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

Had no idea these threads existed! Place marking for future use! :)

Zara? Fat chance the first dress is from Vita Kin and is scarily expensive but they're just a rip off of traditional Ukrainian dresses (complicated name, I'll have to Google Uri-something) that are linen with embroidery. Some are quite folksy in a Heidi way but there are some stunners. I think they're supposed to be your one good dress for celebrations, your wedding, etc. Unfortunately there's a lot of Chinese imitation and the Ukrainian ones I've seen online are made to order and still cost a fair bit.

Dress I ordered from P&B is attached as I quite liked the play with lines and I suit a deep narrow v neck. As mentioned, my expectations aren't high, I thoroughly expect it all to look better in pictures than RL.

Bani, yeah those trousers looked promising too. I'll let you know how the sizes compare to the size guide as I was quite surprised at the suggestion I needed to size up as the Zara brands usually have similar sizing. It left me even more puzzled who they're aiming at as it doesn't really feel like a tween store.

I think tulip trousers and the like aren't that difficult, well in comparison to tailored trousers. I think they're supposed to be quite easy to make, especially with a stretchy waist, I'm sure there are patterns aplenty. I just struggle with access to quality fabrics and if you do miraculously find them they're more expensive than a pair of expensive trousers

Is it sweet or savoury, Catherine, or just decidedly neutral and grainy?

Savoury and grainy I'd say.

I didn't see anyone in traditional dress although some shops sold them. Saw lots of weddings on the Sunday, with brides dressed up in full ivory bridal gowns, getting nice photos in the city.

I was glancing too quickly at the thread... yes of course that couldn’t be Zara.
Now I want silk trousers and ethnic cotton dresses.
The visit to the castle was spectacular as it is perched right by the sea, then we had lunch in the prosecco town , yep (I don’t like prosecco but the house wine was spectacular). We then went up the hill to this modernist church with impressive acoustics as it is Sunday and and the mass was about to start so we heard organ and vocalist in this overpowering brutalist building. Interesting that there only about only a dozen or so people attending mass.

Back to fashion, the other day I got a silk matte red Italian silk shirt on the sale here (£62), I will get a photo at some point.
Talking about ethic fashion, my friend orders from this Indian brand Kharakapas and they do also leather bags (ethical as naturally killed animals). I tried one dress and the quality was stunning and the materials far superior from the usual cotton you find. The prices were not crazy either at around £70-£120 in average.
I have never ordered.

Oh that indian brand looks interesting! Tickles my inner bohemian’s fancy no end.

Adding pics of my polish tote bags.

I've already shared this story on another thread but yesterday I washed some whiffy towels at 75 degrees - and forgot that my one and only Margaret Howell shirt was still in the machine following a very careful wash on the gossamer setting.

This was my face

It came out covered in towel fluff, which shook off once dry, and is otherwise unscathed.

And that, my friends, is why I'm always banging on about her.

My heart was in my mouth until I read “unscathed”. However - I was then immediately annoyed because I seem to remember her linen being dry clean only? Perhaps that was the trousers.

Assuming I'm teaching my Granny to suck eggs here, but you all know you can click on mumsnet photos on here on your phone to make them larger? If I do that they pretty much fill the screen. Haven't tried on my laptop but assume it would do the same?

Just catching up after being MIA at Deershed, a family friendly festival in North Yorkshire. Was fascinating looking at what everyone was wearing as weather was hot/dry/stormy/wet in equal measures at varying points. If my phone hadn't died early doors (couldn't find charger until I returned), I would have loved to take some stealth photos. I did a lot of people watching and was trying to pin down what it was about those who I felt looked best: to summarise, I think it was those who looked like they were wearing their 'normal' style. It's hard to explain but many, especially the women, looked very much 'in costume' as though they'd been to primarc or similar and bought all the traditional 'bohemian' attire but it looked ill fitting/cheap and they didn't look comfortable. On the other hand, there were many wearing a plainer t-shirt with denim shorts/wellies and perhaps a great pair of more bohemian silver earrings that looked great: relaxed and comfortable and as though they were still themselves. Hard to articulate or demonstrate without photos.

