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

We seem to have a ‘mini heat wave’ here in the uk. Although I must admit it shows how long I have been here that I get excited with 3 days on a row of over 20 degrees

It seems that all the choices seem bad if you them in excess.
This year restricted to second hand I still bought a lot less quantity than before, but it was more a mix of the whole emotional rollacoaster since the pandemic began, so it kinda helped me ‘focus’ in a way.

Now I am thinking about A/W and I want maybe walking Trousers that look good and can stand mud and a shower (Acai being mentioned a lot xing? Any experience? )
One or two chunky knits good quality , maybe something that I can wear as a nice top in winter something more ‘festive’ but not in the typical xmas British festive … something that you would wear for a nice dinner type thing.
I am also eyeing some solovair boots …

Red, I've read about Acai and mentally bookmarked them but when it's horizontal stairrod rain I tend to wear waterproofs with leggings under, or borrow XingJr's Rab ones which are an inoffensive grey, simply because we have accumulated a lot of wet weather gear.

I am wondering about turtlenecks as well as slip dresses this year, as I have never worn them and concealment of the turkey neck appeals. Celtic & Co have a two-tone navy/grey option I like, but the reviews all say it's very close fitted and the worry would be the spongy midriff bulge that obscures my abs. Until now it's been veiled by loose jumpers.

XingJr is tempted by Solovair boots... which would be a huge improvement on his squeaky Belgian paratroop boots.

Loving this summer warmth.

It's blisteringly hot, I only have myself to blame I did say it would be nice to have an Indian summer, looks like it'll be warm and well over twenty degrees for the next two weeks in most of Europe.

Two birds, one stone it Xing, turtleneck under slip dress with a nice necklace to finish it on top.

Maybe it's the weather, but I'm fairly convinced I have little need of much for A/W, the never ending 'perfect' 70s cognac tube boot quest continues but will probably still not be found. I would like a coat, I'm still thinking about the almond green one but I'd have to try it on again at this point. Beyond that I have plenty of trousers and jumpers and I suspect we'll be housebound more than we'd like. I didn't want to contemplate that in summer so I'll probably regret not getting the silk lined cashmere joggers I saw at The Row, although considering the price of that in the sale, I may not regret that at all.

(BTW, WRT to secondhand shopping turning you into a virtue signalling twat in my previous post, I was referring to myself, curse of the newly converted and all that, just in case anyone read that wrong)

Ha ha no offence taken here bo and, in any case, I can twat for England when the mood takes me.

Just been out for coffee wearing my Margaret Howell linen blazer and kidding myself I was in Rome. It was too warm to wear it coming back so I too am struggling to think of autumn clothes today. The only things on my list are a decent men's cardigan (or women's if it's got the right vibe) which means not getting sidetracked by a Uniqlo cheapie like I did last year. Community Clothing normally do a lambswool one which I'm hoping will come back into stock. Also a new hoody. I'm not saying that's all I'll buy but that's all I'm looking out for, unless of course I happen to meet the perfect blazer in which case all bets are off.

And then there's deciding whether or not to get my old leather coat relined. I wouldn't try and do it myself bo, it's far too big a job for me. I was looking for someone who might do it two winters ago but, while I was still dithering, the pandemic hit and that was that. The cost will hurt but it's one of my favourite coats: just above the knee, straight up and down, and in heavy, old-school leather that previous owners kindly wore in for me. it also looks neither fashionable nor dated which is hard to find.

We're Solovair fans in this house

Waving hello. It's too bloody hot. But I'm in Brittany with coffee and quatre-quarts.

Sorry to hear about the family situations - so difficult all round.

Flo, if it's one of your favourite coats why are you even debating it 🧐

Waves back at Catherine, I hope you're not too bloody hot in the campervan/caravan (sorry can't remember which you have) at night 🥵 Normally I'd be jealous of warm drinks and quatre quarts goodness but is that nice in the heat?

I forgot to mention in my list of things I might want for A/W, some shearling lined Birkenstocks. I saw them in the shop, too warm to properly contemplate but they were very comfy and surprisingly cute (normally not a fan of cute on me but I seem to be swaying). FIL is trying to sweeten me up by buying them for me when it gets cooler, which is just part of his not so subtle campaign to keep us here even longer...

