Les Parisiennes de Mamansnet: Emergency thread!!

[Papyrophile]

Bonjour Mariannes. Sans botemps, I've taken action; if I am one of many, I'll ask MNHQ to remove this.

I remember the huge fuss when one player wore frilly knickers, to play at Wimbledon, many years ago…

There’s what sounds like an interesting talk on early Liberty clothing next week. I’d love to go but can’t: here are the details in case anyone else wants to go:

https://fashiontextilemuseum.org/museumevents/artistic-dress-at-liberty-co-the-early-years/

Thanks Poppy, it's a shame they don't put their talks online like the V&A do. I watch quite a lot of them (V&A) - they're a bit variable but, at £6 a pop, I find it's normally worth it.

And I've just realised I've missed the link to bo's pics so I'm off to look.

The photos are worth a look, Flo.
I’m learning more about art watching the National Gallery’s recordings of talks, and they are free!

Oh, I never watched the NG recordings of talks. I will try to give it a go.

I do not have many fashion reports, other than the stuff I see online with influencers and say some of the fashion weeks, just bores me. Yes, some of the stuff is cool and that, but I am tired of the feeling of trying to hard that some of the influencers put. So I am being a bore on the fashion front.

I don't follow any influencers either Red - the only thing I use Instagram for is vintage and costume history. It means I don't know what people are talking about any more on at least half the threads on here but never mind. I still enjoy fashion but my expectations have changed - I've given up hoping for anything new or even exciting, and also I'm totally disinterested in what it might have to say about the state of the world. (The same goes for all performative celebrity speeches but that's probably for another thread.) Just entertain me please.

I seem to follow just gardeners and knitters on Instagram and I find the perfection of their posts depressing. It’s all so “curated” and geared up to selling stuff. I do pop in from time to time for a couple of people‘s posts, but take everything with a massive pinch of salt.

In a way it’s quite amusing, but having been in a Bettys café once when a couple came in and just took photographs of them ‘eating’ and ‘drinking champagne’, presumably to post on Instagram, and left without eating or drinking anything, I find the superficiality of some aspects very sad.

Influencers in the wild are an odd bunch to observe. At this point I assume it's pretty much like a pyramid scheme where a select few are wildly rich and the rest are just trying to make it into a full time gig but failing. It's too much theatre and too little of the authenticity that was the initial draw and USP.

Fashion seems to be in a weird space atm, financially they're struggling and (sorry Flo talk of the state of the world incoming) the current climate doesn't look to be promising in changing that. Luxury appears to be losing its lustre for this current generation of young-ish consumers that got sucked in during the pandemic. I kind of think that might be a good thing for fashion as they'll be more open to trying new things, maybe, I live in hope. They've charted the very safe and predictable for a few seasons now which is the normal knee jerk reaction to times like these and it hasn't been working as it has previously. My crystal ball prediction is that we might start seeing more localised trends, and less of the global viral thing.

I also don't think young people are nearly as interested in fashion as my generation was. That's perfectly understandable - they've got far more ways now of spending their time and money, but I think one outcome is that fashion isn't attracting the most creative people any more and we're living with the results of that.

Anyway be that as it may, I am taking refuge in the fashion past, tra la la. My Instagram feed is mostly 18th-20th century costume history and a delightful place to pass a few spare minutes. And I've just had an email about courses coming up at the V&A and want to do at least 6 of them, which would swallow up most of my clothes budget for the rest of the year.

I ended up going into YouTube for the national gallery recordings and as I didn’t have much time decided to see one very short 5 min which is an art meditation. They put a picture and do a guided meditation focusing on different parts of the painting, really enjoyed it. Not informative as such on the work of art but I suppose you really stop and focus on different aspects of the painting.

I like the positive crystal ball prediction of localised trends Bo , I hope it eventually gets to that as I miss those days when I used to travel and see really different fashion depending where you were. Now there is no surprise element.

I can only talk about the mid teens as my DS is one of them, and yes many of them seem to have been for a while on that cocoon of oversized comfy outfits of sweatshirt materials, hoodies and so on. But not any, mind you and not the obvious brands. He seems to find brands that only sell via TikTok … and do small ‘drops’ every 3 or 6 months, price range doesn’t differ from the average Nike and adidas but I have to say the quality of some of the stuff is superior than the average high street. And have some ‘cool’ small design details.

