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:

Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

Sept

Huit

Neuf

Dix

Onze

Douze

Treize

Quatorze

Quinze

It drives me nuts Elle. I think the 'dated' thread is also to do with interpreting opinions as personal slurs. I'm happy to call out the latter when I see them but describing an item of clothing (not a person!) as dated is just an opinion. Disagree by all means, but saying we shouldn't talk about it because it makes you uncomfortable is just absurd - in my personal opinion of course 😉
Anyway at least that thread's almost full now so we can hopefully move on!

That's so true, flo, reading opinions as a personal slur. A lot of people in rl do this too often.

Yes, Elle, why wade onto s&b to tell people you are not interested in s&b! I hate the idea that being interested in style and fashion means you are stupid or superficial, why is it seen as a lesser form of culture?

Because it's regarded as a women's interest, unlike let's say, films which are of course an art form.

Ah well, it could be worse. We could be wine wankers I'm fairly low brow much to my mother's disappointment, and, well, fashion is sometimes stupid and superficial, it attracts all sorts. The demonisation of it, yeah, that's definitely gender motivated but I don't know, not that entirely convinced it's all of it.

I never know with posters on those threads, are they just hall monitors of how to woman right, low level trolling knowing exactly what will spark reactions because they've been on here too long and enjoying the fallout, attention seekers shouting into the void?Probably a combination thereof.

Feeling personally singled out by a general comment is an internet wide thing, MN seems to have cycles of it where it gets worse, I suspect it's something to do with school holidays timings.

Elle are the Collab Birkenstocks substantially different in comfort? I've been eyeing these for a while but no one that stocks them in store, they're also available in an amazing blue but it's never been in stock in my size.

I can't really comment on comfort as I've never worn the regular ones for longer than a try on. For me, it's a texture thing. The inner sole material of the regular Birkenstocks makes the hairs on my arm stand on end. I have this issue with frosted glass too! That said I find the collab ones very comfortable and could wear them all day. My feet aren't wide and I can get a good fit with them but the Velcro helps I guess. The blue ones are lovely.

As well as fashion being a gendered/women's interest, I think in the UK certainly there's a whole protestant ethic vanity issue going on. I love the quote someone on here said once that we all have to get dressed, so it takes the same amount of time to put on stylish clothes as not (though as we all know, it can take much longer to find them in the first place!).

bo, I remember my grandmother being obsessed with whether someone was high or low brow. I very much like both.

I think I bought my newest birkenstocks either last year, or the year before and they are certainly more comfortable this summer. The soles have slightly more give and the flor/faux leather is softer now. I have worn them a fair bit for walking recently.

I only tried birkenstock once and they were so hopelessly too wide on my very long feet that I gave up on them completely. But red I have had two pairs of these www.wolkyshop.co.uk/product/salvia-black-leather/
And they are good for walking. Post-Brexit it is much cheaper to buy them in Europe if you are planning a trip, but they also have a Brighton shop and ship through them, with free returns if the size doesn't suit.
I also like your dress! Always wanted a white dress but never dared to get one

And thanks, elle, for a report on your mid calf boots. I've bought a few skirts that fall to kind of lower midi length and I need to figure out what kind of shoes/boots to wear wit them

Wolky never thought I'd see that brand name mentioned on here. Eh probably should 🤐🤐🤐🤐

Oh yeah I think there's definitely a generational thing with high/low brow, quirky. I can enjoy both but generally fuck the middle brows, whomever they may be the high brow consider it a bit one drop theory IME so if you enjoy a bit of low brow you are irredeemably low brow forever. For my mother being high brow was very much a form of rebellion but you know I really liked pink plastic Barbies and other plastic tat when I discovered there was more out there than wholesome wooden blocks 🤷 it's all her own doing really.

Thanks for the feedback Elle, now that you mention it I'm not a fan of the cork either (and frosted glass is murder to keep clean when you're in a hard water area avoid at all costs) my Muji ones had a leather lining but weren't wrapped leather all the way round. Maybe I need to seek out the Proenza Collab, I know they did a reissue as the velcro would be good for me too as I sort of need a half size and the full size up is a little too wide and velcro is more adaptable than a buckle.

Now that I found in the depth of my history a capacity to shock you, bo 😎I am going to try again. I remember I quite enjoyed Cora Kemperman back in the day when I often went to Amsterdam. Reaction?