Anyhooo, was watching a YouTube video about styling and it suggested identifying your style in 3 words; I really struggled and wondered what others on here would think for themselves?

So far, I thought for myself 'classic' as often wearing less fashion forward pieces (e.g. plain blue denim, trench coat, white shirt, cami etc) but then (bit of an oxymoron) perhaps 'modern' as normally one item will be more current e.g. style of shoe. Or maybe 'simple' as I avoid lots of pattern/detail and find I can easily feel I am wearing a costume if I stray too far from the standard wardrobe staples. Not sure though. Will have a think on it. Do you think of your style is easy to categorise? Interestingly, found I could do it really easily for friends/family/ colleagues etc.

Bo maxi dress look lovely in image, be interesting to see in RL. Last time I was in a PB shop was in Spain around 10 years ago, I thought TA was similar to a shop called Miss Selfridge over here in UK (so probably 14-23ish)? Reasonably fast fashion but probably with the odd good find.

Red that dress looks beautiful and I like both the leather bags.

Bani when I was in Poland all the Insomnia range was black, white, grey and then a beautiful plum and racing green. I think they have staple pieces but colours change. My friend wears some of their pieces and looks amazing whereas I struggled to get them to work on my silhouette, but did like that sort of thick, stretchy fabric and the fact that there isn't really a UK high street equivalent. Agree about Polish women and looks, my friend is very put together and conscious of her looks, she's an interior designer and does have a great eye though for really good cut/structure.

I forgot to comment on Bo’s maxi dress. Love the look of it but I too am sceptical and await review on arrival . I have an internet acquaintance in Indonesia who does lovely batik and embroidery things. I’ve never bought anything because frankly the shop is a nightmare to navigate and I get tired of doing so and unsure about sizing, but she is a delightful person and so enthusiastic about crafts from different countries. She uses Indonesian batik and Hungarian embroidery styles for example. batikamarillis-shop.com/ Worth a look!

I could never describe my “style” haha. Also there is a huge clash between what I want it to be (Katherine Hepburn or bohemian rich bitch) and what I end up with (frumpy dumpy) 🙄. But I agree that these things are hard to do for yourself and I think partly because you know there’s a disconnect between what’s in your head and on the outside iyswim. All those self testing things are hard, I can’t do them, and wish someone else would analyse me.

On Reddit’s female fashion board people do a lot of inspirational collections like “preppy goth scientist” and it’s quite fun to see what they come up with.

IMO the photos are not large enough for style analysis even when I click on them. 😡 they don’t fill my screen and I can’t zoom properly.

So much to catch up on! I like the idea of wafting through museums to show the humidity, bo, sounds a great job. The weather is warm again today, but even the cool weather yesterday, was lots of drizzle, not conducive to good curly hair.

methen, the style watching sounds good, I always say I prefer "boho lite" as otherwise I feel like I'm playing dress up.

Flo you've just reminded me I was going to photograph the Margaret Howell shirt I bought, I really like the feel and cut but I'm unsure what to wear it with.

Bani I imagine would struggle to define their style, and plus it's fun to dress to your nood but I think most people have a sort of default look that they fall back upon. It's interesting that when I think of people I know, many of them would descriptors which would seem to be at odds and I suppose therein lies the limitations of language. An example would be one friend who I would describe as 'earthy' due to her use of a natural colour palette, 'kooky' die to her incorporation of unusual prints and designs but then 'conservative' but in the sense that she rarely (though she has a fantastic figure' shows any skin. Perhaps a term like 'kooky librarian' might give a more accurate representation. Reddit sounds interesting, what is it? Tried to Google it but it just seemed like a search engine?

quirky I really like boho with an edge as a look like Sienna Miller or Rachel Zoe, but I can't say it's a look I can pull off myself.

