Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness

[botemp]

Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between.

Previous thread

(I've removed the usual links to recommended shops and other places guides from the OP because I suspect they're getting very out of date at this point)

I think you should be looking at Rise & Fall Flo. Their stuff is made in the same factories as Raey etc, but it doesn't come with a label though the aesthetic is generally similar and the handful of bits I've bought (an oversize poplin shirt for me, an overshirt for XingJr and a dogwalking minibag) have all been beautifully made and finished. IMO though, you need to want to buy what they are selling at the time. And because it's closer to the DTC business model, it's only the dogs that appear at discounts.

Interesting article about the second hand clothes market and it chimes with what I’ve experienced. I have had items languishing in eBay at very good prices- 2 pairs of Paige jeans and 2 whistles dresses, and no one is interested, not even at £15. The take away from all this is there are just too many clothes, and many are poor quality. The charity shops are full of H&M, George at Asda , M&S etc, the well made clothes are harder to find. I found a Viyella made in England blouse from the 70s 2 weeks ago and was cock a hoop. The quality is so lovely, it hangs so well and just feels more solid somehow.

Thanks for the tip Papyrophile, I've seen a few chats about Rise & Fall but it's good to have a recommendation. What's their sizing like?

The good news is, I like my glasses! In fact I like them even more than I thought I would. They freshen everything up.

In fact, there is a Matches sample sale on right now (where my new acquisition was such a nice red summer dress); and I am so very sad to contemplate its disappearance. It now feels that there was a kind of post-covid bubble of a certain kind of (relative) abundance and indeed, as bo writes, things will go to the amazon mode of flatness and domination.

The sizing is generous... very generous... with R&F, Flo. I haven't bought their cotton summer trousers because of the colours (only black or beige) but my guess is that you should size down unless you want the very over-size look/fit.

Delighted that the glasses are such a success.

@mm47 I haven't forgotten about you and my promised list of buildings and restaurants in Vienna. As mentioned previously I wanted to try out a new platform for it and <ahem> I kind of got carried away with it thinking I'd publish it publicly since I was putting in the initial effort so didn't want to have it too bare bones, but I probably went a bit overboard . But I'm a bit confused now by the platform as I've finished the guide now. It probably needs a good SPAG check on my part before I officially publish it and I figured I'd give you private access and checked if the link worked if you weren't logged in but then I noticed it has the tipping option on in that. I had assumed if a regular account put up a free guide it wouldn't have that tipping thing as you only get paid out with a seller account. So while I really don't care about the tipping or monetising the guide I am annoyed if by some weird fluke tips are given to my guide it doesn't go to me when whoever makes the donation thinks it does. Anyhow, that probably doesn't concern you much... I think you should be able to see it all with this link until I figure out the publishing thing but maybe not if you want to use it in their dedicated app (which looks pretty handy tbf). Just let me know if you do want to use it on the app and I'll publish it and figure out the whole account nonsense later.

As for light meal restaurants that I also promised, I put some in the guide but also worth mentioning, Umar Fisch Bar, Labstelle, MAST Weinbistro and Tian if you're up for vegetarian with Michelin stars.

Have you figured out your wardrobe yet?

bo you superstar, you remembered! I thought of you literally an hour ago as I checked the Met Office forecast and sure enough as you predicted it will be much warmer than here.

I’ve just opened the link so need to work through all your hard work and cross-refer with recommendations passed on from a client of my husband so will comment later but before I do just wanted to send you a big thank you💐! As far as clothes are concerned I’ve literally just said to my husband that I need to iron/steam etc or get everything dry cleaned as we will be in shock by how clean and tidy everyone is! 😘

Sorry I definitely need a proof reader - too many times use of literally (and the rest!)

Bravo for your glasses Flo!

I couldn’t help but clicking on that link from Bo. Although I am not going to Vienna any time soon, I will save it! You are fantastic at details and conveying them Bo.

I couldn't see a link to Bo's advice but would be interested in seeing it as I do intend to return to Vienna soon.

