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

[botemp]

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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Previous threads:

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Quinze

I'd forgotten about Marniqlo too! I quite like some of it but not enough to take a punt on sizing when you're only allowed one of everything, and then pay for the privilege of returning it. I'd go and look if I was near a store though if you need enabling 😉I like it that the men's range is as colourful as the women's.

I really want to join in this thread as I really enjoy it when I read through and you all seem lovely but think I'll be rubbish at keeping up and engaging with you all. Plus I buy things like some more interesting earrings and then can never be bothered to wear them. I'm thinking I need to wear belts more - they can really make a difference to an outfit. But again, I'm always in a rush and forget/can't be bothered.

I'm currently looking for some nice basic vest tops/sleeveless T shirts. Just got a sleeveless T shirt/top in khaki from Cos but the white was off-white which doesn't suit me. And all their vest tops were sold out in every size apart from L. You reminded me to check out H&M Floisme.

I'm also toying with the Loewe basket bag - the small pochette one. Think it will be a classic and get lots of use in the summer but I'm so indecisive!

Come and play SophieLion, we get as excited over unexpectedly great supermarket vests as we do over dream scoops. I am a huge fan of cheap Tesco vests and sleeveless T shirts as long as there are white, black, navy and grey marl, plus orange or coral. Basics are much the most important element.

I did buy a pair of (mostly) recycled trainers last week, made by Philip Hog of Stockholm. Do you know the company bani? Nice shape, even DS admired them. As they are mostly white, they are only for light wear for the first few months.

Hi all. Having recently moved to paris, I thought I'd chuck in my random observation. Its likely to have already been discussed on such a ling thread but it's been really striking to me here. Older women here are NOT invisible! They wear what they want, be it sexy clothes, casual, dressy, shabby and everything inbetween. They don't seem as bound by cultural and societal pressure to fade away, like the uk. They are stylish and visible and no one bats an eyelid. They snog their OHs in the street and hold hands in the bistros. They are out and about everywhere in a way I just haven't noticed in the uk. Its different for sure. As a 50 year old, it gladdens my heart and makes me, in a very small but significant way, feel just a tiny bit better about myself as i go through the process of leaving any last slivers of my youth behind!

Hi floisme, unfortunately the supermarkets here don't really sell clothes but I did find some decent looking vest tops for good price in M&S online. Will see if our local M and S has them to see them live.

I think women here also wear what they want iamabouttoexplode. But perhaps less of the snogging in the street! I hope you enjoy living in Paris.

Has anyone come across a jewellery designer called Cinco? I believe they're based in Portugal.

Sorry didn't make it to Marniqlo Flo, here's hoping there's still something there on Monday or I suppose I could go early today...

Sophie, I'm always hesitant on spending designer bag money on a summer bag but considering how long summers are where you live I can really see the Loewe pochette working for you, very practical as well (I also like the moulded bucket bag at double the money). Which reminds me, I saw Arkethave done a rip off the Loewe hammock handbag with basket vibes, Arket also does some nice tops.

Welcome, Imabouttoexplode, how nice to have someone on the ground in Paris . I do think Paris is a little different in that as well as older women you also see a lot of children and awkward teens. Unlike elsewhere people don't seem to move away to suburbia unless they absolutely have to so everyone seems much more connected to city life as opposed to a place like London or Amsterdam where it's only urban professionals and the very wealthy who live the city life.

That's interesting Imabouttoexplode, I've not been to Paris for ages but I do remember old women in cafes, fabulously dressed and unapologetically taking up the window table. Barcelona cafes were similar as I recall. This was in the well-to neighbourhoods though and they were clearly wealthy women so I'd assumed it was more economic than cultural if that makes sense. Anyway welcome!

SophieLion that was Xing I think but I feel your pain over finding T shirts. I recently got some from Rapanui but I wanted different things from you (long sleeves, right neckline). I'm always interested in earrings - I used to wear them all the time and had some really distinctive ones but when I gave up on my contact lenses I realised there just wasn't enough room on my face for specs and earrings.

Ah yes sorry, it was Xing. (Already getting myself in a mess on the thread!). Hello Xing **

And Floisme, I asked about Cinco because I saw some interesting earrings on the site. I never thought about glasses and earrings. Is it a complete no no for you? I've seen people who look great with both.

It's just something I decided wasn't for me Sophie. I have a small face and I'd always liked really big 'out there' earrings and there was just too much going on with specs as well. Plus it was just when I was starting to get jowly and earrings felt like having two signs pointing at my jawline. As you say it can be a great combination for some people. I'll check out Cinco.

Nice to have an authentic Parisian presence on the thread - welcome!