The shirt is machine wash on 30 degrees bani but I normally do it on a delicate cycle (although it’s clearly anything but). Yeah the trousers tend to be dry clean. Would love to see your photo Methen.

Ouff my style in 3 words. I’m too fickle to have ever had a ‘signature styke’ even though interestingly most of my style crushes do. At the moment I could probably call it ‘androgyny with curves’ but a few years ago I might have said ‘vintage glamour’ and had a word to spare. I’m sure there are underlying themes though - comfort would be one, even during a glamour phase. But if I could use 3 names instead I’d probably say there’s normally a mix of Katharine Hepburn, Tulsa Swindon and Grace Kelly but the proportions can change.

Tilda!

I'm not sure how to describe my style, I think I have a mishmash of influences. I probably have more bohemian elements in summer as the style lends itself to it but also have retro, androgyny, interesting trousers , old indie influences...

No photos today, but for a day of dropping dd2 at a play scheme, then a café and walk along the beach: last year's tulip denim shortskirt, old anthropologie pale blue embroidered cuff top and navy birks.

I defo have a touch of indie in my casual clothes, perhaps as I have such fond memories of the era, I always have a hankering after wide leg/flared jeans and cords.

In my quest to try and understand how to dress my shape, I got hubby to measure my shoulders (39), chest (34), waist (30) and hips (though we measured arse at widest point rather than where my hip bones are- 42).

I looked at online calculators which all seem to ignore shoulder measurements and put my as a pair shape- thus recommending shoulder detail/ strapless tops etc to 'balance' my bottom half. Can't help but feel this is wrong as any such things make me look really broad shoulders? I recognise they are fairly generic tools, is anyone on here aware of a good online calculator? I have tried just looking in the mirror but not much further forward.

Trying to show a bit of boho lite . Embroidered top but everything else quite simple. I had a sun hat and sunglasses on earlier. The top was white, but I gave it new life at the end of last summer and dyed it pale blue.

methen, I used dressipi quite a few years ago, which I think is now called Joy of Clothes where you put in your colouring and measurements, including shoulders. It was a revelation that I had broader shoulders and explained some issues with certain styles.

I'm rather confused how killing animals naturally is considered ethical. Surely that's open to personal interpretation? It's what I find annoying about ethical and sustainable brands, none can ever be pristine and none will ever be a more sustainable option than not buying or getting something second hand. Saying all that, I have been pouring over ethical brand Paloma Wool images. Their website is a bit crap as there's lots hidden in different categories. It's Barcelona based and mostly made there, less expensive than I anticipated, I'd say fairly priced for sustainable gear in natural materials in the lower-mid (sustainable brand) range. It has a bit less complicated Jacquemus vibes with similar cheery Mediterranean feel. I'll be surprised if it's not very popular on Instagram.

Oh tote bags, they look fun. While we're on the subject how serious is the demand for custom totes as I've been looking at Print On Demand services that ship directly per individual order but they come in around €15-20 excl. shipping, but they'll ship to almost anywhere and it's not that high in the EU/US. No idea what the quality is like, I'd have to order a sample first.

Methen, I think what you observed at the festival was the classic are you wearing the clothes or are they wearing you thing.

I'm always a bit eh about style descriptors. I mean is it still a personal style if you align yourself with certain tendencies? I think personal style has certain constants and personality is only a small part of that, body shape, colouring , etc will sort of work like a self fulfilling prophecy to a certain extent. It doesn't matter if Avant Garde feels a better fit to my personality as someone with a very classic shape, colouring, shape, etc. I'd look a fraud in it so even if something is very contemporary in design for me it will need to have some nod to classical silhouettes for it to 'feel' me. The only thing it really says is that I want to look my best (or I'm vain, what else is new) as you can of course go against the grain and wear things that are not the most harmonious fit but you need to be pretty committed and go full hog on it and that often goes with rebellious youth and those that hold onto it into adulthood.

