Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Do not ask the kock about les préservatifs in the food.

[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

Quatorze

Ooh, I'll check those out.
Thanks, bo.

They are really beautiful. I wish I knew where they had come from.
I'm going to ask whether I can lay them out in a friends' garden for a while, as there are faint yellow areas that need more sun than my shady terrace and garden provide to whiten them.
And I'll have to keep cats well away...

Oh bo Your poor OH - I dunno, we spend all this time missing our families and then, when we do manage to see them, it turns to shit.

Beautiful pillow cases Auld. With hindsight, so many ordinary household items from that era were exquisitely crafted: linen tea towels and antimacassars, and silk or cotton lawn embroidered handkerchiefs. (It feels like that should that be 'handkerchieves' but auto correct thinks otherwise.)

It's well documented that I'm fond of pleated trousers, but yeah the wrong pair can add bulk around the belly and flatten the arse. The payoff is supposed to be a cinched in waist and the illusion of longer legs but, when they're low waisted you lose both, leaving you with just a bigger arse and a bit of a belly. Far be it from me to challenge Ines but I don't quite get the point. I think tucking in also looks a bit odd with a low waist although that might just be because I'm not used to seeing it.

There were a few Ines / Uniqlo things I quite liked but nothing that seriously tempted me. Is the French collection different?

I think Inès spent lockdown binge-watching films about women in the Résistance and got a bit stuck in a rut.

Oh bo, that sounds horrible and sad.

Gorgeous pillowcases, Auld. I think things were made to last, then. Also, needlework was definitely something that a lot of women did.

@AuldAlliance

I think Inès spent lockdown binge-watching films about women in the Résistance and got a bit stuck in a rut.

Absolutely rofl at that

I forgot to take leather blazer pics! Possibly because I had a feeling I'd got fed up looking (2 or 3 years) and just bought the first one I saw that wasn't black. The portents weren't good - I wasn't anywhere local and had a train to catch so couldn't even go for coffee and think it over. So I bought it and nearly didn't mention it but I think charity shoppers have a habit of bragging about the treasures then keeping quiet about the mistakes so I thought, 'own it'.

And you know what, it's better than I thought. Great colour - it might look black on screen but it's a very dark brown that's much more forgiving on me. And a nice slouchy fit. It doesn't soothe my oversized hankering but probably all the better for that.

Looks good, flo, oversize can have it's own issues, mind. Mine has a belt, that I loop through the back, which stops it going into wearing a shapeless bag territory.

I have made plenty of mistakes in charity shops, though I hope I do so less now. I think if you wouldn't buy it new, then it isn't a "bargain".

True but, if it had been new, it would have cost a bit more than £20 so there's that Plus there aren't many new ones around at the moment, and the only ones I've seen are black. I suspect my main problem with it is that it hasn't made me look like Cate Blanchett.

Oh, to look like Cate Blanchett... sadly, it will never happen. Popping by to say that I haven't bought anything but waiting on a charcoal vneck to arrive. It will be warm as it's 3-ply, and tbh I don't think I am bothered much about the fit.

The refurbished bosom is awesome. It has mostly stopped hurting too. Honestly, I would have killed for breasts like this 40 years ago. I could, for the first time since puberty, consider wearing a slip dress in public. At 65, I am not certain that it's a good idea. What do you think @Floisme? We are of similar age, after all.

I've way to much to catch up on, but wanted to say Xing I'm pleased the op went well and hope the recovery goes just as smooth. And Bo your poor husband, hope you are enjoying the hols as much as you can.

On the fashion front, I'm excited for the move into Autumn. There was a definite drop in temp in the west of Ireland over the last few days so it won't be long before the need to dig out warmer clothes.

