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Monday 1 August 2016

Parisian men gone wild?

By the look on my face you'd think I'm reading Parisian Men Gone Wild.* But no - this is a slightly classier, weightier book, which can also double as a doorstop or lethal weapon. It's called The Parisian Gentleman, by Hugo Jacomet. The men here aren't doffing their duds but rather donning studs and cravats, pocket squares and socks, and cologne and suits - all of the very finest accoutrements of style respectability. (There's a glossary at the end of this post just in case.)

Jacomet wrote the book to address the short shrift he felt is given to French men's style compared to their female counterparts, by highlighting the makers and connoisseurs of Parisian gentlemen's fashion through the years. A friend loaned it to me.


It took Herculean effort to keep this heavy book upright while pressing the remote control and maintaining an expression of calm sophistication. 

This book was a quiet respite of beautiful existence. 

I couldn't help thinking that while a wealthy man can buy any of the exquisite items in this book, there's no guarantee he won't still come out an emperor with no clothes. As you know, the politesse, respect, and kindness that define a gentleman, or any civilized being for that matter, can't be bought at any price. 

It's summer and I'm too lazy to actually stand up for outfit photos. You'll have to imagine these outfits in a frontal full-vertical position. 


Speaking of wealth and style, I'm wearing a men's tuxedo shirt, discarded I suspect by a billionaire type gauging by the heavy fine cotton, monogram, labels, and removable buttons. I don't think it had been worn even once - it was still so chemically white I had to squint. Of course this garment required immediate farking.

I reduced the sides by about 8 inches and overlapped the collar and back of the shirt, as you see in the bottom right photo. I put a slit up the back as well and kept the edges raw. For the sleeves, I slip my hand through the opening above the cuff; no adjustment necessary.


The silhouette and back view are my favourite; the front is just your basic startling-white tuxedo shirt with long sleeves. I love the contrasting black thread. I chose it not because I was too lazy to change the colour on my machine - although that can happen - but because each stark stitch made the shirt visibly more and more my own. 

I've taken this shirt out for a test drive once on my morning walk, worn with my sneakers and tux pants, and with my hair down and aqua brows, as seen in the first photo, but when I wear wear this shirt next time, styling it to the max, oooh, I am going to enjoy it so much. Although I'm not sure I'm done farking just yet.


I'm linking up to Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for #iwillwearwhatilike

Also, I was interviewed a short while ago by REglam here. The article is called "Evolution of the Fashion Industry with Melanie." Do I even know what I'm talking about? Hwahaha. I appreciated the questions.

This has been a slightly cool summer, which I don't mind in the least. We've had a couple of hot days where I've had to resort to hiding in the shadows of light poles at each intersection like a bungling Inspector Clouseau to avoid the sun, as I may have mentioned before. I just wish downtown was a little quieter in the summer - but it is what it is.

Thanks for dropping by! Have a great week, all. 

-----------------------------------------------------------

*Girls Gone Wild was a wildly popular candid-camera-style video series which featured young drunken women baring their boobs on beaches while partying hard during spring break. The maker of these revolting movies became a multimillionaire, although he is now living in Mexico to evade US authorities.

Glossary just in case
doffing duds: taking off clothes; donning duds: putting clothes on
accoutrements: clothing and accessories
short shrift: not enough credit
politesse: politeness, etiquette
farking: upcycling, refashioning, and/or screwing up existing clothing or other things
Inspector Clouseau: fictional comic detective, most famously played by Peter Sellers


57 comments:

  1. LOL at your ducking away from the sun at intersections - I do the same in NYC and feel kind of freaky (but health-fully pale). Love your gentleman's shirt, you carry it well. xox

    -Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. I think next we should find some punked up parasols. Thanks, Patti.

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  2. The Farktuxshirt is a triumph. I also love your hair with a sidepart.

