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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I must say your dream induced Seinfeld crossover of SATC sounds a lot better than the movies and reboots, Flo. I still can't imagine Samantha in Birkenstocks though...

For anyone in London, Phoebe English is having an archive sale this Saturday and it's part of a whole Christmas market with designers/makers/artists more info here.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday really need to bore off out of my inbox now, I thought the litany would end but it's full of BF/CM extended promotions. I think they started the week before actual BF, it's just going to be the whole of November, isn't it 😱

Seinfeld is certainly more plausible - I can imagine Kramer selling some to Elaine or George that turned out to be fake with a very dodgy provenance. But it was Samantha being obsessed by them that made it funny, cos so out of character. But it looks like it never happened and I think you've all seen enough of the inside of my head for one day so I shall segue seamlessly into sewing. (Hope you saw what I did there.) My Black Friday spend was a couple of patterns via the Foldline: merchant and mills trousers and a Maison Fauve blazer that's probably well out of my skill league but anyway.

My recent sewing projects have mainly involved unpicking things I made during the pandemic which had started annoying me. I'm a bit of a careless sewer at the best of times but even more so during lockdowns, when it felt like we'd never go out again so who cares if the seams weren't finished? Of course it turned out that we did and I do.

Incidentally I'm dismayed that printed paper patterns seem to be becoming a thing of the past just as I'm about to lose access to a decent printer. Makers Atelier have announced they're going digital only while M&M just seem to be doing it quietly. it looks like I'll be ordering more and more through the Foldline who at least still offer a print shop copy.

I'm wondering if the Birkenstocks were briefly a thing when she was in that dreadful same sex relationship (the relationship was dreadful, that is, before that gets misinterpreted). Back in the day Birkenstocks were Jesus sandals when worn by a man and lesbian shoes when worn by a woman, at least in American vernacular.

I bought this Stella McCartney jumper on Black Friday but I got off Vinted for very little money (well compared to the RRP anyhow), no special BF offer. It's yet to arrive though and I'm hoping the upper sleeves aren't mental, I was mainly attracted to the colour and the half tuck detail. I did dither over buying some fabric that was on offer but I've got a shameful amount sitting there waiting on me to do something with it [embarrassed]. Otherwise I just bought a boatload of cosmetics, I do that every year, just buy a years worth of all the regular things and anything else that's about to run out. Aside from cosmetics and some electronics I'm not always convinced there's that many great offers.

I've never printed patterns it always seems like a lot of hassle to tape together but at the same time printing things which may never get sold doesn't make sense either. Glad you still have a print by demand option but surely a local print shop should be able to help you out? I've seen some very bizarre setups with overhead projectors hanging from a ceiling to cut your pattern pieces out but that seems like way too much effort unless you're doing some production of sorts.

I honestly don't know of any print shops round here. I've never needed to use one before and so many local shops and small businesses either didn't reopen after the pandemic or have gone under this year. It's dismal.

I remember those SATC episodes - think they broke up because the woman (forgotten her name, sorry) kept wanting to talk about their relationship whereas Samantha just wanted to have sex? Can't remember Birkenstocks figuring but anyway I'm supposed to be moving on... That jumper looks a great colour - hope it's as good in real life.

Yes, all she wanted to do was take baths together and talk endlessly. I didn't blame Samantha one bit for x-ing out of there ASAP.

My jumper has arrived, colour is not as deep as pictured (boo) but it's still a nice cheery colour more crisp winter January-March colour than autumnal as I'd imagined. Sleeves are not mental at all and actually balance out a wide leg trouser well.

Forgot I had come here to share this FT article about cashmere and how to spot the right stuff and how the price is justified and not.

Hmm, it was freely accessible to me but not through the above link, try this one instead but don't click on accept cookies as it takes you to the FT homepage

Today’s HTSI. They’re watching you bo…

<Harrumph> (is this the journo husband 🧐) if they're going to shamelessly steal from here the least they could do is give me a free subscription (I'm cheap, I'll settle for just the paper one on the weekend). I do like those boots though although I have some that look like that already just with some buckles and a flatter sole

My jumpers invariably get holes at the elbows within a few months; perhaps I should go up a level or two of expense - but then what if they do the same thing? Can't decide, sigh.

The jumper looks beautiful, Bo, enough to buck anyone up during these dull dark days.

Ha ha, bo-the-influencer! Thanks for the link to the cashmere article - the second one works. I've always had mixed feelings about high street cashmere, I've bought it so I've no room to talk whatsoever but the bit about how it takes seven to eight goats a year to produce enough material to make one jumper, and the resultant overcrowding and desertification of grazing land was an uncomfortable read. I was glad though that they also called out the ludicrous designer mark ups.

