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the usual links to recommended shops and other places guides from the OP because I suspect they're getting very out of date at this point)

Hola! I'd dropped off a number of threads including this one, so I've been away without realising it for 2 weeks. I'm currently in Spain, hence the lingo.

I do hope that lovely dress fits you, red.

Talking of material, I passed by a shop in Cordóba that sells the materials necessary to make the penitents outfits' with pointy hats that's they wear all over Andalusia in Holy Week. I thought they were just white but it seems they are in many colours, and some with trimmings, and scarily, on display in the shop, in black. They had some gorgeous very traditional jacquard fabric and gold lace that would make quite a skirt.

Mulberry created the British It bag – so what went wrong? (msn.com)

We were in Stratford Westfield on Friday and there were several Mulberry handbags in the bags section in TKMaxx.

In my opinion they've been going downhill as a brand for years, especially in terms of quality. I bought my Bayswater in 2010. I'll be honest that I didn't think that the leather was that great at the time, but I had been craving one for a long time and I'd just got a bonus from work, so I took myself off to House of Fraser in the City and excitedly bought one. It's looking a bit better with age I have to say. However, I was looking at them recently in John Lewis and considering the prices they are now the quality is pretty poor.

Browsing the internet earlier I came across this article by Laura Craik which talks about the brand and suggests reasons why its appeal has waned. An interesting read I thought.

¡Qué maravilloso, Poppy! Do report back on the croqetas situation.

Is half of MN still claiming to be trypophobic? That was a really popular claim when I first joined, I might try 'summer of the hole' as our next thread title to find out

Back to Dries. Zara has a new collection Rêveries Zara Studio that's very Dries, but more softer tones, but definitely the layering of pattern and transparency. I'm half annoyed at the blatant copying and half contemplating putting in an order for the silk organza pieces as they're really well priced and would combine well with actual Dries. Argh, feel so disloyal.

Will have a read of Mulberry, I was never really into them but I think designer bags as a whole are very flashy now to the point a lot barely resemble leather and Mulberry really hasn't followed that route.

Love the Dries-influenced Zara but no, seriously, it's never going to work in Devon. It's not warm enough for a start, except for two days in summer. But the look is lovely. I could contemplate a transparent blouse, just, but honestly my flesh is past displayable. Houses are not well-enough insulated.

No, no, no to Mulberry. Never a fan.

Thanks for sharing bo

I still don’t understand how Zara present their collections, as the only thing I like is not showing in the item list (the sleeveless sequin top in 6 and 7)

Also, papyro is exactly right, although swap Devon for Yorkshire, and the past-displayable flesh for nowhere-to-display it. Where does one wear translucent blouses and diaphanous wafting robes?

Ah you naysayers are helping me fuel shutting down any talk of ever moving out of a city. I'm with Flo that nature is overrated

As per usual Zara isn't the best at styling it for any realistic lifestyle. I really do see it as layering pieces that make borderline party wear (which a lot of Dries stuff can be) a bit more wearable everyday.

The transparent blouse could definitely work with a roll neck sleeveless top like in the brown skirt pic (just the transparent layer/solid shirt concept reversed). It also gives room to wear things more open that would be risque without the added layer (eg. white ensemble) or just play around with the saturation of colour and proportions. And if you're not up for a mini skirt on account of the state of your legs, they're hidden well enough with a midi transparent layer but it's still playing with mini proportions in a way an opaque fabric midi wouldn't.

I can see the sequin top in my app but not on the UK website. I'm putting it down as one of those Brexit things. Soz.

As partywear, definitely fine!

Would you like a city lover's perspective bo?

I think it looks exquisite. (I'm tempted to add something snide, like if only they'd spend a fraction of that photography budget on their quality assurance, but I'm genuinely trying to avoid naysaying - not cos of what you said but because it's really bad on this board at the moment - so I won't.)

