Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: "You gotta have style. It helps you get down the stairs." - Diana Vreeland

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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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Merch created in honour of our ten thread anniversary:

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet shop

Here you go Red in all their beach ready glory
They look better with a bare ankle but its not that time of year at all

70s, thank you for boot tip. Tamaris is indeed one of the brands I can get here with great ease (see also Ecco, Rieker, Legero and Vagabond, those are the brands sold it seems), but I do not like the two tone. Tamaris shoes can be very very comfortable but they do tend to add too much to the designs and turn a nice shoe into frumpiness.

I think your idea of using the leather trousers as a windproof layer is inspired. This is surely what leather does best. You're like a fashionable Aragorn there on the beach I wager.

Am apprehensive over dressing-to-the-hilt becoming the new normal, but realised it's mostly because I want this overdone hair and makeup trend to be over. Will that stay over after the pandemic, oh gurus?

Hmm, well I've started wearing makeup again whenever I go out to do groceries nothing approaching drag though. I think whether that continues depends on how congealed we'll be to our phones after, social interaction is now so dependant on the internet, if that continues so does our slow transformation into avatars but if everyone starts re-appreciating f2f contact with individuals over a crowd of internet friends than social media becomes less of a dominant feature and we might start to want look 'average' again as that will be our frame of reference. Social media is in a weird place, I do feel it's sort of make or break right as the negative side of it is becoming more and more dominant, influencers aren't as influential anymore, as well as the intermingling with politics.

Can you get Dune London, Bani, these seem to tick a lot of boxes (aside from this shop doesn't ship outside NL and I doubt you're a size 36 shoe anyhow).

Ooh lovely trousers duvet, where'd you get those?

Sorry I seem to have missed out words and punctuation I'd blame my splitting headache but I do this all the time...

I bought them for a bargainous £17 from New look. I wanted to see would i actually wear green (p)leather trousers before I commited to buying a more expensive pair.
And now I would totally buy a more expensive pair. Though these are really excellent for the price.
They don't look plasticity and don't have that fish smell. They also come in black.

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/trousers/dark-green-leather-look-cuffed-joggers/p/665718738

I dont think I've linked that correctly but they are down to £10

Dune are the shits who've stolen my boots!
Its more to do with no-one knows how to deal with the "sea border" between GB and NI. Existing borders could be ok. This new border that they knew was coming, had to be coming because there can't be a bloody border in Ireland has caused mayhem.
(Even though I got my order in before Brexit....but that was covid)
I think they are non-existent boots because I bought them heavily reduced. And have since had a further excellent reduction but still bootless.
Good job the weather is too shite and would ruin suede boots

In 1st lockdown a lot of people were keen for zoom socialising but now its worn very thin. Being on zoom work calls and computers all day just drives home that human interaction is really needed. And with that comes clothes that go past your torso!

I like the Dune boots for bani, and am loving duvet's green leather joggers. As you say, completely windproof, and when the wind slices down from the pole at speed... I was very grateful for the leather trousers that are nearly as old as DS last week and keep admiring the green ones in the posh frock shop, but I have already bought two pairs of Hiut jeans in January and cannot justify more.

To make up for the lack of a picture (my computer is on its way out) here's a snippet copied from today's Times, especially for the sewists and the Dior trip gang, who I thought would be interested. (My quote marks.)

"A gallery-going highlight of 2019 for me was the Dior exhibition at the V&A, for the miniature outfits as well as the lifesize ones. These were initially conceived for the so-called Théâtre de la Mode that travelled the world immediately after the Second World War to advertise France’s fashion pre-eminence. Last year the present Dior creative director conjured up her own scaled-down versions of her couture collection to send as a showcase to her global high-rollers whose private jets were perforce on ice.

One of the most charming notions I have come across recently is an online V&A course entitled Couture Hand-Sewing, which teaches you how to make a quarter-scale dress of your own (£240, vam.ac.uk). Over a series of six Monday evenings, starting on February 15, you will learn everything from shell tucks to “bagging out” a bodice. (Nope, me neither.) You will end up not only with your own small yet, fingers crossed, perfectly formed creation, but with the “thorough understanding” of how to recreate it lifesize."

