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 co-sign the joy of the reddit female fashion advice board - two particularly good lookbooks have been:

• ballerina turned corporate. m.imgur.com/a/o9NVnpu?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

• Indiana Jones’s granddaughter www.reddit.com/r/femalefashionadvice/comments/6x01xt/indiana_jones_style_granddaughter_edition/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

Going back a bit... I definitely have that anterior tilt, as shown to me by a physio a few years ago, it's probably genetic too but helped by daily yoga. I have much more waist definition from the side than the front, and my bottom sticks out too.

For totes, I have some Schuh ones from when we had a separate kids schuh shop selling school shoes, which have pictures of converse or Stan smith's on which I usually use as extra bags for shopping. I also inherited a black Doc Martens' one from a charity shop. Perhaps I won't bother looking for a plain shopping tote.

Welcome, Viennese.

Bo I used to have some Allsaints tees/vest tops circa 2006, but they were extremely thin fabric. Lovely fit though. We have a RL shop locally so will go for a try on. I don't mind paying a bit more for basics as (finally) learnt the old gem that it's much better to spend your money there than on occasion wear that gathers dust.

Red enjoy the views, sorry they are being spoilt by IBS. Can't offer any advice there but defo seek further advice rather than just putting up with it.

Bani I have the jigsaw top in navy and grey and it's good quality and really easy to wear/flattering. Touching on what we said earlier about whether you wear clothes/they wear you, when I wear mine, I nearly always have someone tell me I look good/well/have I lost weight etc. I have never had anyone say they like the top, and I think that's it's beauty-it's very simple but very flattering.

You need to share some of the photos of your explorations into new shapes. As I've said before, I'm not good at visualising so in my head I imagine someone with a huge crotch bulge where they've just stuffed a dress down the front.

Viennese welcome, loved your reddit links and actually took screenshots of a few outfits. Can you pin them or save them like pintrest? Do you search for or just stumble across things? I'm still a bit baffled as to how it works.

Ah yes the old pelvic tilt. Mine tilts really badly and was the reason my mum sent me to ballet, much to the despair of the teacher who was not at all happy with my banana back and swayback legs. I know how to correct it, but it’s always a conscious effort even after 15 odd years of ballet.

botemp I actually switched the P50 to evening time because I have so little time in the morning to let anything soak in and I felt like doing the Vit C and then immediately applying the lotion was just creating a bit of a gloop. Maybe it’s not advised to do the lotion and then the Retinol, but I can take a good bit of time between them, often an hour or more, and I haven’t found it irritating. On the off chance you extend your trip I am by chance in London the following week for a course, flying in on lunchtime Sunday 29th Sep. Granted, that’s a pretty narrow window! The Reformation dress…very tempted.

My favourite fitted T at the moment is this one: www.majesticfilatures.com/en/women-e19/930703411-boat-neck-t-shirt-with-bourdon-stitch-women-e19-j001-fts133-003.html The neckline and sleeves are really flattering and several washes in the shape and colour are perfect.

This is more wintery, but I have a couple of these, slightly looser fit. They do stretch a bit so I would size down. www.majesticfilatures.com/en/women-w18/920702968-carmen-scoop-neck-t-shirt-women-w18-j005-fts022-carmen-002.html

bani I totally agree about pattern matching. There was a dress in Mango I really liked, but it was so badly matched I left it for that reason alone. It makes anything item look cheap whereas with a decent match the dress would have looked expensive

Your nails are a lovely shape methen

Hi Viennese I love that Ballerina turned lawyer inspiration!

Sort of coming back to festival dress and brands selling aspiration rather than quality wares. I think it's largely a sign of our times.

It used to be that people like Aunt Larry were the outliers, person style was simply just one facet in which they express themselves. It was coupled with a certain outlook on life, etc. and thus were quite rare. There were a lot of people who simply didn't care about clothes beyond function.

These days we all seem to be convinced that we're more authentic if we have a personal style, or rather signature, away from the brands narrative, it's probably why Instagrammers are so successful, whilst ironically they're the poster signs for all these brands. It's all very nihilistic.

Evening time is fine so long as you leave enough time (minimum 20 mins), Elle. If you do use then together you risk deactivating the retinoid or increasing its irritation. Doesn't sound like you've had that issue, so you're probably good.

Oh speaking of Majestic Filiatures, I love the cotton cashemere mix long sleeves and they pulled a MH on me when it accidentally ended up in the drier. I was ready to burst into tears at the sight that it had ended up there but it was fine, it may have shrunk a bit but it went back to its old size after the next wash.

