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

I have that YouTube video on my watch next list, bo. I recently discovered KarenBritChick. I love the way she talks about clothes, she has an earlier purging one too with coats and a very hilarious friend!

I don't think I have loads of clothes, but I tend to have quite a lot of accessories to change them up. I used to rotate them twice a year SS and AW, but now I do it four times with every season, which I prefer. I do keep things that are good quality but no longer feel current, as I find I come back to them as fashions go in cycles.

That video sounds interesting. Never heard / done the thing about buying to wear with someone... that is new to me.
I suppose is all relative, but I don’t think I have loads of clothes , I mean I have a good amount... my in my ds’s eyes I have far too many, he asked me ‘what are you doing?’ And when I said trying to sort out clothes so I wear them more often as I will not be buying anything until January, he said ‘that is not good enough ‘ ‘ you need to stop for at least 2 years’
He asked me specifically about this silk kimono top, I never seen you on this and I said I have had that for 14 years and I wore it loads before he was born and I keep it as is in vgc and silk and I can see (or like to think) I can wear again.

Thanks for the link Bo, I enjoyed that. I have definitely bought things in the past for a life I don't lead - the expensive suit (with several nice tops to wear with it) when I had just had a baby and was going to be home for the foreseeable future comes to mind. I have since gone the other way and pared my wardrobe down to very little. I suspect I have less in my wardrobe than most women. I certainly have less than my DH. I am ruthless with things and clear out several times a year. I am now trying to buy better, making more considered purchases which will get lots of wear and is suitable for my life (must be machine washable, only needs gentle steaming to get creases out, shoes that I can drive in, etc.) It's a completely different approach to clothes than the one I was raised with (big shopping sprees, lots of the same items in different colours, get all the matching things).

I will admit I didn’t spot the Scottish nationalist angle 🤔 Possibly because the sender of the message was Mango. 🙄😂 Did think it was a little late to hop on the Outlander train! (The costumes are, of course, the absolute best thing about Outlander.)

Bo I didn’t mean that the US were actively claiming anything, I just meant I see a similar cycle in Anglomania - but will admit that I haven’t analysed it politically. And I did miss the Scottish angle as per above admittedly ...

Will be adamant on the point that NI is a part of Ireland though, as in the Island of. Not ROI (and yes, there are some cultural differences but those threads become veeeery heated...).

Red that top is one of my perfect reds. So hardly ever available of course, and it kills me that one is of such poor quality that it’s pilled all over my bosom. 😡

Speaking of altering fits etc, I’m not getting on with the wool trousers from the H&M Stella M range I got secondhand this winter. After stalking them since 2013 at least! They didn’t fit me well when I got them because I was too heavy, so I tried them on now that I’ve lost a bit and ... hmmm. The waist is quite low, it gapes a bit - I don’t know if it’s fixable tbh. Might ask mr bani to take a close up photo of the fit to show you and ask for opinions. They’re so well made (considering H&M), even have that slanted tab you button on the inside that helps keep the fly straight and that I can’t remember the name of.

Thank you Bo for coat tip - it’s gorgeous! Not what I had in mind though, I’m dreaming of a more conservative and traditional heathered fabric. Can’t even remember the correct term for it so it’s hard to search (help!). But I can certainly lust after the Chloe coat too!!!

When we’re talking about parking down wardrobes - at some point I’d like to talk more about dressing for special occasions. I was reading the How to dress like a Parisian blog a while back and reading something about creating outfits around here pieces or whatever. Now, I have this coat - see pic - that I got secondhand years ago and never wear because I’m thinking it’s a good one to wear “for parties”. Sadly it’s too warm most of the time to be an indoor coat (wool) and too cold when actually winter because its thin 🙄 and the length is below the knees so a little awkward. So the party has to be at the right time of year for all things to sync. Anyway, my point is that if I wore this rather extravagant thing as a more everyday thing , what do I wear for parties? Iyswim.

Yes, Bani, by Ireland I meant ROI, for whatever reason many here assume NI is a county of ROI You'd think considering our dirty finger in the pie that is the Irish conflict, we'd know better. Granted, I've only ever had Dutch history lessons in primary school so I wouldn't be surprised if NI is completely passed over in the curriculum beyond that. Many assume the troubles were purely a religious conflict and don't understand why it would return because of a border.

