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

I have tried sezane trousers trousers in the past Bella , actually last time I was in paris in 2019. I did not get any as I the time I didn’t need it (got a dress and skirt instead). But I remember that they fitted me very well. I am 170 cm size 10, and while I am relatively straight up and down my bottom is pear if you see me sideways (ie bottom goes to the back and not so much sideways, if that makes sense). I really liked the fit of the trousers at the time.

I am not into the MK either (I don’t recall any of us here being … sorry if some are …). But I don’t like excessive clutter. So I keep all that fits and is good quality, stuff that is old and tatty can go. Some stuff I don’t wear for a couple of years and then makes a reappearance, or some stuff I like but I worn too much and is too distinct even I exchange with a couple of friends.
These last 4 years I have been pretty good at acquiring only quality stuff (in the most part … a couple of horrors might have squeezed into my closet… but I learnt ).

Good to see you back Duvet, I bad been wondering how you were doing with all the life changes and eBay wardrobe mission. Good to hear you had a nice holiday away. And, urgh, I feel you on the cream wrap coat, it's some sort of holy grail for me too (though off white would be my colour of choice), it goes way back, I can't even remember to when. It's like the ultimate expression of 'I've arrived' in my (probably teenage) brain as you obviously need a chauffeur and a personal assistant to constantly take it to the dry cleaners to keep it looking as majestic as you first find it.

Welcome Bella, Kondo sparks no joy for me either, in the bin she goes I suppose this makes me a hoarder in denial I'm not too bad though, I tend to cycle through my wardrobe by the season and sort of the overlap of seasons, so realistically I'm changing it out 6-8 times a year depending on weather. Anything that hasn't seen a lot of wear either gets sold or charity shopped or sent to the 'archives' (less accessible storage) if I know it's something I still love but just doesn't feel right for now but will surely come back again at some point. It's also easy to spot things I'm missing and that usually distracts me enough to go on a never ending mission to find the 'perfect' whatever I don't have and I obviously need.

Sezane jeans are for straight up and down legs and they're popular with those as they manage to give the illusion of curves but they're not the best pick for curves. As a result, the pictures can easily fool you into thinking they're curve friendly, but probably not for anything with a substantial difference in the waist/hip department.

Sezane is also not all that sustainable, despite their marketing, Hiut or Black Horse Lane are better options from that perspective for new, Re/Done for remade vintage Levi's, or just secondhand luck. Raey is also doing some deadstock/sustainable denim things but I haven't looked very deeply into it, and no idea how well they suit curves. I appreciate that jeans and pear shapes are not an easy marriage (I'm an hourglass myself so I get the difficulty) so not always the easiest thing to find secondhand or sustainable as you usually want a bit of stretch in them unless you're happy to wear them low and oversized. American designer denim like J Brand, Paige, etc. tend to be the most shape flattering IME and despite the stretch they don't loose shape or slowly fall apart but you have to pick wisely as they do date quickly if you get the funky wash or shape.

I would also agree about John Smedley, I have a secondhand jumper and it's very good quality. I also have some toast jumpers, but they are a few years old, so I can't vouch for present quality. I'm a fan of Celtic & Co, I have a jumper and long cardigan that are nearly 10yrs old. The cardigan is just starting to go and is relegated to the house, but the jumper is fine.

Welcome, bella.

Excellent info on Sezane, Botemp, thank you. Def big waist/hip ratio here so it sounds like a non-starter. Have had (and loved) J-Brand & Paige before when I was two sizes smaller so might revisit.

No thanks to saccharine Kondo, I have managed to prune my wardrobe recently - mainly due to passing quite a few clothes on to gorgeous teenage daughter and accepting the fact that they look a lot better on her..... Slighty tatty biker jacket - all yours. Denim cut offs - all yours etc.

bella, I have done similar with teenage dd1 too. The forest green Bam joggers I bought last year have gone to her. I'm too straight up and down for that tapered look. I have a pair of J Brand flared jeans from the charity shop and they are the most flattering jeans ever!

