Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Maids Cosplaying as Schoolboys are Going to Get Themselves Cancelled by North Korea

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Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between. Feel free to join in.

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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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is a video, for instance, about classic and skate skiing

Apologies, I was using a dictionary to look for the english word for it, and there is an error in it. Free skate is one kind of skate skiing, whereas skate skiing is the broad term I was looking to use. It probably is irrelevant to you, red. If you have tracks where you are, do some classic skiing, it is the best kind of spa

Ah the expensive looking trousers are in fact expensive. Damn! I'll keep an eye for discounts.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll try the top with straight leg jeans. I'll take a pass on the super low slung jeans for the moment, actually probably forever at this rate. At least I did that look first go around.

Classic cross country skiing does look lovely and quite relaxing.

Oops, sorry, yeah, reason why I never joined in on the how to look expensive threads was that all my suggestions would actually be expensive also, I initially read the title as how to dress/look like a high end escort 🙈

I can't remember how much they were in the outlet but probably 50% off, the discounts weren't that spectacular except on Joseph stuff. As noted in my post above for the Peter Do asking price the finishing is a bit questionable. I could see the most expensive finishes were specified and it has the fanciest brand of zippers (Riri) that go like butter but something in the finesse of execution is off. I suspect it's because of the utilitarian details on it while being highly tailored so they don't have the usual slick sharp tailoring impact, it's mostly the inside though, from the outside they look quite slick. I don't know though, I'm getting suckered in by £££ American brands lately like Peter Do, Khaite, and The Row and their value for money balance is really off.

Did just order another cashmere The Row jumper on Friday though because I really love the one I have in my defense it's secondhand off of Sellpy where for once their overly honest description of condition didn't put me off.

Can we see the jumper please when it arrives?

Thank you micro for the cross country skiing tips. Unfortunately I am back now , but I will definitely try next year if we go again. We will probably go back to Italy and there they have a cross track which I am keen to try (probably the classic method first).
I also want to see the jumper Bo

I have received a pair of Joseph burgundy trousers (not silk like Bo’s) but they are an acetate mix. They have all the tags and where very inexpensive, but they are at least 2 sizes bigger … I think that because I paid so little it will be worth taking them to to be altered… but I take any opinions please as I am clueless with this sort of thing.

They've yet to send it since ordering it on Friday and we're away for Easter and beyond so it'll be a while before I see it. These are the closest pics I've found (the Sellpy pics are shit as ever but it's the same jumper I already own in a different colour, fabric composition is somewhat different). Colour is more like the third although Sellpy pics are terribly overlit so maybe it's darker 🤷 they allow returns so it was an easy gamble to take.

Sorry that was a bit mememe, Red is it jersey? I'm not too knowledgeable about that, if it's just taking in the waist that's usually doable but if it's big all over like the crotch length then it's difficult to get to fit but I assume it's a looser fit going by the pictures.

Red I've had trousers taken in two sizes and they've been fine. Any more and I imagine it's still do-able but could become a much bigger job but, if they were cheap enough, it might still be worth it.

I was just admiring the colour of the third jumper bo so I hope it works out.

I don't get skiing appeal, I'm afraid, which is probably a lack of imagination on my part but it looks far too much like parachuting without a parachute for my liking. But I hope you've all had a good time and are still in one piece.

The fabric composition says 65 acetate and 35 polyamide.
I will see if only the waist can be done.
Yes the colour from the third photo looks great, hopefully works out Bo

red what about wearing them totally oversized? I was recently looking at some fancy trousers, maybe Toteme (?) on some fancy website (apologies, can't remember any details) and the description said that the model is wearing a size up for an oversized feel. It made me suspicious, because the whole selling point of those trousers was the flowing, free silhouette, so if it is only achievable with sizing up, it's quite misleading...

bo great jumper, I like wide rib on cuffs and waist and the detail on the back!

flo A lot of this is influenced by whatever one learns in childhood, these can become hobbies later on, and inform so much of what we can pick up later in life. I know lots about winter sports but nothing about anything to do with the sea, for instance. The opposite of Mr Micro
If you are to survive long dark winters, you have to do figure skating, skiing, to enjoy a bit of light you get in a day while moving, because you can't be slow when it's -10. Getting through winter is really tough; in Finland, say, it lasts in earnest from October to April, with very short light days, and lots of people get depressed. That's the origin of all these sports, imo, to survive winter and make it fun

Yes I want to wear them oversized, but at the moment my whole body can go in and out completely, the waist needs taken in. Not even with the belt it can stay up as the fabric is very light and runs away type thing.

