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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Second Hand Shops

Outlets

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Charity Shops, Dress Agencies, and Outlets

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Consignment shops, Vintage, and Restaurants

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That is a very intrusive inquiry Bani 😱 I have at least six pairs from Acne Studios but I'm probably forgetting a pair so you do the math. I'm guessing I could probably fill an advent calendar but don't make me count...

Hmm, I'm sorry but I think the roll neck looks odd on you Red, it doesn't look purposefully roomy but just a bit of a random purchase with little thought to fit. I wouldn't keep it in that size if it were me.

Bo I’m not judging. I’m just noting. Sure what’s an intrusive question between friends?

Red that looks so disappointing. It’s always hard to tell from photos but the sleeves look very long and more in a “I borrowed my Dad’s jumper” way. I will concede that my eye for stuff like that isn’t very good though!

This is why I need you all in my life , I am sending all back. You are both right .

Sensible decision Red.

What are you noting for Bani that I like big boots and cannot lie 🤷

Intrusive questions, meh, you don't even need to be a friend here in NL to pose those. Dutch directness and all that. I think a pelvic exam between friends wouldn't even raise an eyebrow...

Well done Red, I’ll return the Mango stuff too and we can both feel satisfied about not keeping meh stuff!

I’ll work on my Dutch directness. “Why did you buy the boots? You already have many boots.” Is that how it’s done?

No Dutch directness isn't that judgey just a bit too honest and social niceties like white lies to cushion or spare someone's feelings are absent. Depending on situation that can be rather harsh. So hardly anyone asks anyone obviously foreign where they're from, instead they get, "Why are you here?" or "When are you leaving?". We say direct, the rest of the world tends to think either efficient and a shining example of communication or downright rude.

I thought I was rude 🤔 this is a subtle difference I must work on.

I spent an evening searching for wool flannel trousers for women and it has reignited my feminism. Men get all the good clothes!

I was going to say you can't have too many boots as soneon who a) walks a lot and b) can have foot issues, so important to vary footwear. I now have a MyTheresa ad for Sorel boots (I already have some) at the bottom of my screen. Dp is very direct, it gets him into all sorts of trouble.

*soneon is that even a word?

Well a heeled boot is surely not always walking appropriate - taxi boots, as the taxi shoes. ;)

I think there's a cultural aspect to rudeness though. For example the Dutch are considered quite rude by a certain section of English society, you know the types who would judge you for holding your knife as a pen (AIBU is full of them), but we'd consider them quite rude for being passive aggressive and judgemental over things people won't necessarily be able to control. And since we're quite a horizontal society that mixes with all sorts we look on in bemusement at countries with a very strict hierarchical class structure.

I can definitely understand Quirky's DP getting into trouble in the UK for directness, life would probably be easier for him here.

MrFlo doesn't have a diplomatic bone in his body - I've spent many a night out with my head in my hands.

Just going back to +J cos I promised a pic of the chinos. They won't make you go 'Wow!' but, since first trying them on I've travelled from 'Is that all?' through 'They're too big / no they're not' to thinking they're the pick of my order. They have this slouchy vibe that I normally only get from wide legs or joggers, they dress down a smart blazer nicely and they have fabulous deep pockets (see second pic). Every time I try them on I like them a bit more. Also taken a photo of them laid out flat so you can see the shape better.
(Excuse extreme cropping - not only is this the messiest room in the house, it also has a lot of photos and personal effects. I cannot wait for changing rooms to reopen so I can go back to taking photos there.)

The shirts all went back. A shame cos I did like the stripy one but I tried it with lots of things and couldn't shake off that 'going to the office' feeling.

I didn't even take a photo of the men's shirt - sorry but it wasn't on long my back enough. I had this image of wearing it in the summer over white trousers and plimsolls but it just looked stupid.

I do think you should keep those Flo. They look great.

Ooh I really like them Flo, how's the sizing? they seem to come back in stock often

I'm having similar thoughts about the shirt I bought fromt he +J collection, I like it but it just feels too office wear and I struggle to see it outside of that context. Still not sure about keeping anything. It's annoying me, I think I should just send it all back but I probably need to be distracted by something amazing that I instantly love instead. The black turtle neck is growing on me though, even though it's probably the least exciting thing ever 🤷

Thanks all, they're very generously sized bo. In real life if I suck myself in and hold my breath, I'm a 27" waist; these are 26", which is why I didn't hold out much hope for them. I reckon I might even get away with 25" but I wouldn't want to try. They're high in the waist too which works well for me though might not for everyone.

I'm suffering returner's regret this morning over the stripy shirt but it's too late now.

I really like those flo, great shape. I think you made the right decision on the polo neck red.

Mixed bag of an order here.

