Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: For the Love of Well Dressed Women in Repose

[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:

Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

Sept

Huit

Neuf

Dix

Onze

Douze

Treize

Ah no, I'm not really into that look - I don't mind it on others but it skews nun on me and I want to look more not nun. And I don't want covered summer footwear, I just don't like toeposts and sometimes feel bits of my feet are ugly and I'd like a strap over that bit.

Sadly that observation on teenage boys is not true of mine although very funny and def true of some. I had a brainwave and asked him to try on a shirt (so he'd have at least One Shirt) and he grunted ok. Then I waited for at least 15 minutes while he slowly unbuttoned it, put it on, looked at himself with me making supportive noises, slowly unbuttoned it (like a fucking child learning how to use a fucking button), put it back on the hanger and slowly buttoned it all back up again.

We got socks, underwear, A Shirt, t-shirts and a sweatshirt. Meltdown when we tried on some jeans so we left it at that.

I can't remember going shopping with my son when he was a teen.
Is that bad? But we go together now sometimes and it's fun - he has good taste.

bo I'm sorry I must have missed your posts on covered up sandals. I'll have to go back and rummage for them. I'm not averse to a mesh trainer, at least not in theory.

Just read your story about your son and the shirt bani and I might be all day.

The best part Flo is that the stress of shopping is all my fault, you know?

Of course it's all your fault you took him shopping. What were you thinking?

Right, sorry, misremembered, thought you and Flo had bonded over the need of covered summer shoes. I shall try to contemplate on what makes less nun-like summer shoes.

Well to be honest I'm genuinely considering some of these super-padded sandals that even H&M sells because I'm so tired of blisters. Not far off your platform plapplaps at all. Attaching picture from H&M, saw them while sourly looking at the dress thinking so close, but not close enough.

Ooh of to check H&M now, if they're leather they will do the job nicely. Thanks.

Oh I like the look of them too but I need some kind of strap around the heel, otherwise my foot slides forward and rubs and ...ouch.

I've not studied the Margaret Howells yet - thanks bo for the link. The chances are I'll like them but I'm such a cheapskate about sandals when they only get worn for a few weeks a year, and probably not even that long this summer as weather is shit and won't be going abroad.

I got a pair in Cos about 2 years ago that might fit your brief but sadly not current and the ebay listing that I took the picture from is very optimistically priced for some well-worn shoes. I’ve also attached this year’s iteration of the “full coverage” sandal, but frankly I think they’re awful. I’m still pushing the fisherman's sandals (Arket).

I love that description of the teenage try ons. Something to look forward to. Mine are still at the stage of putting on what they’re given, neither of them take much interest in what it is. One does have a particular fondness for pairing tracksuit bottoms with woolen jumpers which is hmmm…a look…

The orange trousers are lovely botemp good luck.

Interesting read about the Below the Knees Club. I had thought that the protests could have been coming from a more anti-extravagance angle. I can totally understand the position of the protestors.

Nice jumper red

Can you use oxi on silk? Have some underarm slight yellowing on a shirt – gross I know, that I’d like to sort.

I got to go to the shops again. I didn’t buy anything, but I’ll stick some photos below. As I was rushing out I saw a rack of LA COLLECTION which looked like really nice elevated basics and the fabrics felt great. I’d like to give them a try next time. I read it as L.A. Collection and assumed it was a US brand but it appears to be Belgian (contemplates sample sales). I thought this was lovely www.lacollection.be/erin-jumpsuit-black-crepe-silk

First up shopping outfit. Getting lots of use out of the J+ parka thanks to horrendous weather.

I only actually tried stuff in Kooples which is not somewhere I usually shop. It really made me think of you red as there were loads of lovely florals.

This shirt has nice fabric and and interesting back detail but the buttons were too spread out and in the wrong place so I'd have to choose between overly prim and ridiculously low. I hate that. I wouldn't have worn it buttoned up but one more button down was a date night only special.

This dress is absolutely not my usual thing and I'm not even sure why I tried it. It's a bit Chloe-esque. I'm not sure it's doing much for me but would be lovely on the right person.

No, Oxi shouldn't be used on silk but I have occasionally used it on a silk cotton mix skirt I have. I don't know why but every time I take it out of storage for summer it's yellowed a bit (I mean it's old so it may just be that). I watch it like a hawk though and it probably is shortening the life of the textile but other than dyeing it light yellow 🤮 it seems the best solution.

I follow the following solution for silk sweat stains but it's a bit toxic and really only something for when you're fine with losing the item in the rare event (it's yet to happen to me). Vinegar can do the job if it's something fresher but I find those sweat stains in silk tend to appear completely out of nowhere.