I only learnt to ski in my late 30s, or I might have been very close to 40… in my case I have always been obsessed with snow and I didn’t even see snow till my adult years. But yes I agree with micro that the environment influences hobbies and what people do to pass the time. I really wish I would have had the chance to learn it young as I am not naturally gifted and is actually quite hard for me, hence why I am a very timid skier, but the fresh mountain air in my face and being out in the cold is very lovely.

Yes childhood influences are formative. I don't think I even knew about skiing as a child - no-one in our family did it and I never saw it on TV. That's not a competitive, 'We lived in a shoe box under the motorway' boast - I had a perfectly comfortable childhood but we weren't a well travelled family. (Well aside from the wars but they didn't talk about that.)

Anyway my news is that Auld's jacket success must have rubbed off as I've landed not one but two this week. this one in navy XL from Carrier Clothing might have ended my quest for a utilitarian but not totalitarian looking jacket. I do feel a bit of a tightwad getting the children's version but the fit and the proportions were spot on, particularly the length - finishing at the lower hip as opposed to mid thigh which made a huge difference. I think I first came across Carrier on the Monty Don thread and although I know even less about gardening than I do about skiing, they have some interesting stuff, made by local workers and I'm sure I'll be back to spend more on their adult range, although I may need to save up first as it's not cheap.

And then, after several barren months on the charity shop circuit, I found a really small tailored men's suit jacket - 34 chest so similar size to a school uniform blazer but in 100% wool and, best of all, 3 inside pockets! It's at the dry cleaners (which cost 3 times more than the jacket) and I'll need to shorten the sleeves but otherwise I think that's al lit needs (unless I change my mind when I get it back)

flo Love the Carrier Company jacket - absolutely spot on (no wonder the navy is sold out, I would’ve bought it on the spot when I clicked on your link, it’s so nice!) I’m so pleased more cropped is coming back in, it’s such a flattering look. Please post a photo of your new tweed jacket when you get it back from the drycleaners and kudos for finding such a bargain.

Thumbs up for the Jacket Flo! Looking forward to hear about it.

Quick question, about to get a simple leather trainer … which one would you go for?

Thanks Red, I won't be able to pick it up from the dry cleaners until the end of the week and then I'll need to alter the sleeves but I'll take a couple of pics and report back then.

I've been looking at the other jacket I bought from Carrier and, although I'm still pleased with it, I've realised it looks very similar in shape and design to my standard Makers Atelier shirt pattern, so I might buy some cotton canvas or twill and try making another. But don't hold your breath, it'll probably take me all year.

Red I don't wear trainers but, for what it's worth, I'd probably go for the beige because a) I would trash the white ones in seconds and b) I've always liked a platform sole. But hopefully you'll get more expert advice shortly!

Bo: I've always found the hygiene obsession interesting as it was a way for those from the lower social economic classes to elevate and differentiate themselves in the early 20th century […]We have an odd tradition in the west to glorify poverty as a great endurance at a class level but treat it as a moral failing when dealing with the individual. By demonstrating their commitment to hygiene in such an intense way it very much broke that perception of the individual failing alongside other social movements. Obviously it was just one of many facets but it's the easiest forgotten one but in terms of Dutch/Scandi design it's had a very lasting influence.

Completely agree with this!

Micro: Finland is being jealously watched from Sweden as some sort of Utopia now. We seethe at how they ”nicked our systems” while they were good and then stuck to them. Probably a fair bit of latent racism in it too, the idea that Sweden ”might have done better” without immigrants seems to rear its head a lot. I don’t think an entirely white Sweden would have neglected to jump on the neo-liberal bandwagon. Too much of an imperial wannabe, still. Anyway, the ”whipping of mats/rugs” is a must, and outside my flat we also have the metal stand to hang our rugs on for beating. Best way to get the dust out really. You’re talking about ”trasmattor”, rag rugs. Ikea have cheap versions but the best kinds are always handwoven my someone’s older female relative etc.