I suppose I could fly in Friday and go back Sunday night as it would be lovely to see you again Elle. Although I'm not sure if I can stomach another London hotel receptionist scolding me for using the word 'elevator' instead of 'lift' when my keycard didn't work in it because "I'm in England now"

I have to say those Reddit Imgur threads are certainly fantastical, lovely as the images are the majority of corporate ballerina aren't corporate and I'm struggling to see where Indiana Jones fits in...

Would cotton jumpers be of any interest Methen for a linen tee alternative as I know you're in slightly cooler climates. Saw this pop up on Zara, would be an easy throw on to keep leather leggings casual and lift some interest with jeans. I also really like the white denim trousers paired with it but it's not like I need any more of those.

After looking at the corporate ballerina, I'm definitely hankering after a ballet wrap top or cardi now. I was thinking about one after buying my culottes, as 1) I had seen someone wearing wrap blouse + culottes + converse at the local (free) arts festival and 2) I used to wear them in the 90s and early 00s and I'm having a fit of nostalgia as I think the trouser silhouette now is similar.

I followed a link to some more Indiana Jones pics, there were a few I'd already pinned with tweed. I do have a brown leather "walking hat" which I wear on the beach, due to the coast being too windy for straw hats here and a small, brown unisex messenger bag.

I think maybe I'm a bit of a style magpie and just steal ideas from everywhere .

Glad to see a fellow fan of the inspo albums Vienne! Disappointingly I am too lazy to trawl back through the annals . I disagreed with the corporate ballerina too! You couldn’t wear that in a corporate setting. I need a hectoring smiley

I own a ballet wrap top thing which I bought about five years ago and I love the shape of it. Sadly it is black and I don’t like wearing it as much then. Boo. But I love wrapping things around myself.

Had a bad style day today. Wore the Cos trousers I bought on like the first or second threads. Can’t believe no one remembers them what do you mean. they are cotton, cropped and have two “wings” on either side that fold in and are buttoned at the front. I kind of loved them so bought them but have realised that it annoys me that they don’t have pockets so I don’t wear them. And today I caught sight of myself in mirrors and ... no. I look like I’m wearing those knickerbockers that stick out on the side. I’m too hippy for them. It looked shit. Going to have to sell them. Possibly also needed a more dramatic top then a v-necked t-shirt. I don’t think I can do clothes that are too interesting because then everything has to be?

bani, I had a ballet wrap cardi from Kew, which was a dusky pink, but it's not really my colour, I then dyed it red and it went a gorgeous soft crimson. It's long since died, but a similar style would be good .

I agree that some things can be difficult to wear, sometimes it just takes a few tweaks but sometimes they just don't work. My Thai fisherman trousers were a bit like that, on me they need to be worn lower on the waist with a more fitted top to balance out the volume.

Elle had a bit of a Google of your skin care recommendations, wondered specifically which one you started with/ order you added them to your routine, what benefit you've seen from each and what your skin is like normally/ before?

At the moment I use the Paula's Choice saylic acid for chin break outs etc (recommended by Bo) and the Ultasun SPF, other than that I just tend to use Waitrose simple/natural line (no idea if any good, just cheap and cheerful). I have looked on the skincare threads but find them a bit overwhelming.

Really liked the Majestic t-shirt you linked, I've saved it as need to go back and look at postage/returns to UK.

Not much to report here, made it I to Allsaints to look at t-shirts but they had little choice (sale was still on). I tried on one black tee (£25 which seemed reasonable) but can't say it did anything for my shape.

Bo The jumper is nice but I think I'm after something thinner so it can be worn year round.

I’ve worn these trousers many times and feel fine looking in the mirror all adjusted, but as they shift over the day it changes. Think it’s time to let go. (and I payed full price )

I agree, most of the corporate looks aren’t at all corporate. Good inspiration nonetheless.
I think the Indiana Jones’s granddaughter one appeals to my inner Swallow (as in Swallows & Amazons) -I love the idea of being able to go adventuring at a moment’s notice.

Today it is humid and warm so I’ve brought out the linen - the top Maya Rudolph is wearing in this still from Wine Country: images.app.goo.gl/b5BUsjQ4E17WifXN7
It’s from Uniqlo last summer. Although I’m wearing it with jeans and white trainers with grosgrain ribbon.

It has taken me all day to read this! Not watch the videos though.
So referring to something probably fro ages ago - red I actually just saved that photo of you in an open shirt and red cami
I love the pop of red, and need to wear my shirts more.
I’d love links to decent but cheap camis! I’ve been thinking for a while I need some.
I also love the shorts and belt look methen, legs look fabulous (although I do acknowledge mine look much worse in real life than photos)

I dropped off completely and am moving to Australia in a few months, with a month of travel with the family so should be getting rid of half of what we own... but I’m not. I’m going a bit eBay nuts because I can’t justify ‘actual shopping’... it’s not a solution! Although some nice things
I’m wearing an old Nicole Farhi skirt and an aust tank top. The tank top used to be oversized on me but hey ho. The picture looks quite simple but the top is a lovely double layer of fine cotton with a thin lemon stripe that’s horizontal on the outside and vertical on the lining layer and I love the detail even if it’s practically invisible. I took the second photo to show the skirt detail- quite thick detail like paper quilling but the skirt is very fine and cool.

