Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Be More Aunt Larry

[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 Neuf

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We’re ten threads old! To celebrate we’ve got thread merch.

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet shop

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I went into the harmony website to see their offers and while I can see the banner ,I cannot seem to be able to reach the pieces with the discount...

Just to share with you all I stopped at LK bennet and tried quite a few dresses, the pure silk ones were not fitting well at all, I don’t have photos.
These two photos I have the green one is also polyester and £90 ish , the brown is better fabric but I don’t like how it looks is £80 ish. Anyhow just sharing the photos really. that shop is on my way to work so just wanted to take my curiosity out on the fit of those dresses.
I also stopped at whistles and I have to say that I am increasingly disappointed with their cut and fabric (I know for some time they have been going downhill), their stuff used to fit me really well in the past.
The only thing I got is a vintage (very inexpensive) leather and suede evening bag a decent size that I can get phone, keys, money, some makeup, I got it on Etsy. So my xmas money has been spent now on pyjamas and bag smile

B roll section, for Bani, aka the fitting room disaster when I thought yay colour! The green pleated wool trousers actually reminded me of Bani and her whacky green trouser talk. Any teenager would rightfully scorn me for this deeply unflattering look (the redeeming black Helmut Lang cotton cashmere jumper was actually great, had it not had holes in it, it would have come home with me).

Also, I'm unhealthily obsessed with Baby Yoda despite never having watched anything Star Wars (maybe it was on in the background at some point? YouTube clips in my suggested feed are solely responsible for this obsession) but we're definitely twinning in the Ami white coat, aren't we?

Red there were quite a few Rixo and Forte Forte silk dresses and skirts with that look at Le Bon Marche in the €50 - € 150 range that could work for you.

Cross post with Bo will go and read now !

Perfect! I have Le Bon Matche in my plan

I just realised MN didn’t post my photos , here they are ...
I don’t intend to buy the dresses but just to show you how they fit.

red I think that the J Crew dress is the best of the bunch with the most interesting shape. If it’s dry clean only though I’d be wary. The best thing about polyester is that it’s usually low maintenance.

I am also on the pajama hunt with what I thought were simple requirements – long/tall fit, cotton (or at least 95%) and no silly patterns. It’s been next to impossible.

Welcome back Maxima!

I think Baukjen is a sister company of Isabella Oliver. I bought a lot of it while pregnant and while the materials are synthetic, it was at least the “good” quality synthetic stuff. Everything I bought was indestructible.

Bani I love those Cos trousers, that colour feels very current and it’s such a gorgeous rich shade.

Thanks for the warning re the flights bo. Fortunately I’m not Sky Team, but I’ll be prepared for delays. Great find on the coat. I did not need to see the Green Ami items tries to bleach them from memory and those Chloe trousers…swoon.

Elle you can try Derek Rose men's pyjamas (I thought UK spelling went with the Y is it A in Ireland or am I muddling my US/UK spellings? Wouldn't be the first time...) they even come in tall versions. Nice fabric and quality and they're pretty gender neutral, even a bit feminine leaning really, especially the not plain stuff. They do women's too (also in tall) but they're more expensive, tighter elastic bands and not as roomy. Which pyjamas should always be in my totalitarian world view. Might still be some in the sales, think Mr Porter and Matches carry them. They're 50% off at my local luxury department store at the moment but that's rather useless to you. Might be some options in Paris too, though silk tends to reign supreme there.

Derek Rose things tend to be lovely. DH swears by the boxers and swimming trunks, which makes for an easy gift. The fabrics are beautiful quality and the shapes very classic.

Veterans here may remember last year's cocktail ring saga that came to naught when the jeweller got cold feet. A couple of days ago I spotted a "school of Andrew Grima" ring at the same stall, in 9ct yellow textured gold with five small sapphires for a decent price. Tempted, I walked away, but not before the dealer decided she had under-priced it 50%.... but I could have it at the original price. So I thought about and went back for it today. I will photograph it, but not today as it will need brighter lighting than I can magic up. Feeling a little bit rash, but at least jewellery can be resold or traded.

Thanks for the tip. I had a quick look and can’t see a longer leg option, but the men’s regular length would probably be fine. I agree that some of the men’s patterns are on the slightly feminine side which is nice.

New shoes (heavily reduced in sale) and a Zara top for work today. For €13 the Zara top is a bit of a steal IMO. I think different trousers would be better with it...wide leg?

Elle jigsaw has this cotton pyjamas, I saw them and were a tad longer for me. Here says the model is 5.10’ , so that could potentially work?

