Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: JesusFlo Superstar in a Back Lit Kaftan (Toyboy Not Included)

[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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Previous threads:

Un

Deux

Trois

Quatre

Cinq

Six

Sept

Huit

Neuf

Dix

Onze

Douze

Treize

Quatorze

Quinze

Seize

Dix-sept

Ha ha I'm delighted to be wrong about the Seasalt skirt MmePoppy - now you should go and tell them on the other thread and make some people very happy.

Yeah as mm47 says, I've not noticed anyone taking a direct swipe at this thread yet, I think it's more the atmosphere we've observed before that's now dialled up to 11.

bo your blazer reminds me of some of the staff uniforms in The Ivy, and no, I don't mean that snarkily - the last time I was there, I asked a waitress if I could buy one. (You can't.) Also if you're hankering for the 70s you absolutely need to know about catalogues. Seasalt may produce their own (although if they do they don't send it to me - can't think why ) but the best ones covered loads of different brands. In one of my first jobs there was a woman who was an agent for Freemans (I think) and she'd bring the catalogue into the office, take your order and then bring the clothes in. If you were feeling brave (because 'Be kind' wasn't a thing then) you tried them on straight away and modelled them for everyone. And I don't remember having to pay a penny until you'd seen and tried. Presumably that involved handing over some of your details (I can't remember exactly) but identity theft wasn't a thing then either. Marvellous times.

As for hot weather style, I am channelling Quentin Crisp today, which I can remember teasing my dad for doing years ago. As wiser people than me have said, I guess we all turn into our parents eventually.

I don't think I'm hankering for the 70s just annoyed with the inundation of quiet luxury in my inbox and I don't know, shoot me, I'm quite happy with my body at the moment (it's probably the heat) and I don't want to hide it under many layers of oversized clothing either. The 70s stuff tends to be more form fitting without being bodycon and the patterns kill any idea that you're going for quiet luxury. It's definitely out of my comfort zone but that's probably a good thing.

Seems I missed the latest bloodbath on here then (MNHQ should really just consider creating a gladiator pit for S&B), and as much as the love is appreciated I'm sure people eye these threads shiftily. I've seen plenty of putdowns in the meta threads about wanting to dress French and it often has a bit of a Brexit-y twang to it. But it looks like I'm in luck, in case the great Brexit dream does come true and the EU goes down in flames, I already have the uniform to work at The Ivy 😁

I prefer mm's future visions about Furoshiki everywhere though. And if Loewe somehow manages to weave knot a raffia bag Furoshiki style and stick a massive leather logo on it, NGL, I might be interested again 🧐

What's with the sudden love in are they being mean about us somewhere or is this to be blamed on the heat, too? And what's with all the not joining in because you don't know enough. I talk rubbish on here 99% of the time...

I hoard these threads. Then in a very deliberate and ritualistic way I sit with my cuppa and read.

I love them for many reasons - I have an idea of what is going on in the world style wise even though for now, and the next few years, I am out of it physically (live in deep country) and financially (school fees).

I love them for the chat. It feels like a great night out/coffee with pals, where the chat is far reaching, smart, funny, soulful.

I love them for the wonderful friendship that clearly exists between many of the long timers - the first example I have seen of online friendships.

When I say I don't know enough I mean it in terms of enough time to read and follow fashion. That will change and it does I will be Les Parisiennes des Mamanset ready. (In fact I already rummaged for an old Hermes scarf to work into a bag. 😄).

My outburst was a moment of sheer gratitude after a really enjoyable read!

You asked how I see you bo - well, in my mind you are a fabulous aesthetically-attuned goddess who generously shares her wisdom and musings with mere mortals (like me - not casting aspersions on other celestial posters) and definitely not a mean girl who mocks poor pattern cutting or a guerrilla / peshmerga. Hopefully I have successfully conveyed my appreciation of this safe space (bani, don’t get triggered) in this un-MNetty love-in.

flo, your catalogue story reminds me of circa age 7 falling in love with a pair of black patent shoes (mary-janes that you could sort of flip the bar back to make into ballet pumps) from a catalogue of my mum’s. I desperately wanted them but my mum told me they were out of stock. I was so bitterly disappointed but looking back I bet she never even ordered them 😠😭

Agree the 70s vibe is a good workaround for the need to wear something floaty and cool that isn’t a frilly dress. I’d love to be wafting about poolside in a gently-fitted kaftan with a matching wide headband, enormous shades and low heeled click-clackety mules. Instead I’m making hot dogs for DS’ 4th birthday picnic while trying not to melt and wondering why the hell I didn’t find time to laser off my leg hair when I lived in hot-Asia for Ten. Damn. Years pre-DS.

Also having wrangled approx 937 small packages with tape and paper, I definitely appreciate furoshiki wrapping and will totally forget look into it for next year.

Your jacket is Magnificent, Bo.

I'm not British but I'm definitely doing that awkward embarrassed British thing right now I am, however, absolutely a squares don't make a sewing pattern snob. Honestly, we're all just randoms on the internet here, no need for the pedestals, they're tripping hazards...