I do like the Loewe basket bags but struggle to get my head around spending that much on raffia. Some other designers are changing even more egregious prices though (Prada) so relatively Loewe are not the worst. I sort of feel though that I'd rather add a bit and go for something that I'd wear year round. At least the pochette is secure from pick pockets! I use my leather hammock bag all the time, it's really practical . The Arket tribute looks good in fairness.

I did get the Celine belt in the biggest size they offer (!) is that Slimane's influence? Depressing if it is.

Can I have your thoughts on saving things for the next generation. What criteria would you use? I was doing a clear out and was tempted to hang onto this dress for mini Elle. I thought that it might be cute on a teenager and while it is designer I doubt I'd realise much selling it. Now I'm second guessing myself. Styles change so much. Maybe I should save more important pieces - old Celine and move this type of thing on.

Depressing indeed when 75 is the biggest belt size. The Met Ball did depress me somewhat, excessively thin in a way that's not natural and boasting about rapid weightless seems to be making a comeback. Ugh. I suppose it was inevitable after the pandemic, what's scarce is always the thing that's aspirational.

Yes, slapping a bit of leather on a standard basket bag seems a bit of a fleece doesn't it, at least there's more to the pochette. Celine is selling a linen tote now for hundreds, it's getting insane, it even comes with it's own dust bag

I did see the Prada ones as well and had to do a double take at the prices but Marni seems to have some affordable ones that I quite liked as well. Speaking of Marni, nipped into Uniqlo quickly before going out for dinner near there, was a bit disappointed at the amount of polyester in the fun patterns, I do like the blocktech coat but I don't need more coats and a short weatherproof coat has never made much sense to me. There was a nice utility jacket in the men's too. Socks also look fun. None of it made me grabby though.

Saving things for Mini is a tough one, Elle. Fwiw, I always stole my mother's latest purchases and frequently got yelled at for wearing something new before she ever got the chance. I didn't really get very interested in her older things until I was a bit older and more understanding of my own style and not so much in experimental mode anymore. Trying to imagine what the youth will be wearing in 15 years or so is a bit of a gamble but going by recent cycles I'm guessing back to the 90s again

All designer bags seem to be crazy prices now. classic Chanel gone up to €8000 mark. Unbelievable ....

ToElleWithIt, I kept a lot of stuff for my girls and they don't want to wear it. I think fashions change and they want all the things that are trendy right now. (Except for bags: they like those.) Saying that I still think you should keep things for your daughter. You never know.

Yeah, bag prices are the new tulips as far as I'm concerned. It's a good thing I've never wanted a Chanel bag or similar. I think it's mostly Asia and the Middle East that's driving the demand and until recently Russia but they seem to be cutting up their Chanel bags in protest now because they can't buy any

I don't have a daughter and my niece isn't interested in second hand so I don't really have your dilemma Elle. My mum didn't save any of her clothes - I don't think it ever occurred to her, they normally wore them all out - but I used to get quite frustrated when I'd roll up thinking I looked ever so unique in my 1940s tea frock and she'd say, 'Oh I used to have a dress like that'. The one thing I really, really wish she'd kept is her wedding outfit which was an oyster coloured, early 1950s suit. I don't even know what happened to it and I'm pretty sure she never wore it again but it looks absolutely beautiful in the pics. What I have got is some of her jewellery and I wear that as much as I dare as some of it's getting fragile now.

I felt quite uncomfortable about the Met Ball pics. I'm not sure why cos I'm not someone who disapproves of dressing up when times are hard, and I'm normally quite fond of a bizarre outfit, but there was just something so 'Last Days of Rome' about it all.

Everything I looked at in Marniqluo was polyester too bo. Not a great surprise I guess - I thought they might have thrown in one or two premium pieces but their accountants probably said, 'what's the point?'

I think the premium pieces drom the +J collection didn't sell much, I still see the cashmere coat for sale online I think Faustina ordered it and declared it a disappointment. Simila

Oops accidentally hit post, anyhow to continue gaucho trousers weren't a great value for money piece either.

Last days of Rome maybe, I think the Met gala/ball (I can never remember which one it actually is) has slowly gone from a parody of the Hunger Games capital citizens to an actual likening, there's definitely an end of empires feel atm. I think post pandemic the whole idea of getting that dressed up feels pretty alien at this point too, bar Halloween or similar.

Evening everyone, I am back from my first ever Joseph sample sale and ready to report. The waiting was insanely long and the queue seems to have been going all day long. Although it was also in the Music Rooms, where MHL s sale was, changing rooms weren't operating and it was a total chaos, probably what sample sales are like.

