Mom Review
My parents visited. Here's what they thought of my outfits.
Good morning from Day 7 of Susan and Bill in town.
Well actually in two towns: first Paris, then we got the train to London for my brother’s engagement party. Finding my spare time slightly (joyfully!) diminished, but not wanting to let down the side, I’ve decided to drag the rentals flailing back into the Substack fold. They don’t entirely get what it is but they’re thrilled for me that you want to read it. So thanks.
Luckily, S&B have a their own opinions about fashion. Neither has ever worked in it or taken a particular interest in following its minutiae but they both have quite defined personal styles and the main thing is they are both retired lawyers that excel at getting their points across.
Day 1:
Started soft. Went well.
“Love the skirt. The shirt could be a little more flattering but overall this is a great “summer in the city” look. I am going to wear my three-quarter-length skirt today too.” -Mom
“Well, I am very impressed with how your toenails match those fancy shoes” -Dad.
(Please excuse the mediocre “as it happens” photography. Taken on the fly, etc.)
Day 2:
“This would never have occurred to me but I think I love it.” -Mom
“It’s like a skirt and pants at the same time” -Dad
“I love you but I will never, ever approve a pair of ‘pantacourts’ (capri pants)” -Husband.
Do I love him back? Yes. Do I give a toss what he thinks of capris? Absolutely not.
Mom: “Very 1950s!”
Me: “Did you own a pair capris in the 50s?”
Mom (offended): “I can’t believe you think I was old enough to follow fashion trends in the 1950s!”
(Ed. Capri pants are originally attributed to Sonja de Lennard, a Prussian designer who in 1948 named them after the Isle of Capri, the most fashionable hotpsot at the time. They gained popularity in the 1950s thanks to stars like Audrey Hepburn who famously wore them in Sabrina and Funny Face.)
Day 3:
“This pink is 100% your colour” -Mom
“Groovy haircut!” -Dad
“I was shocked by your hair at first. Really, horrified. But now I’m tempted.” -Mom
“The necklace is a bit ‘origine du monde’ no?” -Husband.
Day 4:
We are now in London for my brothers engagement party weekend, and it is strangely even hotter than Paris (unusual). Or at least a lot more humid. Stepping out of the Eurostar felt like stepping off a plane in the Caribbean, with a blast of tropical air.
Disaster girl takes West London:
Day 5
I had a matching sleeveless top planned with this charming JCrew skirt but it being the hottest London day on record ever, I couldn't bear the idea of having its (delectable) 83% cashmere fabric next to my skin. Lucky thing I packed a simple white men’s shirt. Always pack a white shirt people!
The intention here was a Carolyn Bessette (the real one) white shirt-skirt pairing like oh I didn't even think about it (truth is, I thought a lot about whether the bride would mind me wearing white, but the heat drama won over.)
Anyway, my mom reminded me, Carolyn had long hair.
Whatever, I felt cool enough. And was happy to be wearing my grandmother’s vintage bracelet for the occasion.
I also got this little Prada guy out after years at the back of my disorganised purse closet. He deserves better. He deserves hungover brunch at Granger & Co. (hardly off the beaten track but name a better brunch place, I’ll wait.)
Here’s the bride by the way. People keep congratulating me on marrying off my brother to such a spectacular woman this week, and while I agree she is utterly magnificent (and brains to boot --high-powered banker) this was not in fact their wedding but the engagement party with the London branch of her family + Ainley cameos. I thought hers was the perfect look. (Details in caption, as always.)
Mia thinks her new Auntie Maddy is pretty perfect too and even managed to make off with one of her old barbies which she has now slept next to ever night since we got back.
Also, look at Madeleine’s hairstyle details!
Day 6
While in London we also visited my bff from university, who told me I was slowly transforming into a 90s sitcom character. I told her I agreed, the way I’d washed my new haircut, styled it, then not washed out the product from the night before was giving 90s combover strangeness. She told me the dress and t-shirt combo was Rachel Green reminiscent. I think it was a compliment but unclear.
My sister also thinks my haircut looks unhinged and says she will pray every night that it somehow arranges itself and I wake up looking like Joanna Halpin. `
Who could ask for anything more. Who could assssk for anyyyyything moooore. Methinks we need to get her on the Fashion Proust Questionnaire. Joanna, I mean. But maybe my truth-telling sister too.
Day 7
Back in Paris, the parents are now over their jet lag just in time to fly home, and have come by to help us get the kids ready for school. While eating the remnants of last night’s cheese plate for breakfast my Dad tells me my sweater looks like something he wore at Cambridge. This is the greatest possible compliment as there is no place on earth he regards more highly, though given I am a mere Edinburgh graduate I cannot possibly understand the significance. Luckily Ralph Lauren does. Highest review of the week right here, I reckon.
This knit is great because it’s super-soft and lightweight for summer (unlike the stuffy wooden OG Cambridge ones, cough,) and can be worn with nothing underneath, which is perfect for a school-run throw-on before the morning heats up. The Deep V kinda works with my c*nty little bob too.
It’s getting hot again so quick change into the below to run errands. I ran into a neighbour friend with his kids as I walked out the door, and he texted me after to say his daughter thought my outfit was “very interesting!”
But, his son added, “why does she have a bracelet on her sock?” You can’t really see it below, but guilty as charged. I wear a Titya Ravi anklet all summer long. Nothing says summer like a Titya Ravi anklet and a pair of bonkers shorts. These ones are old Mango and before you get annoyed with me about a)fast fashion and/or b) the fact that they’re old and you can’t shop exactly them, know this: b) negates a) because I rewear the great Mango pieces in my wardrobe for years. They didn’t tell me to say this btw, I just think it.
Toodloo parents and toodloo to you too. Next week - Corsican wedding outfit review -I’ll be sleuthing all the best looks. Stay tuned!
Origine du monde is almost the funniest here 😻
Found your sweater. https://www.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/polo-ralph-lauren-cotton-boxy-cable-knit-sweater?ID=4961373Ralph Lauren Cotton Boxy Cable Knit Sweater | Bloomingdale's
I liked the format of this. Very funny. I also like your hair!!