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.

[botemp]

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

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I'm happy to embrace Bonne Annie (she sounds fun!). Love the German, too, always good for saying it like it is. I'm also hoping for a calmer New Year.

Bonnie Annie tout le monde and also the Hungarian version: Boldog új évet.

(I'm planning on going to Budapest in May/June so am learning a bit of the lingo. I am enjoying it, but it is weird learning a language most of the words in which are totally unlike any other language I know. And the word for 'the' is 'a'...)

I've just, without thinking too much, spoken the words to my husband 'I'm not going to buy any clothes in 2025 unless it's to replace something that is essential and is worn out or lost'. He won't hold me to it, but I think I'll give it a go - I've done it once before, and I did buy a lot of clothes in 2024.

I initially read that as you saying the italics to your DH in Hungarian, Poppy, and I was very impressed 😲

I think I'll balance you out in 2025, despite my last minute spree (which all has yet to arrive, and in case anyone's wondering, I did cave to the expiring coupon code and coughed up the express shipping cost) as I haven't bought much in 2024 and suspect the winter sales are going to be good (at the end of them) as the designer brands seem to have finally realised they got over ambitious with the price hikes. Should mean any upcoming sample sales will have more to pick from too, probably.

My secondhand habit really took a hit this past year, Vinted just isn't as good as it used to be. The whole online secondhand sector seems a bit overheated tbh. Best secondhand finds seem to be in Antwerp so it really is limited to luck when I'm there. I really should make a point to visit Rotterdam more often, they have some good secondhand shops there.

Heh! I've just put that sentence into DeepL and I recognised a couple of words and that's it.

Do you think the pickings are better in Antwerp because it's such a fashion centre?

I haven't been on Vinted for a while, I know there were a few threads complaining about selling on Vinted, recently. My best secondhand purchases have been a local, quite chichi charity shop. A pair of (faux?) suede, burgundy Ralph Lauren leggings - label is in Chinese, so no idea if real suede or real Ralph Lauren, I like them and at that price, not bothered. Also, a pair of real leather trousers from Moda in Pelle, which need taking up.

There was a rather shocking (to me) article about bust ups on Vinted recently. Thankfully Vinted isn't that bad here, but my experience is probably down to mostly buying from French and Belgian sellers who tend to be quite formal, bonjours and being very polite are very necessary. I'm just annoyed with Vinted and the sheer amount of obvious fake crap they sell which they don't take down when you report it. And generally the prices of things have gone up and all delivery issues I've ever had are Vinted related so it just isn't that interesting anymore.

Poppy, I think the Antwerp shops are good because they've been there since forever so they have a ceiling for prices. They don't seem to be active online so they can't really hike prices without their trusty clientele rising up in revolt. I do think they also have access to good stock, probably because it's a fashion city of sorts but at the same time it's quite an affordable place to live so if you earn well you have a lot of disposable income so more opportunity to buy things that never get worn and the closet space to store them.

Happy 2025! I do love a new and shiny year. January is my favourite month, full of mystery and promise and renewal and reinvention. Or something. I'm writing this in my pyjamas so I don't think much has changed so far.

I'm sure I've heard Rotterdam is the new Berlin? I think they meant in terms of attracting creative people with low rents etc. Not sure if there's any sign of it bearing fruit yet?

I don't know what I can say about the second hand clothing market that I've not said already, most of it negative. Every so often I check out Vinted just to make sure I'm not missing out, and I can't believe the shoddiness. I know presentation isn't everything but, if you can't be bothered ironing or steaming your clothes before putting them up for sale then I can't be bothered doing business with you. You're welcome.

Some of my best buys have been crumpled badly presented things, but then I knew exactly what they were. Also, spelling mistakes or just lack of due diligence with listing things. I generally don't buy online what I'm unfamiliar with. I just don't want to get stuck in the attitude of it's cheap, I'll just sell it on.

I'm not sure Rotterdam lives up to the reputation of the next Berlin but then again Berlin doesn't really live up to its reputation either imho. I don't know, I think the whole 'creative hotspot' is a bit of tourist marketing, sure it's rooted in something but it's a bit like the 'gay neighbourhood' of yore that allows property developers to drive up prices. Maybe it's my own bias, the Rotterdam crowd feel quite insular in a way, not particularly connected to the city. The city itself is quite disjointed though, so that plays into it too.

I don't mind crumply presentation in real life cos I can pick it up and hold it to the light and so forth. But when all I've got is a crappy photo then no. And I've zero interest in taking a punt and selling on if it's not right, I spend far too much time online as it is (present company excepted!).

Yes I will concede that, on my one visit to Rotterdam, I was kind of underwhelmed but then I was only there for an afternoon. I did like Berlin though and I can honestly say that everyone who served us with food, beer or coffee seemed to be an artist or musician who'd moved there because it was affordable. But that must have been at least 10 years ago, plus lots of towns round here are affordable too but they're not hotspots for very much apart from crime!

I don't know, I think that's just Berlin. German society can be very repressive and Berlin is the one place where it's 'allowed' to be different but in a very German way. So everyone sort of embraces this artist thing as they seek refuge but it's more identity than calling iykwim?

I just think it takes more than some lost souls gathering to make something happen, you sort of need the entrepreneurial types on the periphery to inject cash and enthusiasm into it but the past decade or two the cash injectors tend to be government subsidised institutions and that just isn't it.

