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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[quirkychick]

Warning: more curly girl talk, ignore for those not interested.

bo, I can totally see how finer, wavy hair might struggle with a lot of parts of CGM that work for thick, curly hair! I used to low poo (use low sulfate shampoo) but as my hair's got drier, I co wash (wash with thin conditioner) more. red for clarifying I have used neutrogena clear no build up shampoo, or whatever it's called, which is not CG approved. Also, Acure clarifying conditioner, although the shampoo has a good reputation too. Naked shampoo from boots was good, but I'm not if they still make it. Kevin Murphy products I have found to be good. Also, the ogx shampoo and conditioners, I have the coconut oil one at the moment. I really like the Twisted Sista gel and hair creme, but they are designed for afro hair and might not work on waves. I think it's a lot of trial and error.

[botemp]

More CGM nonsense, skip ahead. Sorry, it's storming here and we can't leave the house, so lots of gibberish coming forth from me as a result.

Quirky, definitely. Kevin Murphy, for example, was awful when applied to my hair at a curly hair (not CGM) specialist hairdresser, my hair was one giant clump the next day, could barely get my fingers through when my hair otherwise doesn't tangle at all. It was also one of the worst haircuts I've ever had in order to wear my hair air dried.

I think wavy hair is a bit underserved and just not given much thought. The assumption also seems to be that you either want to encourage curlier hair (which is probably tied up with people who have messed up their pattern and ended up in a wavy spectrum) or that you want straight hair. I actually quite like wavy hair, it used to be a lot easier and the right shampoo and conditioner left me with lovely soft siren waves that other people spend a lot of time with heat tools recreating (albeit a slightly more polished version), a day at the beach gave me the envious beach hair but hormones have changed them and will continue to change them but I always remain somewhat wavy. It's just an underserved market, I have been looking at Jessicurl as it seems good for our temperamental humidity and it's not that heavy. I had earmarked it for the summer but might get it sooner if the devacurl scandal is actually a scandal. It's quite frustrating though as there's so little available, especially to try, locally already but if you wittle it down to wavy hair products it's even less. Though, probably, a bit of a blessing in disguise as I don't have to try all the things.

I use Cristophe Robin sea salt scrub for clarifying, it's great but expensive.

[quirkychick]

More hair stuff, also stormy here with cabin fever

bo, I had wavy hair during my first pg and it seemed so much easier compared to curls, but they may have been hormone weirdness. I have been looking at those shampoo brushes for scalps. I have a sensitive scalp, particularly the front, which is sensitive to build up or anything too drying. I do use a diffuser and have for years, but my hair gets fluffy very easily, so I usually use it to get most of the dampness out and let it finish by air drying if I'm short of time. A diffuser does give me a more even curl pattern, but I don't mind that much about a varied curl pattern, as long as the curl's reasonably defined. I belong to a silver hair group and there are endless discussions about how to get different curl patterns and porosity and protein content in products (which I'm frankly confused about). This is my hair this morning, air dried, but still slightly damp. It will probably get fluffier as the day goes on. I've used Cantu leave in conditioner which I like, but is a bit perfumed and Twisted Sista gel, which is not perfumed at all. I generally wash it twice a week, but sometimes only once.

[quirkychick]

sorry, paragraphs would have been good.

[XingMing]

Popping back in as Xing, to say hellu, and hope the storm hasn't been an issue for anyone. Been away so only reading.

[Redandblue11]

I am confused xing are you still Xing or changing?
Anyhow, the storm took a fence from our garden and general bits but nothing major.
Today I felt the need of a slouchy manspreading type feeling (last years advent) so I am wearing some grey woollen trousers with front pleats which sit at the lower waist and can be pulled down even a bit more and a semi-tucked pastel blue jumper with chunky Chelsea boots.
As my hair is better with the less washing / heat, I have been able to soften the look by having the hair down just with a slight pin (dislike hair on my face) and have old reminiscences of my soft waves / ondulations (is this a word?) .

[quirkychick]

red your outfit sounds good. I'm glad you're happier with your hair. I definitely find the focus on moisturising and less heat helps my hair be less dry. I just find I need to balance it out with clarifying but not too drying treatment. I also feel that it's a constant adjustment.