Starting with the “no”s. The cardigan which is nice, but a bit convent uniform and too neat to be cool. The stripy shirt that lured me in too. I thought it would be really oversized and even went for a M picturing it with thick scuba leggings and chunky boots, but it’s oddly fitted through the shoulders and it just looks a bit sloane ranger. I can’t attach the photo. How strange.

My first impression was that the white jacket was an absolute no I feel vaguely ridiculous in it, but when I look at the pictures I like it more. Thoughts?

I another vote for those trousers Flo.

Yes that cardigan is too neat and librarian type so good call Elle. The jacket, I think your first instinct is right Elle, the fit is not great and is difficult to say but in my phone at least the material comes across as too crisp and too white in a working in high security lab freezer ... maybe doing the latest tests of a life changing vaccine to save humanity

"Too neat to be cool," is a very good way to put how I feel about some of the +J items. A seller on Vinted is selling the dress I'm constantly going back and forth on in S, it definitely looks better longer

I think the coat is interesting in a good way Elle but it's probably something you have to be 100% about. I would suggest taking a picture dragging a mirror outside. I have an off white down coat and it kind of doesn't make sense as you'd think it screams Michelin man but it somehow works on but it's more pronounced when I'm outdoors, it really cheers me up in the greyish winter weather as it's so bright. On my phone your coat is more off white than lab coat, if it's the latter in real life that may be a bit Hollywood teeth blinding in sharp winter weather.

I like the white coat but there's no way I could wear it - I'm too messy.

Elle I've got the men's lambswool cardigan from mainstream Uniqlo (in fact I've got 2 now ) if you're looking for a more oversized fit. It's nice and warm too.

I like the white coat too, Elle. A cautionary tale... my white jacket almost never leaves the wardrobe... it's a bit glaring in spring/autumn; not warm enough in winter and not waterproof anytime. I keep it because on the odd, mild bright day it's just right but then DH suggests gardening! The cost per wear equation is rubbish, even though it was only M&S.

My cape (and jumper) have arrived, I think I have my cult leader wardrobe sorted. Crap blurry photo as the atmospheric lighting isn't useful for photography. I'll attempt better pics in daylight. The jumper is going back, nothing wrong with it but my own Joseph jumper works just as well underneath even if it isn't the exact same shade but that makes it less all one blob so it works out better and is a better fit.

Double necking, as I'm now calling it, isn't as insane as I thought but I'll reserve it for extra cold days. It's a surprisingly exciting combination with my Cos sack dress (another recent questionable pandemic purchase). Need to dig out my other white things and try it with but dinner first.

Daenarys.... a better picture is needed... please may we see your dragon?

Elle I like the white coat. If it's machine washable all the better. Or you might be extremely clean.
Pity about most of the j+ collection it all looked so promising
Flo your chinos look great too. You've reminded me about chinos again. I've been so sick of jeans and the rest recently but I know I've a pair of burgundy chinos somewhere. (I seem to have a burgundy everything)
And the mango dress is surely against the trade descriptions act....nothing like the photos. It was so vibrant and then just so dull and droopy. Bah!
All these pics just remind me more of how much I hate online shopping!! Non essential shops here are closing on friday for 2 weeks. So obviously unless you're mad in the head you wouldn't go near them this week either. And then if they do reopen it'll really be the pre Christmas rush. So I will just have to content myself

Elle - I like the white coat! But I agree that it has to be washable. I think white coats look cool but can be a bit rich ski resort, a look that doesn't always translate to city life. Saw a lot of sad white coats when I worked in a dry-cleaners, haha. I think you can pull it off.

Too neat to be cool is a BRILLIANT phrase! Like when German tv series had "punks" and other alternative people in them back in the 80s 90s - they'd have like ironed jeans with one careful rip.

70sduvet - I agree re: the Mango dress, they should have to reimburse me for return costs on that alone. I'm going to try the Paypal route Bo tipped me off on, fingers crossed but Mango should pay!

Flo - I find it hard to see the black trousers in the little pics but I'm so pleased you seem happy with them!

Bo -- talk about hard to see pics. Look forward to the cult leader revealed in all her glory. Told you to get it!

I emailed Suitsupply and asked about size charts for women's trousers, and got some incredibly detailed garment measurement charts I now have to ponder. I'm thinking of buying a pair because the returns are free. I want wool trousers, I'm cold!

Hmm, no petrified dragon eggs beneath the Christmas tree as far as I can see Xing, but warmongering megalomaniac is probably a look too far anyhow. And would probably require much more skin on show.

Sorry haven't taken new pics yet, I just want to pester Bani for the detailed garment info from suitsupply because their online size guide is useless and I had earmarked the beige-ish and green trousers in case there's an amazing Black Friday offer.

I did try on some cropped wool flannel trousers in the most lovely chestnut-ty colour in Cos at half off in the sale but it being Cos they predictably fitted like crap on me. May have a pic, I'll check.