[quickly exhausts the reservoir of Dutch fashion horrors]

Gah what am I talking about, I tried the Arizonas (Birkenstocks) and quite liked the look but felt like I might step out of them at any moment. I went for the Milanos instead which have a third strap around the heel / back of the ankle. I got the narrow fit and wear them with the buckles at the tightest notch, which I suppose means I might get problems once the leather starts to give, but so far so good - I think this is their second summer although the way life is roaring by these days, it could be the third.

Has anyone seen Xing by the way?

I'm ducking the Cora Kemperman question, microbius as I don't know the brand, but I'm off to google!

I've not seen Xing but I do vaguely recall mentions of finally going on a much delayed holiday?

I loved Cora Kemperman, not the whole look but taken apart it was great. They were size inclusive in both directions when that wasn't a thing and it was all very affordable (unless you went for the full look, then it added up quickly). I still have surviving pieces that I cherish. The Amsterdam shop was shit though, I tended to stock up in Antwerp in the sales, it was a super popular shop there too. It was interesting, in some cities they really failed to do any business while in others they couldn't resupply fast enough.

The Dutch shops/brands I'm most surprised people on S&B rave about are C&A and Didi. I think C&A is more nostalgia from when they had it in the UK, the Didi one puzzles me, but you know whatever floats people's boats.

I did actually do some high brow things in Paris, I visited the fashion museum that had an exhibit for Alber Elbaz' tribute show. I wasn't anticipating much as I assumed a lot of the looks were just phoned in last minute but was really touched by some of them and the stories shared of their relationship to him. He really did seem to be the loveliest man in fashion who always gave more than he received in return. It was all rather touching and emotional.

I also saw the new Dior gallery which is somewhat a permanent version of the big Dior exhibit. Not exactly the same, there's definitely a stronger sense of PR but it was still enjoyable. The cafe is very pretty and I had a very overpriced lunch but it was more style than substance (not bad though) but apparently it's a thing to just have champagne there, I was a bit puzzled by that. (But the interior architects who worked on it need to be sacked, it's not accessible at all and it would be a real challenge for someone who's not fully disabled would really struggle)

And at Le Bon Marché they were advertising an immersive theatre experience of Le Bonheur des Dames. The department store in the book was based on Le Bon Marché so it seems like a really great experience, starts in September onwards. I'd really like to go but OH didn't seem all that enthused and I'm not sure how easily travel will be this autumn/winter with Covid. Plus, not sure how good my French is, I have read the book ages ago. But if there's ever an excuse for a Paris meetup...

Firstly , thank you for the feedback on the Tevas and Birkenstocks.
I am considering a few of them, so I might order a couple of each and decide. I can see myself ending up with Tevas with ankle strap which are for hiking and then some Eva Arizonas as would be good for holidays at the seaside. Just a sample of the ones being considered here in the photos. Might order some big buckle ones too to try. Those collab ones are too pricey for me but look so great!
Thank you for the Wolky recommendation too, I will start trying the other brands first, then if I exhaust everything…
I could do a meet up in Paris, I owe a friend a visit. She is now moving back here next year so I don’t want for her to have been there and me never visiting! When are you thinking?

Xing reporting back in, but under a new name. I have been on holiday, and have only helped my menfolk shop. I returned with nothing more than I left, but that's because I like solitary shopping and didn't get the chance.

I haven't read the thread, but will catch up later or just join back in. As you were, but nice to see everyone still here talking.

We've been in the north of Spain and have loved it. Gorgeous cities, especially Pamplona and Girona, and the Costa Brava is spectacularly scenic. My clever sister found a villa in a small (but very upmarket) town for 10 days. It was real, because it's where rich people from Barcelona go for a weekend, but it was well away from the centre of a resort area, and most of the other areas were a little kiss-me=quick.

And we have come back from the wedding of my nephew with Covid. For the veterans of this thread, DS wore his Shibumi coat and looked fab, to universal acclaim.

Ha@botemp, the North/South is always particularly pertinent. I've lived all-over the world but am a Northern woman at heart.

That doesn't mean I don't know how to dress though.

I love relaxed glamour. Love it.

It's clean.

Hello from the US of A!

Just about caught up with the thread, love the sturdy sandals chat as it’s very timely for me. Going a few pages back, that yolk-yellow skirt is a winner. Bright sunny colours are so refreshing.

bo’s bingo made me snort; these threads really do come around so often and I haven’t even been on mn that long.