The van heats up fast but it also cools down pretty quickly!

Having got addicted to coffee, I can have it anytime, anywhere. :) Quatre-quarts is not helping with the lockdown/stress weight gain, but of all the French treats, it's my favourite, so I don't care. I bought a small one instead of a metre-long version, so I still feel quite virtuous.

It's just so nice to be somewhere different with everything just about sorted and nothing major to worry about. Last year was tougher than I allowed myself to admit.

Uniqlo keep on adjusting the cut of their basic merino stuff which annoys me no end - my three year old stuff is beginning to wear out, but more recent cuts just aren't the same. One medium V-neck is massively too big with a sort of blouson shape, one has a deeper V-neck. GRR. Need to find some alternatives.

I am not thinking any more about A/W . Bloody hot here !
Wearing my apiece apart dress, quite glad I got it .
Shearling lined Birkenstocks sound cute (in a good way), are they still sandals? Do they need to be worn bare feet or with socks? Or is for cooler days but not properly cold?

Just read you are in Brittany catherine aww I would love to be sitting there right now. Or sitting anywhere but my office in the loft…

Quatre quarts in Brittany sounds perfect, Catherine. It was 31° here today and muggy.
Xing, I hope recovery is going well.
Hope you're OK, bo. I'm curious about the Birkenstock. Do you have a link?
The article you linked to about the fashion industry and its carbon footprint was sobering.

And yet... I am hankering, badly. I need some detached, rational input, please.

Some of you may know I have a bit of a thing about green. A few years ago, I had my eye on this dark green Jaeger leather jacket, but didn't have the funds for it and then Jaeger folded.

I've now discovered it's available in the UK from the M&S website.

I am very aware that part of the reason I liked it so much was the way it was styled and the Jaeger model wore it; I've uploaded the only photo I can find from the original pics. Obviously, I wouldn't look exactly like her .
On the M&S site it's less well photographed (unsurprisingly, they are consistently shit at that)
: here.
And it is expensive. And can't be delivered to France. And obviously not at all in keeping with the current loose look.

But it's timeless. And I don't do current looks; I just wear what I think suits me and I feel good in. And I think I'd wear it for years and years.

And I have got some v well-paid extra work this semester, so could afford it. And I am going to Scotland for work in Nov (which happens to be just after my birthday...) and could get it delivered to my parents' house. And, and, and...

Here Auld, I'm thinking the Bostons in Mink (that's the colour, they're not mink fur thankfully). I also quite liked the Arizonas in the shop but they seem a bit like a contradictio in terminis. I must admit, while browsing the link just provided, the green boots look nice too, but I'd look crap in them. I basically want them (the Bostons) as indoor slippers that I could potentially wear out for weird idiosyncratic weather. I suppose I could wear socks with them but the Bostons are already quite popular with quirky faux-arty folk, they already do the sock thing with them, not sure if I want to mistaken for that

WRT your jacket Auld, I think this is the difficult thing about clothes and fashion. We can intellectualisme it as much as we want, good intentions and all that but there's an abstract emotional aspect to our relationship with what we wear that doesn't neatly fall in line with all that rational thinking. It sounds like you've had it bad for a long time so I think it's a stuff the rules moment and just get what you want, you only live once, we've had a shit year (very much resonating with Catherine's assertion, Last year was tougher than I allowed myself to admit.). Sometimes it's a very good thing to let your heart overrule your head.

I would, however, have a very good look at it in the shop. I think Jaeger manufactured to a very high standard, a lot of it made in the UK iirc, I'm not sure if it's still the same under M&S. Also, Vinted has loads of Jaeger with little interest from buyers, so worth a browse too?

Catherine, I don't know if you're able/willing to stretch to that but maybe it's time to start looking at John Smedley for Merino jumpers, they do do very nice ones. They might still have some in the sale.

