Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: Always Have a Ball Gown at the Ready in Celebration of Your Enemy's Demise

[botemp]

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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<fist bumps mm47> I bet Margaret Rutherford liked them too A mighty fine muse.

Yeah natural fabrics and lots of layers. I used to like a silk layer (still do) because although it would show up the sweat at first, I could disguise that by tying my cardigan strategically round my shoulders, and then it would dry quickly so there was less time spent in a damp, clammy top, which I always hated.

I've been thinking it over and for that top layer, I still can't think of anything better than a cardigan. I needed something I could slip on and off, because once the flush had faded away, I'd feel quite shivery and so the whole palaver would start again and it could happen multiple times. Pulling something over your head and back just draws more attention and I felt self conscious enough as it was. (So that rules out tank tops, sorry!)
If I was going through it now I think I'd look for a fairisle cardigan - something that looks modern. I've seen some lovely Eribe and Brora ones but I'm not sure I'd want to spend that much on something I might leave over a chair and forget. (I lost a couple that way.) I think I've seen some in either White Stuff or Fat Face (or both) but they're likely to be a synthetic mix.

I did not make the link between my post and the title of this thread. I’m trying to think of an enemy! I can confirm that I am categorically not Rishi Sunak (now there’s something I never thought I’d have to say)!

Would a wool cape be a good top layer? I used to have a lovely Annabel Brooks woollen cape for chilly moments in the office. Unfortunately it got nibbled by something as I left it in the office over lock down. And now AB has gone out of business.

No idea if they'd be any good in this situation but I've seen a lot of variations on a gilet around, sleeveless blazers, sleeveless cardigans (sometimes with an almost cap sleeves), sleeveless coats and the boho sort that have always been around. Cos also always has those underscarf/capelets hybrids (for lack of a better word here's an example) that can sort of look intentional but also not weird if you were to take off. All sort of building on the current waistcoat popularity, which kind of makes them trendy items (sleeveless blazer probably the most high street trend driven one of the lot), probably, but if it works for you in the moment, it works.

Sleeveless everything (tank tops, dresses, gilets etc) are brilliant. It’s absolutely my favourite styling thing because I think it’s incredibly flattering. It’s not about having perfect arms because you don’t have to have bare arms (I often wear a long sleeved t shirt underneath), it’s about the optical illusion, it makes you look a bit taller and slimmer. i don’t really understand how, but it does. (Runs for cover as this might be a bit of a non MN view…)

Cardigans which can be whipped on and off in overheated moments are really useful. I love how Lucinda Chambers wears hers in this photo - I seem to remember reading she did this on purpose to give her dress more shape. I’ve also seen sweaters tied as if they are aprons (on Sartorialist but years ago and I don’t know how to find the picture) and that can also look very chic!

sorry. Issued off the photo

Has anyone been over to the Fashioning Masculinity exhibition at the V&A? Thinking of heading over this weekend.

I haven’t been volte, but I would be interested in hearing back if you do go.

Voltefarce I went a few months ago. I enjoyed it and there were some fab individual pieces but overall I came away a bit disappointed although I can't remember exactly why now! I probably posted about it at the time but no idea which thread, other than it was in May or June this year.

I think it might have been because there was so little about the crafting of menswear and the skills and talent that go into it, e,g, all I can remember seeing about Savile Row was 30 seconds of a video. That's a gripe I have about a lot of V&A shows although I realise they're first and foremost about design.

But please don't let that put you off going. I always love a trip to the V&A - even when the show is a bit of a let down, the William Morris tea rooms make up for it - and I'd love to hear your opinion.

V&A report:
I thought that the exhibition was a little disappointing, for exactly the reasons you state @Floisme. I would have liked to have had more about the “fashioning”. I much preferred the Africa Fashion exhibition, which we also saw. No william morris tea room - I am a member so we went to the members room for a cream tea.

