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

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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

Congratulations on your new baby news, Elle! I thought you were quiet... your hands must be very full right now. And thank you, my coat is glossing nicely...

The shiny coat looks wonderful bo. Looking forward to more pictures.

Flo, there are more treats ahead: a hormone blocking tablet for a year or five, plus radiotherapy and the possibility (not confirmed) of chemo. So far, it's been fine but I won't deny that the rest has me a bit apprehensive. Hoping to return to Pilates class on Monday morning though.

Congratulations Elle! That’s great news. Maternity wear is a drag isn’t it, I completely agree.

Coat looks nice Bo from what I can tell! You sound a little unsure about it? I couldn’t stand a noisy coat myself 😬 (am thinking of buying a new duvet and looking at the wool ones in IKEA and am put off by several reviews saying the outer fabric is noisy).

NK (like Swedish Harrods sort of) have released sewing patterns for free from back in the day when they had a dressmaking studio. Dior and Balenciaga models and something else. Only four.

www.nk.se/grand-old-brand-new?selected-store=sth

They’ve asked modern designers to interpret the designs and make something themselves and it’s fun to see.

I’m after lucking out and finding a pair of linen curtains in charity shop for 40 SEK. Unwashed and thick fabric. I’ve washed it now and am giddy with the possibilities that open up with more than four metres of fairly substantial white linen! Suggestions on a postcard.

Facebook recommended this wholesome Norwegian shop en.oleana.no/ I looked because the trousers seem interesting but they’re barely selling online plus so expensive I won’t be bothering, but the rest is very rich Norwegian middle class people at Christmas isn’t it? This kind of wholesome bourgeois pseudo-folk thing is a thing isn’t it, The Austrians do this too don’t they?

Coat looks promising but a little hard to discern in the photos bo

I went back and read that Twitter thread bani, thoroughly enjoyable and relatable.

I’ve never ventured to the Margaret Howell shop in Dublin. It’s not in the city center but in a chi chi suburb. I wonder when the sale is… doubt they do a sample sale but a regular one would do.

Oh xing I naively didn’t realise that you were at the start of your journey to recovery. What is the timeline for the next phase like. I can imagine the trepidation.

bani those reimaginings are fun. I especially like the first one.

Think I will just buy a pair of maternity jeans (my ones from 7 years ago are skinny ..of course) and a black and white t shirt and try to tough it out. I’m saved by not needing any real office wear as we’ve gone all casual with no visitors/ meetings.

Meant to say red that I had good success with silk shirts from Equipment on Depop. Also worth keeping an eye out for 90s vintage work wear brands. I got a navy Ann Taylor one, not a brand you associate with being cutting edge necessarily, but the quality is amazing, a gorgeous sheen and lovely weight.

That sounds like a lot to process Xing, I do hope you get that break to Spain/Portugal to get a bit of a break from it all.

Sorry, yes, Elle, it's not the easiest coat to photograph as it seems to absorb light so just looks vaguely coat like. I'm warming to it, it's stopped being ridiculously noisy now that it seems to have acclimated. I need to get out my winter stuff to try it with and I've not gotten round to it yet, was planning to tonight but relaxation is on the menu instead. Not particularly motivated as it looks like it'll remain freakishly warm for the next two weeks (bit of a dip over the next few days but 24° promised not long after that , these predictions don't always pan out but it remains unseasonably not autumn-like).

Didn't Sezane recently launch a maternity line? Although I couldn't make out whether it was things out of their normal collection that could easily be worn as maternity wear or whether it was specifically designed for it. And I'm just saying, those Khaite type dresses look great on pregnant women 🤐

Bani, very interesting, I'm bookmarking in case I want to make something.

Secondhand client sale wasn't all that interesting, too busy and just a bit too much stuff that all felt like things that never got worn much for a reason (typical fun buys or otherwise just a little bit off). They put away the new stuff so I couldn't look at my almond green coat either. Luckily the exhibition I visited before it made up for it.