    My Mister is a suit-o-holic and so I know my fully-floating canvas from a fused one and the done thing with surgeons cuffs and kissing buttons. We were sat watching a period drama the other evening and as one, both chimed "Ooooh that's a nice Donegal tweed" - in fact, guess the tailor is a game we often play - it seems commonplace http://www.bondsuits.com/ lol I

    I'm a Gieves and Hawkes fan - that structured shoulder (fans-self) mmm
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Savile-Row-Invention-Gentleman/dp/2080201883

    Self-confessed fondler of tweeds

    Elaine Monkeypaints

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    1. Also let's not forget the very MARVELLOUS Kathryn Sargent - Savile Row’s first female tailor, gorgeous. Hope I'm not boring you sweetie xx

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    2. It seems there is a smackdown between Paris and Savile Row. As Une Femme mentions later, the Italians win. ?! Discuss.
      Are you sure you want to mention your are a tweed fondler in public? Don't they lock people up for that? Hahaha. How wonderful that your Mister can appreciate a fine tailoring.

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    3. I only fondle tweed that is not actually being worn and therefore my intent is pure.
      It also must be Harris or something beautiful from Abraham Moon.

      Delete
  3. Oooh! What a score! I especially love the altered back with the slit.

    I think the shirt is begging to be written on ; )

    The other outfit is such a stark contrast in bold and bright with towering hair. We get to see two of your personalities come out to play.

    Since I'm a colour whore I do love that last photo.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. Yes, that shirt was indeed not finished - as you know, I continued my little project and shall share the results on this blog soon.
      I'm usually a colour person too but sometimes I've gotta go undercover, down hair, kind of discreet. Sleuthy.

      Delete
  4. Sublime.

    I keep scrolling up and down with glee {small things please small minds...} black and white...pink and turquoise...black and white....pink and turquoise...

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    Replies
    1. Sheesh, if O were only so easy to please, Sue. Hahaha. I wish I could give you points and rewards for the scrolling.

      Delete
  5. Your farking is always brilliant. Love your tweaks on the tuxedo shirt! And yes, Frenchmen do dress nicely (and aren't afraid to wear hot pink) but for pure, droolworthy tailoring, the Italians have it all wrapped up.

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    1. Hahaha - so it's the Italians, is it? Is it safe to say that here, you being a "Femme" and all? I'm still waiting to weigh in myself for an epic, collosal, giant trip to Europe, some day, maybe, perhaps... Until then, I count on you.

      Delete
  6. Thanks for the vocab- I love it!
    The turquoise outfit is totally hot!

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  7. I love the turquoise outfit and brows!
    You should write a book about farking. You're the master.

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    Replies
    1. I have written the titles of several books. Problem is, that's where they stop. I think I am too succinct. Hm. Thanks, Bobbi!

      Delete
  8. Love the tux shirt re-do. The tunic is pretty darn awesome, too

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    Replies
    1. Thank you. That means a lot coming from a sewing pro like yourself.

      Delete
  9. I love that very chill Thin White Duke Bowie look you have going on in that second photo, especially with the blue brows. I hugely admire your refarked shirt, thinking wistfully of all the farking wreckage I could wreak on my clothes, and thinking that my DIY harem pants are really not that clever when I see this kind of creativity. Bwah! I have managed to avoid the touristy spots downtown pretty well this summer, but I also use the light poles for shade when it's hot.

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    Replies
    1. Yeeeeah, I'm glad I'm not the only one using light poles for shade. Patti too. I adore your harem pants - that was excellent farkage! It's much quieter with our windows closed so I am a bit grateful for the cooler weather.

      Delete
  10. Sheila is right, you do have a Thin White Duke vibe going on in the first photo of you in the tux shirt - I love the little pop of turquoise on your brows! Excellent farking of the shirt - the back view is wonderful.

    You do black and white equally as well as bold colours, but I love seeing you with giant sticky-up hair and a blast of bright.

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    1. Colour is my go-to but yes, sigh, I often go undercover with the monotones and down hair. I love that back view too, but I have to wear a camisole - well, my modesty requires it. You look awesome in your blue brows!