The Kooples has always felt way overpriced for what it is to me. The owners are actually the children/child of the people who set up comptoir des cotonniers, when I figured that out the success made more sense to me, but the quality has always been much more hit and miss. I see what you mean about the Chloe-esque dress, I think there's a lot of that around at the moment as most brands seem to have reverted back to safe and familiar silhouettes.

I'm actually eyeing up some Chloe deadstock viscose/silk mix Georgette fabric for the wrap around trousers like the orange ones I posted. Mouse grey though, I'm definitely into the cooler colours and monochrome at the moment but just wondering how long that will last, I usually get there at the end of summer when transitioning to A/W but we haven't had much of spring so I'm wondering if I'm still stuck in A/W mode and maybe I'll want a more cheerful colour by the time they're weather appropriate. They also have it in a pale pink which I'm not interested in at all but I suppose I could dye it?

Think there was some chat here before about V&A courses, but I spotted this free online talk later today (Wednesday 26) about the meaning behind making a dress:

www.vam.ac.uk/event/VY2aqewB/online-talk-the-meaning-of-a-dress-with-v-a-academy

Seems fairly relevant to the chat about the Below the Knee Club, not to mention all you talented sewers. Not sure whether they share the recordings afterwards or if it’s a one-off thing, but might be worth a look. Sadly not for me - late afternoon UK timezones are well past my bedtime.

Oh I'd definitely have gone to that talk but I just can't manage it today (roll on retirement).But thanks ShangPie I must remember to check them out more often.

So sandals - I'm actually not that taken with those Margaret Howells (which is just as well really) but I couldn't tell you why because they tick all the boxes: flat, leather, brown (other colours ok too as long as they're not black), strap around the back of the heel and just open enough to let a bit of air circulate. But they're just not doing it for me. I'll know the right ones when I see them, except I never do see them. Sorry I know that's not helpful.

I like that shirt Elle but not if the buttons aren't right. One of the satisfactions of learning to make my own shirts is that I can decide where the button holes go and I'm starting to get a bit obsessive about it. I can't really judge the dress because I can't be doing with anything frilly at the moment, which kind of puts me out of tune with most of current fashion but hey. Anyway I think you already had the best thing in the shop with that +J parka - how well does it hold up to rain?

Oh that talk looks great ShangPie members only though and I don't think I can justify renewing my membership until I'm sure I'll be able to travel over again. They seem to have a Mulberry handbag exhibit too, picturing it being overrun by the population of mumsnet.

flo is putting in button holes very hard? It would be great to have that flexibility. The J+ parka is pretty decent in the rain. It's certainly shower proof and held up well in pretty heavy rain, albeit I was only out for 10 minutes at a time. I wouldn't think it would stand up to dog walking or the like in bad conditions. The hood is really generous with a peak that comes right out over my face even when I have a ponytail. I feel that's often something overlooked by designers who make hoods the same size for men and women.

Button holes were hard work back in the day when I was last sewing Elle, in fact I don't think I ever made them. But with a newer machine and a button hole attachment it does all the work for you - the hard bit is lining them up properly and of course, once you've cut them open there's no going back.

I think the details on all the +J stuff I've seen are good, e.g. the chinos and the linen trousers have deep pockets.

This is a bit of post and run, just to answer Bo question on Yerba mate.
A couple which are good taste are
Playadito
www.amazon.co.uk/Yerba-Mate-Playadito-Loose-Stems/dp/B006JY59TI?tag=mumsnetforu03-21
Flor de Obera
un-mate.eu/flor-de-obera/

I am not sure if they are certified organic. The first one is used by my mum which normally is affected by all sorts of intolerances.

To drink it the traditional way, yes you need the Mate y bombilla 🧉
But a lot of people drink it like tea Mate Cocido and have done it for a long time. Usually put water to boil in a small metal jar, just before boiling point put the spoonful of Yerba and put flame down to let the contents boil without spilling (a few seconds) , take out quickly from flame and put a dash of cold water, so it stops cooking with its own heat. Rest for a minute or so.
You can probably pour boiling water out of a kettle for a few seconds and put somewhere cold afterwards to rest.
There are slightly different variations but here is a YouTube
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-bP0X1_l68
It also comes sometimes in a ‘teabag’ type of thing to make it easier to make, although my parents always do it the other way.

