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

[botemp]

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

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Favoured Parisian addresses:

Second Hand Shops

Outlets

Favoured London addresses:

Charity Shops, Dress Agencies, and Outlets

Favoured NYC addresses:

Consignment shops, Vintage, and Restaurants

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Previous threads:

Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

Sept

Huit

Bright for funerals is hard. Your plan sounds good though quirky
I really like those red shoes *. A rather personal question- what are you wearing under the cami? I love the no visible bra but don’t really want to go braless...
I am not going to make any more negative body comments, I’ve realised how I’ve slipped into it and it’s poor form. Very happy to be called out on it.
Here’s an attempt at the knotted shirt. I like the look from the side. It’s too late to find some shoes , although bos red flats would be perfect

Thanks, time, the knotted shirt looks good, it's a great way to add fit to a looser shirt in summer. I sometimes cheat with an invisible hair tie, if there's not enough fabric, or like yesterday, I didn't want to knot the silk as it's quite delicate. It works with looser style t-shirts too. Last year, I was all about the tuck, this year, I seem to have gone back to "knotting" tops to pretend I have more of a waist .

I love the yellow trousers, bo, I think they demonstrate the pleats very well. The whole outfit looks cool in the heat. We at least have cooler weather today, I'm so rubbish at anything above 30°C (though I started to acclimatise by the end of last year's heatwave). The whole summer holiday seems to have been weird, with extreme record-breaking heat at the beginning and end and lots of very mixed weather in the middle.

I was wondering how you were doing quirky, so good to see you pop in again. No advice on colourful funeral dress code as I find it an odd one, sounds like you've got it covered though. The only thing I'd never repeat is buying something specifically for a funeral, I have a few dresses that I've never worn since, I really should get rid of them but am weirdly attached to them. Kondo not approved, obvs.

I did read both Zara and H&M are drastically cutting back their retail locations. I'll be really curious to see if there's any sort of shopping left outside metropolitan areas in a decade or so.

Never mind the caught boob, Bani what's with all the scribbles? Are you hiding a unisex toilet sign in fear of the FWR board's wrath? Is that Tinkerbell self combusting in your hands, do we need to believe and clap

Also, note to self, when googling things like chef's kiss do not click on urban dictionary for a definition, you can only blame yourself for that trauma. Though I do have a soft spot for UD as they have the nicest description of my name which is weirdly accurate and flattering. Don't know why anyone bothers with the MN name boards, UD sorts you out much better.

Unfortunately the red shoes were plastic, time, but I do like the simple joy of a red shoe. I find with tying up it does help to fold over/up the back side of the shirt and hold it higher than you'd like before you start tying, so you have less of a voluminous back. Sometimes that volume does work in your favour but for me that's only when I wear the tye lower.

I wear pasties, nippies skin by bristols six. I bought them from Amazon but they only seem to have the non adhesive version, or the larger size, at the moment. I like them because they sit flush and have a somewhat grippy finish that holds fabric in place and they're big enough to smooth over enough of the breast so it looks the same as you would when wearing a soft cup bra. They're not annoying to wear either, you completely forget about them, within minutes they're adjusted to body temp. The not wearing a bra thing can feel a bit of a psychological hurdle at first but you get over it soon enough. I don't get any of the is she/isn't she wearing a bra speculation/lechery from randoms either which does happen when I go completely without anything.

It's been similar weather here quirky, thankfully today a bit cooler but it's that horrible brewing low pressure (I think) weather that's humid and heavy feeling in anticipation of a storm (will come at night). I can already feel the headache building as the day goes on

I am loving all the photo sharing from all, makes such a nice read.
quirky I have no funeral outfit suggestions but it sounds you have a few ideas to cover that.
Now I kinda want that long reformation dress ... but no point at this time of the year so I will sit on my hands.
I also have a single bardot type top from zara in a poplin shirt type material. Yes the fabric goes up and that is how I wear it, I do not fuss around trying to get it down because I am a woman who moves her hands
I will also try knotted shirts ... I have never tried it! Why I wonder!
We scaped to the seaside during the last couple of very hot days and I also swam in the sea! Now this is a sight you don’t see very often a woman from the tropics swimming in the North Sea!
Today is cooler here too but with that heaviness. A few weeks back I got this Chloe denim skirt from a dress agency so I am wearing today, just working from home but you can call me brand victim.

Teeheeheee there are a lot of scribbles bani
red where are you from? Has it affected your style do you think? Tropics is quite different to Europe...