Bonnie Annie, all. I’m having a week or so’s grace, then I’ll be doing nothing new in 2025. I did it the year before last and didn’t really miss anything, although planning for event dressing took longer. If I could just drop a couple of dress sizes I’d have a whole not new wardrobe to wear.

I am going to Berlin relatively soon; am planning to get Ayede shoes. Preferably red and patent leather :) I also need to scout a formal laptop-friendly backpack for DH whilst there. I have utmost respect for Deuter. I bought one for my child when they started secondary, and it still looks new, even though the child is now at uni. But I think they are more sporty that what DH needs... Any pointers very appreciated!

I hope you are having good travels - or good quiet times. I am hosting grannies and young adults+their friends and together with the demands of my usual family it is all a bit much. I envy those of you on the slopes :)

Ortlieb are the business for backpack laptops, especially if a bike is involved. German made, completely waterproof, dedicated padded laptop sleeve and some have special padding to support the back too. They're kind of sporty though, not sporty sporty but more funky utilitarian could be mistaken for a bike courier. They have some versions that are a bit more office-y.

Very smart backpacks.

I had a series of successes from Vinted- almost all Paul Smith jackets so I'm much smarter now at work than I was.

I had a failure before Christmas - a pair of lovely deep red ankle boots in almost perfect condition- I learned why they'd barely been worn when I tried them on and discovered that the right foot was 1.5 cms less across than the left foot, and way too tight. Sobbing, as they were otherwise lovely I returned them and got a full refund, and quickly, but it's put me off a bit.

Thank you, bo, as always. Mmmm, ortlieb, something to consider. I am not sure he'd be ready to give up on all the front pockets that are the usual features of a backpack. I've seen people with ortlieb or similar around, are they comfortable?

Poppy, I hear you. Vinted has become a weird place. I have bought a few amazing items last year so don't want to give up on it fully, but most recently it is full of unusable/damaged or otherwise wrong items people try to flog.

Another one who has lately fallen out of love with Vinted. But I am trying to sell there some skiing gear after acquiring one very nice jacket while I was in the slopes last week.
Italians are very stylish even in their ski holidays, after dark a lot of fur, nice hats and impeccable merino polo necks come out.

I am glad I took the punt on that jacket as is so light and so warm, it has made a huge difference in the cold. And looks great off the piste too, perfect if you are doing leisure slopes and want to look good afterwards.
And it was less than half the price in the shop! It is almost identical to this in the red/strong pink wine type colour.
I am showing it here as I think it looks good, so would class as fashion!
colmar jacket

Happy for you @ skiing holidays, red! I hope you manage to sell on Vinted. My recent attempted Vinted activity is that no one wants to pay anything whatsoever (I get offers at 25% of the price listed) + on the other hand, things listed by others are insanely priced (Margaret Howell's coat at £1000). I'll stop moaning now.

Bo, if you have any pointers for where to look at things in Berlin (consignment stores there? or best place to look at ortlieb) I'll be most obliged.

I find the Berlin consignment shops to be quite overpriced, but overall had some interesting bits here and there so it might be worth paying over the odds for something special iykwim. From my list:

Der Neue Schwarze, Neuzwei, The Good Store.

I don't know who stocks Ortlieb, check their site, in the city centre probably some of those hybrid hipster café/bike repair shops will stock it. Probably better to just order online, I don't think they're more expensive in GBP and if he doesn't like it, it can be returned.

Wrt Vinted apathy, I feel like everything is like investing now. Get in on the ground early and ride the wave for a bit and then the masses join and that's usually a sign of inevitable decline so time to cash out and move onto the next new thing. If you're selling Margaret Howell type stuff micro it might be worth venturing into depop, I don't know why people happily overpay on there but for whatever reason they do 🤷

Thank you, bo!

Bonjour!

Came to mention, in case you haven’t seen it that Iris Apfel’s wardrobe will be auctioned by Christie’s online.
I haven’t looked at yet what is in there. But I am just saying, I am not tempted, just would be interesting to see her outfits, a few DVN, YSL, Miu Miu, etc .

Bonjour I'm in Paris atm will catch up with observations on it later.

I saw that article too red and was already opening my Eurostar app to book a trip to London until I read on to find out the displays will be in Miami and NYC 😑 it'll be fun to nose the online catalogue though.

oh! A sunny Paris!
here is also crispy and cold, love sunny cold days.

Thanks for the tip off red and bo I was also just thinking about a day trip to London to view Iris's wardrobe! But I guess it makes sense to base it closer to where she lived.

Good luck to everyone planning a no-buying-new year, although I hope it won't keep you away from this thread. I won't be joining you as I've just made my first purchase of the year - a T shirt from the Margaret Howell sale. It's #50 (sorry but the Sterling symbol on my keyboard has wandered off somewhere) which is roughly what I spent on 3 Ts from Monki last summer that turned out to be pretty shit. So whether I've acquired new 'buy better'wisdom or fallen for hype I don't know yet.

I didn't stop to look closely at anything else but I'll go back and see what's left when they get to final reductions.

Paris looks rather lovely bo!

As a theoretical non-buyer, do please post about purchases, so I/we can live vicariously.

M Howell t shirts are one of my favourite things.

It's this one Poppy - I was thinking of you when I bought it!

They're normally sold out by the time I get to them so I decided to go there first for a change. Also her colours are often a bit too white / navy or beige for my taste but I cautiously like the look of ássam, which I'm picturing as the colour of builders' tea. And I like the slightly longer sleeves.

www.margarethowell.co.uk/products/women-mhl-simple-t-shirt-cotton-linen-jersey-assam