I like those Birkenstocks bo. Depending on where/how you live, they'd be great as slippers with the option of keeping them on your feet if you need to pop out quickly. I have an ancient (have just realised they're older than DS1 (16) ) pair of faux Bostons in a kind of felted fabric and everyone uses them for nipping out onto the terrace/into the garden. They're a bit out of shape, as some of the feet that use them are 7 sizes too big, but they're still going strong.
I agree the Arizonas seem a bit contradictory - if it's cold enough for shearling, your toes don't want to be naked, surely?

Re the jacket - yes, it's been a hard year. I taught a group of students yesterday. In person, not on Zoom. First time in a year. Came home on a total high, it was such a joy to be able to see their faces (albeit masked), tell whether they were following me/getting my jokes, and not have to gaze at a sea of black rectangles and work via the sodding chat box to the sound of only my own voice. I remembered just how much I love that part of my job and how soul destroying remote teaching was.

That excuse could get pricy, though .

Jaeger is online only, so no trying on in the shop. I've been keeping an eye on the reviews of all the Jaeger leather jackets M&S have on their site and it seems that the quality is pretty good. Can't find the green one on Vinted, but will keep looking.
If, by the time I can order it to my parents' house in 7 or so weeks, it's sold out, then I'll consider it's not meant to be.

Salut mes Meres!

I took a social media break over the summer, it was somewhat enforced by shite WiFi and a bunch of demanding children. But it turned out to be somewhat of a good thing, it was nice to take a step back and not be microinfluenced all the time. Even though I think I'm above it all, I really realised that I didn't think once that maybe I needed a new cleanser or my shorts were completely unfashionable

It was possibly also helped by the fact we were by the sea, bodyboarding everyday, bbqing, decompressing after a really shitty 5 or so years and life just felt good

I've read all and caught up but far too much to comment on, apart from Xing, sorry to hear your Horrid news, but glad to see you've found strength in the fashionable side of things as always and hope that you can show off your new front in slinky dresses and many new necklines. I do hope you get the treatment news that is best for you

I've still only bought 2nd hand, had a few great trips to actual charity shops!!! Hmm a khaki sisley sloppy jumper which was on my want list for £1, a blue cashmere sort of Batwing jumper from part 2 for £2, and a Khaki leather belt for £1 are ones I can remember off the top of my head.

I almost really caved badly in the worst sort of way yesterday. I was in Primark! I had left a gadget into be fixed and had to wait and primark was the next shop over and I tried on a cream belted coat. Cream coats NEVER suit me, but I have always wanted one. It was perfect, perfect, perfect.
But it's a £30 coat.
I'm telling myself it's because I have a bit of a tan, rather than trying a coat on I October when I am grey looking.
Also what could £30 get me on ebay.
But I've never had a cream coat and I want one!!!!! Maybe this shade is in this year, that's why Primark have it and suddenly myside of cream that has never been seen before or since will be everywhere.
Orrrr.... most likely primark has shite lighting and the cream is actually awful and the magical cream coat will make me look like I'm dead once it leaves the shop.

Good to see you back 70sduvet - when it comes to buying coats I have no moral authority whatsoever but it sounds like you've been looking for this particular one for a long time - ok so you didn't expect to meet it in Primark but hey, life is strange. You might be right about the lighting though. Would they let you take it to the door so you can view it in daylight do you think? Or were you in an indoor mall?

Auld despite my current oversize obsession, I can see why you're drawn to that leather jacket. I really like the unfussiness - it's refreshing after years of bikers with all their zips and whistles and bells. Great colour too. I'd echo bo's caution about the Jaeger brand - I saw some of it for real in M&S recently and, while I liked quite a few things, it didn't feel like the same quality as old school Jaeger (nor, to be fair, is it the same price). I think I also read at the time that M&S had bought the rights to the name but not any Jaeger stock or stores, which I guess means, if correct, that it wouldn't be the same jacket that you originally saw. But that doesn't mean it won't be good and it sounds like you're due a treat.

I think - although please don't take my word for it - you have 35 days to return to M&S so maybe you could order it in a couple of weeks and still have time to return it when you go to your parents' again?

