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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

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Voltefarce · 23/10/2024 18:44

Arket is probably more in my price range! Whatever I buy will be ruined soon by the dirty hands of a three year old.

PoppySeedBagelRedux · 24/10/2024 08:25

Hi Flo yes I did mean how did you choose for the cull. But your long post is interesting It's also interesting that you've kept the original blue jumper.

As regards darning, Love Cashmere have started up their cashmere care service again, which includes darning if needed.

Volte I also WFH a lot, in a north-facing outside corner room and am mean about putting the heating on, so like a warm jumper or two. My favourite is an Aethel Crucial cardigan:

https://www.aethel.com/products/crucial-cardigan?Color=Golden+Beige&Size=XS

It's a great design because it can be worn like a v neck jumper, done up, on its own, or obviously as a cardigan over a top - I wear it a lot. It is good quality cashmere (so is lasting very well) and the yarn has very very tiny flecks of paler colour in, so has more character than flat navy.

Voltefarce · 24/10/2024 08:35

Thanks @PoppySeedBagelRedux - that looks lovely!

microbius · 28/10/2024 10:49

I am also guilty for repeatedly trying to replicate a perfect item that fell apart. Sometimes 25 years later! Some items (often complete with people and the situations) remain lodged in my memory. And maybe for this reason it's never quite possible to buy a replacement...

Volte, I also mainly work from home. Having grown up and lived in a few northern countries in modern, well-built and well-insulated housing with central heating, I can honestly say that I have never been as cold as in Britain. After having lived here for so very long, I can tell you my rules. I accept;
-that I have to wear something woollen on my upper body from September to June;
-I often have to wear two woollen things when sitting down to work and I often have to take things off when going out (rather than putting things on);
-that, consequently, I have to have dozens of jumpers/cardigans/etc in various weights, colours and knits. I have summer jumpers that are thin and, say, red / pink; I have thicker knits for winter and black, a whole autumnal collection, etc

My advice therefore is;
-wear something light (still a jumper though) with interesting neck line for zoom calls;
-wear a thinner jumper and a thicker cardigan for sitting still for those hours;
-to not die of boredom, play with colour / knits / silhouettes

And the last thing, I found Margaret Howell knitwear unbeatable. She seems to understand English weather like no other brand and produces knit weights for specific English/British? conditions (or perhaps just sticking to historical knits developed in relation to their environments would do so as well). There are thick winter ones and thin summer ones and very useful mixes of wool/cotton when it appears to be warmer but not really. MH also does lots of interesting necklines (slightly rolled ones where you can see the shirt a bit, or a lower cut on a cardigan, etc). And it's possible to buy her knitwear on eBay/vinted. Things come up - not very often, but they do.

Voltefarce · 28/10/2024 11:14

Thanks @microbius. My stock of jumpers definitely needs some work. I’m also going to make myself a quilted gilet to slip on.

Tatare · 28/10/2024 12:48

Hi!

Agree with @microbius re Margaret Howell knitwear, I've got a few cashmere jumpers, perfect weight, perfect slouch,

NO PILLING!

My birthday weekend was amazing, such fun. But as predicted, the owners were a bit shit, the property was incredible, and we had the best time because I sorted it all out, but what gang of shapeless fools.

Ha! As I was typing this I had a call from the owner, full of apologies..

Anyhoo!

Such fun, here's me, one of my sisters, my Ma & the DCs, loving DS's styling, he's so in to his clothes, makes me happy.

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.
ToEllewithIt · 28/10/2024 19:19

What a great picture. I'm glad the party was a success!

Does anyone know when the next MH sample sale is? Asking for a friend...

One of those detachable collars can be great for a WfH teams call if you wear a lot of knitwear. I'm really happy with the quality of the cos cashmere I bought last year. I got the chunky jumper. Too tip - buy it in the largest size and IMO the slouchiness gives it a kind of excess that makes it look more luxurious. I feel like the high street is often a bit skimpy with the sizing on cashmere. www.cos.com/en_eur/women/womenswear/tops/sweatshirts/product.chunky-pure-cashmere-crew-neck-jumper-grey.1229902001.html

So in line with Flo's tactic of trying something out before upgrading I've decided to "upgrade" my Uniqlo x Jil Sander jacket for something equally voluminous with a hood but lightly padded. I can't decide which iteration to go for. The shape is the same. The houndstooth is the most practical I think and doesn't look so dull in real life. I'm more drawn to the other two but they're less versatile I think and maybe too distinctive. Help!