I've been browsing Catawiki lately (specialist curated auction site), they have quite a bit of vintage fashion on there. Nearly bid on a Galliano era Dior pair of silk cargo trousers but was a bit gun shy as unfamiliar with the platform but sold for less than I thought it would so kicking myself a bit. This Christian Lacroix jacket that's still live made me think of Red though.

I knew I had a picture of it somewhere, this was a Mango one from last year.

Congratulations on the baby news time and elle , does this make for spring babies? So no being hideously hot and pregnant. Just swamped in layers and hoping to never actually have to buy an actual maternity coat?

Bo I love the coat and I really like how the mango? Boots (knowing you prob def not mango) are nice and slim fitting around the ankle instead of being so gaping

Since I am not going to buy any but definitely want some I have narrowed my choice of abattoir boots to these attached. Bottega Veneta, £1,280, perfect. I like the shape of the sole and the slight curve on the shaft of the boot. I had a quick fling round some of the usual shops in town yesterday and so many, more reasonable, actually affordable boots just looked like wellies. So I have ruined them all for myself now and will never be able to buy a pair.

Xing what a lot to still be facing, hope the holiday goes ahead and there are still a lot of necklines to distract you. could we get a polo neck Emoji?

I came across a new "vintage" shop yesterday (it was mainly tat) with a kilo floor. It was £25 a kilo, full of students who didn't know what a kilo weighed. Eeeeek. DH had found it during his lunch hour and was very excited to bring me there but it was all just actual crap, I felt so old

Gosh a lot to catch up in a small selection of posts!
Xing that is a lot to take on, I hope the journey is as smooth as can be.

Elle, grand news !

That jacket is up there on my favourite type things , thanks Bo.

I have never checked Depop or Catawiki, I will browse there!

Btw- I got confused but I think MH sample sale is this coming Thursday and Friday? I will try to pop into London …

I cannot see the coat properly in my screen Bo, but a noisy coat would put me off, unless is because it is brand new and then softens after a couple of wears?

Yes, they're Mango boots pretending to be BV, but I liked them exactly because they're slim on the ankle. Freakishly enough I was looking at that exact same pair of Botega Veneta boots (on 24s for a point of difference, through their newsletter, I'm guessing BV is sliding some cash around for that to just 'happen') just earlier They look just short enough not to eat up my knees and I like that they're almost flat but still have a heel, but should be comfy and have ankles. The price is a sticking point for me too, as is the elastic as that will wear out at some point, drastically shortening its lifespan so cost per wear could turn out expensive. Anyhow, by the time I've convinced myself it's stupid money worth spending they'll probably be sold out so we'll both be disillusioned with any other pair... Mango has some leather wellies in though 🤷

Yes, I've noticed this with the youth of today, they're so over excited by 'vintage' (it's not really worth calling vintage, it's tat in poor condition) they pay ridiculously prices for it. €50 for an old C&A flannel shirt, they don't even blink, it's bizarre.

Sorry, just in case, as it seems like we're only focusing on Elle's pregnancy news, I thought time had shared her news a while back and we did the round of congratulations ten but maybe I'm misremembering, so just in case very excited for you too, time.

Apologies Times , my very bad quick reading.
You could both do Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere pregnancy fashion notes exchange.

Congratulations times on baby news

Completely missed that Times is expecting too, I feel terrible! Congratulations!!!! Love the hemisphere fashion notes exchange

I posted last time in an awful rush before heading off to the cinema to watch Dune (recommended if you like an epic sci-fi, some good costumes too). I meant to write something about the oddity of NK celebrating the history and heritage of their fantastic dressmaking department when they no longer offer this amazing service. Something about that seems so tone-deaf to me! "Look at this wonderful craftmanship and attention to detail! No, you can't get this any more but the Filippa K department is that way."

Just in case, I missed doing so........... adding my congratulations for Times' new baby.

First Pilates class since 16th August. Probably won't be able to move tomorrow, but managed everything except pushing up into a pipe, because I am still not supposed to lift anything heavy. Saturday's flu jab has brought me out in a rash!