I just realised that my photo did not upload! Silly mn site!

times I am South American but from the most ‘European’ country of them, Argentina. And while I think it has influenced me, I also think I am not a typical Argentinean in my style as I lived in many countries during my life.

Ah red I remember Argentinian, I forgot just now as it didn’t register as tropics to me . I’ve lived on a couple of Pacific islands when a child. Nice skirt!

Argentina has proper seasons, I wouldn't consider that tropics either. In my mind it has to be on or near the equator. I don't think my time in the tropics (Caribbean) influenced much, but I was young.

I came across a new brand of no use except for time and other Antipodeans, Posse. Questionable name but has some lovely looking linen items (after I got over my usual Australian dollars aren't USD sticker shock) and jumpsuits especially. Summer is pretty much over here but if I had come across it a few months back I'd be pretty sour at having to get that in from Aus at high prices. Here's hoping some retailer takes it on here by next summer.

Well, the very north of Argentina (where I am from) is on the Tropic of Capricorn, if you see in the map is almost level with São Paulo in Brazil.
Where I come from the summers are the rainy season with 40-45 degrees. Autumn and spring are in the 20 degrees celcious and winter is only 2/3 weeks a year always above cero it gets a bit cold but the good thing is that is the dry sunny season.
There are toucans, colourful parrots, orchids on the trees, etc etc .
Is a very long country and tbh some bit of the north very remote and not reported in the press so people tend to have the idea of Buenos Aires or the Pampas only.
Similarly in the south there is no proper summer.

It is weird the perspective the world map gives as is a bit distorted for the Southern Hemisphere as otherwise it wouldn’t show the Northern European countries which are proportionally much smaller. I think I saw that Peters map (I think I got the name right) of the world with the right proportions and was an eye opener for me.
So yes the Caribbean (where I also spent some of my time) is on the other tropic but incidentally was cooler than the north of Argentina as the latter was very inland and no sea breeze at all.

Love the Peters projection, very educational. Big fan, huge. :P

Don't diss my scribbles, I think I panicked thinking that particular sign design might be distinctive and "outing". The hand scribble is my bank card haha I was holding it. Wouldn't want anyone shady to zoom in. Also I was bored - on the train or something when "editing". ;)

Very summery and breezy style there Red with the blouse and the skirt. I still haven't managed to incorporate "pale colours" into my wardrobe, so am a little envious.

I saw nothing naughty on UD about chef's kiss? Maybe it's tailored to your browser history Bo (nb this is joke)

That Posse link had some nice stuff, but I'm sized out so completely safe [sort of smug]

No more down talk on bodies BUT would like to point out that I'd be grateful for honesty and help re fit and similar. Like, why does this item not look great on me, what's wrong with it (not me! it!).

Maybe it is just my internet browsing history, Bani, I get attached as the top definition. Zoom in at your own risk. I mean, I'm pretty sure my yellow trousers didn't inspire you to do that to me

I like what my imagination cooked up of your scribbles better than the reality

Hmm I think it's still a question of what you associate with tropical, red, to me it's a place where the temperature doesn't fluctuate much year round, humid and warm but not necessarily hot/extreme heat, coastal/island, etc. The technical geographical area includes a lot of diverse environments, mountain ranges, deserts, etc. which are not the thing I'd associate with tropical and plenty of places outside that area which I would call tropical. Probably just down to how it's been framed, which may very well depend on where you're from too.

Meant to add previously, that Posse brand is supposed to be ethical not that it says much on their website beyond employing some seamstresses in Bali who work from home. Though, honestly, any new brand launching would be committing financial suicide by not doing the ethical song and dance these days.

Point noted Bani re constructive criticism. So, can I add than when you posted that fab photo of you in the black top and monki cardi and those rust trousers. I think that what worked there really well for you was having a very fitted top, or might have been the colour ... or a combination of both ...
In the last photo -taking aside the boob catch- it will probably look better with a very fitting top.
I think that I was used to see you with looser clothes and actually that very fitted top and looser trousers looked great!! Try more fitted clothes I say, you might be surprised.
Regarding colours, I love pale colours, I know they do not suit all but have you tried some recently?

I did not get that definition! (I got the correct one 😉)

red the irony is that my standard fave way to dress for many many many years has been tight top wide trousers and it’s partly these threads that have made me want to wear looser tops - to feel a bit more current and française and not so much desperate bodycon. But I feel a little better knowing that my instincts were correct! It’s a bit boring though to only wear fitted things also it’s harder to get for example a fitted blouse or shirt. A looser style is easier to get a hold of.