[ToEllewithIt]

quirky I love your hair too. Photo is of what my hair does when left to air dry, no products. My feeling is that I would be a good candidate for CGM, but I’d have to use a diffuser as air drying is impossible, not least because I have whatever type of hair it is that just holds on to water to the extent that hairdressers always comment on it. Any recommendations for products to try to start with?

Another example of the skirt / trouser combo for you Bani

I have a photo of these Lemaire trousers in my phone. I want them badly

I really like Next in Fashion. I don’t mind Alexa although I don’t really get her style. It swings around so much and to be honestly she doesn’t pull much of it off convincingly, it looks try-hard particularly on this show. I liked the calibre of contestants. I enjoyed the format too where the producers resisted the urge to throw in 2 hour challenges or large volumes of work in a short space of time. Those twists create drama, but poor finishing and shoddily designed garments. I felt like NIF gave the contestants a decent shot at demonstrating their capabilities. I share the frustration at the streetwear episode. I don’t want to say too much to spoil it, but essentially while I agree that the sentiment expressed is a totally valid observation it would have been more effective had it come on the back of success. It looked reactionary and misplaced in the context of the events on the show.

[ToEllewithIt]

Paris Part deux

I don’t have photos of everything that I bought yet so we’re jumping around the timeline a bit, but on Day two we and for a look in the windows of (I think) Didier Ludot where there were some stunning vintage clothes on display. These were of the “important pieces” variety and since viewing is by appointment, j’ai fait du lèche-vitrine (my favourite French expression – literally “licking the windows”.) After a stroll around the Palais Royal we went back to La Marelle which was a bit of a treasure trove of a second-hand shop. Downstairs was a mix of higher-end high street brands where I found a nice Vince Cashmere sweater in a nice grey. Back upstairs there were more gems. I got this silk vintage Channel dress that I’m wearing with boots and tights today, but will be lovely in summer too. Botemp pointed out the lovely way that the pattern is stamped on. there's a kind of nested pleat at the back too which is a lovely detail. I also bought a serious cool JPG blazer which I’ll photograph later.

[XingMing]

I think I might stick with Xing, because I like it and have got used to being Xing.

Love that dress on you Elle... it's a great colour and the fit/styling is sublimely 1970s.

Very dull dressing from me in the last few days. Jeans and boots, or boots and jeans, to stay warm and comfortable while I dodge hailstorms and flying lumber. I am somewhat sceptical about retaining any vestige of Parisienne je ne sais quoi: ergo, must need some leche-vitrine (wonderful phrase!)

[botemp]

Argh, Mumsnet is like Russian roulette atm, I keep clicking on a thread and getting another. It's a good thing I have an AdBlock enabled as I'd be rather concerned for the ads that would follow me around considering how many times I've ended up on the sponsored MN's favourite sex toys thread now

The whole skirt over trousers is reminding me of my brief experiment with a dropped waist silhouette. It's a similar feel as it's almost like a mini skirt over trousers, must revisit it again. I need to look up a picture of it but Elle and I saw a very unusual but striking Nina Ricci dress that was sort of a dress over a dress but it was a really interesting silhouette that's also reminiscent of the skirt over dresses play on volume with/through tiers.

Yes, it was Didier Ludot, I've attached a picture from the summer (hence the lovely weather and greenery). Flo, brace yourself, the note on the chair is a personal signed invite from Katherine Hepburn, she was a frequent customer and there's usually some sort of personal memento in the window display alluding to their friendship.

No, offence to Elle's photography skills as that's not the issue, but this is one of the frustrations of modern life, the things she bought were so lovely in real life, the Céline coat is a real showstopper and really came alive on her. The details on the Chanel dress are such a testament to the care with which it was made. The precision of the pattern was so lovely, this painful reminder that they're able to make things to that standard but just don't anymore, it's so different from a digital print. Alas, these things don't show as strongly on camera (still looks lovely regardless) but it's rather frustrating how a modern camera with all its fancy skills easily disguises the worst of cheap tat but fails to accentuate some true quality craftsmanship.