Anyhow. There were lots of leather coats and tailoring, some of their cashmere coats, shoes, skirts, trousers etc. Not very much knitwear. Shoes on close inspection didn't impress me in terms of quality. Overall, I wasn't stricken by awe in terms of quality - all trousers unlined, etc. I am not sure whether I should trust my judgment here - maybe it was impacted by piles of clothes lying on the floor and not looking precious

I bought two silk shirts and a blazer that is long line and would go with my oversized trousers. I am not totally in love with the blazer (boring black) but it is a nice summer wool and I don't have this kind of silhouette to go to more formal events with my now collection of bulky trousers. I also bought burgundy silk trousers (on an elastic belt though) and wool winter trousers with a separate strap to go around your ankle. Shirts are an inspired by from you, and the trousers I remember bo posting about suchlike twiddling with the ankles in one of her Christmas calendars I think. You also all seem to have bought silk trousers as well. Basically, I was enacting your collective history of buying and discussing things through my credit card :D

I also bough Petar Petrov trousers, the ones bo posted before and elle liked. My guess is that this stuff arrived from their outlet where bo saw them. They are magnificent (nearly £1000 full price!!!!??) again, not sure I'd notice them if it weren't for my education here and actual picture of them that I liked very much

Didn't buy cashmere coat. Don't know if it's a mistake. These sample sale make eBay and charity shops a complete redundancy, I have to say. Thank you again. I'll try to post some pics tomorrow for your entertainment

Ooh, I've found you all again. I was lurking then lost the thread and have been catching up.

microbius your Joseph sale pieces sound good. The Loewe bag looks lovely and versatile for a hot climate, SophieLion.

I have been on a low buy but am currently wearing an oversize Jigsaw grey t-shirt with a subtle embroidered line pattern (hard to describe) from the charity shop. It's quite heavy and hangs well, it has gained a few compliments. H&M have some good sleeveless ribbed tank tops, I bought some in white, black and navy to replace some old ones.

Hey quirky I was thinking about you during a brief curly hair chat somewhere upthread.

Looking forward to the pics microbius although if Joseph quality is tanking then that's a disappointment. From what I saw of London charity shops recently, I can quite understand that sample sales might be the way forward.

I am sorry, my daughter got a puking bug 😭so photos are not coming today. Will attempt tomorrow
Elle I think keep the dress if you like it and it is somehow important to you, then it won't be a problem if your daughter never picks it up. It's impossible to guess what they'd be into, she might like things not as a teenager but later on, so it's a long time to store things. They've got to have some value of some kind to be stored for so long

Oh, microbius, poor thing! It must be going around because dd2's school class was closed today as her teacher has a sickness bug too. Not great as she does not cope well with change and hoping we stay clear as dd1 is mid GCSEs.
Elle I keep sentimental things in a storage box, no idea if dd1 will want them, though she has acquired a few of my cast offs! Most recently a grey, velvet military jacket for her prom that fits me but is slightly small.

Hmm interesting point about Paris @Imabouttoexplode I moved from there last summer and Covid times made me a homebody through most of the preceeding two years but you are right. I think botemp has a point about more diverse demographics in the city. I moved there from london where few colleagues in their 20s lived in anything but flat shares/outer reaches and the vast majority of anyone 40+ had moved to the commuter belt yet parisian colleagues of all ages were very central even with similar (slightly better) salaries. I do think the terrace culture and a freer attitude to eating out makes women of all ages a bit more visible in Paris too. I’m not sure brits in their 50s are hiding per se, just life is a bit more internal, at home wining and dining va aperos then terrace?

I've just scrolled to the end here, THANK YOU so much @botemp and @SophieLion.

I have leapt in with a purchase after a disappointing Joseph dress today.

I might stick around too. I'm not a brilliant contributor. I do love clothes so much. I intellectualise so much of my life, that clothes are light relief.

I do always think 'And now my wardrobe is complete!', because I always dream about the perfect 'simple' wardrobe, where any situation could happen and one could just pluck the perfect outfit out without so much as a raise of an eyebrow.

But then there's always a very specific situation that needs additions.

I have a very diverse life. Always have.

And I probably spend far too much time thinking about clothes.

Daughters and wardrobes?

I kept quite a few 80s and 90s bits that my daughter is interested in. She also moves quite a lot from mine to hers. AND, the best thing is enjoining fashion together. I really am enjoying my daughter's flowering fashion sense. It's a very bonding thing.

I used to wear my mother's Mary Quant, Ozzy Clarke and Yves St Laurent.

My daughter has ASD and loves her horse more than anything in the world.

Clothes is where we bond.

Hi @Imabouttoexplode I am a year younger than you, but I don't feel invisible.

I feel very beautiful. And snog my husband!

I feel very seen.

But visibility is entirely individual.

I am seen because I am beautiful. I always have been.

I'm also very middle class and white.

So I have been seen.

Because I'm bloody white and attractive.