Oh poo, I immediately clicked and was all ready to sign up but it's already sold out on all dates

OH got me a half scale Stockman mannequin for Christmas it's the most adorable thing ever, it only came in last week (it got lost in the post) so I've not gotten to work with it much yet. I was really surprised how small it is, quarter scale must be like Barbie sized.

The joggers are £9 with an extra 10% off, but not my size alas, and I'm not feeling the black ones. I have a pair of Joseph suede leggings in a shopping basket but I can't remember their sizing, I think the smallest size was too big for me last time I tried them.

Oh, Xing, I saw H&M responded in the Times about the Simone Rocha size 'controversy', I could only read the intro where they basically said it was inclusive because it would be xs-l which according to them would be 6-18 but that math didn't make much sense to me (especially when factoring in the randomness of H&M sizing) did they come up with a better explanation behind the paywall?

I'll have a look for it bo but I didn't spot it on publication.

Very sorry the course is already sold out: I thought of you and flo straight off.

Dune London boots are pretty much spot on! Perhaps a little little shiny? Of course completely impossible to get a) in Sweden b) without customs charges and c) most importantly in a size 40 (poss 41 could work). So the world can piss off as far as I'm concerned! However the charity shop may have found my bus card so I must remember that and find my inner zen.

No, Dune London seems to deliver DDP, so no taxes and import duties bullshit to deal with. Only in size 39 left though here, I noticed they're under the Bertie brand (so mislabeled in my local department store online) which would explain why I struggled to find them elsewhere.

Thanks regardless, Xing, I'll keep an eye on the V&A website as they may add more courses on the back of popularity. It's also nice to know that for that money you'd actually get some individual attention as with an online course you could pretty much have an unlimited number of participants.

I did actually find an online course some time back with a haute couture seamstress who used to work at Dior but it's meant for advanced/professional sewers and there's no price and when the French don't list a price I'm always scared to ask 😬

I found some real leather joggers in brown for a pretty reasonable price, I'm tempted except they look a bit tight on the model so I'd have to size up to them to be a bit more baggy.

Oh, and yay for the return of the bus card, did I not predict that 🧐

Oh hadn't noticed the DDP, I'll have to keep an eye out on their site then but for now, whelp, no boots. Returns are also reasonable I suppose at 70 SEK, less than travelling to Sthlm by train ;) Thank you!

Wanted to say that the mini mannequin was such a thoughtful gift.

Ha Xing I love it that you saw a course on couture sewing and thought of me!
It does however remind me that I have some news. Ahem.
I finished The Shirt this weekend.

As you may remember, it was turning out eleventy sizes too big so I unpicked it and put it back together. More or less.
It's been a long, slow job with many breaks and much cursing but it's done and I think it's wearable.

I've got a lot going on this week but I'll try and take some pics and post them.

I adore the joggers duvet and the way you wear them. Spot on. How is the inside? I hate feel of plastic against my skin.., but that could be solved with thin cotton leggings I suppose ?

Love the green, pleather joggers! My pleather leggings are certainly warm and windproof.

I find Dune boots/shoes come up quite narrow - which might be fine for you, bani. Also, boots with decorative zips at the back can rub your ankles, just saying.

Flo, I look forward to the photos! Well done.

Quirky, it's all academic at the moment, doesn't look like any Dune boots will be bought anytime soon. Or any boots. Where's the supply to my demand, eh? See also Trousers, subheading Wool.

I've intrigued by how good the pleather joggers look (and what a find at that price!). I wonder if we all will succumb to their charms and find lookalikes? However. Serious leather trouser question. Who is old enough to remember the Benny Hill sketch when he's in full biker leather gear on a leather sofa and it all squeaks so loudly no-one can hold a conversation? My query is if leather trousers don't squeak?

Red they are lined with a very attractive beige thin fleece. Very soft and not at all sweaty.
I do usually wear a pair of heat tech thermals as well as I am a terribly cold person, but they are very comfortable to wear just on their own.

Bo I love the colour of the real leather ones. That khaki brown is a real favourite of mine. Good price too. And the leather looks soft, but so hard to tell online sizing, and for me too expensive to buy 2 to return 1. Beautiful though.
I think next winter or the next time we are allowed to properly shop I will buy a real leather pair as I am surprised how much I love these ones. Though would I become very precious over a +£200 pair whereas I happily slop anywhere in these
Though Xing I could justify them by their longevity as yours obviously have done alright.