On the subject of jumpers, I received a Pure Collection catalogue, which appears to have turned into Woolovers. A quick Google, shows me that they have been taken over by Woolovers, they certainly don't look like the same luxury cashmere brand, any more.

I must have been unlucky with Jbrand jeans. I had a pair of Maria's and they grew and grew every time I wore them. Usually I avoid denim with any elastane (overly stretchy jeans give me the but of the shivers) but I think these only had 2%.
Or it could be that they were made for curves which I do not possess.

I have come to my senses again. Maybe if it wasn't September and I have not bought any new clothing all year I may have justified the coat, as in yes I do not live a cream (it is actually off white) wrap coat lifestyle, so even a £30 coat may well have lasted a number of years. But I will at least live out 2021 shopping purely 2nd hand and try and do my best going forward.

I did then, buy an off white cashmere sloppy veck to compensate (so not the same) from SamoeSamoe - anyone tried??? on ebay. This is to replace a hideously tired one from M&S in a size 22 that just had the right amount of sloppiness but was a squeaky acrylic, but the magic perfect colour. So obviously essential. Hopefully it will be decent quality and come as described, if not it can be sold on.

This ebay mission has been quite freeing, obviously a bit if effort involved by having to sell back the things that dont work, but before I was always scared by money and the sheer amount of "stuff" I would end up with if a "punt" didn't work out. Now I just have to stop myself and make sure I am making considered choices.

Xing my Mum and her friend, both Queens of bargain hunting and extremely stylish, we're reminiscing about factory shops recently. Here in NI apparently we had them in every hole in the hedge town. All the fantastic days out we remember as children were to the back of beyond so they could find 2nds of knitwear, bras, jeans, shoes, hosiery............. no idea, just remember being 4 little girls squashed giggling in the backseat of a Ford fiesta with barbie dolls and piling the parcels under feet

Morning all, I’m back from summer break too, six weeks of living in swimsuits and tatty old skirts. I agree with @70sduvet the break makes you realise how microinfluenced we are with SM. My problem now after the break is that I seem to need to reacquire the filter because I suddenly seem to want everything. But it could also be the big change of season and once I swap my summer things for autumn I will be OK.

This is my favourite time of year for dressing, I love layering and be able to start wearing heavier skirts and dresses but with bare legs.

What do we think of the new Uniqlo U? I’m tempted by the jeans www.uniqlo.com/uniqlo-u/21fw/uk/en/

Duvet, I'm intrigued and inspired to hear more about your eBay mission. Was it to only buy from them - and not buy anything new? I've been trying something similar, although allowing myself new occasionally if it's from an ethical brand.

By the way - you chic lot probably know about this brand already (haven't had time to go back through all the previous threads), but I am a massive fan of these guys for sportswear: ernestleoty.com . Not giving it away, but it is absolutely gorgeous even if I'm not sure if there is an ethical angle oops-

No, I don't think Ernest Leoty is ethical, granted I don't think any new consumption can be ethical anyhow, just a less worse choice scenario and about 99% of ethical marketing is bs. I also have some scepticism with that active wear company as Ernest Leoty was a very famous French corset maker. I don't know how they acquired the brand name (I assume since it was so long ago it was just up for grabs for nothing or peanuts) but they toy with the corset heritage as inspiration for their active wear but I don't think they are actually connected. They also play up the French aspect when they're a UK company.

I admit to liking the bodysuits and have contemplated putting an order in but genuine question, how often do people need to replace active wear? I exercise five times a week, most of my things are over ten years old and still going strong, bought whatever brands were available then, Nike, Puma, etc. Not the cheapest but not the priciest, by today's standards it would be cheap as exercise gear now seems to fall into very cheap or very expensive categories. Nothing has worn out, except some of the ironed on branding, it's either gotten lost or otherwise destroyed by accident (as in an evil screw poking out a wall type scenario). In short, I'd like a bodysuit but have no need for one as my exercise gear just won't die

I love your backseat memories Duvet, internet shopping has ruined a lot of random adventures, hasn't it? My father would probably beg to differ as my heavily pregnant mother sent him off to Switzerland by train to buy cotton nappies and bibs because nothing else would do and she couldn't find any locally. I think he only just made it back in time for the premature birth.