I was also going to suggest auld that you could order it and if it didn’t work you can return it. I don’t have any big M&S near me , otherwise I would offer to stop and see if I can see it irl for you.

duvet good to see you again

Those Birkenstocks with shearling are a good contender to the solovairs that I am eyeing up … the solovair ones I prefer the brown ones as you have the contrast, with the black ones the lining is also black so you cannot see it, which I think is a shame.
I also like the Boston Birkenstocks to use daily at home and to pop out, I am thinking perfect xmas present. [did i just mention xmas!!]

Thanks for your views on the jacket.
Floisme, that's exactly it: I like the simplicity of it. I have a very pared down style, and have rejected leather jackets in the past because of the metalwork, either the colour or the cheapo looking metal or other things. Don't like too many zips, either. This looks simple, and warm but not bulky. Not to mention the colour. Ticks so many boxes.

I do have 35 days to return, you're right. I think I'll order it three weeks before I'm due to leave.

Thanks for even thinking about trying to check it out in a store, Redandblue. V kind of you.

bo I like those green Birkenstock boots. Obviously . Not that I'd wear them, as I have a fair bit green clothing for other parts of me and you can have too much of a good thing. But they're nice.

bo, those look cosy. I have the Birkenstock Amersterdams in grey felt as slippers for not too cold weather (I have Celtic & Co sheepskin bootie slippers for proper cold weather). I would think the combination of the two useful.

I like the Solovair boots, red, very warm and versatile.

Thanks duvet. It's going fine but there's a new question/decision every few days. I feel as healthy as ever, and am healing fast. And in lurve with the reworked chesticles. So much prettier shaped than their predecessors, even with scars.

I think that green jacket looks a winner auld. As you say, nicely pared back and not too busy with fussy details. If the shape is one you like on you, it screams classic, timeless restraint.

Mon Dieu! How have I only just found you all? I have gone back to fil un and am suddenly bien dans ma peau. Would that the peau was considerably younger, but BOF. Please can I join your super branche gang?

Oh John Smedley is a good idea. Will try that when I get home.

Love the leather jacket!

I kept telling myself all through last year - think how wonderful it'll be to just go out for a coffee again, meet people again, etc. And it is.

Welcome Bellaisoneluckywoman.

Welcome Bella!

xing looking forward to see what new items you can enjoy on you!
I might give a try to those Açai trousers and then let you know.

I am also interested in what you find in John Smedley Catherine.

Welcome Bellaisoneluckywoman - jump in and post!

I second John Smedley Catherine although I've never bought new. Their prices are quite a hike from Uniqlo but, from what I've seen, it's consistently good and it's all made in the UK. There's an online outlet shop too.

Community Clothing is also all made in the UK and, in my experience, good quality but it's a small knitwear selection and mostly lambswool.

I also rate Celtic & Co if you want a big, snuggly jumper.

I used to recommend Toast knitwear - I've got merino from there that's lasted years - but from what I've heard, the current stuff might not be as good.

Oh and Lands End - unfashionable on this board but, if you're selective, the basics can be good.

Thank you all for lovely welcome. May lurk in background for a bit while I get to 'know' you all, but a couple of quick bits from me:

I desperately need to DECLUTTER. However, can't bear that squeaky Kondo woman and am also v. v. v anti waste in eco guilt way which may be a convenient excuse to never get around to getting shot of anything

Want to achieve glorious, Gauloise-worthy Parisian chic while keeping on the right sight of sustainability. Hmmm. Recently did a bit of buying and selling on Thrift+, which has a great business model IMHO, but has pretty shoddy photos/descriptions.

I need some jeans/trousers that aren't skinny and don't make me look like an elephant. Was wondering about these from Sezanne: www.sezane.com/en/product/chuck-trousers/white#size-6
Does anyone know what body shape they cut for? Am very poire in the trouser department....

Welcome, Bellaisoneluckywoman. Lovely to have a new recruit! Good luck with the decluttering: some of us do lots, others have Kondo regrets.

Another endorsement for John Smedley. When my mum lived in Sheffield, she was friendly with their factory manager's wife, so we visited whenever in need of knitwear. Their Verlana sweaters (if they're still made) were wonderfully warm and as soft as good cashmere.