My main issue isn't so much the transparency - I can see what you mean about wearing them layered - but the way all of those very pretty skirts are slit to the crotch. But I'd wear the Jacquard trousers (unless they're slit too and I missed it?] and the shimmery pink cardigan (yep, over a top).

And you know what, I like those backless mules too I mean I couldn't wear them, and I don't mean 'can't' in the S&B sense of making my ankles look fat, I mean I physically cannot wear shoes with no support at the back , let alone with that absurd little heel thing. But they still had something that called to me... maybe the colours? Dunno.

Ahem, Flo, where exactly is your crotch sitting? The slits are about 10cm above the knees, even accounting for supermodel limbs that shouldn't be hitting anyone's crotch...

And I think I didn't explain properly Papyro, it's not to wear as party wear but rather to make things that feel a bit party wear dressed down, to the point of being able to wear it casually. Although maybe that is just party wear as I think party wear has all but disappeared so a décontracté spin on it that can take you from day to evening, maybe? Anyhow, it gets things worn that otherwise languish at the back of the wardrobe.

Annoyingly not many shops seem to stock it, I'd prefer seeing it in the flesh to assess quality. But who knows, the Mango VB collab was much better than I assumed and Cos seems to be back on the better manufacturing as well and Arket has upped its fabric game.

I get what you’re saying, but for me it’s just a bit too… I guess wishy-washy? Something about the floatiness of it all, and the pastels 🙀 just takes me back to Miss Selfridge circa 1996 and not in a good way!

But I can definitely see how a pinch of translucency could work, and I guess the principle applies well for the Year of the Hole broderie anglaise

Cross post - must type faster!

It's more Jigsaw circa 2003 for me but I quite like it - I'm clearly drawn to a touch of prettiness at the moment.

Maybe it's all the 'Come hither' model poses that make the slash look higher than it is? I can see it makes them easier to layer too.

It is a beautiful little film. I enjoyed every frame, and it's exquisitely pretty. Perhaps it's signalling a change of mood, away from the rather Puritan utility wear that I keep catching myself wearing. I bought some fancy linen PJs yesterday in an effort to get back to something more considered and I still regret not making time to try on a navy broderie anglaise dress on the Costa Brava two years ago.

Gosh, I could watch that Zara film a million times - and still feel lumpen proletariat-ish while doing so.

The creased white dress and most of the skirts might find a place in my wardrobe, if only - as for @Papyrophile - I could anticipate having more than two days in the year in which to wear them. And if only they aren’t discovered to be cut only for women entirely without hips, which happens disappointingly often with Zara. I do love the idea of a flash of sequins under a big cosy jumper though.

Big shout for the Sargeant Exhibition
we have MM, Micro, Bo and me

i think nobody else is missing? ??

Ooh when are you going Red? I’d love to join you if I can.

Just dm you @NeedWineNow

I'd love to come along, but will hope to catch it as and when I am in the SE for something else if I can work it in.

Hello all, I hope that you are all well. I’ve been feeling meh about everything, including clothing, so have been MIA.

As ever, I desperately need to buy some basics. Anything more than that is, I think, beyond the bandwidth I have available. I shall endeavour to do better!

I'm sorry to hear that @Voltefarce Can't help much with basics I'm afraid (still T shirt and shoe hunting but can't bear talking about it again) but I've had a few random, uncoordinated, not even very seasonal finds recently:

Some Levi 501s - finally replacing the ones I recklessly got rid of in a house move 25 years ago.

Some Me and Em cargo trousers that seem to be still on their website (or very similar if not):
https://www.meandem.com/smart-cargo-slim-crop-trouser-cream

A 1960s glittery jacket that probably originally came with a matching dress, totally unsuitable for wearing outside of December, unless you're going to see an Elton John tribute act. It's much sparklier than it looks in the pic.

Helloooo? Is anyone there or have I killed the thread with my Jackie K does Glam Rock jacket?