Congrats elle! Same stage, slightly different seasons. Your trousers sound good! I agree maternity wear is not usually exciting but I don’t mind the way they embrace the bump for the only period in life where you don’t have to stress about not being able to see your toes. I think your average outfit is more glamorous than mine though! I did buy a pair of ganni trousers on silly sale from the outnet a few months ago and they were clearly so cheap because they are huge around the tummy, so I kept them and as soon as it’s warm enough I’m going to pull them out and try them as maternity. I’ve just had a look and found a picture from the back, I like the painted style floral print. You can definitely find more interesting stuff in regular clothes that will fit, I bought some elastic waist shorts on ebay in a print I have a dress in and love that will arrive soon.
Sezane are doing maternity but it’s still not that exciting, I marked a pair of trousers in case I was dying for new clothes but they were just leopard print, nothing special, a bit more pattern than average maternity wear.
I can’t even people watch as we are still in near total lockdown here!
I too thought that was treatment done Xing so sending good thoughts for the path ahead. Definitely means you should wear a slip dress though!

bo I don’t know what to do with that coat colour. I would love to see that colour on someone to see how it could suit them, I’m just completely stuck on knowing it would make me a look like some kind of hairless cat that had been dead for several days. I mean the greenish one posted earlier, not the dark textural one- I like that one.

Ouff that's tough Xing. From what I've seen (purely anecdotal - I have no professional expertise) it does seem fairly common now to do quite full-on follow up treatments, provided you're in otherwise good health. I'm sure if it was me, I'd be switching by the hour between wanting to run away and hide and wanting them to throw the kitchen sink at it. Very best wishes

And now I can't remember if I've congratulated you or not Time

I've missed a few posts so just cherry picking: Red I think the MH sample sale is this Tuesday-Friday and that you have to book for the first couple of days but not beyond that. I'd love to hear about it, if you do manage to go.

Bani I'm beyond jealous of those linen curtains. I always, always check the curtains in charity shops and I've never found a thing.

Don't get me started on vintage shops. Oh alright then if you insist, I went into a new high street one the other week: it looked like a chain (they were advertising for staff for other branches). It was total and utter tat but the smuggery was off the scale - signs on every wall about saving the planet and blasting the evil of fast fashion. Then I spotted some 80s blazers (or so I thought) went for a closer look and, as soon as you picked one up, you could tell by the weight that they weren't genuine 80s. Rail upon rail of them and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they'd been made in China. I've nothing at all against replica retro clothing but don't fecking lie about it.

I'm in a dilemma about my Uniqlo U trousers but I'll save that for another post.

Should add - thanks all! I think I would have said awhile ago that I wasn’t shopping as hoping for a baby so the wardrobe and size about to roller coaster (again), I can easily see everyone assuming that had happened which is completely accurate.

Thanks Flo! Yes, now they like to barrage you with treatments post-operatively, and none is pleasant. However, I've been posting on the Times online today in response to the sad news about Jennifer Bayley's diagnosis, and several people have been very encouraging telling me that radiotherapy is generally well-tolerated and even chemo is only as bad as a six month hangover! And I am in very good health. There's a lot of finger crossing ATM.

I treated myself to a big swing-y merino-cashmere marsh green sweater last week, and happily, it's been too warm to wear it yet. A new-to-me English company called Dom Goor, which mainly specialises in leather and suede, but haven't been able to find a picture for you all. It will slide into my AW wardrobe seamlessly and look like it should always have been there.

I somehow missed out on Bani's linen curtains, unless it's a euphemism that's lost on me

time, I think you mentioned planning for baby number three alongside the house build plans discussions on here a while back. I think I therefore assumed you'd already shared the news previously, so apologies and congratulations again.

What is it about leopard and maternity wear anyhow, did Kate Moss wear it while pregnant or is it just the usual marketing of sell women who feel fat and unattractive a 'sexy' leopard print mentality? I'd think the current fashion is probably quite easy to adapt with it being so oversized and stretchy. Gianni trousers look fun.

