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

That's really lovely of them. I vaguely have memories of going there as a child and remember them being very nice to me where you otherwise get ignored in shops. I always get the sense a lot of Brits turn their nose up at the store though. Or maybe just Londoners, it really is part store, part tourist attraction, I suppose.

We love Margot Leadbetter - so I’m inclined to favour clothes that channel her. Had a peek at the brand and if the quality doesn’t match the price it’s hugely disappointing. Some very nice things I thought but nonetheless out of my price range.

Congratulations Catherine on the house! At last!

Have loved reading the stories these past few posts ❤️

I think the law is that you can’t deny returns or exchanges on distance shopping ie mail order. When you’re in the shop you have an opportunity to inspect the goods so a sale can be final.

Yes, that's my understanding of the EU law too, you have 14 days to cancel without having to supply a reason provided it's not a custom order and there's some hygiene exemptions for jewellery (earrings) and underwear/swimwear.

I think they're just trying it on in a tough economic climate and just desperately want to get rid of as much stock as possible. Stores can make their own rules, although I think that's country dependant.

Apologies for the crap pictures but it was late last night so shitty light. I attempted some draping of the pattern on myself to confirm that a more traditional shape is too prom/resort wear/beauty pageant and looks a bit meh. A bit more coverage seems the way to go but it's feeling a bit more Queen Amidala than Margot Leadbetter now I'm mildly concerned it's going to end up as the iconic Versace dress circa early 00s with the palm leaves print now...

Interested to read about La Collection. I was in town on Saturday and some of it was reduced but the silk dress and jumpsuit were gone so I didn’t bother trying. I’m ignore your comments about the jumpsuit potentially being a good fit – la la la. Might have a look at the Yoox one.

The La Collection dress is very chorister I think, though I see the middle east vibes too. The Dries fabric is a dream. I have a blurred floral from Erdem as a shift dress with cap sleeves and a belt and I think the simple style sometimes lets the print shine. I actually love the Queen Amidala one, maybe not so practical though… I would also be tempted to go full resort wear on it and do a Kalita-style dress.

Genuine guffaw at It does make you nostalgic for the days when all you needed to signify your wealth was a huge plug-ugly handbag I love that story from Harrods flo. Did they show him the gems? Those reusable shoppers had a moment here too, but generally as a signifier that you had a son or daughter who a) travelled and b) brought you back thoughtful gifts. I’ve only been in Harrods twice. It’s absolutely vast, but the service was always great and the range of style and sizes second to none. I do find the scale and layout a bit intimidating though. I always feel like Father Ted in the lingerie department.

I’d be interested to read the depop article botemp. It great that so many brands are using a range of models to showcase their clothes. I would be really interested to know how the sales stack up when an item is shown on, say, a plus-size model versus straight-size, though I suspect it might be a bit depressing.

Article here, it concentrated much more on the mental health impact than sales but ultimately it comes down to an algorithm pushing what users engage with most so I did find it an interesting insight. As much as algorithms frequently get presented by critics as preprogrammed biases of the developers they're often far too complex for that and they are very reflective of the user base.

I'll be honest that as nice as it sounds on paper diversity of models don't have an added value for me when it comes to catalogue shots. Height is much more of interest for me as a predictor to how things will fit me and they still insist on using tall models regardless of size and that distorts more and more the bigger the size. It's weird too, at 5"4 petite clothing doesn't really work well for me, I know it does for some other people my height, but it's really where petite ends but petite models are often my height or only slightly shorter. I don't think they'll ever really let that aspect go.

I'd really have to dig for that but there's also some research indicating that the effect of representation is overstated and the impact isn't that big but since that's treading in the more woolly social sciences I regard both sides of that argument as rather suspicious. I've personally always written off inclusive modelling as brand building, as opposed to regarding it an indication of substantiating change.

Hmm, yes Kalita style like attached was sort of what I was envisioning when I bought the fabric with vague ideas of a billowing flowy back where the wind blows it out but I think it's a bit much with the fabric. I fear I'll have to make a toile on which I draw my own blurry pattern...

My late mil had a set of tea tins (still with very old, dusty smelling tea in them when we cleared her house) she obviously kept them for shoe but never used them. They could match your grandmother's biscuit tin, bo. I've only been in Harrod's once, we took my French friend to see the Christmas display, she picked up a fragile bauble, broke it and we left very quickly!