I’d like to apologise for dump house in photos because we are getting rid of stuff ... but it’s just a dump! I went back full time and with work + move plans + travel plans + in laws stayed and now I need to job hunt , we are hanging in there.

The skirt is also a little big, I recognise the fits a little off. I never did lose all that baby weight and don’t have a lot that’s a perfect fit. (bought skirt post baby 1 hence have it - eBay I think)

Gay, I briefly thought there was an actual baby lying on the floor there

Is it a move back time, or am I mixing you up with another Australian poster?

I'm only helpful with silk camis but I think Everlane is meant to have good cotton ones (as well as silk ones) and they'd be easier to get when you're in Australia as I believe the import taxes have a higher threshold.

Gay? Gah

Yes I’m an Aussie, good recall! Both dh & I are so time to take our pommy little boys home, I resigned on Tuesday (started a new project on Monday so terrible timing with my new client)
Silk camis are out unfortunately, I don’t wear camis to work and they aren’t easy child friendly wear. I’ll be mid 40s by the time they make it back into the wardrobe. (And if I don’t get better at getting rid of stuff my wardrobe will have exploded by then)

A cousin mentioned everlane when we were in Melbourne in jan so must be able to get them there. I agree re import taxes, I was last stuff buying linen shirts for my boys in the sales from the us, £100 of import taxes! I couldn’t vent to many people as they would just roll their eyes at linen shirts for my small boys and think I deserved it

Stuff? Caught!

So Bani are you still looking at that jigsaw top? I highly rate it, specially for the price.
But I really like the one that elle shared.
Oh... funny trousers, damm it!
Nice to read you again times, and compliments accepted for the cami wear
Moving back home! So nice, must be hard to sort through everything...
Well, mid 40s for silk camis ... funny that! Not quite Mid but yep, against my will , they made it back to my wardrobe

The against my will is the age ... not the silk camis...

Are you moving to somewhere permanently hot or will you have some sense of seasons Time? The only cotton camisoles I have are from Hanro but they're not really meant as outerwear even though I do occasionally wear them out. I also have them in a wool and silk mix for winter to wear under things and they do do a version with just silk (knit) which would be nice and climate appropriate but not as fragile with little boys. Although if they can wear linen and not destroy it in seconds, what are you worried about

I think I have had some cotton camis from American vintage a while back, may be worth checking out. Oh and I do have a very thin cotton one from Mango but I wouldn't recommend that one as it requires way too much ironing

Wrt trouser woes Bani is it maybe a change in body shape? I've had that happen with trousers that they don't sit like you remembered because your shape has changed somewhat, not necessarily gain or lose weight, we do just seem to shift about a bit without realising it.

And I don't know if these still qualify as a camisole, but I do like that they have a built in bra and are made of baby rib cotton which is a little more forgiving on a softer middle. Don't own them but did briefly eye them when I was in Paris, meant to get back to them and never got round to it.

www.jcrew.com/uk/p/womens_category/tshirts_tanktops/tanktopsandcamisoles/slim-perfect-tank-top-with-builtin-bra/B1296?color_name=black

Definitely a sense of seasons,Melb is very variable and does get cold in winter (not below 0), mostly single digits. I’m a cold person so I need a full outfit range.

The j crew ones are nice, I can’t decide if built in bra is nice easy wear or if I’d wear a bra anyway , as I have absolutely nothing going on boob wise. The only good bit about post baby body and that’s the bit that hasn’t lasted! La vie c’est la vie. Will check out hanro.

I don’t mean anything by mid40s, it was a matter of fact statement of reality. That’s when I will wear silk camis again, in about a decade

I do have Thai fisherman’s trousers in storage in Melbourne. They are bright/deep orange in a thick slubby cotton, not fashionable at all, but I hope they survived storage as I have missed them a few times! They were bought in an Indonesian village by my brother I think, so very much not a fashion thing!

I love Melbourne, one of my bestest friends moved there and I went to visit a few years ago. I would go again if it wasn’t that far! You being from there I imagine have contacts etc, but if you need a contact you can pm me times.
As another fellow flat chested I find something not skin tight better on top as the movement etc is more flattering. I found these three here cotton and pretty basic but the shape might work?