Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Ce n'est pas bon de faire du lèche-vitrines avec de l'argent en poche

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Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between. Feel free to join in

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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

Dix

Merch in celebration of our tenth (previous) thread:

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet shop

Thanks for the list bo - and for the Youtube tip bani. I wouldn't be in the least surprised if some higher end brands are on there too. Pleasantly surprised about Inditex.

I watched the Justine videos, I am at Everlane. They're going to the top of the shit list.

The Workers Rights Consortium is tracking everyone with helpful definitive lists.

And Flo, the Cos sale has just started online. Subscribers only so I hope this link works.

Oh thank you bo I very nearly spent the voucher on Friday but decided there must be a sale starting soon and to hold my nerve!

So I spent a very pleasant hour, browsing the Cos sale, drilling through all the 'directional' stuff until I had about 20 things in my basket. At which point the website went a bit weird and in any case I was called away. So I had a think, decided on my top 3 items, went back and guess what..... everything in my basket had sold. Not a single thing left.

On the plus side, I still have a voucher

That is so typical of the Cos website - I hate it! I don't have that problem anymore though since I have cured myself of my Cos love after realising (after the brown trousers) that the clothes really don't fit me that well.

Cos sale does go quick online. Though I think they tinker with it a lot. I'll have a small peek in person tomorrow as I'll be near one, to see how much stock the shops have.

In case anyone is interested in my latest installment of waiting for Godot, my fabric from Belgium is still yet to arrive. I ordered that, merchant and mills samples and fabric from China on the same day. I'm genuinely expecting the Chinese fabric to show up first now...

I did find some plain practice cotton hidden away within some old boxes I was clearing out so at least I have something to keep me going.

I got a reply from a The Times fashion journalist today . Ridiculously, stupidly flattered. Trivial, I know.....

I never normally try and buy Cos online but I won't get to a real shop until forever.

How exciting Xing We need details!

Jane McPartland, the ST Style "Wardrobe Mistress", had a piece on dressing well this Sunday, which was straightforward sensible stuff, so I added a comment to that effect. And, she replied, to say that her wardrobe was at least 50% Uniqlo basics and M&S cashmere!

Oh nice Xing - I love replies! :D

In my sewing adventures - I have successfully put off repairing my son's favourite hoodie for two weeks and have borrowed a Sewing Bee book from the library.

Just checking in. We've had a couple of busy weeks with dd2 now starting back at school and having some (essentialish) building work done on the downstairs loo. "Wardrobe Mistress" often has quite a few Parisian inspired stuff, Xing . I love uniqlo basics and have quite a few

That sounds very productive Bani, is this a fiendish plan to get DS to learn how to sew himself. Strategic placement of book near favourite hoodie while you promise to eventually get to it...

I got some linen samples in that I ordered at the weekend (I think, maybe it was yesterday, I've lost sense of time). While I liked the quality of the Merchant and Mills linen I saw in my local newly discovered gem of a shop, I was a bit disappointed by the colours. Brown was more of an insipid oxblood and a lot of the other 'sludge' colours that I like in a linen were more icy than neutral. Also, the quality of the m&m linens varied from colour.

I found this 'couture' linen in a shop in the south of the country. They tend to supply smaller ateliers so it's definitely a step up from what most sell here and it's not extortionate (slightly cheaper than M&M but pretty much the same price but free shipping from a relatively low amount). Much prefer the colours to M&M but the sample size would even scandalise a miniature pope as it's so tiny it wouldn't cover a thing so it's not the easiest to guage in terms of quality.

And I pretty much like all the colours (except the palest natural colour) so now have no idea which one I like best. Or what I'd like to make with it. I like the idea of a brown linen dress but I'm still eyeing up the brown Gimaguas dress, so no point in two brown dresses.

Oops, picture.

Also, the sample sales in Antwerp that were supposed to be in May are on in July (8-12 IIRC). I know I promised someone on here to notify them (Red I think) though I doubt anyone will be rushing over.

I'm undecided whether to go or not, I'm good skipping it for the clothes but now I want to go for the fabrics. I'm expecting it'll be a bit of an ordeal with long waits though, there's usually already some lines at some places so it really depends how it's organised.

It's a month away though and if anything these past few months have shown is that a lot can change in a short period of time so I'll leave the decision closer to the date.

Hello everyone 👋🏻
Popping in to say hi, and that I hope you’re all okay.
Things have been a bit hectic here, but the children (now 15 months and 3 1/2) are now back at nursery and I suddenly have a bit of breathing space to think about clothes and shop 😀
My online shopping has not been going well. I’ve been trying to buy a summer skirt or two. Midi skirts really don’t suit me - I have long legs so they hit at an unflattering, frumpy length. Mini skirts are too short for toddler wrangling. Really just want to go into a shop and try some things on but that feels like a long way away. Will probably just give up for this season...
On the plus side I have bought some nice sandals from Sezane and Bobbies, ending my two year sandal quest.

Hello again Maxima. Can't believe the baby is already a toddler. Have you looked at Wolf and Badger for skirts? I was looking at shorts on there the other day and they're in the same category and I was really surprised, in a good way, how few midis there were and that they had a good range of mini, around the knee and maxis. I liked the look of this one, which is listed as a mini but seems long for a mini to me 🤷 plenty of other options there too, most 'around the knee length skirts' I've seen in a while anyhow. Also quite a few shorts that have a bit of a skirt look about them.

Ooo the sample sales have fabrics? That could entice me over but sadly Swedes aren't welcome abroad this year haha.