I love the National Gallery videos. They are usually so informative.

I’ve just come across this video with a small section on kilts, featuring some glorious swingy examples. I’m very tempted to find a kiltmaker. Maybe my son and I could share one…
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSXl3twjgaU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

Bonjour everyone. I’m not sure this is the right thread to post but here goes. I am in a total style rut and need visual inspiration to jump start me out of it. I’m going to Paris in 3 weeks. What are the best areas for people watching, fashion wise? I’m not talking Chanel- more Bourgeois Boheme. I’m hoping my trip will give me some ideas about shape, cut, colour and confidence to try something new. I’ve been living in corduroy trousers and Petit Bateau long sleeve T shirts . I’m 59, in reasonably good shape, probably a French size 42.Thanks!

Hello The Gander, I am sure our Op will jump in any minute.
But I love Paris and people watching, Bastille is a good area more boheme and interesting for food, small shops and general looking around; Les Marais also but more upscale and independent shops with some interesting design.
from the department stores I like Le Bon Marche.
what sort of things do you like/need? Everyday stuff? Suitable for work?
welcome to the thread btw!

Thanks you @Redandblue11 . Well I guess I’ve lost my way and this never ending winter isn’t helping and of course neither is the menopause. My proudest outfit last year was straight jeans, a John Smedley top ( red) and a kind of v dark geeen corduroy jacket by Margaret Howell ( probably my biggest ticket item ever). But day to day I’m a frump. Workwear (NHS clinical role but do a lot of my work by phone and office 2 days a week) just needs to be presentable , no one dresses up but some are more stylish than others.
Thanks for suggesting Bastille, that’s a good shout, I have never been. I usually
go to Saint Germain des pres, Marais and I’ll be staying in Montparnasse. Thought of checking Belville out too. Any more suggestions would be hugely welcome 🙏

Hi Gander, and welcome. I don't have much to say but I've been away for a rugby weekend with two pairs of jeans and three jerseys so just "Hello". Surrey is not a style spur.

Welcome @TheGander I'm afraid I've not been to Paris for about 17 years (I don't know why they let me on this thread really) so I can't contribute much other than Le Marais, which you already know. I've heard good things about one of the canal neighbourhoods too - St Martin I think. I'm sure other posters can make better suggestions though. The menopause is a beast but, if you like Margaret Howell, you're clearly a woman of taste and refinement so hang on in here and keep posting.

Hahaha Flo your devotion to MH is legendary so I thought I might reel you in ( sorry! ). Good shout re Saint Martin. @Papyrophile ( are you an Egyptologist btw?) I know what you mean. I live in a non descript area of south London and there’s no incentive really to dress stylishly. I always seem to make a bit more of an effort when I’m in France. But I shouldn’t use that as an excuse.

@TheGander , no Egyptologist, me; only a shameless stationery addict!

Hi TheGander, I think it sort of depends on what you're looking for in people watching, but for intimidatingly stylish woman of menopausal age, in and around Le Bon Marche is a pretty good bet, the Rose Bakery on the second floor seems to be their preferred gathering spot. Their somewhat flashier counterparts with a lot of international visitors mixed in tend to hang around George V, Avenue Montaigne, Avenue Mantignon (but will avoid Champs Elysees like the plague). Crudely, old money on the left, new on the right bank.

The students around La Sorbonne can be worthwhile, also a lot of younger interesting dressed folk around Etienne Marcel as Les Halles seems to be a gathering point for those who live on the outer edges of Paris and have a dress up to go into the city mentality, but in a creative way rather than formal sense. Canal St Martin tends to be more popular in spring summer.

Whatever big exhibit is on also tends to be a magnet for the well dressed. Whatever is heavily advertised in the metro is usually a solid bet, although they do usually require advance booking, so some anticipatory research might be in order.

