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

But bani your room is always cluttered with intriguing books whereas mine is full of shit and un-un-packed suitcases. So I've just tried to take a pic but the light was so poor all that came out was a grey blob (me) and a bright light from somewhere. Why is it so dark and so wet? It's like living through the 10 plagues of Egypt here today - I'm expecting to see a cloud of locusts flying past any moment. Anyway I'll try again tomorrow if I'm up at daybreak.

I'm full of admiration Red I have to allow myself little breaks (such as second hand) otherwise I wouldn't last. I'm going back to hunt for the pic of your Sezane dress - it's always a good feeling when random people stop and compliment you.

Here it is Flo as might be too far back. Might not look like much but the fit is absolutely perfect and the fabric so light and the movement great. This lady said that she had a similar dress but what made mine so great was how it moved when I walked, which is nice to hear and know... as I do not see myself when I walk .

Well, don’t praise me just yet. Let’s wait a few more weeks to see if I can do this no buying.

Just found this thread and LOVE it. You women are all awesome.

Will aim to join in but in the meantime, @botemp, do you mind me asking where your cylinder shaped bag is from? I've been searching for one this size for months (most I've found are tiny and I like to carry a fair bit of crap around with me!).

Here

Welcome human, do you mean attached bag? It's from Staud, model name is Vitti there are a couple of colours on the Outnet at the moment. I have it in Claret, it's a lot more versatile than I expected. I never manage to fill up more than half way up but I don't carry much, card wallet, phone, sunglasses, hipster fold up supermarket tote, keys, emergency sanpro, and some random lipsticks.

at flo's 10 plagues of Egypt. The only plus is I got complimented on my Ilse Jacobsen raincoat by another mum at pick up. I personally, thought I looked like a wet, green fisherman, but I'll take it.

Nice dress, red, I can do a bit of 90s, though, I haven't bought into the flowery dress trend this time round, yet.

That's the one! Thank you @botemp and I really love that rich colour too. It looks great.

Ten plagues of Egypt

Intriguing clutter my hole but I'll take it.

I still don't have a proper raincoat and I'm actually beginning to think this might be a huge mistake since I'm going to Dublin at the end of the month with hand luggage only.

I thought our thread's shit weather muse was the demented druid in the rain (though we may need to run that by the PC police)? Excuse the crappy sketch on an old paper bag (in the name of recycling and all that), but just to demonstrate what we all should be aiming for with the ten plagues upon us, although that's a lot of religions in one place...

We've been lucky that horrendous rain has been in the very early mornings and nights only so far. But the rain is messing with plans, when I mentioned secondhand September a friend who lives in Rotterdam offered to take me round all the interesting second hand shops that are recently popping up over there (it's a bit hipster over there and rents are a lot cheaper than other major cities so makes sense). They look promising on Instagram but I was supposed to meet her there Friday but it's looking like 10 plagues worthy, Saturday looks to be better but I'm slightly distrustful of it all just being all sunshiny and bright right after that.

As it's now October 2nd, I'm not sure I've done this secondhand September all that well. It's been more of an unintentional no buy month instead. Trousers came in the other day and they were as expected, except I didn't remember my bum looked so great in them, so small bonus. But they are just a boring pair of black trousers, a well cut pair, but boring none the less and not something I would have been deaerate to go out and buy without the secondhand September challenge.

Won't end of October be too chilly for a flimsy raincoat Bani? 'Not sure how it compares to here, but end of October/early November really is when the cold starts settling in, especially at night and the ground remains cold. Although current forecast remains mild for the next two weeks, far warmer than average.

bani Definitely invest in a raincoat for Dublin, although London has been worse this week. I’ll see if I can find the tweed article online.

Flo I love that Toast model too. Also that U parka looks like a great buy.

I took a look at that Céline top, but I felt it made me look a bit broad so I didn’t buy it. I didn’t get anything in that consignment shop, but I did take a trip to Ami. I’m like the world’s slowest stalker, trailing bo 2 days late. I tried THAT green coat, but sad to say that I couldn’t pull it off either. I did however buy a great and slightly manish suit that I will take pictures of later. The fit is quite straight so I bought a 40, but will need to have about 2 inches taken out of the waist of the trousers. I also bought this brown jacket which I’m thrilled with. The photo is of the small which was a bit too neat. I bought the medium, but didn’t take a picture.