I have gained weight and did start feeling a little uncomfortable in my tight tops too tbh but they are my first love.

Have tried a cream silk blouse on 70% off in Hennes. But cream silk is v transparent and I wasn’t feeling it. But maybe colour wasn’t too bad... I’d like to get a cream linen shirt really.

I did see your request for input, Bani, but I do have to get my head round it first as you've built up an image through description and isolated pictures in my mind that doesn't match the reality of the full body photos. Neither is 100% accurate of reality so they have to marry together somehow.

It also helps when you're wearing less to get a better view of your shape. I would say with the last pic one of the things that stood out were your shoulders which are quite sloped so you have the tendency for everything to look a bit droopy as everything drags the eye down with it. A more structured shoulder would be more flattering in that sense but these are usually high necked and I do think a scooped neck suits you better as you have a relatively short upper body optically. Hence why in the previous picture with the cardigan and dramatic collar to give structure works better but I think your average cardigan would see you go down the droopy path. I wouldn't be able to have been to observe that as well without seeing the second pic alongside the first. So just keep posting and I'll probably be able to give more helpful feedback.

Wrt pale colours, obviously difficult to say accurately with cameras and screens but going by what I can see of colouring and hair (dye?) I do think you're better of with what you're familiar with in bright hues and jewel tones. If I'm to imagine you in pale colours I think it could all end up looking a bit sad washed up jellyfish. I think to freshen it up natural neutrals like hessian, cognac, etc. that have a bit of depth and warmth would be a better avenue to go down. Cream could be a part of that but it would need to be the right shade, not one that leans to bright white, whether by hue or lack of weight to the material but that type of cream can go matronly quite easily.

Yesterday's outfit, I'm not usually in and out of the shops this much normally but it's been a bit of an errands week and hot weather didn't make me especially productive. Nothing especially new to here, COS trousers I snapped up in Paris, where I also got the Marni mules and an old IM top. Should clarify I'm not going for that weird Chanel double bag look (feels a bit pack mule to me) should probably have ditched at least the one as it's a bit distorting.

SAD WASHED UP JELLYFISH

Talk about a given if I wanted to change my username 😂 Have seldom read a more accurate description of my pasty self in pasty clothing - and you don’t even know me!

Yes I do dye my hair (greys), but try to find something close to my own colour. So fairly accurate, perhaps less red in my real colour.

Thank you for body analysis, Red and Bo! I have always had this idea that my shoulders were just wide and big. It was only the other day when I wore a blazer that I realised that my shoulders must be very sloped. Even though it wasn’t very structured and the shoulder seam was pretty bang on my shoulder it felt like a poor fit, and that’s because my shoulder really pulls away from it. You’re right, droopy things really make all of me droop. Tricky though when I prefer quite soft clothes I can move in really.

Attaching picture of today’s clothes. Trousers are new. They’re from a small boutique called Maria Maruschka, some woman with a shop in Malmö and one in Italy somewhere? And she makes her own clothes and has like zero online presence. I got them off Swedish ebay. Colour is greige/mole. Pleasant surprise because they looked chocolate brown in photo but I was keen to try the brand so bought them anyway. They’re a little odd - I can’t manage to get a photo without looking very frumpy, but I received spontaneous compliments today on them so they must look quite good. Thick wrinkle resistant linen, but not the absolute most high end, a little scratchy on the inside maybe. I’m quite pleased though! Paid about 15 euro all in all and I’m pretty sure they’re much more expensive. Black tshirt and black clog sandals. Toilet sign and lunchbox.

Bo, I love those white trousers on you. Really a good buy. Top is a little hard to make out but I like the shapes together (like I said, wide trousers and fitted top gets me going...)

Ah my clairvoyant skills strike again maybe I should name change to ClaireVoyance but I'm guessing it's probably already some famous drag stage name and taken. And I don't think I'd like being addressed as Claire, no offence to the Claires out there.

Yes, they look very nice of what I can see of them in the dark Bani. But disappointed the mystery sign is a broom and a bucket...

