Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: L'enfer c'est les Autres

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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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Outlets

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Charity Shops, Dress Agencies, and Outlets

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Consignment shops, Vintage, and Restaurants

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Fecking technology.

As I was saying:

Catherine - I'll prob miss it too - I'll log on when I get the chance and maybe, MAYBE, if they are there, buy the wool flannel trousers, if they are a lot of wool.

I always wanted to be the leader of a cult but never liked the whole unwashed hair, diaper trousers and topless look 🤷

I seem to be in a weird buying mood today. Thankfully for my wallet there wasn't anything in the Christian Wijnants sample sale that took my fancy (I'd share the link but it's Belgium and NL shipping only). Now I'm debating if I should buy a tea advent calendar to cheer me up through my insipid medical diet or get the special tea they serve at the Elysée palace. Decisions shouldn't be this hard for an aspirational cult leader 🧘

I don't hold with tea calendars myself because there's always a load of rubbish ones/they tend to be skewed towards flavoured shite. I'm a strict Lapsang Souchong drinker. But perhaps you get wonderful stuff on the continent. ;)

A cult is what you make it, baby, As leader you set the rules! How about only Céline coats or something?

How are you lot? Hope you’re all well and coping okay with lockdown Mark II.

Love the Mango dress

We have motorised standing desks and I really miss mine, they’re great when you’re on the phone in particular. I have a slightly squishy mat that I stand on (often in bare feet when I’m using mine). We did pull a very juvenile prank on some of our colleagues when we realised that the desks could be controlled by Bluetooth via an app and synched our phones up to their desk. Watching bafflement turn to frustration, turn to calls to IT as they tried to deal with the desks that had minds of their own was pretty entertaining. The stakes would be a lot higher if you work as a gyne - that inversion table plus pelvic exam scenario you painting botemp will give me nightmares for months!

Bulletproof coffee is disgusting with those greasy globules of fat floating on the top of it. I always love that in the US they make a massive song and dance about making it with grass-fed butter from the premium niche hip brand Kerrygold or… as we know if in Ireland bog-standard butter.

Boots are really bloody tricky. I think that if there’s no zip / elastic then you need a certain amount of width in the ankle to allow people to get their feet in. I have relatively neat ankles and calves and generally find Italian brands good Gianvito Rossi and Fabrizio Viti are both good on me, but not very reasonable prices. I struggle on the high street as boots always seem very wide and they then go welly-like on me. I did see these gorgeous Dior ones, but they’re ludicrously expensive so fantasy purchase only. I too like the vagabond cowboy-lite boots that red linked, they’ve straddled the interesting, but not costume-y line well.

Another one here who fancies a long wool dress. Lockdown is definitely impacting my clothing choices. I was also eyeing up And Daughter for this lovely sweater, but opted instead for this cheaper Mango lookalike. I’m really happy with it, it’s lovely and soft and looks good. Maybe I’ll try to style it with something other than tracksuits bottoms when we get to advent calendar time.

I went ahead and bought some thick leggings and also a pair of chunky boots. I ordered a few to try on and just kept a longish pair. I know that mid-calf boots can be tricky, but it’s actually a length that’s good for me and balances out my legs.

I love those Exactitudes – what a great idea!

I’m going to post this before it gets hopelessly out of date again and then try to formulate the rest of my thoughts into another post!

the desks could be controlled by Bluetooth via an app and synched our phones up to their desk. Watching bafflement turn to frustration, turn to calls to IT as they tried to deal with the desks that had minds of their own was pretty entertaining.

Why oh why do we only get a fecking "analogue" button Although my colleagues have no sense of humour about stuff like this of course, they'd genuinely have their feelings hurt if I pulled a prank like that.

Kerrygold butter - hahaha Elle exactly. How bad is US butter I wonder if they're that ecstatic about Kerrygold. Mind, I love Irish dairy (when I was little I didn't like Irish milk - too creamy - but now I love it), but still. In Sweden I can get Irish butter in Lidl these days - Milbona you know

I'm not loving the Dior boots, I think they are wide on the ankle too = welly?

Well I've managed to get the three items I wanted, I think I was lucky as they weren't all that popular. Took forever to check out though. Then I remembered I also wanted the tie belt, , which is now sold out, ugh, hopefully the shop will have it.

Ooh Celine cost for my high priestess wardrobe, yes that could work Bani, I just need to steal Quirky's hair while she's not looking to go with it 🤫

I normally hate all advent calendars, but it's Freeeench and fancy so no WTF flavours. Is Sweden no longer considered part of the continent, or are you channeling some dowager duchess?

Lovely to see you again Elle, I too have a weakness for ludicrous expensive riding boots that you'd never actually wear near a horse. That picture should come with a warning for trypophobia though, isn't MN crawling with those?

I actually prefer the Mango version to & Daughter as the latter is an awkward length. I need to pay more attention to Mango, I always ignore them in winter but I see they do nice cashmere now and I'm going to drop into the shop later to see these Bottega Veneta lookalikes.