By fabric you don't mean bouclé, do you? That's what it sounds of but it's not really a traditional outerwear fabric.

I would definitely wear that coat out in the weeks to come, worn over lightweight jumpers and with a good scarf it will definitely hold up as outerwear, just pick up on the bright colours so it doesn't feel to wintery for now.

As for party wear, IME parties that require dressing up usually isn't with the same crowd of people you see on the regular so I've never found it an issue to wear the same thing. Accept it's different if you have work Christmas parties, formal dinners with extended family, etc.

Don't worry red, your DS has a completely different concept of time to you and clothes have never been something that stuck around for longer than a year or two. I used to tell my mother similar nonsense as a snotty child and I can definitely own up to how wrong I was then.

Well my closet is feeling very barren at the moment, with a rather concerning amount of space between the hangers. I'm definitely missing the bright colours I had to pack away but I am glad of the cull of A/W bits I did last year as they were all just too large things that I held on to longer than necessary.

My weather forecast is currently showing a last stretch of low to mid twenties in two weeks time. Rarely is it accurate that far ahead but just in case I've only permanently packed away hot summer stuff and the rest is easily accessed.

I've spotted attached jumper at Sezane in electric blue, I'll have a look when I'm in London. Apparently they have a shop in shop in Selfridges now which is very near MH. I might fancy some coloured trousers too, although shoes often difficult to work with that and don't really want to get into the buy shoes to go with the trousers trap, but I would like some more colour for A/W, aside from the bright blue some orange/red and yellow as I seem to be reliving the toddler years

Red, your DS's comment about your kimono made me smile. Today I put on a sweater I haven't worn for yonks (shape, colour and length haven't quite worked) and DS noticed instantly. There are so many cowl and polo necks around this season and it's not something that I think flatters my shape, but this one is better than most. With the COS dark indigo wide leg jeans and the black M&S mules. There's a chilly wind.

I too have packed away most of the high summer stuff. Firmly into the tran-season looks.

Gorgeous coat, bani! I agree about the Outlander costumes, so beautiful, especially the muted, Scottish tartans and tweeds.

I'm starting to put away my high summer stuff, as it's washed and dried. I got out one bag of autumn clothes, but have come across a Japanese inspired toast smock-style sweatshirt. It looks great with skinnies, but I'm not sure about it now, it's also a bit oversized, do needs to be worn as a top layer. It might be put away for a while, as it's lovely quality but I'm not feeling the love atm.

Bani, I think coats as lovely as that need to be worn with simple stuff, like black jeans and fine sweaters, on a Thursday night to see a film, on Friday for an art gallery and on Saturday for light shopping and out for cocktails. Seriously, keep everything beneath it really simple and fairly thin, and wear it everywhere while it's warm enough not to need a heavier coat. Jewellery dresses up the basic outfit if you have to remove the coat. It's lovely.

xing think you just described the-life-I-want-to-have-but-don’t. That said, if you do bani - go for it. It’s a beautiful coat. I think fabric choice could make a big difference too e.g it would look totally different over silk trousers versus jeans.

I can confirm the The Troubles are well and truly skimmed over in the GB education system, mores the pity. I was listening to an interesting podcast on the peace walls on 99% invisible. They’ve a very good one on how the world is designed around men too.

Thanks for the link botemp it is second-hand so does fit the mandate.

On my list for October is a slim, but not skinny belt in a dark tan/ brown. Leather or suede. Don’t want to spend a fortune on it. Ideally less than €60.

I love that coat bani wear it as xing suggested or if you don’t have any of those occasions any weekend would see me around town in it, honestly.

I’m not caught up but I like very much shoes up higher - red I think? I would walk past them in the shop, but seeing them on I think they are lovely.
Always buy the dressed crab! I ordered the not dressed one recently as I thought ds would like it. He was horrified that there was a real huge crab on my plate and wouldn’t go near it and it was so much effort to eat...

red I would love to see a photo of your silk kimono top, I love the sound of it!

Re: my “party” coat I agree it’s the perfect weight for this in between weather of September/October, so if I wore it for everyday I’d get plenty of wear out of it. But my conundrum is if I wear fanciful clothes like that every day, how amazing would I have dress up for a party? 🤔 I mean surely there are levels. 💃 Am reading your thoughts and I agree completely, it lifts a basic outfit so well but leaves me floundering in the phase eight section then for parties looking for mummy-goes-to-a-wedding-lace haha.