Bani I dont have a leather sofa but I can't wait to visit one when I'm allowed!
Years ago when silk (satin) pyjamas were all the rage for children, my friend slipped off her parents leather sofa while wearing her purple satin pj's and broke her collar bone. Its a funny story now.

Flo congratulations on the shirt! Can't wait to see pictures.
Those courses sound fantastic and totally above anything I could comprehend. But fabulous

bani, I am old enough and I have a leather sofa .

My now 20 year old leather trews (boring but classic shape) come out every now and again (pretty regularly). I still love them and they work well dressed up, with a blouse and jewellery (to irk friends who can't still fit into clothes they bought so many years ago-- forgive the one up-woman-ship) or with a big jumper and hiking boots in bad weather. For full disclosure, I did have the waist reworked for my post menopausal body. Leather trousers are robust. And windproof. I hope to continue wearing them into my seventh decade, which is getting alarmingly close.

I def remember those bloody satin pyjamas that were everywhere for a while - I was absolutely kilt trying to buy normal ones. Always knew they were bad - a broken collarbone no less! :O

Have looked at all the regular places to see what offerings of baggy pleather trousers are out there but it's slim pickings if you don't want black. Monki has a green slightly cropped pair that aren't elasticated at the ankles, and Mango has a grey pair, also a bit cropped. Apart from cropped not working on me I have come to the conclusion after looking at photos that I would not look cool (like Duvet) I'd just look like I'm wearing waterproof trousers, like a small child. Do an image search for the word "galonisar". that would be me. :/ This has something to do with where I live obv. That said I am drawn to the idea of leather trousers. As you say Xing, it should be an item that can elevate a wardrobe which god knows I need.

Good news - it WAS my bus card! Fantastic relief.

Bo, did you a) get the leather trousers and b) ask the French what the price of the course was? ;)

Excellent you got your bus card back, I told you some kind person would find it.

Not satin pyjamas but a few years back I ordered a patent crinkled faux leather skirt in a bright colour when that was briefly a thing, I thought it would look great with chunky knitwear and it did but when I sat down on the end of the bed I went woosh across the room and ended up on the floor, painfully nothing broken but it hurt for days. Obviously it went back

a) I found the leather trousers with 30% off from a boutique that just opened up in March in a small town here that heavily relies on tourism so it would feel all sorts of do gooding to buy it but they only have it in a size medium or large, and I worry that's too large and I have similar concerns as you as I assume duvet has better legs for this than I do, joggers are not a style I tend to gravitate to. The brand is Danish so that throws in another iffy factor, the attached model pic isn't helping me make sense of it, maybe they're not joggers at all but just leather carrot trousers with a stretchy waist? If I do end up returning it, I know that's costing that small business a lot so I'd be undoing all the do gooding so need to be very sure about it... And I'm far from there yet. I really like the colour though was I not complaining recently about how I just wanted to dither over something for weeks, I take it back

b) I found that course a while ago, I did actually look it up again just now and it has prices listed all of a sudden. 880 euros, I'll consider it for my birthday, maybe, if I feel my skills are up to scratch. I'd be more eager to do it if it wasn't a ball gown that you make.

Ooh the baby poo palette Uniqlo U collection is up today. Flo why have you not been going on about this for days now, is it the shirt's fault?

880 euros - my my. Not a lot if you learn a lot, obviously. I'd prefer an in-person course though for that money (not distance).

Ty Bo (and all) for sympathy when I lost my card, I feel very lucky. They cost almost 1000 SEK/month and mine had 3 weeks left so I fully expected someone to have lifted it.

Those trousers do look carrot with stretch waist Bo. And I think a M will be big on you. Great colour though. What brand? And mazeltov on being able to dither again

Baby poo collection - LOL. And it is too!

Yikes so it is. Couple of years ago I was obsessed with that collection and look at me now.

I think there was something in the menswear that I liked but can't remember what it was now and don't have time to look.

I do wish they'd do those curved trousers again in a decent weight cotton drill, not flimsy floppy floppy stuff. I've pretty much worn them out.