Kerrygold is quite nice though, and American butter is shite, there's far less fat in it (you wouldn't be allowed to call it butter here by law) so I always have to reduce the amount of butter and add water or applesauce to an American baking recipe otherwise it sweats grease 🤢, mind you some people like that slick greasy feel in their baked goods

However I used to buy Kerrygold when I lived in Antwerp from Spar (outside of I think just Italy a pretty sad chain of supermarkets that caters to low incomes but was open on Sunday unlike all other supermarkets) and they sold Kerrygold and it was very cheap and it was one of my all time favourite bargain buys. They recently started selling it here in our fancy supermarket chain and it's more expensive than my organic French hand churned butter studded with giant sea salt flakes that were hand scooped from the Atlantic by more Frenchies

Well all those Saturday afternoons at St Wilfred's jumble sale paid off. I was in at 7.00, grabbed the stripy shirt and the navy chinos - two sizes of each - and legged it for the checkout. One pair of chinos fell out on the way but you never, ever look back.

So I've got the stripy shirt which was the main thing I wanted but I guess I was in a minority. I really lack the contrasty back.

And I've got the chinos but only in a 26 waist. Which I am not, although that's my Uniqlo U size so you never know. It was reckless stopping for them at all really.

I was paid and out of there by 7.04. But by then I'd got a taste for blood so I went back in to see if I could get the chinos in another colour in a larger waist. Nope, nope, nope. They may be shown as in stock but try and put any in your basket and they disappear into the ether. Then I tried the flannel trousers (I know I know, I don't need any more tailored trousers). Locusts.

So then I headed over to the men's collection, where it was altogether more civilised and picked up another stripy shirt, similar to the women's one but it would give me a spare if it fits. It's been photographed a lot so I was surprised there were any still left (think they've all gone now) plus - since they hadn't done any for the women's range - a long sleeved cotton T in navy, not sure how it'll look but I fancy a T shirt with extra long sleeves.

I'm exhausted now and I suppose I've got to do some work.

I decided I didn't need anything. Maybe that was daft. Can't wait to see all the items you've all bought though!

Hi Elle!

Oh interesting, we're only allowed to order five items, one of each and only one size, per order. They'd cancel order of multiple items, so maybe that's what happened with the two chinos. You are allowed to put in multiple orders.

Anyhow, need to finish my tea and get going to the shop, hoping it's not busy. Not sure if the changing rooms are open though.

I read it as you were allowed two of an item if they were different sizes / colours. But I must admit I didn't stop to study too closely. If that's what was going on, I wish they'd left me with the larger size!

Are shops still open round your way bo?

Sorry Elle, in my excitement I forgot to say hello!

Well that went well, didn't it? I have a meeting in 15 minutes so popped in to look at the J+ and there is nothing left. I can't even see the wool trousers I was interested to look at! Surprise surprise they seem to have sold out of all larger sizes, congratulations to all small people who still have a shot. ;)

With current levels of infection I am not going to be irresponsible and take a special trip to Stockholm for this so that was that! I sound more bummed than I am, I was prepared for this whimper.

Flo we all need to be taught your ways. I love the image of you virtually leaving garments strewn on the "shop floor" as you run to the till.

I did a bit of panic buying and I think that a good bit of it will go back.

I got a little navy jacket that could be nice, or could be too short and twee. The white coat with the ribbon which may be ludicrous on me. The navy cardigan with blue pocket lining and the same striped shirt as you Flo. I really wanted the mens version, but it was gone.

I went back to try to get the double belt, but they were gone.

B*gger! I missed it...

But I have managed to persuade the tiler to come finish my bathroom floor this afternoon. Given that he's normally elusive, this is enough of a result. I'll have another crack at +J when there are some returns.

Ok, I'm back. Wasn't busy at all (and yes, shops still open here Flo, they've never closed, even in the first wave).

They only had a small selection so I'm glad I got what I got and OH is happy he listened to me

The puffer coat was very dullsville in RL (as I had suspected) I was quite charmed by this hybrid one (that's still up in most sizes on the website). It's really been tinkered with to give a great sculptural shape I don't really need it though, if it had a hood it would have made more sense but as it is, it requires quite a slim silhouette underneath and I'm not wearing that much of late.

I tried on the men's shirt I eyed hoping it would work as a short dress but it's just too wide in the size I needed to get enough length. Also, I'm used to Cos men's shirts and their white cotton is much nicer. I did like the blue and in the smallest size it was still a bit wide so I wasn't convinced even though I did really like the material, but ran into two sort of male co-workers at the cash register who both got it so probably for the best (think OH ordered it as well).

I tried on some shirts, the white is classic Jil Sander and really a good white shirt and has been finished beautifully with some really interesting design and construction details but I wasn't sure I'd ever wear it, it's so loaded as an item now. I did try it on in natural which looks almost the same colour on the pictures (it's the last pic) and I was really surprised by it, had none of the stiffness that put me off the white and the colour looks really versatile. I ended up buying this just to try in my wardrobe, I might return it though.