I saw this blazer and thought of Flo, unfortunately it's not a bargain price though:
www.massimodutti.com/ie/women/collection/leather/view-all%2Fbrown-nappa-leather-blazer-c1961030p9375025.html

I'd be tempted by these, but not being a giant, they'd probably require a significant amount of shortening if they are as long as their trousers tend to be:
www.massimodutti.com/ie/women/collection/leather/view-all%2Fjogging-fit-nappa-leather-trousers-c1961030p9404079.html?colorId=982&

Cos trousers however do fit me very well, so these may be heading in to my basket:

www.cosstores.com/en_eur/women/womenswear/trousers/product.relaxed-fit-corduroy-trousers-brown.1019289002.html

Well Xing I feel asleep thinking about your question so this morning I dug out an M&S slip I'd kept from the 90s/early noughties. It was from the lingerie section but it's probably a lot sturdier than the current crop of slip dresses. And you know what, I didn't look bad at all. Then I realised I was holding my breath. My belly, once released, did rather spoil the effect, so my first requirement would be unobtrusive but industrial strength underwear, which would probably cost a lot more than the dress.

And then there are my arms. The fashion gods aren't complete sadists and they've given us blazers, so that was quickly sorted (and it disguised my belly quite well too). But then I thought, 'What's the point of wearing a slip dress in celebration of life and boobs and then hiding under a blazer all night?' I've been in an existentialist funk ever since.

But you, I think, have good arms so you can sidestep all that nonsense.

And dammit ThisNameIs, that's a blazer I would happily wear over a slip dress and not even think of taking it off. I still wouldn't look like Cate Blanchett but I wouldn't care. I'd seen something similar in Cos (I think) but it was black so it hadn't troubled me like this one will. Thank you!

That's exciting news, Flo; I may have to try one on, if only for the experience. Probably not until next summer now, sadly. Autumn seems to be upon us.

That blazer... I might have to have a look if our proposed trip to Spain and Portugal happens... fingeres crossed.

Quite an interesting article in today's Times about looking awesome over 40... well selected images of brilliant looks on women up to 95.

www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-secret-to-ageing-with-style-dont-play-by-the-rules-9kl29mck3

Ah but I suspect the summer light might not have been quite so kind to me Xing

Thanks for that link - I have one of those free subscriptions to The Times that I think lets me read 3 articles a month, or something. Anyway this will be one of them.

Actually that photo of my leather blazer - the one where I've laid it on the floor - does it no favours whatsoever. I probably overlit it or something cos it was such a murky day, but I've made it look horribly shiny when it isn't at all, in fact the leather's a really good matte finish - it's one of the best things about it.

See how, having moaned on and on about it, I'm now starting to feel oddly protective

That's great news, Xing. I've been lucky enough to be smaller than average, but remember how hard it was to dress when pregnant, as I suddenly had a large bust.

I used to have some M&S slip nighties in navy and rose that I wore as dresses in the nineties. I liked that they had wider shoulder straps, so you could wear a bra under.

Great news XIng, so pleased to hear it.

Bo, have just read back to your recent family drama... how dreadfully sad for you all. I hope your OH has returned and things have settled down again.

I came back to positive news from xing, which I only say atm the weather is probably the only thing that might seriously get on the way of wearing a slip dress, otherwise I can really see you in one, and a blazer over it could be great.
What a nightmare Bo , family dramas … hope all that is somehow setting down
leather blazers! Well, believe it or not some time ago I remembered that in my late teens I used to have a leather jacket , blazer cut but mid thigh. I left it when I left home. So I asked my mum if she still had it, and yes she did and proceeded to tell me that she cut it! …to an more blazer length… she has a friend who is a cobbler and he did it and stitch the leather … anyhow, she sent it to me! All the way my old leather blazer crossed the ocean 🌊 (it did what I cannot do). So now I have it.
I have not tried it properly, it is difficult to explain, I took it out let it ‘rest’ and un-crease. I took my time just to look at it, I did briefly put it on and still fits well, but I have not looked at me in the mirror and imagine how I would wear it.
It is a matte black, again tricky to photograph, and black is not the greatest colour on me, but I can wear depending on the rest and also on my complexion that day.
So flo fellow black-leather-blazer wearer
That Massimo Dutti one looks great this name

Since I am back I might as well share more photos … a couple of things I tried on a dress agency : a very 80s? Top which I really liked the cut and colour but it was big on me, and a Chloe silk nude dress which fitted perfectly and no marks and so good price , the only thing stopping me was … what shoes / when would I wear it … it is my local dress agency so I can come back any time.