I thought it was just the size of the Céline top that made it bulky on me, but it even looks too big on you, Elle, and therefore bulky on you too. Weird. Phoebe is a saint surely one of the junior designers was having an off day.

Oh I love the Ami bomber, must have missed it. Is it a shearling or a wool collar? It looks like an ideal coat for crisp autumn weather walk in the woods and then come home to warm apple crumble.

You're not helping with the green coat, I've been trying to convince myself that maybe I could carry it off if I just wore it open all the time . I should probably spend my efforts on sending a rather sharp letter to Mr. Ami Instead. Demanding to know what he was thinking making a coat so impeccably well in the loveliest of colours and then to make it double breasted. Does he have a fetish for women dressing like a pudgy Kermit the frog? Or is he just your run of the mill sadist

The Ami bomber looks very good on you (glad you bought the medium, was thinking it looked a little tight). It does, however, look like a shite jacket for rain . So may the weather gods be with you! And I think the problem with the Céline top is that the neck is too high . Or not high enough - a bit chokery would be better. And the fabric falls into a rectangle and doesn't go into the body dips. If you want to look like a rectangle it is perfect of course.

Bo do not buy a green coat only to wear open the whole time, cop on to yourself (however, if you find it on super super sale in the future ...)

I spent many many many many years in my youth looking for the Perfect Jacket/Coat that would be water proof/resistant and look decent and city-ish in and out of the rain. The closest was some sort of Didrikson, but I didn't have the money really at the time and clearly didn't love it enough to fork out. Then we moved even closer to city centre so I can be more umbrella distance anyway and I gave up the search.

Continuing the weather theme, the U parka is going back, my heart is hardened. I do like it and it's warm but it doesn't even pretend to be shower resistant (or whatever the non-promise is now). I walk to work and detest umbrellas. It was never going to cut it and it was silly to send for it.

I'm now dallying with this winter trenchcoat which - if it was warm enough - would tick all the boxes. But then I remember I've already got a waterproof trench coat with a hood (Protected Species) so I'd basically be paying £200 for a quilted lining. And then I start wondering if I should just grit my teeth, start saving up and hope the Margaret Howell Barbour is in the January sales.

I tell you I'm obsessed. I fall asleep and wake up thinking about it. Still it takes the mind off Brexit.

I've sent and returned that Rains coat, Flo. Would not recommend, it's not warm at all. It has some sort of foil liner in to insulate but it just made me feel colder. It's supposed to trap your own body heat in but I struggle to hold on to my own body heat when I'm being drenched in rain and hit with wind gusts at low temps, so it's pretty useless. The padded lining was pitifully thin, so that would be no help either. It's a stupidly overpriced coat.

I'm with you on waiting out the MH coat barring a no deal Brexit, stupid import taxes, and slipping one of those Uniqlo light down coats underneath (or attach it somehow).

I'm not sure what was up with the Céline top, it did follow the contours of my body as I didn't have it tucked up high into trousers as Elle does on her picture. I had excess material at the bust and it all went a bit freeform at the arm pits and was a bit slippy on the shoulders. I had put it down to size but Elle seems to have the same issue. I think the lines were a bit different in 3D Bani, on me it had the effect as if my boobs were sliding down at a diagonal to my body whilst half pregnant

Ah thanks bo that's saved me the trouble and the postage. In fact I've got a quilted lining somewhere from a long discarded bad weather coat. Then keep the Seasalt for days when the rain is of biblical proportions and get saving. Might be a plan.

This really shouldn't be this hard though. I live in a rainy country and British designers are supposed to be innovative - why aren't they interested in designing a decent looking warm, waterproof coat?

It's a weird missing link, I agree. I need a shit weather coat from approx September into Feb/March which is a long period but it won't be worn frequently. It doesn't need to protect me from freezing temps but at least keep me warm at 9°. Since it covers so many seasons I don't want black, or any other very dark colour, especially since the shower proof/resistant aspect means it's often matte or super shiny.

I was moaning about this in the Hope Stockholm shop checking out this overpriced beaut, and she helpfully pointed out that it wasn't the best idea to look at Scandi brands as they mostly deal with snow and sleet which doesn't instantly soak you through the way rain does here, not as windy either.