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.
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 · 28/10/2024 19:30

Argh MN ate my post, Tatare I'm glad you all managed a great time despite the hobbles in the road.

I'm echoing going for bigger on the slouchy cashmere, Volte I find the men's jumpers at MH much nicer than the women's. Might be worth looking at John Smedley for better prices (don't they manufacture for MH? The wool not the cashmere, some Scottish mill does the cashmere iirc).

Adding to the work from home tips, I like having some nice quality wool knee high oversized (wrong word but loosely knitted enough to stretch over thin socks and trousers) socks by my desk.

Tough one Elle, the houndstooth feels the safest but I feel sort of detracts from the whole voluminous shapeliness of it. The beige top one would have me worried a bit about potentially washing out your complexion in crappy autumn/winter weather and the green and pink would throw me a bit with how well it would go when wearing over other things. Sacai has some interesting 3D style jackets atm, boring colors (that do go with everything though) but with interesting bomber jacket detailing.

OP posts:
microbius · 28/10/2024 20:31

Elle, there was a Margaret Howell sample sale at the end of September (final week of the month). The next one should be at the end of March although last spring it was in April for some reason. But, the abundance and amaziness of post-covid samples sales are over..

I am not sure it's worth going to MH's one anymore, if only for unrelated random finds, like a piece of good pottery that might turn up. MH outlet at Margaret street has quite a bit of knitwear at the moment - that is a better bet (I bought three(!) 😳 jumpers). I am pretty certain knitwear won't make it to the ssale. Is your friend 😉interested in anything specific?

IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle · 28/10/2024 20:37

Having grown up and lived in a few northern countries in modern, well-built and well-insulated housing with central heating, I can honestly say that I have never been as cold as in Britain.

Living in a cold, draughty house built no earlier than a year starting with 18 is aspirational here.

ToEllewithIt · 28/10/2024 22:00

These ones are lovely but no hood (autocorrect initially made that "no good" which is equally accurate I suppose)...

That's good to know on the knitwear, very useful intel which I'll pass on to my friend.

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 · 28/10/2024 22:20

This one has a hood and from my memory is similar to the Jil Sander Uniqlo one but it is more of a winter coat than Autumn transition one. Limited sizing (although their largest size is more like a medium so the size 4 should probably be fine) and a pain with returns (unless you're still regularly flying to Canada).

(No hood but I really like this one)

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Floisme · 29/10/2024 08:33

I'm not certain but I think both Margaret Howell and Vivienne Westwood use(d) John Smedley. I snap it up whenever I see it at an affordable price although I don't think they make cashmere (or if they do, I've never seen it).

I actually think I like the houndstooth one best Elle although that might just be because there's a model wearing it. My second choice would be the green / pink combo. But I'm typing this before I've looked at bo's links. Best not get me started this early in the day on bad weather coats that don't have a hood Angry

microbius · 29/10/2024 13:00

@IHaveNeverLivedintheCastle Yes, I've "made" it; I own a beautiful Edwardian house. Yet, I buy chimney balloons for the endless number of fireplaces that suck all the heating out, and my newest purchase is a dehumidifier - because when I was sorting my clothes out I discovered mould in my wardrobe. Mould! I would never think this would be in the realm of possibility! I have only ever seen mould on bread (and cheese).

Re: knitwear. I have tried following the MH-John Smedley connection, but the designs at JS are quite different. I think potentially John Smedley is good for high quality thin-nish things - extra fine merino wool kind of jumper (and that what it does for MH?).

Elle's jacket; Like flo, I also like houndstooth best. I think pastel colour combo would be too demanding. Khaki and cream is second best, but I personally would tire from it. If you end up going for Sacai, could you report on sizing? I only have one Sacai item and it feels like it is not made for tall european bodies. But some of their things are so amazing...

botemp · 29/10/2024 13:57

Yikes micro, that doesn't sound healthy. I'd seriously consider getting an HRV system installed, especially with all the balloons and (assuming) other retroactive insulation which can't make for a healthy indoor climate, and at worst put you at risk of sick building syndrome.

