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

[botemp]

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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Previous threads:

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Huit Neuf Dix

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Merch created in honour of our ten thread anniversary:

Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet shop

Yes and if it wasn't for all those random frills I'd have probably bought more these last few years.
But an eye for detail coupled with an eye for trends is quite a talent.

And isn't it refreshing to be able to put a name and even a face to a brand? I can't think of any other current non-designer retailer where I know who's in charge.

Ok I'm talking shite again. Philip Green was in charge, wasn't he, and that ended well.

I guess I just like the idea that she's an independent retailer still, even though she's probably in hock to some venture capitalist or other.

I'm now waiting for someone to come along and tell me she sold up to Boohoo last year.

Yes, I think prominent CEOs are always a bit dodgy, I think the same of that Beautypie/Soap & Glory Kilmore (?) woman. I think it mostly bothers me because it's this narrative of this one (wo)man show who does it all with some sort of magic when it's often just good hiring and fostering a work environment that makes those talented people stay. Which is a talent and skill, but it's not what gets lauded. Granted, I'm always suspicious of people who pursue popular fame over the acknowledgement/respect of their peers. I'm completely unknowledgeable about Clare Hornby and Me&Em though.

She's not well known or anything but she always writes an intro to the catalogue and has a blog on the website, but about the clothes rather than herself. You get the impression she's closely involved with the production side of things. I imagine the clothes reflect a lot of her own life and personality.

Useless fact: she's related (by marriage I think) to Nick Hornby, the writer, but I've never seen her mention it.

The other fashion industry woman who stands out for me is Kim Winser. I met her when she worked for M&S, as she briefed me on the womens' knitwear operation, and she was impressive with a massive grasp of every detail. Then she launched Autograph, which was exceptionally good, and then she failed to get the top womenswear job, so left to turnaround Pringle and Aquascutum before creating Winser. It was criminally stupid of M&S to lose her.

Jane Shepherdson, of Top Shop fame, whom I didn't meet at the Burton Group (I wrote their annual reports too, in Ralph Halpern days) is another with the touch of genius. Not much surprise that she clashed with Philip Green.

Ah interesting I had wondered if there was a Winser woman behind the Winser London brand. Clare Hornby sounds about the right amount of personable CEO for the brand. The UK seems to have a large number of catalogue brands compared to elsewhere.

Thought this was an interesting anti Kondo article, not sure I'll be feeding the moths though, patchouli packets all the way here.

Ha I read that article too - I always like to have my anti de-cluttering instincts affirmed. I too have a bag under the bed that's full of clothes I'm bored with.

And yes Jane Shepherdson - Whistles has lost the plot since she left I think. Is she still doing My Wardrobe does anyone know?

Really hope Jane Shepherdson comes back big time, with A BIG BRAND, at a mass market pricepoint, because that is where she's unbeatable.

Ooh, just imagine a Jane Shepherdson X Phoebe Philo mass market upper end of the high street brand...

Yes, I like to be affirmed too, Flo, as if being bored with clothes means you should get rid of them

That would be the stuff of dreams, bo. Let's hope they're lurking and reading! Please, pretty please, ladies....

I like the idea of JS and PP reading our thread.
I got the MH dress! Fingers crossed is good condition as description and fits well, I will keep you posted.
I also got a Joseph blazer in blush pink, I probably will not go much to the office this year, if at all tbh but I think is great to have a light jacket to wear over any tee or top, with jeans, dresses. Just looks more out together even in if I am popping to someone’s garden (hoping we can do that in SS!) it was at a such a low price though that I am a bit dubious of the condition (less than a fiver).
The MH dress went up in price so wasn’t ridiculously cheap anymore, just a fair price I would say for the brand and the [allegedly] immaculate condition.