It's interesting to hear that you weren't that conscious of the shoulders. I'm wondering if it's something more apparent in photos than in RL. I say this mostly as I accidentally snapped someone with similar shoulders when taking a photo of me (more errands, now have to add, 'steal that mirror from shop' to list of errands as it is the most flattering mirror I've come across ever, as noted before I do not have chopstick legs, nor am I all that tall). It's a bit unkind to be discussing random stranger on the internet, I acknowledge, but I hadn't noticed her shoulders at all, she looked a tiny pixie in real life that was a bit top heavy, resembled nothing of the photo image let's not ponder the opposite reality of me and that mirror image then

So yesterday's outfit, h&m studio dress (2nd hand buy after not buying it in the shops and regretting it forever), leather belt (worn off centre to avoid the leather penis) and Zara boots (with heel lifts). Hat is not mine, sadly, I do like it a lot but it's Zadig & Voltaire which is a bit of an overinflated price point brand anyhow. I always think if I'm spending that much on a hat I'd probably be better off getting one from a hat designer specific label.

Posse look good bo, will remember that! I like the jumpsuit. Sydney based ... Is it bad it wouldn’t occur to me that the name is questionable? Posse is definitely a word I hear used.
Sad washed up jellyfish bani could be worse, there are no penises in that description!

Perhaps only with an American lens, time? It's a word most currently used in Black American Rap Culture and subsequently in popular music/culture (though I would say less frequently in recent years) but has origins in the wild west and the movement of white supremacists and anti Semitics. I've always assumed (but have no basis for it really) that it was appropriated by black culture much like the n-word to give it different meaning in contemporary times.

Obviously it's not as charged as the n-word and I can totally understand that elsewhere it just sounds like one of those girl gang descriptors like 'squad' which looks familiar to fashion word pose (which I believe is another word that's come into popular use through black (drag) culture) and for many it has that diluted meaning but for a brand with international ambitions I'd assume you'd consider the association with your brand name with just a bit of research. As a brand I wouldn't be all that happy that when a potential customer types in 'Posse white' on Google and it suggests 'supremacist' as autocomplete before they type jumpsuit.

Ah she held back, didn't she? ;)

Can't remember seeing the white dress ever in H&M (tbh I probably wouldn't have looked twice since it wouldn't have been for me) but I really like the fabric. Is it transparent? What are you wearing underneath?

I can definitely see the sloping shoulders on the woman behind you! I have no idea how obvious mine are. I am absolutely awful at being able to accurately judge things like this. It has to be a very obvious big nose or massive arse or thin legs for me to be able to define them as such. And I've always been thrown off by a my wide back apparently! I'll put on a blazer for a picture some day. In sunshine.

Zadiq and Voltaire is a brand I've never thought about, and just noticed recently as it pops up on European royalty when they're "dressing down". Googled them just now and surprised the brand is that old, haha. Felt like Instagram Danish brand, how wrong I was!

It's a distinctive broom and bucket sign though! Maybe.

I'd accusse of being a perv for asking what I'm wearing underneath, Bani, but we already know I lost that high ground Also, I assumed it was implied that sad washed up jellyfish perfectly resembles a sad flacid penis with erectile dysfunction just out of the (very cold) water. Or white walker peen if you're into GOT.

You're welcome for that image I was just wearing nude underwear, it's not transparent but anything else would show through. It was that fashion collection of theirs, limited shops sell it and it sells out online within hours. People are still asking ridiculously high prices for that dress on eBay

It's weird as I think I can tell reasonably well what works on me, even if I don't always stick to it. But when it's someone else, I'm absolutely hopeless. I would never in a million years have noticed the sloping shoulders. Which is why my comments tend to all be along the lines of 'Oh I like that.' So in that vein, those Cos trousers are bloody great bo - I'm definitely going to take another trip in the Autumn. I also really those Arket twill ones on the previous page bani.

Enjoying all the southern hemisphere talk even though I would just curl up and die if I were transported there.

I'm sorry I missed your funeral posts quirky but I hope you felt right in your outfit and that it went well.

I liked those arket twill trousers too.
I like the word twill.
Fair enough re posse, the google suggestions is a very good point!! Off to see what google suggests for my imaginary clothes brand names.
I do hope it went well quirky

Ooooh, local market town has a new pre-loved dress shop with some nice things. I was quite entranced with a white CdG coat (shapeless, but light and very fluffy, totally unsuitable for my life but I wanted it) and a few other things. And a dress I thought my niece to be would look divine in for a hasty November registry office wedding (the main celebration is next June). I may even send a pic via her future MIL. Or am I over-invested? I really don't know her well enough to send anything except a thank you note.