I remember Arket did a coat last year which was a multilayer thing but you had to buy it all seperately and it came in quite expensive altogether and I think it was only shower resistant. The layers could be worn seperately but I would be unlikely to, I just need one very weather specific coat and while it doesn't need to be some design masterpiece it does need to look inoffensive and not cost the earth.

I am loving that ami jacket Elle . I have/had (did I get rid of it??!!) an old couderoy one similar-ish . I need to get that bag of clothes in spare room and have a look.

Flo that is a big task! Rain proof, warm AND stylish. I have from parka London a non hooded one, short coat ... I hear you, why is she telling me this? Just to say is the warmest thing I own and inside is detachable. if only was longer and with hood! So their longer versions might cut the bill ... I got it on eBay a few years back for about £55.
Is a similar model and same colour to this one in green.
In eBay they have a couple of different models with good, not a lot, and I cannot vouch that those will be any good, nor that you like the style (I know your high standards, specially if your heart is on a MH Barbour one!!)
But I can honestly say this short coat of mine is one of my precious possessions.

Red thank you! I'm keeping an eye on London Parka but last time I looked, they were all mid thigh length which I don't want. Barbour were the same, except for the Margaret Howell one, hence my obsession with it.

Well I disagree that Scandi designers are too focused on snow, there have been many many years designing for the Stockholm market of SLUSH - the word of the day is "funktionsmaterial" ie materials that feel like fabric, are waterproof but breathe. (Obv 75% don't work and I overheat, Goretex is the worst cod ever.) Most of the stuff is made for children however, since children are out all day at preschool. All of this definitely slants towards sporty stuff though.

I wouldn't trust Danish outerwear at all.

You need to know your brands though and Didriksons for example are solid. Hope is not solid, Hope is style over substance in this case. I just fell down a rabbit hole looking at Didriksons website and am a bit enamoured with this mad Hanna coat, picture attached. Flo, look at the Dagny parka www.didriksons.com/se/dam/jackor/host-vinterjackor/dagny-women-s-parka-502846-347

Yeah I'm sure there's sporty stuff that meets my requirements but I lean slightly formal in dressing so it just looks odd unless you completely commit to that in a city. I have an ancient raincoat with a cotton lining thats still going strong (bought it as a teen with birthday money, such forward thinking 😅) and I have a parka for when it's truly cold but I lack something in between.

When it's properly pouring, it's also cold and crucially windy. That's what I need protection from mostly and flimsy coats just don't do it for me. The Scandi brands seem to focus on insulating heat so much they're unbearable over here so would only be suitable when I would wear a parka. But you're right the weird attempts with technical fabrics are a bit shit.

I've tried a Didrikson when I saw some in TKMaxx but the arms were too tight to wear a jumper with and the rest of it was massive may need to get past my prejudice.

I may need to have a look at Ilse Jacobsen, as again, they only put the cheaper ones out in the shops here but she does do a more expensive range which may very well be padded.

But if I can dream that this coat would have a warm lining integrated and it was 70% off (at least) I'd be in heaven. It's waxed/oiled cotton with a rubberised hood and sash, both detachable.

Advance warning, I'm feeling shouty and obvs am procrastinating today. Why is there a H&M and Pringle of Scotland colab collection manufactured by H&M? Make some high quality knitwear available at democratic prices, great idea. Take questionable Pringle designs and fabricate them in cheapo fabrics, shit idea. Who greenlighted the shit idea? The highest wool percentage I've seen on the knitwear is 6% the remainder being a mix of acrylic and polyester. And why is this instantly selling out? I'm deeply disturbed and confused...

Didrikson wet weather gear is good. I have a blue all seasons Thelma and a winter warm olive design , both bought a couple of years ago in a farm shop sale (the glamour!) Brilliant for dogwalking in wet weather, and okay for town wear, but a bit sweaty, though they have pockets in all the right places.

I saw that collab today in my inbox and I agree, it is SHITE. Why the hell?! Is there anything worse than "warm blend with wool" meaning 6% wool.

Agree that Didrikson can be tricky in the sizing. That's the trouble.

Am also procrastinating. Forgot to say Bo was that coat Ilse? Good looking coat!

bo, I have an Ilse Jacobsen, but it's not really for proper cold weather. I think they do warmer coats, though. I have a parka by Craghoppers for wet and cold, but it's not that long. Looks quite like the parka london one upthread. Gorgeous, coat, bo.