Nice to hear, regardless, that we're cuppa companion worthy material, hound

(And, Shang, get yourself a Philips Lumea already, it's like the one thing I never would've bought if not for MN and it's great. Provided you somehow trick your OH in being the Lumea technician 😁)

Oh, and if anyone is looking for a poolside kaftan, I saw a great one at Arket. It's essentially two giant silk scarfs (but it was probably viscose twill) strategically seen together but that's not the impressive bit. It has a geometric lined pattern that's sort of triangular angled which does a sort of bias cut optical illusion so it's very flattering. I need to go back and have a better look at it and probably take a picture for you all to make up for my terrible description as it doesn't look to be online yet.

Sewn, not seen, autocorrect <sigh>

What's with the sudden love in

It's just that these threads feel supportive rather than snipey. It's the pleasure you see in Jane Austen novels where they buy some ribbons or a length of sprigged muslin. Sheer joy in the possibilities of clothing. It's nice that it doesn't get turned into something else.

And in that spirit I'm going to share my joy at getting these bodysuits so cheaply:
https://www.yoox.com/uk/48256188WW/item#dept=women&sts=sr_women80&cod10=48256188WW&sizeId=-1

I needed something to give a smooth line under two rather clingy summer dresses I acquired during the winter and have been waiting to wear - James Perse on the Outnet and Majestic Filatures on Vinted. I haven't worn underwear with poppers since the 90s and I'm pleased to say the quality of the poppers seems to have improved. No clothing malfunctions so far, and I feel much more put together than in bra and knickers.

😀😀@notwavingbutdrowning1 that's very kind, though I can't take much credit, as I've been pretty absent lately.

On the 70s vibe, I've just been watching Daisy Jones and the Six, a bit of fluff, really, but I very much enjoyed the 70s clothes!

Generally, I do not like 70s style but I’ve just purchased some very 70s (or maybe 60s) style fabric in the Liberty sale. No idea what for. I need some casual summer dresses and last years seem too frilly.

Ha @botemp, I got an exact one from Arket last year. Very good!

Not that I need a poolside kaftan, but if I did I would be delighted with one of the Arket numbers. Tempted, yet completely unnecessary considering that I hardly wear a Balinese silk version.

4plusthehound, welcome. The denizens of this thread have tolerated me forever, although I live with men and dog in tractor country!

On a different subject, after the trip to Spain and Portugal, I was looking for language classes so DesmondJr found a neat little TikTok app called Language Transfer which works by enabling the student to connect and build on knowledge of another language. He's very dyslexic so is pleased to find this makes learning intuitive.

Do you not go 'in the nip' under summer clothes?

When it's hot or on hols I do what @ShangPie talked about, kaftan or loose clothes (dresses skirts and vests), massive shades, flippy flappy mules. Hairband or loose twist or low bun and huge hat.

Tis the way!

@RhadamanthNemes, that sound wonderfully cool, but I am small, and loose, oversized clothes make me look as if I am wearing a tent. Which means I am pretty much scuppered this summer - one look at the Cos website and I wonder how it is sustainable in these environmentally tricky times to use so many acres of fabric per dress.

The 90s revival is working quite well for me. Hurrah for bias-cut skirts (though not for exposed midriffs).

@notwavingbutdrowning1 you need to be wearing an M&S children's white T with that bias skirt for full 90s vibe.

Nice! I will check out the children’s dept.

I’ve often thought that making some kind of beach cover up with two of the millions of silk scarves going for a song in my local charity shops would be a good way to start sewing, but I suspect that silk is a nightmare to work with, even as a hand-stitcher. Tell me otherwise oh wise Parisienne stitchers and I’ll give it a bash.

Having lived and worked in sticky places for a long tine before coming back to the UK, I’m delighted to be reunited with my hot weather workwear. At least here we don’t have to contend with glacial aircon! I can definitely recommend the strategic undervest or slip - Uniqlo do great Airism ones that keep me cool despite the extra layer.

I just take any old t-shirt, fold it up (and inwards) to whatever length I want it and then knot it at the back for a perfect fit (not a fan of tight t-shirt sleeves on myself).

I found the Arket cover up on their site btw, it was hiding under accessories 🙄 could have sworn the one in the shop was navy, here.

Silk is tricky to sew with on the machine but manageable with some hacks. Not that much harder than other fabrics by hand Shangpie, you can also get interfacing to stabilise the silk, there's also one that washaway with water, so lots of options.

Oh gosh: look at the beauty of the garments in this:

godsandfoolishgrandeur.blogspot.com/2023/06/les-annees-folles-french-fashion-of.html

And not just the garments, the styling. Some of these images are breathtaking. My local small town would stop to gawp!

I need that in my life poppy!

Love the Delaunay coat especially- what’s your favourite poppy / anyone else?

Thanks for sharing MmePoppy!

I love the jade Poiret dress - it just seems so timeless. The work in the wave-pleats is so understated but must have been a nightmare