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Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: It's French charm, you know, beheaded people, red wine and blood all over the place - it's romantic, it's normal.

1000 replies

botemp · 11/08/2024 12:50

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

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Les Parisiennes des Mamanset: On the Advent of Newness | Mumsnet

Lovers of Parisian style and fashion with a conscious mindset and lots of chatter in between. [[https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4840470...

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/style_and_beauty/4953139-les-parisiennes-des-mamanset-on-the-advent-of-newness?page=1

OP posts:
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150
IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 19/11/2024 21:03

I feel a bit frivolous talking about frocks so Flowers to everyone.

Having been accused of being on Sister Jane's payroll I've just bought my first Sister Jane dress. I am actually very good about getting wear out of formal dresses, don't care about wearing them over and over and last bought black tie dresses in 2017.

But the 2 stalwarts will be worn at a St. Andrew's Day dinner and a Burns supper which will have mostly the same attendees, including older ladies who notice what you're wearing. There's a further black tie event in March with the same bunch.

This is stunning in real life. It's a heavy, shimmery, jacquard. The colours are almost Monet lily pond. Yes, it's polyester, but there's polyester and polyester.

It was a choice between the green or the red. I tried the red in Harvey Nick's and wasn't keen on no sleeves.

Sister Jane green
Sister Jane red

Nord Jacquard Bow Dress

Make a regal entrance in the Nord Jacquard Bow Dress, a loose-fit maxi crafted from a striking green jacquard with hints of vibrant yellow. This bold, abstract floral dress features an elegant adjustable necktie and convenient side seam pockets, blendi...

https://sisterjane.com/collections/dresses/products/nord-jacquard-bow-dress?edit=one

quirkychick · 19/11/2024 21:15

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle thank you for the flowers, frivolous is good. Though to paraphrase the late, great Vivienne Westwood, fashion is important and I'm sure an early thread talked about the boost to morale red lipstick gave to freed female, concentration camp victims. Fashion as a means of freedom and expression - I'm definitely feeling more like myself managing to wear clothes and jewellery I couldn't around dd2.

PoppySeedBagelRedux · 20/11/2024 08:03

Those are lovely dresses IHaveNever.

Floisme · 20/11/2024 11:29

quirky I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a difficult and distressing year. I hope things get easier.

doublec I don't know if we've interacted before or not but good to have you back.

And Flowers to everyone affected by Cancer, it's a sneaky bastard for sure.

Lovely dresses Castle, thanks for the links. I'm not buying any Christmas outfits but, if I were, I might well be eyeing up that red velvet jacket with the swishy red midi skirt

I too have curly hair, spent my teens trying to straighten it and then decided I was too lazy. I find that, as long as I keep it cut into lots of layers and stick to ear-length, it's fairly manageable - any shorter cuts out the curls and any longer and the weight drags them out. But it's limited in terms of styling options which is perhaps why I try and compensate by mixing things up with clothes.

(Edited as Mumsnet deleted my flowers!)

Redandblue11 · 20/11/2024 12:48

I am adding more flowers and wine to all.

I am not sure if we know each other virtually doublec but good to have you here.

So brocade seems to be everywhere now. Those dresses are a statement. A lovely statement.

that velvet jacket Flo makes me think it would be the perfect item to show off for the Kensington Dolls House Exhibition, which this year has a ruby anniversary and asking guests to arrive wearing something red. The jacket is very doll like to me so it would be perfect. I am not planning on buying anything though. But it would be perfect for that.
Here are some of my latest acquisitions- tweed jacket and some broches, the pin one is very VW I think.

Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: It's French charm, you know, beheaded people, red wine and blood all over the place - it's romantic, it's normal.
Les Parisiennes des Mamansnet: It's French charm, you know, beheaded people, red wine and blood all over the place - it's romantic, it's normal.
Redandblue11 · 20/11/2024 12:50

Actually, a red polo under that jacket and those pins might be one of my Xmas outfits…

quirkychick · 20/11/2024 14:32

Thanks, @Floisme I love the red velvet jacket and @Redandblue11 's tweed jacket. Velvet and tweed are right up my street. I'm not planning on buying much, either, I am enjoying wearing things I haven't for a while and have a lot of pieces that need mending, either by me or professionally.