I saw the Sargent and Fashion exhibition over the weekend and loved it. Not so much for the fashion actually as I hadn't realised before how skilled he was at painting faces that convey much about the sitter. That drew my attention so much I didn't focus as much as I had expected on the Fashion aspects. But he was skilled at painting clothes too and of course the clothes his wealthy sitters wore were beautiful. There were only a few examples of the actual clothes in the portraits but they were beautiful and worth seeing, and you could go round the back and see all of them.

All in all well worth seeing. And Tate Britain is lovely.

Thanks Papyrophile, I've just been looking at their (Rise & Fall's) long sleeved T shirts - yes it's that time of year again - but they're all too high in the neck and death by grey. I did snigger at 'T shirt Library' though! I'll keep an eye on them.

And thanks MmePoppy for your thoughts on the Sargant exhibition. I might be in London for a family thing in a few weeks time but will probably have to come straight back so I may have to choose between squeezing in that or Biba.

I'm looking forward to 'Botemp's guide to European cities' - I'll buy!

Here's the link again Poppy linkydink

Thanks for the report on the Sargent exhibition, now I really want to go. Red are you organising a meetup date behind the scenes or are you too busy with your new job atm?

Thanks Bo that looks so interesting and useful.

I have not arranged anything yet Bo. Yes busy with new job.

But here some dates. Micro can make these too, and MM needs to double check .
April 18, 19, 25, 26
May 9, 10, 17
Forgive me all, who else wanted to join? Pls say if any of the above good

Just a quick update on my raincoat saga.
I returned the protected species and found a new one on Vinted unused. Photo here. Is not the super long one I wanted but the length is good and the colour hood on me too.

And as I had spent less than I originally had planned and I needed to upgrade my usual one for colder days (but not artic cold) and walking or even when I go to certain sites I got this Finisterre one, not exciting but will do the job finisterre
I have a couple of this of this brand and I really rate it.

That's a result Red!

I love Finisterre's 'last long' wool socks. My feet are size 4/37 and most socks that aren't one-size and are always too big, come in 4-7 which are still too big. I find the Finisterre ones shrink slightly and then they fit me perfectly (so be warned!). They are the perfect thickness for boots and come in some great colours and stripes,and some classic/duller ones. I've just been prompted to buy some more, as they have new stock in, as the brighter colours I prefer in socks tend to get sold out quickly.

A behind the scenes look at what's been happening at Matches. It all sounds a bit sus tbh, and the manager speak word vomit 🤢 but it does look like they're trying to sell it on so Raey may not be lost forever after all. The poor employees though, they've really been treated poorly.

https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/companies/whats-next-for-matches-its-employees-and-the-brands-it-stocks

Bo - let us know if any of the above dates are good for you

Sorry, Red, I thought you were all still figuring out the dates. The later dates in April or May will probably work best for me but I'll have to check tickets/planes/possibility of stopover in Paris/etc. and I probably won't have time for that until Friday or the weekend.

I went to the Sargent and Fashion exhibition last night. It was fabulous! I can’t recall who mentioned this upthread, but the painting of the faces is just exquisite. 100% recommend.

Red of those dates May 17 looks to work best for me. (Also the 23rd but that wasn't part of the options).

17 May is good with me and Micro.
mm was going to check …
who else was was interested?? I want to say @ShangPie but i am not sure if I am mistaken.
anyone else of course is welcome just message here.
(24 of May is the penultimate day of Chelsea Flower Show and that area is normally heaving with the show and hotels full, I am already going there during the week).

Enjoyable read even if it doesn't quite live up to the blurb and I have to admit the bean bag is growing on me...

Phoebe Philo Breaks Her Silence (NYT but there was no paywall for me).

Thanks, Red, I'll await any responses today and potentially book anything that's easily cancelled/changed this evening assuming the 17th.

Thanks bo, I've not got to the Phoebe Philo piece yet but I've read the article about Matches. What an absolute shower, they make Philip Green look like a positive role model. And wasn't there a George Clooney film 10-15 years ago about a guy whose job was sacking people by video? I don't think it was intended as a blueprint.

I think that the horse is already out of the gate (is that the expression or am I translating without realising?), revel in the cringe that is the the crying CEO.