Also has anyone seen the latest Roksanda / Jigsaw collab in real life? I'm not planning on buying anything but I love that multi coloured knotted silk dress and the long satin skirt in that Abba at the Eurovison Song Contest shade of blue.

https://www.jigsaw-online.com/collections/roksanda?vtid=CRPpA6yAEUmerbAuAQeufg&utm_source=Voyado&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=wk16-Thurs-16-Roksanda-FB-Launch+(18%3A00)&eclub=6FYGklZsjyV66iH6KrK2mu4tPxptL9TacjeO5p9dN1vEJy5Y896CgwdnIkCp5YOnJCKjYEMOqCDPQHtChGX-64BARL4PBRyYM3H7Dc7K0rzWir1Mwo3-Y4DNQKWXIcMI36Zc_MOhpO6shY4xddMs8RQZzAv0UgWWbnQfRFKX0wKg9hEMdlgcVNeT8eCW7z0JqiHOSW3IQmgoojlrKQAdwdoM2DuPx52jjdWI9p1_X8KiKqwtsNu7vHX5ww9ou-cN

Soz I didn't realise it was such a long link although at least it works.

The stripy dress and the pink dress are fabulous.

I am here 👋

I have not seen in real life that collab Flo.
jaja part of me thinks that jacket is super cool and part of me is surprised you bought it, but when I stop and see it I can see why you got it and I can imagine you wearing it.

a couple of highlights of the meet up last week. I really enjoyed the exhibition, not my cuppa all of the artworks and some too perfect idillic, but he clearly had a great way to capture something about his ‘sitters’ (I am laughing as initially I thought : sitters? Did they babysit him?? Now I know thanks to the exhibition and MM what it means 😅)

Also thanks to MM who took us to this wonderful Alandin’s cave to see magic carpets.

Hello everyone like Volte I have been under the radar for a while. Flo congratulations on at last finding a replacement for your long lost Levi’s- that must’ve been massively satisfying. I like the Jackie K does Glam Rock jacket - I wish it photographed better; I love your description of it and am looking forward to hearing how you put it together when you get a chance to wear it. Some of the colours in the Jigsaw/Roksanda collaboration are so fresh and pretty - although am not keen on that Eurovision blue (until I see someone wearing it who really suits it and then I will eat my words).
It was great to see Red and bo (it was a v small MN meet-up!). Weirdly I wasn’t mad on the exhibition- I thought I liked Sargent but actually when there are so many it’s a bit like liking marzipan and then being given a whole slab to munch - it’s too much. But the clothes aspect was interesting. He was very good at textures and also at portraying hands but once you notice you can’t help but see it, it’s like a visual tic: in every portrait the hands are well done but it’s almost like “look how good I am at doing hands!” End of in-depth review 🤡

clothes wise have very little to report except I am in love with a pair of dropped crotch trousers (Comme des Garçons) I bought on eBay. Weirdly they emphasise my waist and then - I hope- my bottom and thighs get to hide in the general bagginess. I’m trying not to think of nappies and instead aim to project late middle aged woman in Japanese clothing phase. Next stop big necklaces and interesting spectacles actually have already got these presume this phase will last until I see a photograph of me from behind but at the moment am revelling in how comfortable they are and how cool I hope I look (fool’s paradise)🤡😘

Sorry Flo it was nice weather so I've been preoccupied as well as zipping through Paris and London.

I'm on the fence about the Roksanda Collab, probably down to the styling of some, it's making me smell Shalimar...

And again, like with the Victoria Beckham Mango Collab I'm left wondering who is wearing evening wear like that in summer? These collabs are obviously aiming at 30+ money so prom or graduation dresses are out. So that leaves me with Irish weddings, but I don't think that's enough of a crowd to justify them.

I really enjoyed the Sargent exhibition but agree it was a touch too much, could have done with an edit. I liked the clothes integration and fail to see what got that critic so wound up 🤷 It was also an interesting contrast with seeing the van Eyck exhibit in Paris the day before which is sort of the total opposite in portraying humans with all their flaws in much smaller scale (I always forget how small van Eyck's works are which make all the little details even more astonishing).