My coat came in yesterday (OT, what is it about the French post that insists on absolutely destroying the external packaging? Even the delivery man was commenting on it). It's lovelier than I remembered, and than the photos. It was going through the photos that convinced me I'd made a horrible mistake not buying it in the first place so I'm very pleased. My existential coat crisis also paid off a bit as the only one I could order was a size down from the one I tried on which seemed to fit great so the size down had me slightly nervous, but this actually fits slightly better as it no longer feels like it's missing a waist belt, it just fits nipped enough there for it not to feel off and is therefore not technically a trench coat so I no longer need to feel guilty about owning another notatrench coat

(CGM chatter)

Your natural hair pattern looks lovely Elle, you're probably right in thinking that you're a good candidate. Probably worth googling low porosity hair, I don't tick all the boxes (but this is where CGM 'science' becomes rather iffy IMO) but I also have hairdressers complaining about how difficult it is to blow dry my hair completely dry, and my hair reacts to product like low porosity hair seems to. I'm pretty confident, though, that if you stick my hair under a microscope the cuticles wouldn't resemble low porosity hair as defined in those parameters, but it's a useful guide to narrow down products and consider certain methods (like the steam/heated caps for deep conditioning). I'm not that good for product recommendations as I just haven't tried much or for very long, I find it rather overwhelming as most product recs are drugstore/high street products that just aren't sold here, even if the brands are. I tried a few things from Aveda and Christophe Robin because I could buy those easily locally and try it before or get a travel size for not much money instead of committing to giant bottles of everything. It's not all CGM with those brands but what I have is, mostly. The curlsbot site is helpful with ingredients. I did consider Briogeo as that's available locally but their Estée laundry bullying scandal put me off and apparently they're not entirely as CG friendly as they make out to be. I bought Devacurl wavemaker as it was so highly recommended by anyone with wavy hair, but see above. I've been looking at Jessicurl (yet to buy anything) as it's mostly glycerin free which should give more consistent results in our constant changing weather and doesn't seem that heavy across the range like most CGM specific brands. It was actually an Irish blogger that really has me convinced on it (but it's a blogger, so who knows how reliable that recommendation really is) but you can buy little travel sizes which are handy anyhow. blog post here

It's a bit of a rabbit hole, my list of things to buy/consider is getting longer and longer. I think I'll just focus on a diffuser for now and continue to experiment with what I have now. I'm eyeing up a diffuser from YS Park (Japanese professional hairdresser brand of excellent brushes, combs, scissors, etc) which should fit on any blow-dryer as it's more of a fabric sock with a silver mesh that fits over a blow dryer but I can't find much information on it beyond a few session stylists loving it to death as it's so frizz free, but not much curly haired users feedback and I need to find a reliable shop that will sell to non professionals as there's quite a few China fakes apparently.

[quirkychick]

Working backwards, bo, I used to go to a very flash hairdresser in Chelsea who was Japanese and used something very similar to what you describe, as the hair dryer with a sock over it. It used to look good on my curly hair, as I remember.

Lovely photos from Paris and Elle's dress looks really lovely, even if we can't see the full details properly. I love the leche-vitrine phrase!

Your hair looks great, Elle. I get completely confused about porosity. My hair absorbs things like almond oil very easily, yet it takes hours to dry. If I put it up even slightly damp, the hair underneath will still be wet when I take it down at night. I tend to air dry on a Sunday and diffuser a bit mid week. Atm, I've been putting it up in a messy bun due to wild winds and hailstorm.

Xing, I have been in mostly longish, chunky boots and coated jeans or faux leather leggings and a parka. The wind here has been biting, though I've managed to keep out of the hail. This morning the bbc said 10° but feels like -3°, slight difference!

[botemp]

I'd like to use the licking the windows expression in the next thread title but this being Mumsnet, just checking, isn't there some sort of expression in English with licking windows/walls/electric sockets or something that's derogatory about those with special needs? Don't want to offend anyone in the title, maybe I'll just stick with the French just to be safe? In Dutch we have an expression of pot lickers but that's something completely different...

(CGM stuff)

Here's the sock diffuser quirky. I love the way he pronounces frizzy It does look like it's been around for a few years so maybe it is the same or similar? I like that the hair doesn't seem to move with the blow dryer air (which is more of a thing with my finer hair) so I have some confidence in it (it's not cheap for a diffuser) but I figured if it's great for curly hair I'd expect there to be some curly haired fans out there. Although I do notice that certain brands absolutely dominate (Devacurl especially until recently) the field and others hardly get a look in.