Floisme · 20/11/2024 15:27

Is that tweed jacket the Max Mara, Red? I love it, as you might expect!

It's funny how that red velvet jacket outfit isn't remotely the kind of thing I wear at the moment and yet I'm still drawn to it. This is why I try and resist making claims about finding my style or knowing what suits me.

quirkychick · 20/11/2024 15:39

I have a pair of tweed MaxMara trousers, with a v similar pattern, but in ecru/black. A charity shop bargain from years ago.

Redandblue11 · 20/11/2024 17:21

Yes Flo it is weekend max Mara though, but still very nice. A second hand find too quirky!

are your max Mara trousers high waist quirky? That is the only thing I struggle with max Mara second hand trousers, I find they are normally below the belly button.

quirkychick · 20/11/2024 18:38

@Redandblue11 mine are slouchy, as they're oversized so slightly below my waist. I prefer that fit, personally. I did adjust them and they were on my waist, so ended up undoing the darts!

Styleislost · 22/11/2024 06:40

Hi, so sorry to interrupt the thread.

But could anyone direct me to a good resource for someone wanting to change their style and really has no clue where to start?

I have a had a few years where I have really neglected myself. Now am at a stage I need want to really invest in less clothes but quality pieces that will last and are classic.

Thank you

PoppySeedBagelRedux · 22/11/2024 07:29

Hi you could try Audrey Coyne's YouTube videos- it sounds like her style is what you're after - here's one:

Maybe start with some older ones say from a couple of years ago as she is now branching into paid for "courses".

quirkychick · 22/11/2024 08:08

Alyssa Beltempo is also great for slow fashion: how to use what you already have or choose pieces carefully.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/a0_TBQv10HY?si=G_e8x1st5Er6hl6K

quirkychick · 22/11/2024 08:10

No link, but also Justine LeComte, lots of advice on choosing good quality pieces - she's a fashion designer.

Styleislost · 22/11/2024 08:13

Thank you so much! I will check them all out.

Floisme · 22/11/2024 10:30

I'm glad you're feeling better about yourself @Styleislost I'm afraid I don't have any resources to recommend as the last guide I consulted was 'What Not To Wear' around 2002. These days I'm more of a 'try-it-and-see' kind of dresser but I realise that doesn't work for everyone.

The nearest I'll get to advice is that I've wasted a lot of money in the past on so called 'quality pieces'. I've kept a tailored jacket from Hobbs to remind myself - it's great quality (you'd never find it on the high street today) but it was a waste of money because I splashed out too early, before I really knew what I wanted. Unless you have an unlimited budget, I think it's worth sticking to the cheaper end of the high street while you try different things out, which I know is very, very bad but that's me! Once you know what you like, you can start to upgrade.

botemp · 22/11/2024 11:07

@Styleislost , as this question comes up a lot, practically word for word, it's something that's been occupying the back of my brain for some time, so apols for being the person to infodump it all on.

While the psychological aspect of it intrigues me, as to why this specific solution of well made but limited wardrobe of clothes is the answer to emotional woes, I won't pester you for an answer but if I were in your place I would examine why something so universal and broad would answer something so specific to you.

WRT the quality/style conundrum, while I don't think there's anything wrong with all the influencers that peddle the capsule wardrobe and similar, I do feel it's advice that's rapidly losing relevance. It's fine advice if you're able to shop without financial consequences, so you can spend with brands that have a larger profit margin and any mistakes you make don't impact you tremendously (no matter how well intentioned and well informed you start with this endeavour, there will be costly mistakes) but if your budget is more regular person who is stretching it to afford these 'key' pieces I do feel it's setting people up for failure to an extend. Rather than concentrating spending mindfully, it actually sets up a lot of people towards continual spending with a Goldilocks affliction.