The ones I got from the white company are slightly longer for me in 100 brushed cotton, but I am 5.7. So that might not work.
I cannot see them online now though

Red, looks like the Harmony sale needs the code ACTRIGHT30 to work. I've attached the newsletter.

Like the top Elle, less fitted trousers would probably work well, think you have the same Jacquemus black wool trousers as I do, don't you? Those would work well.

Bo, I congratulate you on a fabulous coat. What a find. “I quickly stumbled upon” indeed. And you bartered it down! I do notice that the jumper you bought also has raglan sleeves so perhaps you are not as averse to them as you think? There is a certain sort of square cut raglan sleeve that is very shoulder-enhancing, and it’s one I do see on vintage clothes ... but maybe on menswear mostly? Can’t quite make out if yours has it. Anyway it’s really nice and suits you loads. I love the sheep coat too. You could call yourself Boshaun. 😘 can’t believe you found the Chloe trousers too, so lucky!!!

I’ve had a yearning for obi belts for many years - they had a moment, at least on blogs, a while ago, but I wasn’t sure they weren’t a bit much and I think I only saw one to buy on Baukjen (expensive). I really like them though but then I have a thing for stuff that wraps. Anyway, wearing it lower is very smart, I do agree that those wide belts at the waist of an hourglass can have a thickening effect but I never thought of it before.

The Rick Owens trousers look like knickerbockers and they never suited anyone (unpopular opinion).

I do not understand the sentence about the green trousers and reference to me but yay green trousers! Those look GREAT and I love them - did you not get them?

Red so far the JCrew dress is the best! Looks more “you”. The others are more staid, doesn’t feel like you. And the bag is a find!

Why can I never find anything in my Zara? Feels like piles and miles of ruffles and polyester “wool” coats.

My daughter bought the Cos trousers for me but Uniqlo had sold out. Tant pis. The Cos are a bit tight. I’m gaining weight again ( because I am eating a lot haha). If I jump on the wagon though....

That Ami coat is super Bo! Wow, but I wouldn’t be able to walk straight for long with that weight on me.

But the coat that you bought is absolutely great.
And those Rick Owens trousers I will disagree with Bani I luv them, so fun.

I am looking forward so much now to my Paris trip, although it will not be focused on shopping I will prob have a whole afternoon to it, LBM will be my destination, we have planned a few other things with potentially non strike influence.

Thank you for the dress opinions, I will see in Paris what I can find if not and I continue my dithering I will need a s/s one by then.

Oh now I get it how the harmony thing works ... I will have a think, or ponder about it .
Very tempted to order the red trousers and pick them up while I am there then I can try and return /exchange if needed there and then.
Is more money that what I would spend in one pair ... I think Flo is sending me vibes.

I don't think I payed proper attention to Harmony before. Lovely clothes. I suspect I am too big though - no size guide published which is arrogant and annoying.

Specially love the skirts with a wide hem with parallell stitching.

Hang on bo you were stranded in Paris for the first day of the sales, found your Chloe trousers and saw Rick Owens and his missis dressed up? Quelle horreur! What were they wearing?

Gorgeous coat. I love that white one too, totally impractical but it reminds me of one Ali Mcgraw wore in Love Story. (Even at 14 I thought, dreadful film, great clothes). The Rick Owens knickerbockers look ermm challenging but I'd probably love them anyway.

Red I like that brown check dress - the second pick although I know you weren't planning to buy it. I do like a bit of brown but then the 70s were my formative years, style wise. Agree with you about Whistles - used to love that shop and be all over every sale but I think it's really gone to the dogs, except for their jeans which I think are reasonable - heavyish denim. Have you posted a pic of the red trousers? I'll go back and check.

I've just about paid off he MH Barbour which, combined with Christmas spending, means I daren't even go round the charity shops, never mind the sales, so I'm really enjoying everyone else's purchases. Hopefully come payday I can start tracking down some replacement jeans.

They were wearing black, obviously RO was wearing trousers quite similar to the ones I tried on and the missis had a sort of skirt version of it. Leather jackets on top. I've spotted them in Paris before, they're kind of hard to miss. Apparently we also saw Kanye West but I missed it and am pretty sure it was just someone that looked like him, as I assume he wouldn't be off on his own wandering the platforms of Gare du Nord

Flo, about jeans, wanted to mention Kuyichi they're an Amsterdam based brand that started doing ethical jeans way back, probably the first that focused on denim only and everyone sort of looked at them funny and scathed about the high prices. The prices haven't really inflated all that much since they started (around a €100) I think about 15-20 years ago so they're pretty reasonably priced in comparison these days. They've gone through all the teething issues and have the certifications worth having. They're recently moving into incorporating post consumer recycled denim alongside organic (which they've been from the start, now vegan too- dyes, I assume) and usually have a smidge of elastic in them. If the shape suits you they're a good bet as I'm told they're fairly indestructible. There seems to only be a store in Manchester that carries them in the Northern UK, McQueen Independent.

