Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.

995 replies

botemp · 13/07/2019 13:20

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


Favoured Parisian addresses:

Second Hand Shops

Outlets

Favoured London addresses:

Charity Shops, Dress Agencies, and Outlets

Favoured NYC addresses:

Consignment shops, Vintage, and Restaurants


Previous threads:

Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

Sept

Huit

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
OP posts:
Thread gallery
361
banivani · 08/08/2019 19:38

God Bo i wouldn’t be surprised if you’re absolutely correct! 😂

XingMing · 08/08/2019 20:24

Until Flo gives us the picture, we are doomed to speculate... come on Flo... we need a peek.

botemp · 08/08/2019 21:03

Should probably clarify the above is not Flo, obviously, she'd never wear a shirt with cuffs that double as napkins, not even when on acid.

OP posts:
botemp · 08/08/2019 21:05

Oh and apologies in advance for anyone with nightmares of Victorian acid nannies tonight Halo

OP posts:
ToEllewithIt · 09/08/2019 08:53

I keep landing on a steam punk type aesthetic when I think of Victorian Nanny on acid. We need to see the skirt flo

Love the print on the shirt time Jigsaw dress is lovely too.

The height of the model is an interesting observation. I assumed that they were smaller than usual for models too. I really like that a lot of websites are now using models that are more body diverse, but it’s really made me think about how good I had it. I hadn’t really appreciated how convenient it was for me that most commercial sites use 5’10” models - my height and while they are a size of two smaller than me it was generally pretty easy for me to get a good impression of how thing would fit. It’s been good for me to realise that it must be a right pain for people who aren’t tall noow that I’m the one clicking in to see the height and size and trying to figure out if the trousers will be long enough.

elizabethsuzann.com/collections/all-products This was the site in question – US-based so I’m not ordering right now, but looks like some nice pieces and a choice of lengths. I like the look of the Harlow dress.

Oh no I guess I’ll HAVE to go back to Antwerp then!

I saw that the short version of the Reformation dress was back in stock and took a chance on it. It’s really nice and not indecently short.

Floisme · 09/08/2019 09:58

I'm here, sorry!

I've taken a pic of it laid out flat so you can see the shape properly (although the colour's come out all wrong - it's dark khaki/grey not blue). The nanny on acid was trying to convey that from some angles it looks quite austere and utilitarian and then you've got the bonkers angle. I really like the disconnect.

It's a heavy duty linen / cotton so, with boots, it should serve me well into autumn and all but the coldest bit of winter.

I think your sketch was very prescient bo!

quirkychick · 09/08/2019 10:01

Grin at Victorian nanny on acid, I think we need to see more!

Elle I think I came across Elizabeth Suzann from the Unfancy blog as an ethical brand. The clothes look lovely.

quirkychick · 09/08/2019 10:06

Cross posted, very lovely skirt, flo. I really like the shape. "Interesting" shapes can go both ways, I think, be really amazing or drift into they're wearing you territory. That's definitely the former.

Floisme · 09/08/2019 10:33

Yes I think it works because it looks like a totally normal midi in some views, plus the colour and fabric are quite austere.

botemp · 09/08/2019 12:35

My mother was always convinced I had clairvoyant abilities Hmm I tend to be of the school of thought that originality is an incredibly rare thing and people are far more predictable than they'd like to admit.

Skirt looks interesting Flo and I mean that in a good way not a polite interesting. I like how it's different from all angles, I nearly mistook it for trousers in the side shot. It feels very you.

All this talk of steampunk and acid nannies made me think of Diane Keaton a bit. I'm not sure if she's still dressing like this or if it was just a phase, definitely felt like a stylist had a heavy hand in it.

Whilst googling I came across a Hermes show with Jean Paul Gaultier at the helm from 2010 (feels very current though) that has some great looks, not so much on acid but very Victorian-franco luxe (governesses maybe?) and the leather duster/trench at the very end of the show was exactly what I was imagining acid nanny above would wear on top of her outfit Shock

I'm on the fence about diversity of commercial models, I'm all for it from an inclusivity standpoint, representation, etc. But I don't find it practical, the larger we get, the more pronounced and different body types get, I used to just have to take account of height, now I have to consider several things which makes online shopping far more guess work, most models my height are petite and fit is entirely different. Standard sizing is confusing enough most days, would be interesting if an online retailer decided to let go of sizing all together as an experiment and just sent you an item according to your measurements.