WRT the coat colour, yeah, it's an odd one and it doesn't photograph accurately, attached is a better impression but it's not that dark either, the designer listed colour is almond which I thought was an odd name for but then I remembered what almonds look like when fresh and that's actually a pretty accurate approximation of the colour as it changes somewhat according to how the light hits it. The side view is more accurate than the front although not that light either. It's complicated 🤦 hence having difficulty making up my mind about it and why I wanted to see it in the flesh again, another shop is selling it on Farfetch now in both sizes I was contemplating so I'll probably put in an order for those but I need to make up my mind about the Kassl coat first. Not that one purchase influences the other but I don't want two coats in the house staring at me impatiently and expecting a decision.

Is the new chain called Episode by any chance, Flo? They're a Dutch company that's rapidly expanding internationally. Hugely successful and it's exactly as you describe, tat, rail upon rail of it. I think their secret is that they have key items people want that very much say secondhand find and then just hundreds of them all grouped together so if you're looking for archetypical secondhand buy X there will be at least one on the rail that you like enough and they're all the same overinflated price so it's an easy buying decision.

New green sweater sounds great Xing, hope it's nice and cosy.

I wore heels again for the first time in forever, my legs have really unlearned to walk easily in them. Sheesh.

Congratulations Elle and timeisnotaline on the baby news! And sorry you're still facing so much, Xing, but I hope it goes better than expected. My dad had some radiotherapy a couple of years ago for prostate cancer and came through it well (and he's 86 and definitely not in good health).

I seem to have joined the abattoir boot club. I ordered these wellies from Vinted, as my previous pair had cracks and they seem to fit the theme!

Xing, I hope your post op treatment isn't too awful. My friend had a full mastectomy and chemo about 3yrs ago. She is very well now.

That reads as if, they were intended to be abattoir boots. It wasn't until they arrived I realised they were. There's obviously something subliminal about this thread going on.

I don't think it was Episode bo although I can't remember the name now but I will check and make sure they never get a penny of my money - piles of tat are one thing but preaching about high fashion while sneakily selling it really pisses me off. I shall avoid Episode too if I come across them. I've probably said this before but I think my vintage days are drawing to a close.

So I sent for the Uniqlo trousers in dark green waist 27 and natural 26 - I am neither but I remembered they ran large last time so sized down. They're already packed up to return, not even any photos, sorry. That sounds bad but I like the shape and the high waist (higher on me than they look on the model) they've got that nice sculptural feel and, despite the pleat, they don't pouffe when I sit down. But the green (27) were too big - even with a belt, they slipped down and the excess fabric around the hips was too close to clown trouser territory even for my taste.

The natural (26) are a much better fit but in the preview they looked like a chalky / calico white when really they're a pale beige - nothing wrong with that in itself but disappointing. If it was still July I'd have probably kept them for the summer but we're past the autumn equinox and, although I kept saying 'winter white' to myself, I just wasn't feeling it.

Yesterday I nearly sent for the dark green in 26 but dithered too long, probably because the Merchant and Mills trews I'm trying to make are a similar colour and it felt a bit like self sabotage. And now they're sold out, although I'm sure there will be returns if I change my mind.

I'm sure they'll pop up again if you really want them Flo. I'm having similar feelings towards secondhand/vintage and I think it's mainly down to the youth of today wearing it like a statement, like my generation did with massive logos, so I have no right to speak. The clothes become subservient to a message and at that point you ruin clothes for me. The other part of the equation is that prices are skyrocketing, the crappy tat they couldn't sell for a few euros two years ago are going for ten times that now. It's bonkers, tat seems to be a covetable patina now as that spells it out clearly that it's not new.

I don't think those are abbatoir boots quirky they're all knee high at least to keep the blood out 🤢 but they look nice for autumn walks.

time, I hope you and yours have come out unscathed in the earthquake near you.

Yes indeed, every age group has its faults and mine had so many the word itself is an insult, but I'm still not taking lectures in sustainability from the generation who gave us Boohoo.