Fuck it I’ll stop saving it for best it only works with bloody black anyway. I too think Xing described the perfect life there [makes wistful sigh] - mine is more work-shop-home-dinner-evening walk. That’s it. Possibly I need to look at my jewellery sitch for parties. Maybe I should pierce my ears so I can wear dramatic earrings when the occasion so requires.

My absolute favourite thing about the outlander costumes was that she’d gone to the effort of using proper fold-em-yourself kilts (forget the word) and the intro showed your man lying on the floor putting it on, just by the by like. So good!

Elle I listened to that podcast too! We learn nothing about the troubles in Sweden except “it’s religious”. 🙄 It’s the final remnants of the big religious wars of the 17th century and it’s just treated as “meh, the Irish” as if it affects no one else. Infuriating. I’m going to Dublin for the autumn holidays with my youngest (who loves Derry Girls) and am sort of considering a day trip to Belfast but it might be too stressful and, who knows, actively dangerous (fucking brexit).

That colour electric blue is lovely Bo, I look forward to seeing if it’s good in person. I agree autumn needs more colour. About my wool fabrics - I’m not thinking bouclé (although with some fabrics the difference seems small), just traditional tweed of the sort that’s not very monochrome. Attaching some pics.

But I think any coat buys are far off (unless secondhand September randomly becomes a success for me). I am thinking of buying Icebug boots for winter because they’re great to stop you slipping. And that’s my budget for everything gone I’d say, they’re almost 2000 kr.

Have your ears pierced Bani. Just do it, most of the nicest earrings are only for pierced ears. And, yup, it's my dream life too but also my life in the big city when I was 30. I hope to resume something similar in retirement.

Everything good will happen in retirement! This is my plan too 😁

Bani, just don't escalate the dress up factor; stick to elevated everyday. The next step up is not Phase Eight; that's retrograde. (Backsliding). The idea is to always look so great that you don't need to make an effort to dress up, because you are perfectly styled.

Bani, just don't escalate the dress up factor; stick to elevated everyday. The next step up is not Phase Eight; that's retrograde. (Backsliding). The idea is to always look so great that you don't need to make an effort to dress up, because you are perfectly styled.

WHoops! Sorry for the double post; I don't want to shout.

Xing, that was my life up to 30 in London, too. I would like it to resume as well .

bani, nice pictures, is that tweed? I think all the Scottish Outlander costumes were authentically dyed and woven (though, maybe without the wee - if you've seen that scene).

I watched the KarenBritChick, bo. I would recommend part 1 with the coats too, especially pertinent with autumn coming. Though, it's felt like it's already here today!

SO, shall we all retire to the same lively cultured city and meet up regularly looking fabulous? We could have our own old-lady style thread and get written up in all the papers!

Where do we fancy? I am making plans.

Quirky yes it is tweed. I love tweed. Must be my roots. After extensive googling the kind I’m after might be specified as Donegal fleck tweed? Maybe. Coats cost about 500 pounds so a bit out of my budget 🙄

Xing The idea is to always look so great that you don't need to make an effort to dress up, because you are perfectly styled. This is a lot of pressure 😂 I don’t even wear lipstick!

Lively and cultured ... god where shall we go? Not too lively, I’m a swede and need some peace and quiet of a night you know 😉

So are we making plans for retirement in the perfect sophisticated cultural place? Where we can all go around in silk robes and ethnic coats I am in!
This is a usual day dream of mine with some of my closest friends.
But I need it to be a lively place! Maybe in the edge? So if you turn right you are in perfect rolling hills with ethereal light warmth in the air so we can waft around andvif you turn left I can drink cocktails and listen (and dance) to live music all night in this backless blue dress of my dreams.

And now, wake up and leave train I am nearly at work!

This morning sees me back on Planet Downpour, so it's wellies and waterproofs for XingDog's outing. Oh, cruel reality!

Well you all go and enjoy your retirement, considering the slowly incrementing age of retirement here, I probably have more working years ahead of me than I've been alive for

I did see the coat video when it first came out quirky, can't remember much from it except that I didn't feel so bad about the amount of coats I owned anymore... Is it worth a rewatch?

I think it's just tweed with a brushed finish Bani, though perhaps that's just a poor man's version of the expensive Donegal tweed?