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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The dress looks lovely bo.

I've got as far as the collar and front facing of the Merchant and Mills top (the Francine). Sacre Bleu. I'm sure I've done a collar before but I don't remember it being this tricky. Maybe it looked like shit and I've wiped it from my mind.

I'm wearing my leather flip-flops with ancient linen wrap trousers outside for the first time. Very non Parisian pewter nail polish, but I've been wearing silver too and decided it goes with everything.

Hi - hope you're all well.

Nice clean-lined flip flops quirky

I’m so impressed with all of the lockdown sewing. The colour of the cami is gorgeous bo and I love the dress, very elegant.

We’re just back from a 2 week holiday in Ireland where, as predicted I did not get to wear many lovely clothes and spent most of my time in tracksuit bottoms!

Every so often I do contemplate buying a pair of Dr Martens. They were the shoe of choice at my school until the rules were changed to ban all non-black stitching, at which point everyone used permanent marker to colour the yellow stitching black.

I haven’t bought too much over the summer. I did splash out on a pair of Birkenstocks (the PS collab) and a black silk skirt from Acne and a Dries blazer (both 50% off) in a bricks and mortar shop. Other than that I’m holding off buying things as it’s so hard to know what my new wardrobe will look like. We’ll be WFH at least 50% of the time for the foreseeable and the time in the office likely won’t involve meetings so I’m expecting the dress code to veer even more casual. I haven’t had much chance to wear lots of the nice things that I do own so I need to wear those first before adding to the collection.

Thanks for the dress compliments, all. Yes, the creepy men are probably a bit wound up but, thankfully, the whole social distancing thing helps keep them away because they tend to scamper away pretty quickly when you point that out. Pre Covid19 you had to deal with their hurt feelings which was much more annoying. Tbh they're also quite entertaining sometimes, I'm still laughing about the one who, on a very early Monday morning, tried to ply me with chicken wings 😂 but, yeah, keep them away from the 12 and 14 year olds, no excuses there this generation of tweens/early teens all very much look their age.

I like the flip flops, and even the non Parisian nail polish. Not really sure what Parisian toe nail polish is anyhow.

How is the Francine coming along Flo? Or is it better not to ask...

Tracksuit bottoms Elle what would Mr Lagerfeld say? I'm confused too, about what to buy to wear in the future but also to sew. I'm eyeing my chambray fabric and clueless what to do with it, summer is probably over soon even though it feels like we're stuck in purgatory with 30+ weather for days now. I'd like something that I could wear into the next season but just not sure what. Not a shirt though, I already have loads of those and I'll avoid anything with buttons as much as I can.

I bought a new bag that arrived today, it's new collection and not even in the sale I don't know what's happening to me... I wasn't certain about it when unboxing, love the colour (have been on the lookout for something bright orange or red for a while, actually saw the same bag in a different colour in the sale but liked this one much more) and it's smaller than I thought. Not necessarily a bad thing, but it looks a bit odd on just random clothing, it really needs a more neutral landscape underneath, as in the first pic.

Different story on a coat though, it really works there and it can be worn lots of different ways as it has sort of the belt bag/fanny pack design with a nice wide strap. Only tried it with one coat so far as I can't bring myself to try on wool coats in this heat 🥵 but I feel it should be wearable with at least two coats if it looks weird without a coat so I will have to try one at some point... I'll take a pic of it on me when I can muster up the courage to slip into a coat again.

I’d like to have seen Karl wrangle himself out of a wetsuit and swimsuit on a wet beach in the pissing rain while manhandling two small children and into anything other than sweatpants. He’d have admitted defeat in short order too.

Isn’t that orange meant to be a neutral (or so Hermes will tell you)? I can see that it would go with lots. The second picture silhouette is just giving me boy in a baseball hat wearing headphones vibes. Maybe it’s like those Rorschach tests and I’m merely seeing my future... Still at least if they’re only listening to music I won’t have to deal with their wetsuits and can wrangling into something more elegant than sweatpants.

I don't dress up on the beach, here, Elle. Usually, denim skirt (easy for changing to swimsuit etc. under) or cheapy harems (aka almost sweatpants), if colder.