My grandmother would have disliked the RO trousers too, Bani, they'd instantly be declared turd catchers. No, I absolutely did not get the green Kenzo trousers they were awful looking, they made me look twice as wide and twice as short. I just included it for you as you always like my dressing room horrors. Harmony sizing comes up slightly big, not a full vanity size up but on the larger side for a French size.

On the raglan sleeves, it's more with tailored items that I have the issue, mostly as it seems to be a cost saving exercise as it's cheaper than putting in a proper sleeve, but I know from pattern making that a proper raglan sleeve is actually a fair amount of work and requires more material and seams rather than less. The Aquascutum coat has quite an interesting construction, there's a hem curving down before the shoulders and that's where the pockets come in so it has a lot more panels than a modern coat usually does. It also flares out at the bottom (and moves really well) where most modern raglan coats seem to just fall straight down or are tapered in.

Quick picks of my toast trousers. Apologies for the light, it was grey and gloomy this morning. I must be starting to like this green cardi as I was unsure originally but have worn it three times this week.

I will catch up properly later. Wow, bo great coat and trousers.

My post just got deleted !!

Short version is that I was admiring Elle’s shoes and Quirky’s trousers fit.
Waiting to see Xing’s ring ...
I emailed harmony to see if they will let me return in store if trousers are no good (small print says only post to warehouse...) with discount and conversion they come to £95, so no mega scary anymore if they are as good as they look (still more expensive than my usual trousers that when are Joseph they tend to come from eBay).

Talking of trousers I am wearing today my Joseph electric blue (sunny here) with a grey cotton jumper, sneakers and my yellow cashmere scarf.
I tend to wear them in a more formal setting (work) but I am quite liking them in this way.

at RO and wife being hard to miss. It sounds as if you did really well with your accidental Paris stopover, bo.

That's a great zara top, Elle. I do like drapey asymmetric clothes. I think I like it both ways, how you've styled it and with wider trousers on the website.

red, I like the second, brown dress. It fits you really nicely, it's quite a neat fit. The vintage bag is lovely too.

red, it got sunny here later. I've been in trainers the last few days too. Your trousers, scarf, jumper combo sound colourful and stylish.

Well I for one welcome my grandma status I’m interested in the construction of that coat. We should post line drawings haha.

I liked the green trousers possibly I can’t see how terrible you look in them

Red, you sound so chic and effortless!

I wore my new Cos trousers today and got no compliments. V annoyed. Am counting calories again so will bookmark Harmony

Love the Toast trousers, they look great!

Wonderful news on the Chloe trousers Bo ! Love the coat too.
Great Zara top too Elle I bought a lot of Isabella Oliver pregnancy wear too, agree that it is good quality.
Very little shopping here. Because I have been saving my pennies for my first ski trip in 5 years! It’s a work trip - just a long weekend - but I’m exceedingly excited. Currently fixating on two garments (1) a down jacket for apres ski. Something v fitted and lightweight, possibly red. (2) a swimsuit for trip to thermal baths. Needs to be longer length as I am pretty tall. Available budget not huge - £150 for jacket, £80 for swimsuit. Any thoughts?

Trousers look good quirky. Is it the hem on the cardigan, maybe? It's a been a while since I've seen one that 'contracts' in, just not used to seeing it anymore.

You're in good company, Bani. According to my mother I was an OAP at twelve 🧐 Caroline de Maigret et al from 'How to be Parisian' book fame have brought out another, 'Older but Better, but Older' about ageing like a Frenchie. I read the sample this evening, not sure I want to waste money on it as I'm not quite the target audience, I think, at least very little of it rings familiar to me so far, or I've basically been like that since twelve or younger (my uncle always called me a little old lady as a child, I know the Swedes do this a lot but not so common here).

I'll consider making a diagram of my coat, we can argue vehemently like it's a parking thread

Meant to say earlier, lovely to see you again Maxima, can't quite fathom your latest addition is almost a year old already. If you've got time and inclination to go second hand, Max Mara do really nice fitted down coats and I've seen them second hand for less than your budget. I have a white one that always comes out looking as new from the washing machine/dryer and it's weirdly flattering despite it being very Michelin man in potential.

For swimsuits you could have a look at Ysé Paris for that price point. Think Elle has one and is similarly tall as you. I'd probably size up one size which I think is recommended somewhere on their site.