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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Previous threads:

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Tbh Flo, I know most people are tethered to summer holidays because of children but it's probably the worst type of holiday in my book. Covid has probably made it worse since it's the only 'safe' time to travel these past few years so there's even more pressure on these few weeks.

You are such a veteran of secondhand shopping, I'd never think to pay attention to something like a yard sale. We have the King's day market in NL which is supposed to foster entrepreneurial spirit in children, so it's basically haggling children down to pitiful amounts of money for shit their parents no longer want. It's always way too busy for me to venture into and I seriously doubt any fantastic finds are out there, but there probably are, I still lack the motivation to suffer the crowds though.

In France the have the Vide Grenier, so old stuff from the attics, you can pick up some lovely old chemises and beautiful monogrammed linen sheets and tablecloths but they're almost never on when I'm visiting Paris. I always think to go to Les Puces as they've got a good couple of streets worth of vintage fashion but it's a schlep to go there so inevitably it always gets scrapped off the itinerary.

red, I would say birkenstocks are much more durable than tevas, though I walk on mostly pavements and reasonably flat paths. I went through the tevas much more quickly.

Yard sales are definitely a thing here, now. We've just had a whole trail of them over the weekend. I think we would have called them garage sales in the past, but not many houses here in the city have garages.

Thanks for feedback, bo, I have capricious feet and forgot how to buy shoes. It seems I forgot lots of things due to the black void of the pandemic times swallowing everything [echoes flo] and either make mistakes or find things off-putting.

Car boot sales are quite rare in London, but sometimes one can find a sun lounger or maybe a large pot. I've never seen clothes to be bought, so applaud you, flo, for your finds.

Do you have a result, red, in your search?

No result yet, awaiting for the post to bring my sandals … although at this rate they might combust on their way to me.
Hot hot hot!

To be fair, most yard sale clothes are shite, but I had a hunch it might be a good place to find a prom suit that the parents couldn't be arsed Ebaying. In fact I spotted a few but the rest were polyester and pretty rank. (No blame - we bought the same for our son cos we knew he'd have grown out of it by the end of the summer.) The German label trousers were probably too obscure a brand to bother posting but the Toast top was a happy surprise as that would have fetched a few quid. I can't kid myself though that it's a good use of time compared to buying online, but every time I start signing up for Vinted, my heart just sinks.

Sympathy for everyone sweltering in the heatwave. It's not quite so hot here, at about 32C, but XingDog doesn't like it and won't move from her cool shaded spot.

COVID has passed but very sadly, the posh frock shop has only a few more weeks existence as the owner has decided to retire after 27 years. Obviously, this is tragic news but I did acquire a last pair of Annette Gortz trousers (chino-ish, wide-ish legs, stone) which will be useful when the temperature reverts to British Summer, and today I seized the moment to buy the ochre trainers I have been eyeing all summer with a 15% discount at Yoox. They had already been reduced three times, so this was a no-brainer.

And I couldn't find my own posts under the name change, so back to Xing-ing.

Oh Xing that's tough. I'm dreading the same thing as the women who run 'my' dress agency and market stall are all our age and it's only a matter of time. Is anyone taking over the shop?

It seems unlikely. One of her colleagues considered it but her DH is planning his retirement and kiboshed the idea. And selling a going retail concern during the last two years would have been difficult, so as the owner is nearing her 71st birthday and the lease is expiring, an era ends. I am beyond sad.

She has had the last laugh: when she opened, people said to her "Who's going to buy clothes that expensive in this agricultural market town?"

Ha ha good for her! I feel your pain though, I was bereft when the last proper, old school vintage shop round here closed a few years ago. It might even have been the impetus to buy a sewing machine. Some shops are irreplaceable.

Oh! The real xing is back !

Sandals update. I will keep one of these, at the end of the day if anything is comfortable to try on 40 degree heat…I am sure the rest of the summer will be like a walk in a 20 degree park with an ice cream and a sun dress.
A couple of Arizonas one with the cork and the other with the black birko-Flor , then the Milanos with the strap at the back. Of these three I prefer the Milanos purely because I want them to be suitable for sometimes walking in countryside paths and they have the ankle strap.
then I have the sonoras which are the most expensive, due to having really good walking credentials.
the design is with thinner straps but the finish of the shoe itself on the leather etc looks more durable and forgiving with use.
So I am between Milanos or the Sonora.
(btw - I think later on I will get another pair in a different colour probably of Arizona’s to have as a more town type sandal)
My feet are swollen a bit too with the heat but the straps can tighten more if needed.

Also some arizonas Eva in navy blue , for the seaside/pool type thing.
They felt comfortable, but looking at the photo sideways, not sure if a bit small? As my heel shows right at the edge? I did not notice this when I was trying them… again my ankles are swollen today, but that should not modify the length?

Being unhelpful, I like the blue arizonas, but think it's a good idea to have an ankle strap for proper walking comfort, red. I have stone coloured Rieker walking sandals that usually last me two years and get worn almost daily from May to September. They are ugly, but to my eye they look on trend with dresses and shorts as well as cropped jeans. Or, I could be delusional.

You are not unhelpful Xing! In the heat of the moment (punt Intended!) I did not mention that I am keeping the blue arizonas, those are perfect for near water, not huge amount of walking activities…
then for slightly more serious walking (I am not talking climbing Ben Nevis) but countryside walk which can be used in villages and towns without looking too bad I will keep either the Milanos or Sonoras.
so I am keeping 2!
and I am thinking about a third maybe a month the road … or maybe I will reconsider the third one once it is cooler and I can think straight again .

red I like the second pic which is probably unhelpful because I also vote for the back strap. I fear we are running out of space (?!)

I've got the Milanos Red as I've probably said. I actually preferred the look of the Arizonas but went Milano on account of the back-of-the-heel strap, and I'm glad I did. But I was only buying one pair - choosing both sounds ideal. Your heel does look quite close to the edge in that Arizona pic.

You have the same issue with Birks I do Red, scooping out a bit at the end (I can't stand it, personally, the feel of it when walking in them). Since they don't have a half size up the next size up is too wide.

I dunno probably the not so pretty proper ones are probably the best choice, are they in the pictures above? I did see some funky Sorel walking sandals the other day. Not sure how proper walking shoes they are, Sorel is a bit of an odd brand as it's supposed to be an active wear brand but it also courts the fashion crowd.

New thread:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4593054-les-parisiennes-des-mamansnet-always-have-a-ball-gown-at-the-ready-in-celebration-of-your-enemys-demise