So my advice would be prioritise style before quality, secondhand in person (if possible) would be the priority, supplemented with pieces from 'boring' high street retailers who tend to repeat the same specific items over and over again. Don't overly obsess about ticking all the boxes of natural fibres, colours, etc. immediately. Focus on shapes, fit and what these thing deliver emotionally. Cohesion across your wardrobe is something to keep in mind at this stage but don't hyperfocus on it, don't be scared to go off the beaten path.

Style as it's valued today isn't this fixed thing, it's a lot more fluid and relies a lot on your ability to adapt it per situation. Mistakes are your opportunity to learn, both about style and quality, and as far as I'm concerned are more informing than someone prescriptively narrating what you should and shouldn't buy. Once you understand exactly what does and doesn't have a place in your wardrobe, then you can upgrade to higher quality items, if you feel the need to at that point.

In terms of resources, Bani linked this earlier on this thread and while I don't think it'll magically give you style, it's a good exercise that will help you on the way and you could potentially do it with clothes you already own.

And this one is a bit more left field, as it's more athletic/street wear geared, but it's by a sort of middle man in the garment industry that helps brands with manufacturing. He takes apart clothes and gives insight in to how things are made to what standards, fabrics, difference in finishes and construction and how that impacts cost and longevity, how involved the brand is to get consistency, etc. It's mostly of interest if your budget is that mid range of mid/upper end of high street with the occasional venture into entry designer but it's easily adaptable up or down. What I mostly appreciate about it, is that it demonstrates what relative good quality can be at different price points.

https://youtube.com/@shiftfashiongroup?si=EaPDeZuBfAlxfnUo

OP posts:
botemp · 22/11/2024 12:24

Forgot to post what I came here for, Teym is having an archive sale, no returns though Hmm

Teym - The Parka - Women - Brown - Campaign

Archive sale - women

https://teym.eu/collection/archive-sale-women?mc_cid=45a8f9e1cf&mc_eid=51b2beb71e

OP posts:
Styleislost · 22/11/2024 14:08

Thank you @Floisme and @botemp . That’s actually really good advice.

One of the reasons I wanted to simplify my clothes is complex. I have recently lost weight, for several years getting dressed has been something stressful. I have bought lots of clothes and hated them the minute I put them on. Wasted more money.

I also have adhd so feel that the less choice the better sometimes. Especially when getting dressed for work.

I have a healthy but not unlimited budget and am worried about spending a lot of money and still not being happy with the fit, quality or style all over again. I am also being promoted into executive leadership in February.

It might be my adhd, but I never feel like myself on my clothes. I don’t feel they reflect me. And when I think about women whose clothes I wish I was wearing and looking into different styles ‘Parisian chic’ comes up when I find ones I like.

I think the right thing might be to try cheaper pieces so I can make sure I really like the style and go from there.

Really appreciate the help.

Floisme · 22/11/2024 17:21

I never feel like myself on my clothes. I don’t feel they reflect me.

I think you're really onto something there @Styleislost. The times when I feel well dressed are when I feel like I'm expressing myself through my clothes.

It sounds like you've had a lot to deal with in life but getting that promotion shows that you're well regarded and of course you want your clothes to reflect that.

botemp · 22/11/2024 17:50

If you work in a more traditional business environment @Styleislost and if it's within budget is it maybe worth doing a personal styling appointment at The Fold? They do virtual as well as in person, I suspect you'd get the most out of the latter. It's a brand that people tend to gravitate to as it gives that extra bit of confidence at work when you need it and don't want to worry about what to wear.

OP posts:
Floisme · 22/11/2024 18:07

The Fold used to send me their catalogue, clearly mistaking me for a woman of substance. But I really liked some of the clothes and still do. I remember there was a dress I'd have cheerfully got married in if I hadn't done it already.

quirkychick · 22/11/2024 18:47

@Floisme they used to send me the catalogue too. Also mistaking me for someone who had that lifestyle! If I did, I would be tempted too.

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