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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

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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
quirkychick · 12/10/2019 15:21

The Hancock waxed hooded parka is rather gorgeous! I really must stop looking at raincoats as I have my thinner Ilse Jacobsen and a totally waterproof Craghoppers parka with a lifetime guarantee.

I think I might look in the spring for a more substantial trench, I currently have a very lightweight black one, which is I like but I think I might get rid of my old m&s one which is too blue and too shiny. I had visions of me in a bright colour trench and I just don't wear it.

banivani · 12/10/2019 22:22

I’m going to come back later and talk about coats, but I’m a little sad today because Sara Danius has passed away - she of the fantastic Nobel dinner dresses I posted on an earlier thread. Only 57. :(

Floisme · 13/10/2019 12:03

Oh that's sad. I remember those frocks - one was pink and orange wasn't it? I love seeing women with serious jobs who are into clothes.

timeisnotaline · 14/10/2019 07:30

I have been googling Sara danius, indeed some fantastic outfits. RIP.
I came on for a quick rant- I was ironing a Sandro shirt and looked at the label. Don’t wash don’t spin don’t dry, professional clean only. It’s 100% rayon! That is just lazy. I don’t think a brand can call themselves sustainable if they don’t aim for washable clothes. (Not saying Sandro are sustainable, just a thought progression)
Monsoon velvet/Devore appeared in my inbox and there is a top and kimono I want- would be a dressing gown for me I’m pretty sure not wearing out. uk.monsoon.co.uk/view/product/uk_catalog/mon_11.3/7418767908?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=m_wk7_Sun13102019_Velvet_0-6_
For lack of anything better, another snap of my hair using an old silk scarf my boys play with Grin.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
quirkychick · 14/10/2019 09:37

My post seems to have disappeared, I was just saying how sad, bani.

I like your hair, time. Now mine's getting longer I need some more ideas for putting it up aside from the usual messy bun. My hair does not like this rainy weather! The kimono is gorgeous, very Oscar Wilde bohemian. A good look for autumn.

I got out my long, black boots today with the rain, they definitely smarten up my raincoat a bit, as they have a small block heel. I've got slim dark jeans tucked in, it's practical in this weather.

Floisme · 14/10/2019 10:24

I agree about lazy dry cleaning labels time. Uniqlo cashmere is another. If Brora can risk a 'hand wash' label, I think they can too.

I'm taking a sabbatical from coats and switching to jeans. I got my Whistles 'girlfriend' cut out this weekend (hadn't worn them all summer). I remembered them as narrow in the leg but relaxed and kind of slouchy. Jeez did I get a shock - they're skinnier than my Gap skinnies which I've recently consigned to the charity shop bag. That's what a summer in wide legs does to you. I'd kept one pair of 'real' skinnies but now think I may as well fast track them to the charity shop. I know they'll come back into fashion but I don't want to make it any easier to wear them again.

But to compensate, I dug out a pair of Not Your Daughter's straight legs - can't remember how old but well before they rebranded as NYD - and they're spot on. So lose some, win some.

Redandblue11 · 14/10/2019 18:58

I was thinking jeans too Flo and in my mind I couldn’t see myself squeezing into skinnies this year. I am the same size as previous but I cannot bear the thought of tight jeans. The most I have done is the levis straight ones I got last year and that is my limit I think for now.

I love the silk scarf on head times, I normally do a pony tail tied with scarf , it updates an outfit really easy. But, how have you done yours exactly?

The kimono looks nice but imo seems pricey for synthetic. Also for a robe at home I would prefer natural materials.

banivani · 15/10/2019 07:26

Right,missed the train so sat down with another cup of coffee to reply properly to the thread. 

I very much like the look of Loreak Median and Hancock, but they are both out of my price point. Very inspirational though. I agree with Xing, for those prices you want to try on. LM is the right sort of fitted, not too much. I do think raincoats need a hood though. The Hancock has the same sort of simple shapes that the Cocoon coats have I think, but I still like them better. Might be that they show the more muted colours (which I prefer). Wonder if Cocoon would open up a new segment of the market with better styling? Although I do think that some of the styles they use are just a little too classic to ever appeal to the more trend-sensitive consumer.

I know all oil cloth raincoats in the shops have taped seams as a selling point so it must be possible?

Adding a picture of Sara Danius that was doing the rounds on facebook. Taken at the Nobel prize ceremony last year. Apparently she was sick then, the cancer had returned. The –men—other members of the Academy had asked her to step down from her position as Secretary so she had left, but was still at the awards and the dinner – that dress is just a giant statement!

Lazy laundry labels annoy me tremendously. I think it’s connected to people knowing less about fabrics and qualities too (not just lazy brands trying to protect themselves because they haven’t tested the fabrics properly) – the viscose blouse will change a little after washing and so they will complain, so the brand just smacks dry clean only on it. I can tell you that the dry cleaner might well be washing it in water. But professionally. ;)

I wore a blouse the other day that I've only ever seen on me and the annoying Danish sister in the first season of The Bridge, so I might post that later.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
Floisme · 15/10/2019 08:40

What a great pic! I remembered the dress but didn't know about the context. It has to be the best fuck you outfit ever and I didn't think anyone would ever beat that frock Diana wore the night Charles did his BBC interview.