Anyway when push comes to shove, it might feel nice but it doesn't keep me as warm as lambswool.

Yeah I thought it was a helpful overview, I sort of knew most of it but not the specifics so that's useful. I now have a ceiling point for designer cashmere and I'm pleased to hear I've not been conned by The Row's cashmere if even those in the know regard it highly. I try to buy cashmere secondhand where I can to alleviate the guilt of it all. I attempt the same with denim and leather (clothing) but denim is harder for me.

Catherine, I've been down a mending rabbit hole lately, you could apply suede protectors or try felting, it's really not that hard. You can buy special kits but I just bought the needle, some of the wool and use a dry body brush instead of the special mat/foam thingies. You can even do other shapes, I've seen people use cookie cutters as a template and make all sorts of shapes like hearts, stars, etc.

Quite by accident I have come across this website www.permanentstyle.com . It is a men’s style site, but I can’t help admire the quality of the writing and Simon Crompton’s dedication to quality and craftsmanship, not to mention his apparently vast number of stylish acquaintances . Just about all the brands he mentions are non high street and I hadn’t heard of the large majority. On the back of the many mumsnet threads re the lack of quality clothing on the high street, it got me wondering if there is an equivalent site dedicated to women’s clothing, I can’t think of one.

I've made some really bad "mends" so far which luckily aren't too visible on my black/navy jumpers. But I still feel they should last longer than six months to a year. I'm hard on clothes though.

Yes, Catherine, six months to a year seems really short, even my worst buys have lasted longer than that. I got it drilled in me somewhere never to rest on my elbows, especially tables (I genuinely don't know where, my parents wouldn't and my primary school was the opposite of strict ). Maybe menswear would hold up better, or look for blends with a bit of synthetic? I don't know if there's truth to this but IME the looser the knit, the more prone to damage it is.

@TheGander , unfortunately I don't know of an equivalent. I end up on that site a lot when I'm doing research on materials and tailoring and I've yet to come across another. I think the issue is that the equivalent to his interest in bespoke suiting and materials/craft for women would be haute couture and that's purposefully shrouded in mystery. Like most feminine things, it all needs to appear effortless and magically come together, the craft and ingenuity just isn't celebrated in the same way as it would undo the mystique.

Interesting Bo. I was trying to think of the feminine equivalent for eg the beautiful corduroy trousers and knitwear and couldn’t think of anything except maybe Margaret Howell , I googled the brands he lists and they only do menswear. There seems to be an abundance of quality menswear brands out there I wasn’t aware of. While not exactly cheap, they could be saved up for and considered investment buys. I can’t help thinking, why isn’t there the same for women unless it’s £thousands or tens of thousands?

on subject of elbows wearing out- my husband wears either Icelandic or Andersen & Andersen sweaters. Both excellent quality sheepswool - Icelandic wool is amazing but does wear through on the elbow (eventually) - so far the A&A sweaters haven’t but I notice they’ve started selling elbow patches (as well as offering a repair service). This might be slightly piggy backing on being ecological but to be fair if I’ve ever come across heritage quality it’s Andersen & Andersen (not an ad I promise- it’s beautiful if rather wholesome outdoorsy in style rather than sleek city stuff…). Catherine- if you are hard on your elbows (like my husband) maybe you could just embrace it and have great patches or (like me!) wear tank tops….🤡

TheGander, ironically men are very monogamous when it comes to clothing where women are not. It means equivalent brands just don't develop as they can't survive financially without a guaranteed customer base, even a women's division within a men's brand struggle to break even. Partially it is to do with women and expectations of appearance but I think it's also down to men's bodies just not going through drastic changes over a lifetime the way women do. By the time women become interested in the equivalent of menswear they tend to be closer to 60 where men get in late 20s/early 30s. At 60, generally, is when people stop spending on clothes (lack of need and desire).

Icelandic wool is lovely, mm, I still remember trying to snap up one of The Killing jumpers but I think they were hand knit and subsequently always sold out.

What are the elbow people up to, my mind's off on a tangent now, just elbowing your way through crowds, chopping apples...

Ooh I was looking at the fabric on that website and thought at first they were selling Harris Tweed for £9.50 a metre as opposed to 10 cm grin Thank you TheGander, hours of fun for me on there! I don't know whether you've seen the 'If Monty Don was a woman' thread but there are lots of women's wear sites sugested there, although I'm not sure if any offer that same depth of knowledge or the same quality of writing.