Since we're talking so much about sewing I'd like to gently point out that surely a midi skirt is relatively easy to alter (realised as I was typing that this is not at all easy these days when the alteration business isn't open for business) - but I stand by that there could be an option there. I'm wearing a cheap old Zara black pencil skirt today in my own personal favourite length - just under the knee. Which is bloody hard to find - the favourite length I mean (and no, I do not take my own advice and alter stuff ).

Yesterday I mended the hoodie and also two fabric totes that had had broken straps for two years. Go me.

Maxima, I know what you mean about midi skirts, I feel the same. Longish legs and I have noticeable calves so they often hit me at a bad place. I have been known to take up hems to make them on the knee or just below.

Dd2 is back at school and we're builder free today, it has been so nice to have some quiet and space, even if it's for catching up on washing (the water has been off at various times while sink and toilet re plumbed).

(not really I'm just being dramatic but I did predict them). My fabric from Belgium finally came in but that'll be the last time I order without getting a sample first. It's not the bright vivid blue of the picture but much more dusty in reality. I'll make something else out of it as it's just too slinky and needs something more relaxed/drapey in shape because of the sanded appearance than the structured camisole/dress I was planning. It's not a complete loss, it's nice enough but not what I'd anticipated at all going by the photographs it was sold with. maybe it'll improve after I prewash the fabric?

Yes Bani sample sales have fabrics, basically designer overstock and they're quite affordable now that I actually know about fabric prices. Nice quality stuff too. The whole being there to see it suddenly has extraordinary value for me with the fabric I received today. Not sure about Belgium but you Swedes are allowed to come and infect us from this Monday as tourists here in NL. Belgium has been a bit slower and cautious than us in the easing of restrictions, they're usually a week or two behind with similar measures.

I don't find midis very alterable though since they go out at a weird spot. Granted I only wear 'mini mini' or maxi length, in between rarely looks good on my legs as a skirt usually means fitted waist and that automatically enlarges what's underneath so I need something on the straighter side in terms of fit to not go short and dumpy and that only tends to work in the shortest and longest length. Occasionally a midi can work as a maxi for me though 🤷

I think the ones I've altered haven't been super long on me, more upper calf. Also, they've been more of a straighter style. I think they're OK and then realise a couple of inches makes all the difference .

I don’t know what is happening to me, I keep slipping out of the thread.
Thank you Bo for the details in Antwerp sales, yes this year is a no for me sadly.

My job is silly busy, still all the time from home and we have been told there are no plans in the short or medium term to go back to the office. I suppose that until we don’t start physically installing stuff on the ground (3 years away still) , we can perfectly do stuff remotely.
Attires used to be a mix of some people trying to make it look reasonably presentable in front of video calls and now I can only see t-shirts, I feel people in my line of work are not even trying in front of the camera.
My only purchase has been these fitlop sandals, I needed something comfy and I also wanted minimal style that didn’t touch the side of my foot [I still have issues with that corn , which is not a corn but is not something nasty to worry , just bloody painful... I am seeing an specialist now].

I am looking forward to the weekend as the weather seems to be improving and I can wear again my summer clothes, which I have realised are my favourites.

Nice to see you again Maxima!

I've still not spent the Cos voucher but I'm splashing out on some Solovair-for-Toast hiker boots from the Toast sale. They're now sold out so no pic I'm afraid. I've already got some flat, stompy ankle boots but these look a fraction higher which, if correct, would extend the life of my cropped trousers a bit deeper into winter. I'm also very fond of Solovair.

The Merchant and Mills patterns have now arrived but I'm not going to get any sewing done for a while now, so will settle instead for admiring everyone else's.

Good to see you Maxima!

I like the blue of the fabric, bo, but agree it's far from the picture. It is very annoying when things are not like their photo, colour in particular is often different.

Fabric is a dress now, need to photograph it though but it needed to go in the wash as it got weird steaming or deoderant stains on it during the process, I hope it comes out 😬 I'm not extatic about it as I do feel the fabric lets down the work put in and even as an end of roll piece it was still expensive as fabrics go. But it works as a simple summer dress. Colour is not as dusty when it's been steamed, and depending on light I can definitely see it photographing stronger and it does appear a little stronger in colour when worn upright as opposed to laying flat horizontally but nothing like the picture. Wasn't all that slippy or difficult to work with either so as practice I don't think it bought me much experience either, oh well 🤷

I like your shoes Red, I did not know flitflop made 'normal' looking shoes. Are they comfier than standard thin flat leather soles of that type?

Oh, COS, when I was in the shop this week the sale was about a 1/3 of the stock they'd usually have in at this point in time, so don't hold on for in shop shopping bargains. Shopping is generally a bit joyless anyhow, you're paying more attention to everyone around you adhering to social distancing rather than to the clothes.

I would love to see your summer dress Bo I am very impressed with your acquired skills!

The sole of the sandals is very good and provides better support than that usual type of sandals. However I cannot categorically say as I am still in a bit of pain on my foot which means my view is a bit distorted, but I suppose I can walk a with those sandals without trouble even with my foot complications.
Which is really annoying as it only got worse as I couldn’t be seen in person earlier, but now I should be able to get it sorted.

Btw - I didn’t know either they did ‘normal’ shoes, I only checked them as I was in pain do I decided to buy a comfy shoe no matter how it looked and then to my surprise I found a comfy and good looking shoe!
I think I also like the look of these chunky ones
But there are actually a few I like in the website Here

I also got some short pyjamas from uniqlo, I like the fabric a lot as is really light and soft and doesn’t really need ironing