I came on to share that article too 😆. I’m all for wearing old clothes, which is why my wardrobes are straining at the seams . There are built in cedarwood drawers in our wardrobe, which sounds amazing for moth protection... but means I smell very cedar-y a lot.
I’m going to raise a slightly different tack on marketing - never fully dressed which seem to be some very accessible online high street brand, probably made in China and polyester, what seems like a huge range of often very appealing dresses, all very now rather than classic, but what really caught my eye is their Instagram. Video after video of how to wear their clothes, which is not something I’ve seen anywhere else, and seems a great thing to have. It does make it feel like they could all look great on normal people (ok not all). I feel like some of these genius designers could learn from it.

Yay to mh dress! Pink Joseph blazer sounds good too. Pics or they didn’t happen.

Interesting discussions about right fabric for right design. And it seems your leather trousers are perhaps the wrong design for the "fabric" Bo, if a stiff lining - that you can't move in - was deemed necessary for them to hold their shape! I was going to suggest sewing the lining in part stretch part stiff because that shouldn't be hard over the knees then I remembered the arse ...

God I wish someone in charge would read the thread anyway!

I haven't had time to keep up but let me share this here

www.nordstrom.com/s/meryll-rogge-gloved-double-satin-bolero/5731942?origin=keywordsearch-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FAll%20Results&color=600

Frivolous, yet somehow utilitarian. For the new world order!

Will read the article.

Have just betrayed the Uighurs by buying a pair of trousers in H&M from a conscious collection. See, winter is suddenly completely over in Sweden. My search for wool trousers can take a hiatus and the search for linen begin. These are inbetween weight, hemp, tencel and bla bla. Not biodegradable.

Is the new world order the alien invasion movie I thought the inauguration was it (I can't bring myself to call them a glove bolero ) feels like a torture device for someone who hates washing up in a dystopian future (mind you, if you spend too long on FWR you may believe we're already there).

I'm still confused about the construction of the Joseph joggers, the silk twill lining is an improvement but it's still attached (by design) in a clumsy way that makes no sense. I've taken a closer look at leather leggings that I own where I assume the sag issue would be more of an issue as they're tight and they have a fused knit interfacing as far as I can tell, so that does stretch with it, maybe the whole gluing it down makes the difference 🤷 I also have a book on leather and furs now from all round authority Claire B Sheaffer but she's provided me with no answers either

I don't want anyone in charge actually reading here this is my spout nonsense and miscellaneous verbal diarrhea diary, people in charge need better information than what I go on about.

Well the Google reviews for never fully dressed are lethal, I love that someone complained about all the disappointing quality, but the worst slight was being addressed as, honey

I thought you had to sand cedar every year for it to work/smell cedar-y, time, or is there some hot climate loophole whereby that isn't required?

Now you know why they were on sale

I want them to read my trouser rants. Make me trousers!

I forgot that I wanted to comment on colour: I checked the Gap links and didn't fancy those colours. Muted, "melange" as we say here - I'm not a fan (over-dosed in my youth also doesn't suit me). I'm fancying a rich and deep autumn palette. I'm fancying a variation like the yarn rooms in the Märta Måås-Fjetterström mat weaving atelier in Båstad (just saw those on the telly the other night, a-ma-zing). Agree that if the materials aren't good colour can look brash and cheap - but need to say that modal is good for holding colours well even though inexpensive! I just don't see why a variation of colour can't ever be available? And yy to a pop of colour in Scandinavia being grey lmao!

bani, that is possibly one of the most hideous images I have ever seen. The colours make my eyes bleed. How could you? Who would buy it?

That bolero and dress looks like a costume for a modern dance production of the little mermaid. Character is a wave/crab accompanying sebastian (have I got the name right?)
I don’t know re sanding cedar- I wouldn’t think so with all the cedar chests around? I can comment authoritatively that if smell = effectiveness no sanding is needed.
Quick before you all switch seasons! Talk to me about winter trousers. I don’t think I understand them for casual, I have various colours and types of jeans but thick leggings and now my leather ones are my only non work warm comfortable trousers. Something about a close fit and tailored waistband feels more office than cosy. Tips and tricks?

timeisnotaline last winter would you have described winter trousers as needing to be cosy and what do you mean by that?

