Mine are charity shop purchases, but one's Jigsaw and one's Next, if that helps.

Bloomed that grenson site is right up my street! They have a couple of things, including sandals that my eyes are lusting over. Thank you!

Oh Flo yes that was the brand I was thinking Solovair! But oh my eyes with those coloured inserts!! I agree , what were they thinking?
They have good things but probably not dressy enough.

Might give the Grenson ones a try, they have a couple on the sale that caught my eye.

I am not an inverted triangle so I’m thinking aloud here ... will a-line skirts balance out the triangle? Or wide skirts, same with culottes?