I'm tempted to put in an order with Reformation too, was the delivery quick Elle? But summer is almost over so it feels kind of pointless, I did put in an order with Yoox the other day and tipped in a reformation silk camisole dress, just to try on for size as it's not the thing I'd go for with them, I think.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
OP posts:
BloomedAgain · 09/08/2019 13:06

Fell off the planet again so settling down to catch up. On the subject of leather I have two old items I can conceivably fit in to. One a loose fit leather pencil skirt which goes below knee and some leather
elasticated waist joggers. Both are medium weight matte leather. I used to do very high heels with them which I can't wear now. I'm wondering how I could style them so they look current and not too dressed up. Perhaps a sculptural low heel? Oversized sweater?

Floisme · 09/08/2019 14:14

Errm I've got a long leather trenchcoat in the cupboard somewhere.... Actually not a trenchcoat, and very dark bown rather than black, but single breasted, slim fitting, ankle length... and close enough to be getting spooked bo Grin I bought it in Trash & Vaudeville in New York in the very early noughties, convinced I would wear it forever, as you always are on these occasions. I'm going to dig it out now and see if it still fits.

Bloomed I tried a leather skirt on in a charity shop recently. It was just below the knee, slight A Line and, had it fitted me, I'd have probably worn it with a chunky sweater and plimsols / brogues / flat ankle boots. (Admittedly I wear them with everything.) Sadly I could barely get it past my arse.

banivani · 09/08/2019 14:27

Can't believe how correct Bo's guess was! That looks like a great skirt, very much your thing, Flo. I wouldn't wear it because the assymetrical bit would randomly scrape across my calf and make me think insects were climbing me. But if you like that sort of thing ...

I think diversity in models is great, esp for online shopping. Just put their measurements up and be honest about it. So much easier. As it is now, what with photoshopping and aspirational photos I don't have a clue. I was looking at Monki's website and saw a knitted dress, just lower than mid calf on the model. It said that the model was 175 cm tall and the dress was 106 cm long. In my hole it is. I'm 170 and I know for certain that just under the knee on me is 105 cm. Feck off.

I have a lovely brown suede a-line skirt I never wear because it's so weather dependent (in my head). Should get it out more! Loving the idea of leather joggers, wouldn't mind a pic of them!

ToEllewithIt · 09/08/2019 14:51

Very clairvoyant on the skirt. It really suits you Floisme

That Hermes show! It has aged very well, still looks pretty current, with the boots and shoes being the only real giveaway IMO.

The delivery was really fast botemp When I was in store I found everything true to size. The linen dress however is big. I'm wearing a small and there's plenty of room in it albeit that it's a loose style.

It's a fair point about the shape difference being more important in larger sizes. In a small size the difference between and apple and a pear might be a matter of an inch or two, but obviously becomes more pronounced as you go up sizes so unless the model is the same shape as well as size then it's tricky.

BloomedAgain · 09/08/2019 15:26

flo your leather trench sounds good. I guess the brown shade will take it out of the Matrix Grin
I'd need to find the right flat ankle boots I think as (being short) they can make me look dumpy with a skirt. I can't take the easy option of heels.
Bani I wish women's clothes would just come in accurate inches/cm measures. Get rid of nonsense sizing, euphemistic 8s and 10s etc. It's like only men can be trusted to cope with the actual size of their waist Hmm
I'm wondering if the leather joggers may be too dated. A photo might be arranged possibly not with me in them.

timeisnotaline · 09/08/2019 20:44

Oooh a leather trench. My mil has a knee length leather jacket I’ve borrowed. Not as glam as that! Also I wouldn’t fit it now.
Skirt is amazing , it does look like trousers from one side.

I actually felt like I hit the target today. It’s quite navy so hard to see the detail but the T-shirt is a cotton lace. And, I wore my white blazer. It now has two lipstick marks and two other marks. I see frequent cleaning in my future.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
BloomedAgain · 09/08/2019 21:00

That looks very slick time

botemp · 10/08/2019 10:06

where are the MN Halloween emojis when you need them? Right who's next to be spooked?

Yes, it's mostly self interest, I know exactly how I relate to a standard catalogue model but it's much more of a guessing game at different heights, shapes, and sizes. I'd much prefer the ads or inspiration pics to have a variety of shapes and sizes and have projected fit on different sizes/shapes on AI models but a standard model for the boring fit pics. But I'd probably get used to it eventually, I know I don't care with underwear and swimwear, as I know my preferred fits and sizes. Yse uses a variety of models who go without Photoshop and I'm always quite pleased that they all have rolls on their stomach when they're sitting down, because that's actually what everyone looks like when they're seated and not painfully posing in a highly unnatural way.

Bani, fit is still pretty individual, at a different size 105cm will go further on the same height, especially if she's got little in the way of shoulders and chest. It's useful to know these lengths for yourself though. I know a 40cm 'mini' skirt is more of a knee length on me for example.