Sacai is made to the Japanese standard, narrow frame and at least 10cm shorter than the height European brands are designed for IME. But a fair bit is oversized so it has more range.

I've been looking at the pastel jackets again and I'm wondering how accurate the colour representation is. I've eyed this coat previously and I think it's the same fabric/pattern and it definitely looks a lot more vivid and deeper in colour up close.

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.
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.
OP posts:
Redandblue11 · 29/10/2024 14:36

I am reading still, been busy with family visiting for a couple of months plus a couple of trips.

Sadly I missed that VW sample sale that Bo mentioned. I would have loved to go.

I have too many John Smedley jumper’s favorite on Vinted but haven’t done anything about it.

Gosh, micro yes is best to get that sorted.

I am also on houndstooth camp Elle. Love the volume and shape of that jacket.

my fashion news, I am awaiting for some Bobbies boots to arrive. Will report when I got them.

Floisme · 29/10/2024 14:45

Sorry I forgot to say this before so, before we move on, what a stylish family you are @Tatare - that's a great pic. Glad the party went well in spite of all the glitches.

And wow that looks like a whole different colour combo bo. I kind of like it though.

PoppySeedBagelRedux · 30/10/2024 19:54

I've mentioned it before but I was told by an assistant in MH that I should get t shirts from Sunspel as they made for MH but were cheaper. (I know!)

So I bought a Sunspel t shirt and it was OK but not as good. Obviously they make better quality for Margaret, hence the higher price, and silkier fabric.

Tatare · 31/10/2024 09:46

@microbius as the owner of and liver in of nothing newer than a Georgian property since birth. You need airflow. I think @botemp would agree with me, that pre-20thC properties were built as living entities. The Georgians with their large windows were particularly keen on solar-gain to heat their houses, and they were largely oriented to southwest to facilitate this.

Don't block your chimneys, you'll get too much moisture in your house, which will encourage mold.

Unfortunately, this does mean either a house colder than 20thc sensibilities, a large heating bill, OR a cold AND damp house.

Voltefarce · 31/10/2024 12:16

@microbius do you have the right plaster on your walls? We are in a Georgian property and are having to tear out all of the gypsum plaster to replace with lime (the former not being appropriate for a solid wall building).

Tatare · 31/10/2024 13:51

As @Voltefarce says, you need lime plaster and render, because airflow.

My DD got black mold in her bedroom because she never opens the window and always has her door closed. It's just a damp, horrible pod.

botemp · 31/10/2024 19:26

Yes, to bring it back to clothes, old houses are like athletic wear, they have a certain amount of permeability that wicks away moisture which then slowly evaporates. New buildings are like an efficiently designed gore-tex waterproof coat with the little zipper vents. In their original design they work quite well but in most cases older buildings are 'improved' over time and that's kind of like putting on one of those rubberised coats over your athletic gear which, more often than not, is a recipe for lots of moisture inside with nowhere to go.

It's tricky because what's considered 'best' evolves constantly, there are plenty of new builds that really struggle in hot weather, they're so well insulated they can't get rid of the heat. Doing everything to historical standards for existing buildings but still delivering some sort of modern comfort level is costly, both initially and it requires more continual maintenance. Eg. It used to be the norm that spring cleaning involved washing all the walls and ceilings and applying a new coat of limewash.

At the moment there is a lot more available to retain the breathable design of historic buildings. There was barely any when I graduated but as a consumer it's tricky to navigate, especially if you're budget constrained. It still underperforms compared to modern building standards but it's a whole lot better than nothing.

OP posts:
botemp · 31/10/2024 19:32

Got sidetracked by the building chat, I actually came here to post about &Other Stories' limited collection. 1950s brocade inspired, Savoir collection, the bomber jacket stood out to me, vaguely Dries in shape and decoration.

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.
OP posts:
Voltefarce · 31/10/2024 22:31

botemp · 31/10/2024 19:32

Got sidetracked by the building chat, I actually came here to post about &Other Stories' limited collection. 1950s brocade inspired, Savoir collection, the bomber jacket stood out to me, vaguely Dries in shape and decoration.

I love most items in that collection. Happily for my purse there is nothing that would suit me.

PoppySeedBagelRedux · 01/11/2024 06:53

Me too, Volte. That building chat is really interesting - thank you.

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