[Floisme]

I'm drooling over this Paris trip and the Katharine Hepburn memorabilia.

Also enjoying everyone's hair. I'm sorry I don't have much to offer in the way of advice - mine just kind of is.

My contribution to bad weather chic has been to dig out the dreaded Sea Salt coat. The MH Barbour is very resilient - more so than I expected in fact, but there are a few days every year when all I want from a coat is a hood with a fleecy lining.

I wouldn't worry about what to call the next thread - everything is offensive in Britain right now.

[Redandblue11]

Ah the Didier Ludot shop, such a great inspirational place. When I was there in the spring I took this photo. I loved the colour harmony in the windows and the shape specially of the orange dress. It was all so joyful and playful.

I am seriously considering that diffuser Bo, yes a bit expensive for a diffuser but I have convinced myself now that for something that is going to get that much use and likely to last years and years I am willing to pay a price.

Now, thinking about it ... I might wait, I initially thought he was Chinese but just googled and he is japanesse, and I am due to be in Japan later in the year (assuming the virus hasn’t closed it all, although it will probably be everywhere so not sure if will make much difference being there or here...). Anyhow, I might google and see what products from him are sold there/how much.
I love too his pronunciation
Because I am looking for something for a soft wave not necessarily curly, I am thinking this might work.

[quirkychick]

That diffuser looks amazing! I think the one that was used on me was thinner (it was a very long time ago). In theory, if it doesn't dry out your hair it should be good for curly hair.

I love those colours, red, a bit like a tequila sunrise .

I've been in my faux leather leggings as it's still really cold. They always seem a bit racy for East Anglia, as I always get a comment at the school gates .

[Redandblue11]

I say keep wearing those ‘racy’ trousers quirky, nothing better than a good mild scandal at school gates
Btw - I got it wrong with that skirt I got on eBay, is from anthropology, fit is outrageous and is not new as it claims to be ... has clear signs of wear ... I am asking for a refund, so annoying when people are not straightforward with what they are selling.
I always prefer to buy stuff I can touch and try but sometimes I get tempted and you can get good stuff but so annoying when not ...

[quirkychick]

red, I actually live in a (small) city with quite an arty/multicutural/hippy vibe, so a bit surprised that they cause comment! It is said in a positive way, but still. Faux leather leggings are warm, waterproof and wipeable, what's not to love?

That's annoying about your skirt. I haven't bought from ebay in yonks, but remember a yumi dress with a lovely oriental print that was far too tight under the bust. The outside measurements were fine, but the lining was much smaller and so risked getting stuck trying it on. Such a shame, it was a beautiful dress, probably why it was being sold, though.

[botemp]

Daily inspiration of skirt and trousers/dress over dress Céline spring 2014 with clashing prints and a snap shot from NYFW.

I got a reminder on my phone that I should do my secondhand shop round, might postpone it a week or two though as it's school holidays the coming week and that usually means those not holidaying are doing an annual clear out in anticipation for a proper spring cleaning. I am going to swing by Zara this afternoon as I saw the most adorable waxed cotton rain coats in the windows from the girls collection. I love the cape shaped one (with hood) in the middle and only remembered later that I actually fit the largest girl sizes so hoping it doesn't come up too short and I don't go too cute with it. Although, perhaps a bit of cuteness in the rain is okay now and then...

'Racy' sounds a bit old fashioned (the use of the word) indeed. Though I have to confess the whole reason I bought into leather leggings was pretty much solely down to how amazing my bum looks in them and going by the comments I'm not alone in thinking that 🤷 I always get asked if I arrived on a motorcycle by random people though

(CGM chatter)

Ooh I just had a look on Amazon Japan to see if they had the diffuser to see what it's priced over there (Red, I'd think you'd struggle to just pick one up there though as it's a professional line) and including shipping with their global delivery program (I've ordered with Amazon JP before, it gets here quicker than the German and UK one) it's €25 all together, so that's brilliant. I need to browse my cupboards if I need anything else from Amazon JP and I'll put in order this weekend, will report back if it's any good.