Oh I'm glad you went, Voltefarce, I was a bit worried afterwards in case I'd put you off!. I'm very jealous of your V&A membership - I'd think about joining but I've not been in London often enough lately to justify it.

I've been to a few exhibitions lately that were designed/curated during the pandemic and they've all been a bit meh. I think it's because they had to work with limitations of budget (as likelihood of it being scrapped were high, so that's on top of normal constraints of underfunded culture sector) and only using what could easily be sourced (usually just their own archives) and then sort of inventing a very general theme around it. Sounds like the V&A gents exhibit may have been victim to that too.

LC looks great there mm, I've been seeing the artful tied sweater everywhere again, very much the Céline Phoebe Philo version where it's two identical jumpers (or appears to be, one is usually a scarf like thing) but considering how mild winter has been so far all this build up of we're going to freeze and need lots of insulation seems a bit much at the moment, but still a great shape modifier that isn't a belt. I've been drooling over shirts instead, specifically these ones at the latest Sacai show, the cuffs are so impractical but I love it... I'll just have to settle for layering a shirt under a mini skirt aesthetic instead, another Phoebe Philo throwback, maybe even her first collection at Céline. (Also really liked the boots at that show but after finding out their price I slunk away pathetically making sad noises).

Oh those sleeves made me laugh and I'm probably fonder than most of the um... less practical end of fashion.

Oh laugh all you like, I'll be here flapping my oversized sleeves and taking flight like a sartorial Dumbo

I think those sleeves look amazing but IRL would drive me insane as I am very much a follower of Jenna Lyons in the artfully folded up sleeve department so please do take it for the team not-at-all-dum-bo!
(I am sitting in a car park in the rain with prescription sunglasses on because I left my reading specs behind so) I might not have read the photos correctly but it looks to me like those massive shirts are held in by rather spectacular tool belts (yes yes yes please) and the mini skirts are underneath the shirts? Anyway for those blessed in the leg department it’s a nice look although what you can actually do while looking so good is another matter ….

Yes, sorry the picture I used didn't really illustrate my point, here are better pics of shirt peeking out under skirt, ever so peek a boo. And the third pic is the Phoebe Philo reference (I was right, it was from her first show ) I also really like that slanted mini skirt/half scarf.

May experiment with this fallen skirt thing, for lack of a more technical term that I don't know (the ;&w ensemble) it's on several runways, I suppose to distinguish from your generic high street fits but my body does well with a bit of askew lines, much moreso than straight across so it could just be my thing.

And, also, yes, mm, they were sort of belts with pockets attached but also skirts masquerading as belts (with pockets, female designer and all ), lots of layering anyhow.

Hmm I salute you bo but I think I'll sitting this one out. Even if it's a mild winter and you can get away without trying to put your coat on, how do you drink coffee, eat a curry?

You can put me down for a tool belt though, that sounds like a trend I could get behind.

I think you're right about exhibitions generally since the pandemic. This might well have been the V&As first since all the restrictions ended and it did feel a bit like they'd thrown it together with whatever they could find at the back of the cupboard. I know the arts have taken a hammering and I want to support them but they need to raise their game and quickly too.

Obviously this is part of my fantasy white coat lifestyle where I'm waited on hand and foot and people feed me grapes 🤷

Before I forget, to make up for any exhibition disappointments, I can happily recommend Mrs Harris Goes to Paris, it's a shameless feel good flick that requires lots of suspension of disbelief but you'll happily allow it for gawking at all the lovely clothes and how they're made (I think Dior was a co-producer or collaboration of sorts). Despite its very heavy handed messaging about older women being invisible it's not annoying at all, probably because they're so overt (and brief) about it.

Window/Google shopping for a fantasy life sounds a very promising rabbit hole to fall down in the shorter days of late autumn! I read Flowers for Mrs Harris years ago and I would absolutely love to see the film - the trailer looked tantalising. Sadly they aren’t streaming it yet but 🤞🏼I’ll get back to London in time to catch it there.