That looks really good time, you've managed to strike a good balance with the white blazer, and I quite like the coincidental accessorising with the work pass.

Bloomed, the leather joggers sound like they could be dated in a good way, treat it a bit ironically and you can probably get more out of it. I usually just go for ankle boots with skirts, the game changer for me to avoid being too dumpy are heel lifts. I've mentioned them on here before but they just insure ankle boots hit me at the right point on the calf, rather than hiding that my legs do actually taper down and it all looking like a solid mass.

They're these but for those who bought them on my recommendation previously, I remember them being cheaper on Amazon, am I misremembering?

OP posts:
banivani · 10/08/2019 10:39

Bani, fit is still pretty individual, at a different size 105cm will go further on the same height, especially if she's got little in the way of shoulders and chest. It's useful to know these lengths for yourself though. I know a 40cm 'mini' skirt is more of a knee length on me for example.

Oh absolutely which is why I never bought anything from La Redoute, who would just say a skirt was knee length and nothing more. 🙄 But if a model is 175 cm and wearing a size small and they claim the small is 106 cm long it is not going to go all the way to the bottom of her calves. If I wasn’t bumpy that length would hit me almost mid calf and she has five cm on me. I think they meant to write 116 ... 😉 and I am peeved.

Anyway, another thing I’m peeved at is tops. I wore one the other day and felt physically crawly all over at how pilled it was. Then at dinner time I put my hands behind my head and my daughter said I had a hole in he armpit so I was delighted with having an excuse to recycle the sorry item. I’m so sick of looking un-put-together because of bad fabrics. What were our best tips for quality? I’ve had random good luck with cheap fast fashion and some more expensive things have been terrible. I am pleased with the quality of my v tee from Uniqlo but out of their colour selection there’s usually only one that’s decent and I can’t have only navy tops. 🙄

Facebook keeps recommending me random clothes sites. Yesterday it was studioheijne.com, that adjusts things to your measurements (a bit). I was a bit intrigued by the silk top [[https://www.studioheijne.com/?s=Revolution&post_type=product&page=search]] but I can’t pay that money without certainties. Wink

Influenced by you lot I strolled into a shoe shop the other day and tried on something else I hate, pointy toes. I don’t hate them any more. Grin not on simple mules and stuff. Considering getting a pair I found but dithering because I’m not sure what to wear them with ... styling is hard.

XingMing · 10/08/2019 13:54

Gold stars for Flo and Time; great looks and I covet that skirt!

DH gave me a voucher for the posh frock shop for my birthday so I went to see the remains of the sale. Another pair of grey trousers? Not transformative enough, although nice and useful. The other temptation was a rather lovely bright olive green cotton sweater, high v-neck, Lamberto Losani, which would work with quite a lot I own. I've walked away for now, because £197 seems a lot for a cotton sweater. And that's half price...!

So I shall wait for the AW stuff to go on show in early September.

Floisme · 11/08/2019 10:10

Thanks for all the comments.

Happy birthday Xing - great present and I'm sure whatever you choose will be fab.

Here's my third new buy of the year: olive green waxed cotton from Millets. It will fold up and fit in my bag and, unlike umbrellas, won't blow inside out, has no eyesight threatening spikes and leaves both hands free. Trust me, they're going to be huge for a/w Wink.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
timeisnotaline · 11/08/2019 10:14

Very practical flo!
Uniqlo has linen shirts on 50% sale so I bought 2 for dh at £20 each and 2 for me at £13 each. I had just checked galeries Lafayette where dhs linen shirts are from and they are sold out so felt fortuitious! Hopefully they are as nice.
And , I bought Stan smiths as I give up on attempting to find cheap comfy trainers for walking all day. I’ve bought a size up and they had better be comfy now that I look just like everyone else.

timeisnotaline · 11/08/2019 10:16

I suddenly had extra time to go shopping because we took our 4yo to Aladdin. Nice day out we thought! He was terrified, sobbing and begging to go home, so we left again after 20 minutes Grin.

Floisme · 11/08/2019 10:45

That reminds me of the one and only time we took our son to the pantomine. He was also 4, I think. I love pantomine and I'd been really looking forward to taking him... Five minutes in he was whispering, 'I'm scared'.

Speaking of Uniqlo, does Christophe Lemaire still do the U range? I've lost track of it this year.

Floisme · 11/08/2019 11:03

Sorry I can look Uniqo U up myself! Yes Lemaire still seems to be behind it, I must have just missed the summer stuff. There's no autumn preview or launch date yet but they seem to be slipping some of it - e.g. the curve leg trews and jeans - straight into the mainstream collections.