In terms of shops, I'd recommenced going to AB33 (Rue Charlot) and French Trotters (Rue Vieille du Temple) in the Marais or Smallables (women's store on Rue Cherche Midi) on the left bank if you sort of want to go somewhere that's pre-curated but not a single brand store where everything works together and there's encouraging but honest staff. Sort of opposite of that, is Merci, which is always annoyingly crawling with tourists but they have a selection of clothes brands that might make you a bit overwhelmed when jammed in front of you on the racks but it's the place to find something that'll push you out of your comfort zone but really isn't that far out of it.

I assume you're already familiar with Soeur, Agnes B. and A.P.C. as that fits in neatly on the MH spectrum. If not, they have shops everywhere and tend to be in the major department stores. I'd recommend Lemaire as well but their flagship store is very menswear focused, I think their stand in Galleries Lafayette is better in terms of stock, but not so much atmosphere wise.

Oh thank you @Botemp that’s a wealth of information. agnes b is my favourite ( when I can fit in the clothes, and ideally in the sales). I have also come across APC pieces in charity shops here and they are usually well made and quite stylish. I hadn’t heard of the stores you mention, will be good to check them out. I might even check out the Bon Marché, but doubt I’ll be joining their clientèle in the style stakes!
I am going to a big exhibit as it happens: the Salon International de l’Agriculture. But I wouldn’t describe its usual visitors as a stylish bunch!

Gander not sure if you have past experience in those agricultural exhibitions but come back and tell us if their ‘style’ differs from the British one or not … I am curious now. Sometimes picking pieces here and there from country wearing can be stylish!?

Your outfit Red and dark green sounds appealing to me, maybe introducing and combining colour is an easy way to regain confidence in being more stylish.
yesterday for work I wore my MH trousers , the pleated olive ish (not sure of the exact colour, she does very good colour waves) and a dusty pink shirt. I don’t remember combining them before but I found it really lifted my complexion and overall look in a very easy way.

@TheGander are you the poster that always goes to the Agro exhibit? For whatever reason that poster lives in rural France in my head but maybe there's two of you? Macron likes to pop up in that fair unannounced, maybe he'll bring his sunglasses to style the place up a bit...

There's a major exhibit at the Louis Vuitton foundation but suspect that'll be finished by the time you get there. And it's annoying to go there (and that painter is abstraction taken too far if you ask me, not worth the hassle for the chance of some inspiring dressers). Whatever is on in the Grand Palais is usually a safe bet.

Hello, no I live in London. I may have mentioned the Salon once before, and how Decathlon seems to be the chosen style of most of the attendees. Never been to a U.K. one @Redandblue11 but I suspect would be a similar look! It’s a huge affair at the exhibition centre at the Porte de Versailles with about 8 different halls, as well as representing all the French regions there are delegates from most of the French speaking world in Africa, the Caribbean, Tahiti etc. There’s food, wine cattle, horses, pets and more. I love it!

Hahaha re Macron and his sunglasses. I’ve only ever seen Rassemblement National people- Marine one year, her niece another. Hoping this year to see a different politician- any will do

Ha you definitely know how to get my attention @TheGander I remember being impressed by the number of independent clothes shops in Paris, particularly Le Marais - don't know if that's still the case? They all seemed to be run by scary women who were absolutely charming as long as you spoke French. They didn't mind you speaking it badly, just as long as you made an effort.

It sounds fun TheGander, is that just the reason you go? I was trying to piece together how it's NHS work related without considering you might just go there for the experience of it all. Not surprised the RN folk are well represented there, they do love to mingle with the activist farmers and probably get money from the same Russian bank account. Here's hoping for better company this year 😎

Flo, Paris is a lot more English speaking than it used to be but it's still the polite thing to ask if someone speaks English first (after the obligatory, 'Bonjour!', obvs.) otherwise they will mirror the disrespect as they experience it.

Still plenty of independent shops too, although Le Marais is obviously a lot more expensive than it used to be so there's the odd bit of gentrification. I do get the sense that small footprint shops can still work their way in there. For whatever reason it does seem fairly accessible to just set up shop or even a clothing brand in a way that doesn't seem to be the case in most major capitals. There is a higher turnover of businesses, so it's not all successful, but it's replacing like for like, for the most part.