Trying to think of what my fantasy life would be but actually the only thing I genuinely fantasise about is the absence of mud and Labrador fur as if I could magic my dog into the only non-shedding, non-rolling-in-mud-Lab I could wear anything I bloody liked!

Tbh my fantasy lifestyle would probably drive me insane, having to deal with that much staff who are just mostly sitting around waiting for you to want something doesn't sound all that exciting. The only good thing about it would be the clothes...

I didn't realise it was based on a book, mm, and I see it was written in the fifties which makes a lot of it make a lot more sense, it definitely has that classic movies of that time feel but it's not as overdone like that Renee Zellweger movie whose title escapes me now, it was about a fashion magazine, I think, a bit kooky. Something with up or down in the title, it wasn't memorably good to me anyhow...

I am thoroughly enjoying the photos of miniskirts and utility belts.
I think I need a couple of miniskirts this winter, but I will wear them in a more traditional way wish I could do the shirt peaking under it look

I had written a longer post but disappeared in the mist…
anyhow, I was rambling about first being warm and now really wet. Therefore no much in terms of fashion news from my side.

The mini skirt with shirt poking down underneath reminded me of the trend for wearing very abbreviated shorts with the white pocket linings hanging down below.

I realise my passion for tweed skirts
has got rather beyond a joke. Most of them don’t actually fit or if they do I don’t care for the style but oh! The fabric itself. I just need to learn to sew (or more realistically find a dressmaker).
My latest acquisition is a very vintage Laura Ashley number which I suspect is big enough to make at least two skirts. The tweed is a really substantial weight, in a good way, which together with its style makes me think it’s from the 1980s. All for £15! Maybe this is the one I could practice on as if I screw up there is enough fabric for another one.

Hello, sorry to barge in again with a random question. I know I should really contribute on a regular basis but I just seem to run out of time.

I saw Mrs Harris goes to Paris on a recent flight by the way and thought it was lovely. Highly recommend.

Also red, I'm sorry because I never managed to get to American vintage. Didn't forget you though!

My question relates to hair (and was debating placing this on the curly hair thread but it seems to have died some months ago). I have managed to convince myself that curly hair cannot be stylish (well my hair anyway). I feel that I can wear a put together outfit but that somehow it doesn't look stylish on me whereas it would on someone with straight hair or who has been to hair salon for styling).

I've been looking at influencers etc and they all have straight hair too (would love to find a curly fashion influencer with classic/French taste).

What do you all think of us? I'm wondering if I need to wear more make up (so at least my face is groomed and polished even if my hair is not) or whether it comes down to how frizzy hair is - because "tidy" and less frizzy curls look more groomed than totally frizzy, unkempt curls (like mine at the start of my curl journey).

I'm sure bo especially will be able to talk some sense into me (I hope!!)

Re clothes, just ordered a lovely jacket from Arket - hope it fits as it was the only size left. And got a great pair of off-white wool trousers , ankle length from Cos. Shame it's practically still summer here so too warm to wear either item

Ps where do you buy these vintage pieces from mm47?

Argh sorry for the typos. Should have got out my laptop for such a long message (instead of the phone).

Sophie curly hair can definitely be stylish and fit with Parisian chic. Maybe you have an unsuitable haircut or haven't learned how to style yours yet or worked out which products you need?

If my hair looks too big for the outfit I'll clip part of it back. Sometimes outfits suit an updo but not hair down. Sometimes what hairstyle I need depends on whether my curls are behaving or whether I look like I've been crawling through a hedge backwards. Hair can look very different depending on whether it's clipped back loosely or tightly, depending also on where you place the clip and which of your curls you gathered into it.

I have a vast array of clips, headbands, elastics and pins in various sizes, colours and styles. Whatever my outfit there's always something to match it and create the hairstyle I need that day. They are part of the outfit and I take take a few minutes to decide which I need, if any, and how I will use it for best effect

Check out Coco Maisoneve on YouTube for an example of a curly haired woman with Parisian style