I've been scaremongered enough to hold off using my Devacurl wavemaker for now. They put out a statement saying it was safe after independent testing but are pretty much giving anyone a refund on used products, no matter when they bought it, when they ask for it

I am finding this thread on Reddit useful as the linked Google Doc offers all sorts of alternatives, which makes for a handy crowd sourced appreciated products list. Hilariously the two products offered as alternatives to my beloved wavemaker are the only two other curl creams I've tried from Aveda (didn't get on with it) and Christophe Robin (which I do really like and own and got me into the CGM approach to styling but unlike wavemaker I need to use a LOT of gel with it and that makes drying my hair take even longer). I'm going to try the Giovanni mousse (lookfantastic carry it, seems a good affordable CG brand, not to keen on all the 'natural' nonsense but it seems inescapable in hair products) next I think, my aveda one (travel size) is fine but expensive as you need to use loads.

[botemp]

Oh and this was the Nina Ricci dress on dress Elle and I spotted in Paris, not as impressive as in RL on a mannequin though, it had a really particular 3D silhouette that doesn't come across all that well in the pictures.

[XingMing]

Such a lemming that I've just ordered the diffuser: I looked on Amazon elsewhere to no avail. Thank you bo; and I love the bag in the NYFW picture.

Still no fashion action to report recently, but my thoughts are starting to mull on an outfit for the nephew's June wedding in France. My sister and niece are planning to wear pretty floaty ballerina length dresses they say, with flat or wedge-heels because we'll be outside, weather permitting. Bride in white; groom in linen suit.

If I starve myself for a week or two, I could resuscitate a vintage Perry Ellis short sleeved summer linen suit (bought in 85) in a rather lovely pink/olive plaid with which my pink M&S mules would be tres chic... and I would only need a perfect box-fresh silk T shirt. Or a long olive dress that I bought for DS's christening with the jacket from said suit and the same shoes, and no dieting required. Those are my thrifty options. Otherwise, I am at a bit of a loss for ideas. But the new season's stuff hasn't been unveiled at the posh frock shop yet.

[Floisme]

I've just been google imaging some 1980s Perry Ellis and it looks really fresh and modern again Xing. But I don't like the sound of starving yourself - I know I couldn't. (I do watch my weight because I don't want to put on any more but I won't diet.) If it's only the skirt that's the problem, could you just keep the jacket on?? (That's what I did last year although this was Spring and not France!)

[XingMing]

It wouldn't be starving Flo, just 10 days of 5:2 on low carbing. I can't go without food, but I could possibly do without chocolate and wine. It is a favourite outfit, and it only needs a little less flab around the waistline before it fits perfectly.

[quirkychick]

Xing, that sounds like an amazing outfit, both the suit and the olive dress. Very French to use what you already have rather than buy new, also very sustainable too.

bo, I think I'll file the faux leather legging comments along with the asymmetric skirt ones (your skirt's tucked in). The same people tell me I look stylish, so I don't think it's meant unkindly.

I used to wear the dress over skirt look, was that in the 00s? It was more slim, short dress over slim jeans/trousers do not too different that with leggings/tights, I suppose. The looser version looks as if it needs more thought to the line and type of fabric.

[botemp]

I did offer to volunteer first for the diffuser so if it's shit don't blame me 😱 I hope it's actually good though, Xing. I think the bag is a Bottega Veneta, but I'm not sure if it's the old designs or the new one. Olive suit sounds promising, the only thing I'd worry about as the Anglo delegation of an Anglo-French wedding is that the French may very well be expecting you all to do the full on fascinators English wedding look. Would be quite funny if the English all show up looking French and vice versa...

Yesterday I had a very short round of the second hand shops (as in the two near my dermatologist appointment and one was closed 🤦) and I saw a lovely grey The Row wrap coat that I'd be snapping up if it was my size. Elle, if you're still looking for a grey coat it would probably suit you well, they're selling it online and allow returns, should I send you a link?

At Zara the mini Barbour-esque rain coat (it even has similar lining and a corduroy collar) did fit well and isn't overly cute and has a good hood but I'm unsure about the sleeves. They're purposefully short which is cute but just a bit odd, am I supposed to wear some marigolds with them for a bit of infantile chic? Otherwise I do quite like it but wet forearms probably rule it out as a practical purchase.

Trouser situation might look a bit odd in isolation, I've hacked a bit with my own wardrobe to get the shorts look with my Margiela jumpsuit (with a roll neck underneath as it only has one arm sleeve with an asymmetric thing going). 3rd pic makes more sense of it and I wore a long coat.