I try and go to Harrods whenever I'm in London, which admittedly isn't that often so it's been a few years now. I always go round the fashion floors and, when the sales staff approach, I just tell them I can't afford to buy anything but like to look and, if they're not busy with other customers, they chat and show me what's new. And yes Elle they got out their biggest gems to show him and were absolutely lovely. I'm a big fan

I have missed a lot of posts but congratulations catherine!!!!!!!
I will try to read and catch up with the rest …

Thanks for the article. I saw Depop has been bought by Etsy which is really disappointing. It already has an issue with drop sellers and if it goes the way of Etsy it’ll get even worse and there goes the sustainability angle.

Pic of the sandals out and about. Also a dress that I tried on and hated in real life. I thought the proportions would work on me but it swallowed up my shape and did nothing for me. Oddly though I don’t hate it so much in the photo. It’s still not great but not as awful as it was in the mirror. What’s the opposite of “the photo doesn’t do it justice”?

Ah those shirred dresses are evil, they look nice on a hanger but they make you feel like a square sack of potatoes once it is on. I'm not sure what the objective reality is, I think they look fine from a quick glance but then go a bit magic 3D optical illusion poster thingy when you stare at it too long and all you see is weird lumps. Best worn by toddlers IMO.

Yes, the depop takeover by Etsy doesn't look promising tbh. I'm not sure how green depop is though, I'm becoming highly sceptical of all green claims (deep down I know simply not buying anything unless absolutely necessary is the answer, but for obvious reasons this does not appeal). I was reading an article in the Guardian yesterday about how from research they concluded it's less polluting to toss your dress after one use than to rent I had wondered about it though, the constant back and forth and dry cleaning impact. I do rent on occasion, but it's from a shop I physically go to, it's not really renting though, it's a consignment shop place and they will just guarantee to buy it back for a certain price so I 'rent' for the difference. And I bike there, and use a 'green' dry cleaner, so I'm probably ok

Have just been reading to catch up. Adding my congratulations for Catherine on acquiring a house: it's such a crazy market, you must be very relieved.

It's been frantic here... and not all in a good way, so clothing has dropped down my priority order. The good news is that DS has landed his first job in TV. He's a runner for a major production house, making a big budget reality show for one of the streaming services and after four days on set, they've asked him to stay on for the full shoot and to be in the bubble on site. He even gets paid near-union rate! Can't think many people here will be interested in the content, unless you are secretly thrilled by Love Island, and we don't have a clue when it will be screened. More news in due course.

In less good news, a routine check up flagged an unsuspected health issue and some follow on recalls, which has today necessitated cancelling our trip to Scotland so I can see the surgeon next Friday, and go under the knife the week after, before the surgeon goes on holiday. Frankly, the speed of the response has me a bit rattled. There's been lots of kind words about the successful outcome they expect caught early, very small etc but I have never been ill and don't feel ill now, only scared.

Please, please post lots of beautiful clothes to remind me that this is a mere interlude and that in a month or two I shall sally forth a new woman to buy something spectacularly unsuitable.

Oh Xing

What a crazy 18 months it's been.

My immediate thoughts are that if surgery is an option then that's a very good sign. Scary but good. And rapid surgery - also good. A family member had to wait 6 months for lifesaving surgery last year (lockdown, wards only half full etc) and while the outcome was positive, the stress was indescribable.

I'll be back later to talk clothes.
Very pleased to hear about your son - very exciting for him!

from me too Xing.

Oh xing that must have been a shock. It does sounds positive that an operation is an option and you won’t be hanging around waiting for it, but it’s a lot to wrap your head around. Will be thinking of you now and next Friday and looking forward to helping advise on something wildly unsuitable.

Congratulations to your son. Looking forward to hearing some gossip from the set in due course.

You poor thing Xing, as scary as that sudden flight of speed may be it's a good thing they're so proactive. Keeping you in my thoughts next week and the one thereafter and shall do my best to provide some distracting fashion nonsense in between.

Congrats to Xingson, hope he's okay too with this all happening while bubbled away.

xing lots of good wishes from me. Very positive that they caught it early and that surgery is an option. Leave you a photo of a real rose I saw in Hampton court flower show the other day. It looked like actual silk. It was stunning.

How exciting for xingson congratulations to him.

Thanks all, your kind thoughts are much appreciated!

Support to you Xing and congrats to your son!

Some distraction for Xing or anyone else in search of a first world problem: I've decided I want a linen blazer. This is bad because I have a perfectly good Joseph one, in fact more than perfectly good - it's got years of wear in it. But this summer it's started to feel a little bit too... fitted. I want something more oversized, like this kind of thing only I haven't got the money for Margaret Howell. Not going to happen.

I sent for this from Uniqlo men's and the shape was right but the shoulders were hopeless and not worth fixing as the fabric was so flimsy and mimsy it crumpled if you sneezed. I don't mind creasing but I want a proper slubby linen.