I think I associate Parisian nail colours as either natural/pale pink or red. I like red, but get bored of it quickly. The metallic silver and pewter seem to match everything (and not need much touching up).

I'm trying to imagine KL in that situation Elle but somehow a servant in full French 19th century garb is there holding a giant umbrella over the entire scene. One wrangling child has escaped and is streaking merrily across the beach, his bouffant wig and oh so tasteful swim shorts lost to the elements. KL probably would admit defeat too, and design a bouclé tracksuit collection. Hope you had a nice holiday regardless of rain and wriggly children.

Yes, it is a bit like Hermes orange, I've always liked how that goes with camel/cognac leather to make it less stuffy. The second pic is indeed a bit odd, it has much more of a 3D quality in RL.

Our beaches are lethal (as well as heaving with people) atm so we're staying well away, 4 people died on one day on Saturday due to treacherous undercurrents. Flo and her fear of nature is on to something.

The red nails and Parisians is such a stereotype but I hardly ever spot it there, hands or feet. Sometimes a really dark almost oxblood on some grande dames dainty little hands but it's not that common. Down on the coast they do seem to like that pearlescent bronze colour that looks awful unless you're super tanned, some really like that frosty pink from the early 00s too. Not something I'd ever reach for but they seem to make it work for them.

I've just tried to order an orange watch strap and they were sold out so....

I will tell you my tales of sewing woe tomorrow.

It's not actually that bad, I just don't like it very much.

Been away... family health issues... bought stuff from M&S . No style prizes for me.

Don’t leave us hanging flo

Sorry to hear about the health woes xing is everything okay?

That’s quite the beach scene botemp

Sorry didn't mean to drop that in and disappear. It's ok, I suppose, the Francine top. Technically I've probably done a better job than last time. But I'd expected it to be kind of oversized and it's a surprisingly snug fit (which in fairness, at least two reviews warned about) yet also big on the shoulders - this is becoming a Merchant and Mills theme so at least I'll know next time. As a project it's been useful - I've done a collar now and the sleeves went in much more easily. But basically I just don't like it that much. Not keen on the neckline.

It was arguably doomed from the start because I guess what I really wanted to make was a short, boxy, button up (down?) shirt but I didn't think I was adept enough. If there's a learning point here, it's that I'm better off making something I really want to wear, even if it's hard, and even if I botch it.

Yeah, I know you dislike the idea of faffing about with toiles but it eliminates the major fit issues. But, I'm sure it's been really helpful to get on with the basics.

I've surprised myself by wearing the black camisole dress quite a bit during this heat wave as it's so easy to wear (it doesn't come anywhere near my armpits and is otherwise loose, so was perfect in the heat and was handwashed and dry really quickly) when I hated it while making it and thought I wouldn't wear it as anything else but a nightie. Feelings about things you make do seem to change. Even the first electric blue dress with the fabric that really disappointed me has been worn more than I thought would happen.

The heat has subsided somewhat and I'm working on the silk trousers today. The blue top is done and needs hemming, I'll see if I get to that today. It's far from perfect but I'm happy enough with it.

I've fallen into a bit of a funk pontificating on what clothes I'd like to look out for in autumn (usually my favourite season as summer fashion gets old fast) but the whole looming second wave is making me dread it, not sure if I can handle another second go of it all. Even if it is in lovely wool slightly formal trousers with elasticated waists and lovely light knitwear (as I'm surely going to lose the battle of the thermometer again and be too hot in my usual knitwear). Sigh.

Sorry, bit of a downer. In other news, I was in Tkmaxx yesterday and it was flooded with Chloe (mainline) so I suspect they're not doing well. Debated on a cotton sleeveless t-shirt marked down from €850 to €35 with lots of frills. I may go back for a second look, it wasn't my usual thing but it did work somehow and it's an easy thing to wear while feeling dressed.

Also, never expected to ever see Celine in Tkmaxx, it was the new stuff and just some crappy t-shirts. I initially thought it was really old stock from the Micheal Kors days but it was the new stuff, so guess that hasn't been the market success they'd hoped for either.