I always got the photo ready finish/versions from J brand, they were more expensive with some patented stretch technology and they did have some sort of magic body sculpting powers. Very flattering but I'm a bit over flattering, I'm sure I'll revisit it sometime again and be more appreciative of it.

at luggage, welcome back. Ahem, no hurt feelings, but does microinfluincing on SM include MN/this thread

I had a look at the Uniqlo U preview too, I love the look of a lot of things but I always end up buying nothing from them. The green denim is very alluring and I like a lot of the children's collection, I could probably squeeze into some of it

I love xing’s story and bo’s too. I imagine these cute cloth nappies made in Switzerland.

Thanks for the link luggage , nothing that really really takes my fancy in the uniqlo link. Some things like the men’s jumper look good, irl I am not sure how good it will look on me. The cotton trousers also look good, but nothing enough to grab me. I never had luck with uniqlo though… not sure if is my body shape or the lack of colour in their collections that make it hard for me to wear except that hideous pink jumper I saw , not sure how it will look in the flesh
I think I will save myself for something I really want for my first new purchase of the year. And yes sorting my autumn wadrobe will help me focus again to see what I really can make space for.

My problem with this thread is that I get too invested so I put off posting until I have some time to really focus on a post and then it runs away on me 🙄 But the Kondo dissing forced my hand. 😡 😉 Now I don’t follow this religiously, but i will maintain that her method of not focusing on throwing out but instead on what you really want to keep (in your life) is hugely helpful. It has definitely helped me let go of presents and stuff that I kept out of guilt for example. Nonetheless, welcome to Bella!

“Longevity to offset the ethics” - ha, I think this might be my MO too!

I’ve noticed that I’m not so keen on moving into autumn. This is one of the first summers where I haven’t felt like I have nothing to wear, but I’m feeling that moving into autumn instead. I credit this thread with helping me move into some new silhouettes which has helped me break away from “summer means you have to wear a tank top/vest a nd if you can’t then you have nothing to wear”. Thank you!

Now I’ve started looking for trousers again and there is fuck all so I’m back on THAT bandwagon, also shoes. 😭😭😭

Ha ha Banivani - I fully accept the need to declutter especially in my case but just have an issue with La Kondo's rather cloying (to me) delivery. TOTALLY agree that items kept out of guilt need to go. But what about items that are too small when one's weight tends to fluctuate, for instance. I can come up with all manner of these excuses.....

Am totally with you on the trousers search. Rather like the look of the off-white cotton Uniqlo-U ones, actually. Want baggier/tailored version and rather fancy the idea of white/off-white head to toe in winter with contrasting coat.......

Keep it if it makes you happy! But if it’s not it may leave 😁 I find it immensely helpful! I don’t say thank you but I kind of touch on it, it sort of brings closure 😇

I have a few things that I won’t ever be able to fit into in my wardrobe because I loved them and love them. 🥰

I’d want to try on Uniqlo before buying, sizing is so erratic. And then I’d have to go to Stockholm 🙄

@Redandblue11 yes I’m contemplating the men’s jumper too, normally they don’t work for me as they have wide shoulders and long straight body, but I did have success with men’s jumpers with raglan sleeves in the past that I wear oversized so this one may work.

I have a pair of jeans from last season that I wear a lot, the wide leg ones with high waist. They work for my body shape and I do need some straight leg ones so will try them. I mat be conservative with colour though, either black or light blue, I worry I may get bored of the green shade ones soon.