And thanks for the recommendations on the yellow stains Bo and Flo

I am getting itchy feet …
Bani any ideas if Sweden will be any better towards the end of the year? Vacc/infection rates etc?
I need to use some flights that got cancelled last year… considering to use them as a city break with a two or three days of snow somewhere. I don’t mind a lot of cold if I am prepared . Still not decided and I might be too optimistic…

thank you Red, that's really helpful I can't believe there's an emoji for it🧉🧉🧉

I'd go to Riga or Helsinki instead, Stockholm is just very slushy in winter, it's more winter wonderland and cozy winter vibes in Estonia and Finland. Or go northern lights up north in Rovaniemi (FI), there's a glas igloo hotel there that's an amazing experience (although not very conducive to sleep). Covid wouldn't be my concern for those destinations though, more how the Belarus situation will escalate. Oslo is probably your best bet but from what I hear (never been) it's a bit boring and expensive.

Flo you need to get yourself one of these, button spacing will be a doddle henceforth.

I visited the dress agency briefly this afternoon, tried on a theory silk top (weirdly tight on shoulders) and a Dries van Noten skirt (attached), bit too big as not my size but could be taken in quite easily, I loved the print, but again, everything feels far too dressed up, I'm losing the plot a bit. Everything in the shops is either extremely basic or feels wildly inappropriate all of a sudden

Also tried on a vintage red flowy skirt, rayon is my best guess, lovely shape but I've been on the lookout for something exactly like it (in silk and the right red) but this had fine black lines and that sort of ruined it from being 'it', I may go back for it even if it's not 'it' it's very cheery and wasn't too expensive and I could be searching for it for another couple of years knowing my track record...

It's a shame the v&a lecture was members only. Sigh, I'd love a little visit to the V&A, a Mulberry exhibit wouldn't ordinarily interest me but I'm so starved of anything interesting I'd happily take it. We really should set up a meet up again sometime.

Count me in... I'd attend the opening of an envelope at the moment, as long as there was congenial company.

Only thing is I haven't spotted an exhibition that justifies eight hours travel coming this summer yet. I live in hope.

There's a Chanel exhibit in Paris I'd love to see but it only runs until July 18th. I have to see how it works out with the vaccine passports as I'll only have a single vaccination by that date and also need to get the ok from my specialist if it's enough protection (as I'm CV). Nothing exciting coming up in the V&A this year?

Oops, came to post link for Red for glass igloos, it's not cheap but once in a lifetime yada yada, and not far from the Airport. We combined with Helsinki as there's no direct flights from here.

apukkaresort.fi/stay/aurora-cabins/

Woops lots to catch up on!

Re the wrap trousers - ha, I will admit to having a tutorial or two saved somewhere for those exact trousers. but I never attempted them because I imagine in my head that you'd need to be a bit clever to make them look good over a rounded stomach? A bit gappy otherwise, easy access to the body within. But now I'm finding myself keen on them again...

YY to buttonholes in shirts not being in the right spots. I have a function on my sewing machine but it's not very good, or reliable. Making one by hand isn't hard per se, but making consistent stitches is (for me).

Elle I'm just not feeling the Arket fisherman sandals, you know? much preferred the Cos ones you posted.

Red, I think things will be much calmer by the end of the summer, if we can keep vaccinations up. That said, we've had a lot of foreigners coming during the pandemic because we've stayed open so it's been easier to live. Travel is still discouraged but there's optimism.

But I agree that if you want guaranteed snow you need to go further north! I've got the igloo hotels on my wish list myself.

Thanks for mentioning The Kooples Elle, I like the shape of the first outfit, bomber jacket? But interesting what Bo mentions about them.
Anyhow I might have a peak if they have anything interesting on eBay.
Thank you for the ideas re a northern holiday. From the places you mentioned Bo we went to Oslo during 2019 winter and I really enjoyed it. Yes very very expensive but great.
Those iglo hotels look fab!! I am going to have a look. And ok i will explore more north than Bani’s lands
Yes I am not too worried about infection rates on those places, just if the Uk will let you come back without having to isolate, mainly because of my son’s school.

And absolutely I am very keen to meet up, even if it is not an exhibit that I would normally attend, I am very keen to see anything. Count me in.

Forgot to mention that I also really like the print of that Dries skirt Bo. I would be extremely tempted to get it.

Have you considered Iceland Red, their Covid handling has been really good, especially wrt tourists so suspect mandatory quarantine is less likely. They don't have glass igloos but something very close to it here in the form of glass lodges.

Originally we wanted to go here in Finland but flight connections were too much hassle for the time we had.

What glass igloos have you been looking at, then, Bani, it seems there's a whole industry of them?

Right, meet up for the opening of an envelope at some point in the future 😁