Celine in TK Maxx

Yeah for all my bluster, I'd have been better off doing a toile
Still not going to though

I don't seem to be very interested in autumn clothes, either. I suppose it all feels a bit unknown, as well as the current heat makes it seem far away (cooler today, but still muggy in the house).

I seemed to have lived in the navy, anthropologie culottes I bought last year. They're wide enough to be cool in the heat, go with most things and just need a rinse through and hang dry. I'm also glad I bought so much underwear in this heatwave, as I've been completely changing a couple of times a day, especially as I've taken dcs out to park etc. most days. Cooler weather is most welcome.

All the sewing is very impressive.

I think I must get some fabric in to do some sewing when the second wave comes, as well as some paint... there are several rooms in need of a facelift and I wasn't prepared in March, and since we were able to shop it's been too hot. Today has been cooler, but we've had some Biblical rain.

Family health issues are pretty much sorted now: DM fell face down over a low glass table and has a large gash across her forehead, which required stitches. However, it happened in the middle of the night so it was A&E and stretchers. I've brought her home with me while my DSis and BIL age-proof her house and get a chairlift installed against the time when she really needs more help. DM is very good for her age and is healing well, but we've rushed around a lot to sort things out. Hence my excursion to M&S for extra undies and T-shirts to cover an extended stay.

I don't suppose Celine will turn up in any of my TK Maxx branches. And, like the rest of you, I'm another one who hasn't mustered any enthusiasm for planning an AW20 wardrobe yet.

Sorry to hear about your DM Xing, glad to hear she's on the mend. I think I have enough material to see me through a few months, a Chanel jacket takes 130 hours when their couturiers make it so I'm guessing it'll take me 3x times that...

I wore my blue silk top today (was tucking it in so no hem wasn't an issue ) quick snap of the bac. The front is still the same as in previous pics, had I designed it from the start like this I would have made it differently but I did the best I could with the material left to me. I love the colour so that makes up for a lot of its imperfections.

This top will forever be a reminder of that I (stupid) need to keep it simple. I know this when it come to designing other things but when it comes to clothes it turns out I'm a tween let loose in Claire's with birthday gift cards

Oh, Xing, how worrying, I hope she's a bit better now. Last year we were dealing with similar issues with late mil, but she was very resistant to the help she needed. I remember it being so stressful.

The blue top looks lovely, bo. Lol at being a teenager in Claire's. I think I need to rein it in a bit from time to time, as I do like things with flair for the dramatic.

More sandals, these are to replace my ancient birkies that are starting to die (10yrs old and I walk a lot in them). Apologies for the light, very gloomy this morning and the electric light was too shiny. In my defence, I did cull quite a few sandals when I moved everything into the new wardrobes. Too much heavy rain to wear them outside, but I think I've had a bit of a black sandal obsession going in.

Thanks for your kind wishes, Parisiennes!

Cute top, bo and very good sandals and toenails Quirky.

DM is improving daily: we got her hair washed this morning so that feels much better, and she keeps carrying her walking stick rather than leaning on it. DM is not really a problem (not yet, anyway). Just don't ask about DMIL. One word: dementia! Stressful is all you can say.

I'm glad to hear your dm is improving. Commiserations on your dmil, late mil did not have a dementia dx, however the final gp she had concurred that she should not have been granted capacity. I remember lots of confused, difficult phonecall last year.

One of my favourite blouses has ripped under the arms . It's a secondhand, jigsaw, black silk, polkadot one. I think it has just got too thin under the arms combined with sticking to my skin in the heat. I might have a go at removing the sleeves and making the armholes bigger, as I think trying to mend such thin silk is a no go.

I already improved a pair of grey, linen trousers yesterday. They were dry clean only, but I had ended up having to wash them as dd2 spilt chocolate ice cream on them (and they're linen and I had nothing to lose). This took out the pleats and made them less formal and slightly more casual, which I like. Yesterday, I took out the half lining, as I realised I wasn't really wearing them much as the lining was sweaty polyester and too tight when I sat down. I now have a much more comfortable, wearable pair of trousers. That's the limit of my sewing, really.