Ah do not worry over me, I'm the least impacted out of everyone. OH is back and while emotionally and physically exhausted on arrival a few days of R&R have done wonders. Things have settled down and things aren't that tense anymore here or with BIL& SIL now that the shock of it all has settled. Therapists as opposed to lawyers are involved now so that feels like progress, whether it's to manage an amicable exit or not, they'll be living separately for the moment.

The leather blazers look great, if it wasn't faux I'd be very tempted by this olive green one as I'm a sucker for anything leather and olive green.

Sorry, Red, I'm not feeling the Chloe dress, it's strangely girly yet not youthful at the same time.
Your thought process around it is reminding me of talk of secondhand stinkers that no one mentions previously. Although I don't have anything that turned out to be a bad buy in the sense it's unwearable, I do find that some of the secondhand buys I've bought hardly get worn. I like them, they suit, etc. nothing wrong with them but I think I bought them with this mentality of you have to buy it because it fits, looks good, no flaws, good price, etc. I feel like there's a higher pressure with secondhand that you have to capatalise on the opportunity but I think I need to be a bit more discerning, same way I would be if it was in the last dregs of the sale.

I agree bo - when it's second hand and there's only one of it, the 'buy it or lose it' factor is dialled up to eleventy nine plus, I can tell myself that, even if it's wrong, I'm supporting a charity or a local business. Maybe I should start a confessional thread about charity shop duds. But would anyone join me!

That's a great blazer Red - better than mine. I'm kind of drawn to that gold top too - I'm not sure how to wear it but I think the fact that it's big makes it look more contemporary.

Anyway before I even think any more about leather I need to decide what to do about my leather coat. I'm still fond of it but the lining is totally shot and I didn't wear it at all last autumn/winter because the pockets are useless now. Trouble is, relining will cost more than I paid for it in the first place plus I don't know of anyone who does it.

strangely girly yet not youthful at the same time brilliant description Bo
Yes I agree that with second hand stuff one gets into that justification that … it fits, good price, etc etc
Yes I like the oversized quality of that top flo , but the photo does not show really how bulky is at the lower part of the top, very visible sideways and from the back and not in a good way.

Yeah the charity shops are no good here so I can never claim it's good for charity. Small independent business, maybe 🤷 doesn't feel quite as virtuous I must admit. I'm better online, there's plenty on offer and I know how quick certain things will sell so the pressure is lower usually. Online brings the danger of ooh that's far too cheap I should get it before it's gone, maybe it's too cheap for a reason dilemma

I wouldn't mind a things no one ever dares mention about secondhand shopping thread, top of my list is currently that it can turn you into a virtue signalling twat. I've seen a couple of studies where secondhand shopping really doesn't come out as well as expected, especially if you shop very frequently. I must admit I've thrown the towel in a bit, it's all shit choices some less than others. This article was an interesting read about fossil fuels in the supply chain and I'd never really made the link (though it's so obvious) between the introduction of synthetics and the drastic drop in prices.

I like the weird eighties top too for some reason but you'd have to be convinced by that at first sight, I think.

Flo, wrt relining the leather blazer, from what I remember when researching relining my leather joggers, it's not easy. You can't sew in the same spot as it would rip up the leather as previous stitch holes don't close again like they do with fabric so you need quite wide seam allowance (mine had a centimeter so not possible) or sew it in by hand reusing the existing stitch holes (which is what I ended up doing but wasn't that much work, a blazer would be). I think there was also a workaround with fusible but it looked like a faff for not the best results, more of an emergency workaround.