I've been trying to work out why I like the Hancock and the MH Barbour so much or whether I'm just being a label luvvie. It's partly because I really like waxed cotton (and although they don't claim it's waterproof it's as near as dammit, at least for my life). And partly the severe cut and the absence of padding. And the colour. And, in the case of the Hancock, the wool lining. But they're both double what I'd budgeted. I normally manage to put a bigger stash to one side for autumn/winter but I haven't been able to save up this year. And although they both look timeless at the moment, that could turn on a sixpence, especially if hemlines keep coming down.

quirkychick · 15/10/2019 09:40

I'm sure taped seams are important, my Ilse Jacobsen certainly has them and it is proclaimed inside too. That dress is amazing.

Inspired by this picture is my outfit today.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
quirkychick · 15/10/2019 09:43

My wool cardi is more purply, and I'm in a silk blouse not jumpsuit, but I liked the contrast of black silky top and berry coloured, slightly fluffy wool cardi. These are my pret taupe jeans, bani.

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.
banivani · 15/10/2019 09:46

Jeans look veyr good on you Quirky, you style them really well.

quirkychick · 15/10/2019 10:15

Smile Thank you, bani. They were a replacement for some grey skinnies that died. I've learnt my lesson with high elastane denim, just don't. They're pretty versatile too.

banivani · 15/10/2019 14:46

Well it’s pissing rain here and I am not wearing a rain coat and don’t own a good one anyway. Urgency is being felt. Adding pic of my blouse.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
ThisNameIsDifferentFromTheLast · 15/10/2019 16:18

Love the photo of Sara, such a strong character.

Like the cardigan colour quirky

I was mooching on net a porter, they have a Korean edit splashed across their homepage which made me think of this thread a way back. In the edit they had a lovely raincoat, but I just can't understand why it doesn't have a hood!

www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/product/1182852/low_classic/belted-layered-cotton-blend-canvas-and-shell-trench-coat

Floisme · 15/10/2019 17:37

That's really nice. But no hood = not a raincoat. The end.

quirkychick · 15/10/2019 20:32

Nice blouse, bani. It was actually not raining here today. However, it rained so much previously the ground was still wet.

TheName that's a lovely not raincoat, I like the collar.

quirkychick · 16/10/2019 12:30

In the interests of raincoats and as I'm on a roll with outfit pics. This is my Ilse Jacobsen in dark green. I've been layering it with a warm jumper or cardi under to allow for the weather variation.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Too much good taste can be very boring. Independent style, on the other hand, can be very inspiring.
Redandblue11 · 16/10/2019 19:13

bani the tone and cut of that blouse look great on you.
Also really liking your coat quirky

I have been mainly wearing my trench for work and a more utilitarian jack wolfskin rain jacket for my outdoor days.

I am still sticking with the no buy. But, I have a couple of items in my wardrobe that I would like to wear but I need something to wear with ... last year I got in a dress agency a very blush pink YSL pair of trousers (almost no pink on them) the texture is perfect for autumn, so I am trying to get some of my current tops/jumpers to work with them and cannot seem to do it ...
In my mind I would like to wear them in an informal manner eg slouchy jumper and trainers. the trousers are a bit of a suit trouser pair wideish legs ... trying to find inspiration somewhere...

Redandblue11 · 16/10/2019 19:14

Basically I need to find something in my wardrobe/bags that I have not opened or at a push in charity shop /second hand of some sort ...

Redandblue11 · 16/10/2019 19:30

Surely I should be able to find a black, camel or grey in my wardrobe to wear with it ...

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.
banivani · 16/10/2019 20:37

Quirky, now I’m a bit sorry that I didn’t bid on an Ilse J coat in brown the other day but they’re not that water proof are they? I decided my needs lay elsewhere... plus the brown wasn’t titillating me. Maybe I was wrong.

I remember the pink trousers! Don’t understand why jumpers aren’t working. Is it the colours that feel wrong?

quirkychick · 16/10/2019 20:40

Thanks red, taking a photo of it made me realise that I do like it, it's just been so rainy I want to wear something else!

Blush is not really a colour I wear, but what about tone on tone with burgundy or reds. Grey and blush sounds lovely, in a similar vein navy, both of which would go with beige. Or is it the style that you're having problems with, if suit style are they quite formal and hard to dress down.

I've been having a similar thought to a couple of midi winter skirts, one's tartan bias cut (second hand but new to me) and one's tweed fish tail (second hand but I don't wear it much). I was looking on Pinterest, as I like to mix up more traditional tweeds etc. with other styles make them a bit less country, 'cos I'm not Grin.

quirkychick · 16/10/2019 20:44

bani, I would say they only let a little water in during a long spell of torrential rain. I've been wearing mine in lots of rain atm and it's been fine. My main gripe is it's quite heavy and can be sweaty. If you do go for one, size down, mine's a small and I've got a chunky jumper underneath in the photo. They do lots of nicer colours than brown.

quirkychick · 17/10/2019 07:12

These are the pictures I've been looking at on Pinterest. I have a similar bias cut tartan skirt in a lighter pattern, lots of images with knee high boots, but I liked the chunky boots which stop it looking quite so traditional. I'm also thinking, pairing it with a denim blazer or leather jacket stops me looking too lady of the Manor. The fishtail skirt, is similar to a tweed one I have and I liked the cowl neck top with it to offset the shape.

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.