What I mean is this year I have a few pairs of casual winter trousers that I haven't worn or have struggled to wear because there hasn't been an occasion for. And these aren't dressy trousers that need a meal out or a party. They are perfectly normal winter trousers. One pair for example, is a sort of 40s style heavy grey tweed, slightly cropped with a large turn up. And a structured waist band. But not at all office wear.
In winter 19/20 they were almost my favourite trousers, with biker style boots or a heeled boot or trainer they looked fabulous (totally bigging myself up)
I also have heavy navy twill high waisted wide trousers and deep burgundy cords that I have hardly worn. And a pair of dark denim flared jeans.
I wore all of these a lot last winter.

This winter I seem to need more practical clothing. Like my wind proof (p)leather joggers because none of these trousers can stand at the beach for 3 hours.
And all of the above trousers look fantastic with a well cut coat, but the well cut coat looks shit when it gets wet.

So I am totally rambling but there are loads of cosy winter trousers, I'm just hoping next winter we can all wear the variety of them we have in the anti kondo cupboards of doom.

So in actual answer to your question. A heavy fabric, one which you can wear the types of shoes you prefer in winter, always wear leggings underneath so you can have more options, we won't always be outside so nice coats will reappear and nice trousers will make a comeback

I barely wore wool trousers this winter tbh. I only ever wore them when really cold, they're a bit much when indoors pretty much all day. In terms of casual, I prefer an oversized men's style that's a bit stiff, crotch dropping low and with the hems rolled up to sit on the lip of my chunky boots at the back and an oversized jumper.

(I thought Sebastian was the crab and the fishy buddy was something like Flounder in English? I just remember that movie upsetting me, like most Disney movies, I had to be removed from several )

I'm thinking baggy tweeds are casual, like. Not that I can find them. But otherwise I think the example set above with a casual sweatshirt with dressier trousers is one way. I agree that it works best indoors. Outside you then have to pair a coat to the whole thing and can end up feeling that the rain-coming-sideways coat you're forced to wear doesn't really go with the dressy trousers and not in a cool way.

Another option is to make the dressy trousers so ubiquitous that they are just trousers and not particularly dressy. Oh and for me I don't usually wear trousers that fitted, so they can look a little less dressy then.

Also I am not stylish, really. I make do and live through you.

The crab was Sebastian, yes.

I mean jeans level easy grab and go. Tweed would definitely do it, I can’t think how to wear cords these days. Successful cords would be great jeans replacement - any inspiring images?
More brainstorming than spending, I would like to form my winter style beyond coat and boots (not sure I have ‘the’ coat either) as we are trying for a baby but i guess if that doesn’t progress might be some retail therapy!
I saw a lady in leather joggers. Maybe 50s/60s in the cbd today in high tops and a drill type jacket and rocking the silver tinted white Bob. 5 stars even though I didn’t love the shoes.

Agree with bani (but not to the extent of your travails), trousers are often the weak link for me. I have some beautiful wool work trousers but struggle with casual options - weird since I don’t think of myself as a formal or dressy person

Having said that, time for me, the right pair of cords can be a great staple. I know that skinny is out, but I have a super-flattering pair of Anthropologie Pilcro skinny cords in raspberry (really not as hideous as they sound ) I’ve been reaching for them a lot recently to brighten up dark winter days and wear with an oversized dark grey knit instead of jeans.

Feel like corduroy with some stretch is a lot more sturdy than similarly-stretchy denim, so I hope they will be long-lived. Maybe I can put them away for a few years and return later like in the Guardian article!

Ah, trying to catch up.

I saw that article too, not sure I want to feed the moths either!

For red the surprise irises that I had forgotten I had planted. I haven't weeded the pots, obviously...

Dd1, was lucky and received my Superdry combat trousers. They fitted while standing up, walking and sitting but not much flexibility or stretch to sit or squat down, which I often do with dd2. I often have issues with tapered trousers, I think it's because I am quite straight up and down, and have slim but defined calves. Dd1 is quite hourglass, with hips and very slim calves, so they fit her fine.