@botemp yes that’s a good question re microinfluence of MN. I had to wean myself off the old skincare thread and Toast thread because I found myself shopping for things that I normally wouldn’t go for, ending up feeling a bit nauseous. This thread feels different because it’s not a fashion monoculture: we all have different styles and tastes and it feels the conversation is wider than just shopping. I enjoy the hunts and complaints and dilemmas, videos and reading links. Basically conversations I crave IRL but sadly don’t have anyone to share them with. My DP is definitely not interested and I live in a culture where fashion as a subject of conversation is somehow seen as unworthy: it’s all about politics and climate and raising vegan children. All those Vejas and Lucy and Yaks somehow finding themselves in their wardrobes without a thought. (Sorry for the rant, just back from a streetparty)

luggage, we had a street party last weekend. I know what you mean, at school drop off I've had a few comments, I had my "arms out", it's summer and I was in a sleeveless top . Also, if I wear faux leather leggings, I definitely get comments. Tbh, as a teenager me and my friends were very gothy/punky, so I tend to feel if you're looking, so what. I agree with Vivienne Westwood that fashion is important because it's life-enhancing.

I am the Anti Kondo. To be fair, I've not read what she's actually said, only what people say she's said. But that's never stopped me sounding off before, plus I don't think her book would bring me joy so why should I bother? Or is it a myth that she said that?

Thanks for the Uniqlo U link. I never used to miss their collections but was so disappointed in the last few that I'd given up. Is it me or is this a return to form? For a moment, I thought those cotton trousers were the curved leg ones I used to obsess about. They're not quite the same - pleats for one thing - but close enough to wonder if they're worth sending for, if only for old time's sake. But be warned, Monsieur Lemaire, I know how to make my own now so, if they're not right, I don't need you any more.

They've also got a hoody with a short zip - already on my autumn list, so no guilt. There's one that looks greenish-grey on my phone, in which case I'm interested, but black on my laptop, in which case I'm not. Then there's the ribbed cardigan, also on my list but I've already gone on record saying I'm going to buy one from Community Clothing. Am I really going to stand them up for Uniqlo for the second year running? Luckily I don't want grey or off white so it looks like I'll be spared that ethical dilemma.

Flo, I know, I know. But you can borrow books at the library you know. ;)

I just find it a lot more helpful than "if you haven't worn it for a year throw it away", "if you haven't opened the box for a year throw it away". Instead keep what gives you joy, but take care of it and give it its own space.

I'm still a little meh about the Uniqlo U. What pattern was it you used for your curved trousers? I've been putting off making anything from the wool fabric I scored on Tradera in February or whenever until now so I'll probably have a pair of trousers in April or so.

Please buy from Community Clothing and tell me us what it's like.

This weekend I popped into my town's only proper boutique style shop, that has Etoile by Marant, Ganni and some other brands I don't remember. In the spirit of not just looking at high street chains, right? But they have fuck all interesting for me so there we are, plus everything is so black or beige.

Having to go to Stockholm, oh no, such hardship

Luggage, yes it seems to be more difficult to talk skincare without it being all about product. I think it also doesn't help that all language around it has always been about selling.

Thankfully the dungarees monoculture hasn't taken hold here, people do want to turn all their newly acquired lockdown pets vegan though The Devil Wears Prada was a shit film but I did enjoy Meryl Streep as Anna Wintour (but not officially) having a rant about how you can't be above fashion, that it influences you no matter how much you insist it doesn't.

I don't think I want anything from Uniqlo U but I agree it seems like they're going back to the original formula of interesting cuts and shapes as opposed to the material and manufacturing exploration they've been doing the past few seasons.

I'm still anti Kondo too but that's probably more down to her disturbed devotees evangelising than her method. It does make more sense when you explain how it helped you Bani. I'm not as emotionally attached to things, gifts go out the door as soon as I receive them sometimes

I haven't had a good browse of the A/W collection, September is usually a bit early though, I hope it doesn't remain beige and black.

I have a (male) friend who buys regularly - and very successfully - from Community Clothing. I've always wanted to in principle - but to date struggled to find anything I like the look of.

However, currently have my eye on these, Banivani (currently out of stock in my size) communityclothing.co.uk/collections/womenswear/products/womensworktrousers-denim?variant=20443187281974 so if I manage to get my hands on a pair I'll let you know what I think...