The stripey shirt was no good on me, it made me look like another sort of Dutch female subculture that I'd rather not be associated with, I'll keep it brief and say they have an affected accent that sounds like a goose with a potato stuck in their throat...

It's interesting from the side though, but still not my thing. They mostly had the coats, shirts and a few jumpers (none which I was interested in). So that's all from Uniqlo.

Mango boots were nicer than expected (excuse the odd sock look, they disappear perfectly under my own boots but I admit it looks odd here) they're actually bit more like a pair from The Row than BV, and they seem to suit me better for it, they actually follow the curves of my calves rather than weirdly chop them in half. Only issue they're too big in my usual size and the size down I can't get into on account of high arches. I need to try them with my invisible heels as I don't think thick socks would work.

One more of the boot, also spotted this cost made from recycled wool, didn't try it on, but I did like the look of it. A bit thin though, more suitable for a Spanish winter, but perfectly good as an 'extra' coat (I know you ALL have at least one or those ). They had a nice pair of very simple flat profile knee high black boots as well that look very similar to a pair from Proenza Schouler that I've been eyeing, not as nice as PS though. Didn't get to try those on as I was lured away by the promise of a gluten free brownie but I'll try to find a link.

Thanks for all the pics. I'm late for a meeting now so will have to come back and read properly later but just to mention, I saw a message that there would be more Uniqlo/JS stuff launched on Nov 19th. I was looking at (what's left of) the men's collection when I saw it and now it's disappeared but I don't think I was hallucinating - that's if anyone's got the energy to do it all again.

Did anyone get their hands on that tailored pinstripe jacket? I'd have killed for that a year or so ago.

Boo, they're not real leather. The Proenza Schouler ones seem to be sold out in my size everywhere though but I haven't really searched all that hard tbh. I like that the PS ones are almost flat but have just that bit of lift in them in the heel. They'd be proper wellie on me though, but in this design I don't mind it all that much, especially since the ankle seems somewhat tapered.

Yes, the cashmere jumpers are coming in the 19th, the store staff said they might get some more +J stuff in then too but they weren't sure.

I just realised that in my haste to check out I never checked the fabric composition on any of it and now it's sold out and I still don't know...

Elle I got that navy jacket too. I have high hopes! Still quite some stuff in stock Xing, so maybe not too late to have a look?

As I was still pottering around the website after checkout, I had time to note down the fabric composition of a number of pieces. In case some of them are restocked and you need to act quickly: Pussy bow blouse and the silk jersey tops are 100% silk. Shirts and shirt dress are 100% cotton. Stripey blazer is 50% wool 50% polyester. Cashmere blend outerwear is 84% wool, 14% cashmere and 2% polyester. The navy jacket that Elle also got is 69% wool, 29% nylon, and 2% polyester.

Fabric seems good. Can't wait to feel it!

How could I forget. I knew I got 5 pieces, I got the cream pussy bow blouse too. I kinda love an open pussy bow.

I love the brown boots botemp, hope you can get the sizing sorted. The off white shirt is lovely too.

I forgot about this in the morning and have just managed to order a dark green cashmere jumper in XS. I have exactly one Uniqlo item to compare sizing on, but that’s a S, so this might be too small. My one other item is a cashmere jumper too and fits beautifully but apparently I was the only shopper who thought so as everyone else complained about the shoulders in the reviews and the shape got discontinued! I was intrigued by the unisex stoles but couldn’t decide which colour to get so left it.
The hybrid coat looks great on you, Bo! Do any of you have any idea whether it would be waterproof? A down coat that isn’t waterproof would be on a hiding to nothing in Scotland. And it’s now only available in XS, anyway... curious about the white ribboned jacket, Elle, I didn’t see that here but it might have sold out early.

@MaryLennoxsScowl if I remember correctly it's water repellent as the zippers didn't have the special closures and the neck would possibly not enclose you entirely but it is made of one of those technical fabrics and with an extra scarf it'll keep you tucked in pretty well. I think it would do well in snow but not in torrential rain.

Are the stoles the three layered ones? I saw those but while the colours were nice the individual layers felt a bit flimsy so they're more about an impact of colour and textural layers (perfect for a zoom scarf) than practical piece.

Mango boots are actually burgundy but not much purple in red in them, it's a good versatile colour. I'm hoping my heel inserts will do it but potentially a sheepskin liner would work too.

I'm kicking myself now for not checking the fabrics, if I'd known the silk jersey was 100% silk I'd have bought more I'm only confessing this here as this was OH's strategy (one liked item in every colour liked) and I rolled my eyes and now must acknowledge the wisdom of male strategy shopping 🙊 anyone catch what the knit dress was made of by any chance?

Ooh you got a pussy bow Elle, they were sold out before I got there (was there on time but they were late so checked back intermittently instead of refreshing every second like a mad person). Did you buy it to go with the Celine skirt?

I saw another interview with JS and she responded brilliantly to a long question about online shipping with a very cool and clipped (in my head anyhow), "I don't shop online." I want it as one of those wanky insta quote things now