Quick question: what interesting fashion stuff should I do in NYC? I have a day to wander around with a toddler in tow but he can be bribed with candy and would love some tips if anyone wants to share.

Enjoy NY @ShangPie! No tips for an incumbent toddler, they are annoying!

BUT, to have one in tow confers youth, so! That's accessory enough.

Where abouts are you staying?

Glad to hear you're doing well henon (I'm going to have to get used to that name) and delighted to hear the shibumi coat got an outing.

Tree, the north/south divide on here is weird, if anything I'd say the North knows what it is to dress (especially up) while the South pretends to be to cool to appear to care (oh but do they care).

Shangpie, how exciting, I'm paging in @ToEllewithIt as she was there the most recently (but that was probably pre covid so not that recent). If I remember correctly, Cuyana and Reformation was worth a stop but Everlane is a bit of meh. There's an info sheet in the OP for NYC adresses, mostly secondhand/consignment but I suspect a lot is probably out of date now, Covid hit NYC businesses hard.

The Met also always has fashion exhibitions going not sure how enjoyable the toddler might find that but at least he's free.

Maybe it's worth heading to Brooklyn instead of Manhattan, it's a little less fast paced and I suppose a bit yummy mummy area so the stock in the consignment shops might be better in that sense? Plus, if you take the ferry there, surely that'll entertain the toddler for a bit.

Good to see you back henone and glad you enjoyed your holiday. Girona is a beautiful city and the northern bit of the Costa Brava is fab, although admittedly I've not been for quite a long time.

Shangpie I found New York shopping really disappointing except for the consignment shops which were fantastic, although very work-wear focused. But how many have survived is anyone's guess. My favourite was Tokyo 7 which, according to google, still seems to be going. It's somewhere round the East Village (I think) pretty big and remarkably little shit. The last time we went was about 8 years ago and the first time was with a 6 year-old who survived the experience, although he was able to amuse himself a bit better than a toddler can.

Trash and Vaudeville (not vintage) was another favourite but I'm pretty sure I read that they'd folded.

I really like Cuyana and The Reformation is fun for the shopping experience. You select what you want on an iPad and they show up in your dressing room.
The RealReal store is nicely curated. You won't find a bargain there, but it's easy to browse. I also liked INA, another consignment store.

Henone - great to hear from you! Hope you're keeping well and continuing to recover. Your holiday sounds lovely! I remember that dress coat well, I think we were all admiring it. I'm glad it got an outing at the wedding.

Sorry red, forgot to answer you previously but I think October or November. September seems a bit soonish but maybe a better choice with unknown Covid rules ahead? December could also work but I anticipate it being busy and I can't book trains that far ahead yet (same issue with part of November though).

I seem to have survived the cold from hell (but now OH has it, serves him right for laughing when I was being all pathetic and whiny), I still don't feel fully human but I can do things again.

And in other news, I know today is Boris Johnson is Over Party 2022 and the news people are struggling to keep up with their rolling coverage but none are telling me the thing I actually want to know. Is Theresa May out there in a ball gown

Thanks all for the tips! Didn’t think to check the OP resources, but will take a look and report back. Unfortunately I’m staying just off Times Square, which made me 😳but hopefully I can get out of the melee and enjoy tomorrow.

Henone Girona is such a lovely city, glad you had a good time

+1 for Theresa May’s ballgown getting an outing. Surely that can be referenced in our new thread name? We’re getting pretty full…

bo, Theresa May went dancing last night -- wearing a red dress (but picture was taken from over her shoulder)... to hear Craig David.

Excellent reporting henone, how very not subtle of her. Love it, the Craig David thing is puzzling though is he still a thing?

Enjoy tomorrow as much as you can Shangpie 🗽

Good to read you Henone, the north of Spain is great , I really like Girona.

I hope you enjoy NY, Shangpie , my friend who just came back was a bit disappointed about how dirty it was and the shopping wasn’t great, but I hope you can find good pockets of gems !

October works better for me Bo, not sure how around 13-16 Oct sounds. Quickly checked trains and there are v reasonable! If anyone else can be tempted…

also, shall we fix the date for the V&A African fashion exhibition? I know micro and mm wanted to come. How does Friday 9 or 16 Sep sound? I think we should agree a date and time and book each their tickets.

I got the light Levi’s denim jacket, my niece (22) was with me and told me to absolutely buy it [🤣 bingo anyone? ]
I am awaiting for the Tevas , I have high hopes!
I need to order the Birkenstocks, have not got round that yet.