See for me, the idea of only wearing clothes you love is just nonsense. This is why, when I was young, I had a wardrobe full of going out clothes and nothing to wear for work, and how I ended up age 60+ with 15 coats, none of which were much use in a British winter. I need my wardrobe workhorses too, most of which live a wretched, unloved but essential life. But maybe I'm misinterpreting what Kondo actually said. You're right that I should take the time to read before disagreeing (although where's the fun in that?).

these are the curved trousers I made bani - courtesy of another poster on here (and I'm sorry I can't remember who it was ). That may be a US site but I'm pretty sure the Foldline sells the pattern too. They have an elasticated waist which I know is a style crime on this board but I think it works fine with this shape. It also means no zip so what's not to love? The instructions are minimal but I found them fairly straightforward to make.

What I don't know is how how well they'd work in a heavier fabric, which is why I've also got the Merchant and Mills Eve trousers pattern. I've started it but I'm also trying to add side pockets (which aren't in the pattern) to a side zip, which is doing my head in. I managed to find a video on how to do it but, by the time I've watched it to the end, I've already forgotten what it says, so it's slow. Also why does everyone on YouTube mumble?

I've never read the book either but I don't think it's all about things you love. I think she simply repackaged the old adage of the arts and crafts movement of something has to be beautiful or useful/functional, preferably both, in order to keep. Instead of beautiful it's about items that evoke positive emotions and then within these positive emotions she differentiates between sentimentality (bad) and joy (good). I'm not a fan of that harsh line personally as IME there's overlap and there's a lot of Asian philosophy imbued in it where things that are old or worn out hold bad energy and new is always positive.

The first devotees definitely went through a massive clearout followed by an influx of new things that sparked joy, and then subsequently ended up with a cluttered home again but the clothes are very neatly tidied away in the drawers, the folding method seems to be the only thing that survives.

I think it can be helpful to some, I take more objection to the one size fits all method of it and the intensity with which converts insist on everyone else following it.

I was just thinking yesterday that I wasn’t sure really what the A/W collections look like yet. I also hope is not all beige and black!
It looks like from October I will be going back to the office one day a week and possibly rising to two days a week. My office used to be smart-ish , I wonder how will people dress now … anyone here has been away from the office since first lockdown and only now returning?
I suspect it will be a mix, while some people wearing the same as before, others trying to get it a bit less formal and others might turn up completely informal?
Ours is not a client facing industry so I guess we will do what we fancy?

@Bellaisoneluckywoman I started this year with pretty much nothing to wear. I'd lost quite a lot of weight and the majority of my wardrobe didn't fit any more.
In one hand this was an amazing opportunity to completely reinvent myself, on the other I found it quite terrifying as "who was I"? And "who did I want to be"?
I sold a lot of my clothes on Facebook sales groups(better prices than ebay) and then looked for replacing them.
I then decided as I have always loved charity/vintage shopping, that I knew I didn't want a wardrobe that was too identikit, to get more value for money, environmental/ethical reasons,the craic of it I would only buy from ebay/2nd hand/charity shops in 2021 and as much as possible going forward.

Flo I hear you on the wardrobes full of going out clothes, I'm trying to build up a wardrobe of decent casual clothes, as that's what I wear most often, but omg I have to stop searching for silk dresses and ridiculous heels.

I'm planning on rust, khaki and pale blue for A/W.
I know I was only on moaning about wanting a cream coat, but a whole winter of cream and black would be awfully depressing.

See above* "who am I?" "Who do I want to be?"
It turns out this changes every day, and I need a wardrobe a bit like a dressing up box to keep myself entertained.

"who am I?" "Who do I want to be?"
It turns out this changes every day, and I need a wardrobe a bit like a dressing up box to keep myself entertained

I can get on board with this! I certainly used to have a wardrobe of going out clothes when I was younger! I think I need to review a few of my going out clothes now, but it's probably not a good time to judge, as what with lockdowns and searching for a babysitter for dd2, I haven't had much need.

I also haven't read the Kondo book. It may not be her, but that idea of throwing away anything you haven't worn in 2yrs, I definitely disagree with. I have some clothes that are 20+yrs old, they have sometimes been out of circulation when they haven't felt current but often come back again. A classic example is my leather blazer, sometimes it hasn't been worn for a few years and sometimes it gets worn loads.

Bold fail.