I agree with bo that female biology means it's wise for women to be more cautious than men about investment buys. We regularly get threads started by women who've had babies and don't recognise their bodies, never mind their wardrobes any more. And I'm still sore about all those 'wear forever' purchases I splashed out on just as I was sailing into the menopause. I'd have been better off buying cheaper equivalents at Top Shop or Primark. And now I will finish my coffee while I wait to be escorted off Style and Beauty.

Yeah, call me cynical but I do get the sense that the whole capsule/minimal wardrobe, forever/investment pieces is a very sophisticated marketing scheme (may not have started as such but definitely is now) that gets people to spend more money than they'd otherwise be comfortable with. It rarely actually changes approaches to buying, it's just that useful little nudge that pushes someone over the edge. It's the filter cigarette of the fashion world.

<awaits deportation with Flo>

Don't all go getting yourselves deported when I'm just ready to dip my toes back into style and beauty waters!

OK, rush of things while I try and remember what I've read as I've caught up recently

Xing so sorry for your loss, we had the same type of death with my Grandmother in July, it was a very big bag of mixed feelings - relief for her to be free of pain and the body she hated existing in. But grief for the woman we loved so intensely. I hope you have found some peace xo

Sophie I've recently found a lady on FB videos, I think she's mainly on tiktok but I don't "do" it. She is called Carla Rockmore, she has the most fantastic curly hair....and the most amazing wardrobe. Flo she also wears glasses and big earrings and jewellery.
She's apparently a jewellery designer but also a complete magpie, a lot of her stuff is vintage, even more is high end, then some is basic H&M.
She's like a crazier Trinny but fun to watch, and has a 2 story wardrobe!!!

I have not been stylish at all since I was last here, I've been very ill again - though apparently this time the whole illness thing has been cracked and I have a 1 in a million rare autoimmune disease. I'm starting to feel slightly better - as in I can sit up and read now without vomming due to vertigo (one of the lovely symptoms)

My style tips this year are, cyberjammies are excellent. I've had 4 pairs on rotation and they have not faded or shrunk despite my DH being in charge of my washing. They are a cotton and modal mix and not sweaty at all. And look crisp without ironing. I love ironed pj's but we are hanging on here so who has time for that.

Also I bought a silk duvet to go over my weighted blanket and it's just divine. So despite not being out of bed since July I've been quite luxurious.
To avoid: Don't paint your bedroom a colour that clashes with your skintone - it makes you look worse🤣

I should be starting my treatment soon, but I have come off 1 tablet that I had time take for 6 months that was not conductive with feeling human. Also I think the steroids are kind of kicking in, so I made a deal with myself I would post back on this thread the week I'm going to get dressed everyday and do a little of something everyday.

For the skincare ladies - skin has actually never looked better as I've had loads of time to do all sorts of things like 7 skins, led mask, use the bear etc etc

My hair is falling out massively, I have like a 3/4 inch ponytail so trying to decide before Thurs if I should get it chopped off or not...

I've read a thread and a half over the past week, I think at some point or another everyone needed a hug....onward to 2023, I missed you all, it was nice to read your "voices" again

Thanks for the reality check Flo and Bo! Yes that website is very compelling but
you are right, one needs a reality deck re some of the prices. I’m not surprised that the site curator writes for the FTs How to Spend It, amongst others. I’ll make sure to check out the Monty Don site. Although I’m not aiming at looking like a friendly
organic scarecrow quite yet! And sorry to polevault over your post 70sduvet.

Actually I've been looking through Permanent Style this morning TheGander and I'm hooked! My reservations are when I see women being spun the 'invest and wear forever' line when they're at a lifestage when what they mostly need from clothes is easy washing and drying (i.e. synthetics) plus something dressier but inexpensive. I've fallen for it myself so I've been wary ever since.

70sDuvet good to see you back but so sorry to hear about your health. At least it sounds like you've got a diagnosis at last but it sounds like you've had a really grim time. You're not the first person I've heard from who's been told this year they have a one-in-a-million condition, and I'm pretty sure I don't know a million people. It does make you wonder what's going on, but I'll resist getting out my tin foil hat as it'll spoil my hair. While we're on the subject of hair, I'm normally in the 'get it chopped' camp but then mine grows pretty fast so it's easy for me to be cavalier about it. I will check out Carla Rockmore, thanks for the tip.

I'm a terrible leaner-on-elbows so it's probably just that.

So sorry you're ill, 70sduvet. It sucks to be stuck in bed for so long (speaking from experience of something similar but not as severe in 2012 - I felt like Katy before Cousin Helen took her in hand). So hope you will feel better soon and that your programme of doing one little but nice thing every day helps you.