      Delete
  11. Another brilliant transformation of this white tuxedo shirt . You do black and white and colour both equally well. I enjoyed your interview and agree with your take on the fast fashion world .Well done.

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    Replies
    1. I liked that question about fashion evolution. It's good to know I'm not completely off-base in my response. Thanks for your comment, Jill, and reading the interview.

      Delete
  12. You and Parisian men can do no wrong in a tux shirt! I can see you wearing it out to coffee in the morning, wrinkled (the shirt, not you),loose bow tie around your neck, matchbook from a very chic restaurant in your pocket from the night before, and a phone number written on a napkin with the words, "Appellez-moi, cherie - Jacques xxx 48 75 79 52"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We can do no wrong but we can still be bad, right? Heh. But yes, I am wrinkled as well. You crack me up. I'll have to check my pockets now before O gets to them. Too bad that phone number would never work here. Damn!! Kind of you to share it though.

      Delete
  13. I love the altered granddad shirt, it's fabulous on you. Back in the 1980s there was a ex-rock star who used to paint them and sell them for loadsamoney, you should do the same. You is a rock star after all. xxx

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    Replies
    1. First I need to be a real rockstar and then an ex-rockstar, and then I can paint on them for loads of money. Heh. I do believe this shirt did in fact belong to a granddad. It took lots of work to get that residue out of this shirt.

      Delete
  14. I just saw Absolutely Fabulous last night and you've made me flashback to tuxedo-wearing Joanne Lumely. Was she not divine dressed as a man?! As are you ala tux du jour. Perhaps un petit moustache? ...maybe penciled in...blue. Marvelous Mel.

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    Replies
    1. I hadn't even thought of a moustache in blue, but I should, or one like Ms. Lumley's that looks like an eyebrow. That was hilarious! I'm glad you got to see the movie. I wish I could have seen the movie with you.

      Delete
  15. I LOVE what you did with the tux shirt and how you styled it! You look simply gorgeous! I have such a passion for white shirts that I actually named my blog Mi Camisa Blanca (My white shirt). I also love the boho colorful look, I believe true style comes from what your inner self tells you to wear that day.
    Thanks for the post and the effort to take the amazing photos for us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for visiting and your comment! I'm sorry to be so late answering everyone. I couldn't agree with you more - style does come from inside. And sometimes it goes in reverse too, right? Nothing like a great outfit for a quick pick-me-up.

      Delete
  16. Hahaha, I should have gone straight to the bottom of the post. Instead I was looking up all these new words (to me) like accoutrements. I got it though.
    I think you did a wonderful job with the shirt. You are a true DESIGNER. Yes you are. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
    You are wearing O's rings I see and his loupe but do I spot another, slightly shorter lovely necklace? Perhaps also by O?
    Greetje

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes, Greetje. Nothing slips by you! Hahaha. I am indeed wearing O's rings and that is a new loupe he made me and the shorter necklace as a free-turning stainless steel ball bearing in the centre. He is amazing!!
      Thank you for the compliment on the shirt. Wait until you see what I did to it next - hahaha!!!

      Delete
  17. Thank goodness for the glossary and now I understand that I've been farking for years without knowing! Love this tux shirt and what you've done to put the Melanie style on it.
    Anna x

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    Replies
    1. Yes, we all let a little fark slip from time to time. Nothing to be ashamed of. I made up that word - it had all the nuances I love. Thanks for your positive feedback on the tux shirt.

      Delete
  18. Good idea- special taxe-do-shirt is fantastic. WE need men and their white shirts. Best regards :)

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    Replies
    1. Oh yes, we certainly do need those men with tux shirts!! Hahaha. Thanks for your comment.

      Delete
  19. Rad. I really want to flip through that book! Oh and lookin' good, girl! :DDD

    - Anna

    www.melodicthriftychic.com

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    1. You would LOVE this book. You are a master of the style mix and there are so many lovely gents' things in there. Thanks, Anna.