I enjoyed looking at the clothes photos and Devotion seems like a lovely summery brand. Bo, your ”extra pic” from 2022-04-07 9.00 is lovely, I love that kind of layering. The heat has started to come here quite suddenly, so I’m starting to worry about my summer wardrobe. On Instagram I saw a link to this dress everbyx.com/collections/shop-all the concept of which I am a sucker for. Imagine being able to wear one item multiple ways! (in the end I never do and pictures are always misleading) Thankfully I am saved by the price and the reticence about the fabric, which means it’s posh polyester. (The deep red and green is really nice though.)

Really liked the Ricci trousers.

Red: Cross-country skiing is much harder than it looks. I’d say it’s absolutely worth giving a go but don’t expect it to be easy. However, if you don’t struggle massively with getting around on alpine/slalom skis when on flat ground you probably have the right muscles!

I will give no shoe advice, just take it.

Love the shape of those trainers, Red, I think the pale tan ones might be really nice in summer as the effect will be as if you are barefoot IYSWIM. I love tan sandals for the same reason- very leg-lengthening!

I like the shape of the creamy tan and the white flatform trainers best, red. I love the white; only keeping them that way would be beyond me.

Congrats on your purchases, flo. I've eyed Carrier Company for months (also making note of it from the Monty Don thread) without ever daring to order anything. Is the fabric and finish really good then?

Red I've just bought white trainers and enjoying them a lot. (whispering: I never had white trainers before for reasons that it would be too much to keep them white). But white trainers can go further than beige, I think. I recently went to theatre in a fancy dress with white trainers; trainers soften the fanciness and make it easier to wear the dress, but also look quite good, like you're not wearing trainers (in some way). I don't think beige would have worked.
Platform white (without the beige bit) is my vote

Catching up and Mumsnet looks all different all of a sudden and I seem to struggle to post if I include emojis (and the new ones are shite anyhow).

When Flo mentioned Auld's luck rubbing off I thought Flo found herself two new lovers not jackets. Jackets sound/look promising/great. Has anyone informed Monty Don he's a style icon for women on MN yet?

Red from those three I'd probably get the first ones as they don't have an all white platform sole so dirt won't look so bad on them. Platform soles attract more of it IME and it's the black skids stuff that doesn't come off easily and when the top half is so minimal it would be very noticeable. They do very much remind me of Nike Air Force One Shadows, fairly sure they're just pared back copies of those, might be worth looking at those too (but that's probably my bias as I'm personally not a fan of all white trainers).

Yes, rugs are a THING in the Nordics, I've always assumed it's a way to keep the house clean more easily pre vacuums. They're less of a thing here but traditionally we used to cover any horizontal surface with thick carpets, especially the dining table but I think this predates the hygiene obsessive movement and was more to do with our mini ice age we had for a while during our gilded age.

The Devotion dress has already been worn with much enthusiasm, they're a bit overpriced at full asking price but they are a joy to wear.

I thought MN's new look was just something I had done wrong this morning!

My current sneaker lust is for a mustard flatform or a Wordle green pair in the same style (v similar to red's). I love the green but mustard is probably better for me as I went through a phase of it a while back so they would tone in well with my summer neutrals. I haven't bought anything for summer yet, mainly because the ezcema means I can't be bothered but I see the consultant a fortnight today and the UV therapy seems to be helping a bit. In any case, I can always shop on holiday for something different.

Rag rugs kept the bare floorboards clean (they were scrubbed white), so you'll see them along the bits where people walked a lot, and folded over to change direction. :)

Stains on white soles come off quite well with magic erasers, in case anyone is stuck!

Metal stand to beat rugs! I have actually been considering getting one made … makes total sense to me.

thanks for the trainers feedback. I have a canvas pair that I have worn for the last two years and agree that are easy to wear and dress down an outfit, they still have good life in them so now I wanted to have leather ones. I decided for the ones with the beige sole, not only from a practical POV but also they have a bit of 80’s vibe that attracted me to them.
btw, they are coming from Argentina (relative coming over), and they are made in a small factory with great workers rights, loads of their stuff is finished by hand etc, so ticking those boxes for me.

The new design is so annoying! How nice, red. My (other) Argentinian friend always brings back suitcases full on clothes, it seems there is interesting, lively and really thriving independent clothes/shoes production going on. Not the case for other large non-western countries which often rely entirely on cheap imports

Another hygiene trick my parents used to do is to take the rugs out to the snow, lay them face down on clean new snow and stomp around. Lovely smell they had when back in the house.

xing hope your skin gets better soon.
I am not buying anything until the next MH sample sale :)