Subsequently, at a push I'd go with newfashioned to describe my style outset as I look for contemporary interpretations of classic shapes and silhouettes in traditional quality materials. But I'm pretty sure if I looked like Tilda Swinton it would not be the natural thing I'd gravitate towards.

Going by the shop 14-23 may be accurate for PB, it feels a bit like a casual/indie denim brand. Vaguely reminds me of Lucky Brand jeans although they left here long ago so but sure if that likeness still holds. But the website feels much more mid-late twenties. Not that it matters, for the longest time I thought it was part of the Bestseller group (Scandi, Vero Moda, Vila, etc ) and a male only line as that was all in the front. Orde is coming sooner than expected btw, it'll be here tomorrow.

I nearly thought we were being invited to a funeral pyre for the MH shirt too glad it's okay, it's reminding me that I need to go bug the MH customer service and see if they'll let me know the dates of their sample sales sooner than right before it as going by Brexit news it'll probably be the last time I'll be allowed in the country

There's a really disturbing online calculator that produces a 3d image of your body which you can rotate etc. if you input your measurements and where you carry extra weight, or whether arms are longer/thinner, etc. It's a rather weird image but it does really give you an objective view of your own body that can be helpful. It's not really made for clothing advice but I do feel shape is best determined when you see someone's back rather than front and this 360 view gives you that and more. I'd have to look it up, it was from a German uni, IIRC.

bo, I'm sure that is the difference between you wearing the clothes or them wearing you in methen's festival observations. One of the Sunday Supplements, either Style or Stella, had a feature on grown up festival style recently which was advocating using your own style and adapting it to the practicalities of a festival rather than going in dress up.

I think I have some things that are very "me" but that can be open to different influences iyswim. I'm sure my colouring and build have quite a bit to do with that too. I wear quite a bit of neutrals and simple basics, but add something for interest; which might be accessories, slightly unusual shapes or details etc.

Bo I had assumed that Red meant animal skin used after an animal had died naturally e.g.old age? I could be wrong though.

Images you shared were all lively, especially the last one. I have to be realistic that such pieces don't have a place in my life for the foreseeable but still interesting to find out about (new to me) brands.

Posted about this style of top (neckline specifically) probably over a year ago and Bo suggested a floral one from outnet but it was semi-transparent which put me off. Still looking for one though if anyone sees one like the images.

Ebay purchases arrived- immediately loved the navy cashmere jumper with scalloped neck, fit is great on shoulder, decent length in the body and colour is gorgeous, really dark with a hint of teal. Flesh toned mules less impressive, fit great but as suspected when I looked closer, they are synthetic not leather. Seller offered to refund 40% of cost but still unsure- I find leather generally last so much better and more comfortable. Will have a think.

I am done with festivals. I might make an exception for a literary one if I can take a chair, but otherwise my son goes so I don't have to. But my favourite thing about them was always the dressing up and pretending to be someone else for a few days. i know it was totally Marie-Antoinette-at-Versailles but I loved all the faux sari outfits and the bad henna tattoos.

Just to be clear, I never wore wings

Flo carnival style face crystals/gems seemed to be the key accessory. I was just in jeans, wellies and a waterproof (so not super snazzy), plus usually hysterically shouting the name of a kid who had wandered off so certainly not cool or chic!

As for top style I asked you all to look for, it helps if I include images...

Bo saw this on Ebay, no idea what brand is like but might be an option if PB one isn't great?

rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F233247712081

I have worked out that top style seems to be Isabel Marant, found one on ebay but design is quite busy (wouldn't get enough wear to justify cost) and there is a lovely one in a sort of mulberry pink but size 8/10. Tried Outnet but no luck. Ideally would love a second hand consignment I could return it to if it doesn't suit.