Sorry to hear about your family troubles Xing and glad your mum is improving. Such a scary time to be old and frail.

quirky that's what first drew me back to sewing - I was paying someone to alter things and I kept thinking, 'I could do that'. Actually for a lot of alterations I still can't and would still pay but that was the impetus. I wouldn't try and sew silk - I'm not in that league - but I might take out the sleeves of that top and see.

Top looks great bo - loads better.

As for the autumn wardrobe - well I've sent for some watch straps in bright colours, which is part of my attempt to bring back some colour without buying lots more clothes.

I'm also starting to think about what to do with some of my work clothes. My office shows no sign of reopening, there's a staff cull on the way and, even if I survive that, by this time next year I'll probably be thinking retirement anyway. Now I am not in the camp that doesn't see any point getting dressed if there's no-one to see you. I'm still wearing clothes I like. But some stuff is definitely struggling to earn its space now, even in my wardrobe. I also have things I'd like to keep but need to reinvent - a couple of blazers / jackets for example, I was already wearing them with jeans previously in the office so that doesn't feel fresh enough. I saw some blazers with joggers in Vogue last month and thought they looked quite cool. Except I don't have any joggers.

That's what I think, flo. I will take the sleeves off, I will have to enlarge the armholes a bit to get rid of the ripped, thinner section, but I've nothing to lose.

No help in the blazer front, really, I usually wear them a lot, but haven't with lockdown. Especially, as we were only going out to exercise and both blazers and leather jackets seemed a bit much, as well as bulky to carry with dcs in tow.

Yeah I don't miss the smart dresses and pencil skirts - I hardly ever wore them anyway - but I've got a couple of lovely blazers and a 1940s pinstriped suit jacket that I want to carry on wearing but need to freshen up / tone down.

I have a really hard time imagining you all buttoned up in pencil skirts Flo. did you ever wear a pussy bow blouse?

I like a blazer for that odd autumn weather that is uniquely sunny, yet not that warm anymore and not crazy windy. Yeah, it's about five days a year but it's always a nice occasion to wear a blazer as outerwear, when it's a little colder you can even get away with a scarf.

I never thought I'd say this, but I'd like some winter joggers as well I've worn my silk ones loads (probably had something to do with the lockdown weight gain but also I finally understand why sewists always wear crappy ill fitting stretchy clothes themselves, it makes sense when you're behind the machine) so I'd like some wool ones maybe that can also be worn out without looking like athletic wear or be too overly formal for a grocery shop.

My dress is done (bar some adjustments). This probably looks exactly the same to you as the toile on screen many weeks back but you shall have to believe me that this is much better finished and a lovely linen in just the right colour which took forever to source and finally arrived Tuesday evening in the end. Which meant I scrambled to make it Wednesday afternoon in order to wear yesterday which looked to be last day of the year that I'd be able to wear it. I do have to alter it though as I miraculously finally lost some of the upper body lockdown weight gain (I'm clueless how I did it, I didn't exercise during the heat wave nor did I eat very different, if anything I ate some crap in the form of ice cream) so it's a bit gapy at the back but fine for now. Got lots of compliments on it and it's a joy to wear.

Wanted to finish my silk trousers for today this morning but had another crap night due to too warm evening temps and I was already running low from the crap sleep during the never ending heat wave and I kind of need to be alert when working with silk, although this heavier weight is a dream to work with in comparison to the others. Early September looks to be promising good weather so all may not be lost, otherwise I'll just wear it around the house as loungewear...

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME???? Loungewear, joggers? Fully expecting Karl L to come and haunt me for my slipping standards

Strange but true bo - it was immediately post menopause when I grew boobs which balanced out my arse and gave me an almost-hourglass-in-the-right-underwear shape and I was so taken with it that I wore nothing but pencil and tube skirts for a while, albeit with plimsolls. But then I got bored. A pussy bow however, has always been a step too Mrs Thatcher for me, even though I've mellowed towards her in my dotage.

The dress looks lovely although you're right, I can't really distinguish from the toile in the pic. You're such a fast worker too as well as very skilled. I'm so jealous.

I see Lemaire has some joggers in the Uniqlo U preview. Shall we?

Uniqlo u preview? Why have I not been informed?