Zara have got a few and I think they're often good at this kind of thing. Sorry not going to link any cos it's Zara and they'll be selling out fast enough as it is. But the nearest store doesn't have them in stock and I feel I need to try a few on cos, if you get the sizing wrong, they just look cartoonish plus I'm not sure of colour. And I resent paying ££££ upfront for several sizes and colours because a company the size of Inditex won't stock their shops properly.

I'm looking second hand but it could take forever.

Or do I save and dig deeper and go for a better make, even if I haven't got a Margaret Howell budget?

Or I'm thinking should I have a go making the Haremere jacket from my exquisite but unused Merchant and Mills Workbook? (See pic) I even have some slubby linen to hand. But the reviews say it's hard and, even if I don't botch up, it won't be ready before Christmas....Answers please

I'm confused by the Margaret Howell site as it's showing me two prices, is it on sale or are they showing me an ex VAT price for EU customers? I don't know how shocked I need to be by the price...

The Haremere jacket looks nice but I'm assuming by the pictures it's not got any sort of interfacing/lining so it's really down to the fabric and that's a big gamble when you still feel a bit of a newbie (I still feel like that anyhow) and struggle to predict exactly how well fabric will behave/perform.

Doesn't Zara offer Klarna payment in the UK? That way you can order to your heart's content without paying up front.

This could be an alternative although it's not linen and it's Everlane so shipping back and forth is mare but it does have interesting design details and that slouchy feel.

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=shop.mango.com/nl/dames/jasjes-en-overjasjes/blazer-van-100-linnen_87085671.html&ved=2ahUKEwj-qojz39rxAhXJsaQKHd3-BBMQFjABegQIGxAC&usg=AOvVaw3ml7dQ-CbhiII237Gdfq35" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mango can also be a bit of a dark horse, but their linen is very hit and miss, some really good, some piddly thin. The one I linked is online only though.

I'd also be tempted to search something like vinted for a men's Loro Piana linen blazer they're very nice and quite neat on the shoulders (for men anyhow).

It'll be the pre-sale and the reduced price that you can see bo. Thanks for the other suggestions - some good ideas. I'm a bit wary of Klarna which I know is a bit tin foil hatty, especially considering I happily had a gazillion catalogue accounts back in the day. The Merchant and Mills jacket is half lined I think which would make it an even bigger project.

I think the H&M group either have a huge stake in Klarna or bought the thing entirely, I can't remember. Anyhow, I've used them a couple of times and it doesn't feel exploitive or encouraging accruing debt and credit, however here in NL the regulations are quite strict so we don't have all the split payment options, you can only defer payment once for free and I don't know how long after that, just that it costs something like 50 cents. The only thing that I do find annoying about it, is that it's quite an expensive payment method for the shops themselves so I tend to avoid using them with smaller businesses. Zara probably gets a bulk discount.

I know I'm going to have to get over it, along with my dislike of buying second hand online, cos the shops just aren't going to come back - well at least not round here. But it won't stop me grumbling every step of the way

Speaking of grumbling, I can't decide whether I feel vindicated or just plain annoyed to see leather blazers are a thing again. Vindicated cos I've been looking for one for a good couple of years, annoyed because I didn't find one in time and now the prices are going to sky.

Can you order from Massimo Dutti, floisme, without getting hit by charges?

www.massimodutti.com/fr/femmes/veste-de-tailleur-en-pur-lin-c1842525p9105519.html?colorId=745

Oh Xing I’m so sorry to hear that and will do my utmost to find distracting clothes to look at. Fingers crossed ❤️

I’m no use though because have been cursing over that bloody shirt dress I’ve been trying to make and binge watching 8 out of 10 cats do countdown. I think the pattern is a bit shit plain and simple plus the magazine instructions are crap but am afraid to pay money for a pattern that I don’t know if I’ll like.

I’m a little off MN at the moment because I’m not on a computer and typing on mobile devices is annoying. Have tried to look at the little photos but can’t see the differences so have no intelligent input haha. Something I did mean to raise as a discussion point though was these sleeveless tops with shoulder pads I keep seeing (albeit now in the sale, I don’t actually see them on people). Where did they come from as a concept?

I use Klarna all the time - we’re actually vaguely acquainted with one of the founders, enough to say hello and chat. They had a major data breach recently. Seem to have dealt with it professionally but it’s still a little worrisome of course. I think it’s so handy to be able to buy first and pay later esp online when you might need several sizes. It’s a great concept. I don’t 100% buy the “we’re socially responsible” schtick though, I have missed a bill once because the notification that it needed to be paid was missed. The phone must have whispered that one.