      Delete
  20. Well...I lived in Paris for awhile and became well acquainted with a few Parisian gentlemen and I found that they wear very tiny underwear. This was an education for me having come from the land o' boxer shorts. So enjoy your book! Meanwhile, I must say that, that you are a shirt farker par extraordinaire. I love what you have done to the back. The whole outfit is beyond fabulous! Stand back, Issey Miyake, Melanie is is town!!!!

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    1. Hahaha! Can you be more specific about the underwear, Connie? Did it have proper coverage? Did you get your master's degree? mistress's degree? Doh. I can't wait to show you the newer farked version of this shirt. I'm sure you would approve.

      Delete
  21. That first image is spellbindingly cool! What an exciting, awesome book.

    Off to go savour your REglam interview.

    xoxo ♥ Jessica

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    1. Hahaha, this book makes my jaw drop, not just for the images but the imagined price tags. Yup. It would help to be a person of means, such as one who order bespoke tux shirts, to buy any of those things. Thanks for visiting, Jessica.

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  22. I LOVE what you've done to this tux - and looking forward to its next "instalment" dressed up! And, that turquoise/pink/floral outfit is absolutely gorgeous. I love this "farking" that is you!! xx

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    1. Hi, Elizabeth, I'm done the shirt now and I'm so happy with it. I shall certainly post it all dressed up, if that's possible. Heh. I'm a farker at heart. Yes. Thank you!

      Delete
  23. Your creativity has given me some ideas as to how to wear a men's white shirt that's been hanging around in my closet. Love your farming, as always. You look gorgeous and thank you for the glossary!

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    1. You would look absolutely splendid in an oversized men's shirt. There are so many ways to squish them down to size. Have fun with that! Thanks for visiting, Judith.

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  24. I love how you've farked the shirt and I think these type of dress shirts are pretty damn cool even without any farking!

    Love you in your bright and beautiful blues.

    I can't bear it when it's too hot either; Spain was too hot for me and I just wilted in the heat and felt drained of energy all the time. Everything was an effort even breathing!

    Have a lovely cool week, Mel.

    xxx

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes, even without the farking, the cotton is so soft, yet it holds its shape well, and it's screamingly white. It's hard to thrift such clean white shirts so this one was a treat to work with. I felt guilty cutting into it. But I got over it. Heh.
      Oh, I probably wouldn't like Spain so much. Are you still on holiday? I must check. Thanks for commenting. Mwah!

      Delete
    2. Oh, I see not. I hope you are having a fantastic time! You must be Ireland now. It won't be so hot there. Whew.

      Delete
    3. I mean, I see that you are still on holiday...

      Delete
  25. I somehow missed this post and also your most recent one.
    The white shirt really is begging to be adorned somehow, somewhere, can't wait to see what you come with. Maybe it should be a work in progress. Kind of like a yellow skirt (white shirt) that stays home to play?
    You in blue was a lovely moment. Great smile. That particular blue is spectacular!
    By the way, you do an amazing job of keeping up with feedback to many, many comments. A lot on your plate!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I somehow missed this post and also your most recent one.
    The white shirt really is begging to be adorned somehow, somewhere, can't wait to see what you come with. Maybe it should be a work in progress. Kind of like a yellow skirt (white shirt) that stays home to play?
    You in blue was a lovely moment. Great smile. That particular blue is spectacular!
    By the way, you do an amazing job of keeping up with feedback to many, many comments. A lot on your plate!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. you're a queen at Farking, and that tuxedo shirt looks amazing, and obviously you look fabulous!, love that opened back, such a cool look, with a pinch of sassiness! I'm feeling inspired to fark and fark like a mad seamstress, even if it's almost impossible that I could find a shirt that big on me!, vintage clothes are usually so damn little (sigh!)
    anyway, I love you and I'm glad I can write a little bit!
    besos

    ReplyDelete

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