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NOW CLOSED: win a limited edition scarf designed by Emma Greenhill and a signed copy of Les Parisiennes

(299 Posts)
KatGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 29-Jul-16 11:12:34

We're giving away a limited edition scarf designed by Emma Greenhill, and a signed copy of Les Parisiennes in hardback.

What did it feel like to be a woman living in Paris from 1939 to 1949? These were years of fear, power, aggression, courage, deprivation and secrets until - finally - renewal and retribution. Even at the darkest moments of Occupation, glamour was ever present. French women wore lipstick. Why?

In enthralling detail Sebba explores the aftershock of the Second World War and the choices demanded. How did the women who survived to see the Liberation of Paris come to terms with their actions and those of others? Although politics lies at its heart, Les Parisiennes is the first in-depth account of the everyday lives of women and young girls in this most feminine of cities.

Read author Anne Sebba's article about Parisian fashion, and tell us which was your favourite decade for fashion for a chance to win a limited edition scarf designed by Emma Greenhill, and a signed copy of Les Parisiennes in hardback.

This competition closes on 29 August at midday. Les Parisiennes: How the women of Paris lived, loved and died in the 1940’s by Anne Sebba is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson and is available to purchase on Amazon and all good booksellers.

flamingtoaster Sat 27-Aug-16 14:55:48

I love the 50s style - so feminine and with the big skirts for dancing so much fun.

emily13 Sat 27-Aug-16 14:39:11

The 1950s. I got married in a 50s style dress.

Lesevans6 Sat 27-Aug-16 09:59:38

I believe it was the 1960's

DimensionAEB Sat 27-Aug-16 01:10:53

For me it has to be the 80's, and my teen years. Neon, Acid Wash Jeans, Track Suits, Mullets, Sperry Topsiders, Huge Hair, Kangol, Power Suits and Bucket Hats.

GrooveHeart Fri 26-Aug-16 21:51:38

I love 1920s fashion

lindipops Fri 26-Aug-16 17:59:58

I love the fashion for women in the 1920s. I am a fan of Coco Chanel who made trousers 'in' for the first time for women and created the timeless black dress. It is the freedom and comfort of the clothes yet still combined with sumptuous fabrics and art deco motifs that I adore.

Countryfan Fri 26-Aug-16 15:18:01

The defined waists and generous fabric of the 50s makes that my favourite fashion era.

soozieee Thu 25-Aug-16 21:59:11

I love 1940's fashion

Mumsy Thu 25-Aug-16 11:55:01

has to be the 60s with all the different bold colours of clothing.

50socks Thu 25-Aug-16 11:34:53

the glamour of the 30s, elegent, ladies wore hats and gloves, the style was influence by Hollywood stars like Vivien Leigh

JonFlorrie Thu 25-Aug-16 10:27:10

I really admire the clothes of the fifties. They fitted those slim waists and had such a good cut to them that they looked couture even when they were home made! The styles were flattering and smart and people looked dressed for the occasion.

marymod Thu 25-Aug-16 08:35:54

The 60s definitely - fab fashions and above all it was fun, which is why it keeps coming back into style.

sheridarby Wed 24-Aug-16 22:02:45

The forties - a period of such glamour, before the war of course

mickihobbs Wed 24-Aug-16 20:44:02

Definitely the 60's - the styles were so fresh and new, I loved wearing them and going out dancing to the fab 60's music.

chrisbishop55 Wed 24-Aug-16 20:33:47

I loved the 80's! I permed my hair and thought I looked like JR's wife in Dallas! Big shoulder pads!

crimeworm Wed 24-Aug-16 19:27:12

I've got to choose the 1920s - the hemlines went right up, the bob was THE look to have, perhaps with a band around it decorated with beading, like your dress, Mary-Jane's with heels allowed you to dance the Charleston with ease (my favourite dance on Strictly!) It reminds me of The Great Gatsby too, a favourite book. I suspect it was only the very daring, or the very rich, who chopped off their long hair and wore the much shorter dresses, with their exquisite beadwork (how expensive they must have been!) But I'd loved to have been a "flapper", perhaps hanging out in Paris with Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, Hemingway, James Joyce, Simone de Beauvoir and Sartre - I know I'm heading into the 30s now! Or in London, with Noel Coward and Ivor Novello...the 20s is the decade where the stuffiness remaining as a hangover from the Victorian era is finally dismissed.

leanfun Tue 23-Aug-16 17:06:37

It has to be the 70's. I still have my special Laura Ashley dress which I absolutely loved wearing it.

Linsco56 Tue 23-Aug-16 15:35:54

Hot pants and high thigh boots. David Bowie in his Aladdin Sane phase. Aerosol hair colour. Suede skirts with fringes and fringed bags to match. No style nowadays! wink

GRIFTERASSASIN Tue 23-Aug-16 14:52:18

I grew up in the 70's, all browns & oranges along with glam rock.

boo2410 Tue 23-Aug-16 12:57:18

Parisiennes are always so chic in my opinion, I would love to read this book to learn more about how they lived and survived during and after the war. It's now in my Amazon wishlist! I too was a seventies girl and remember my trousers being ultra wide worn with platforms or wedges, then punk came in and they were ultra skinny worn with kitten heels. Those were the days! I would still love some cheesecloth shirts. In fact I'm off to eBaynow to have a look at their vintage stuff.....

Maralyn7272 Mon 22-Aug-16 21:41:57

The late 60's & early 70's were my favourite years....hot pants and mini skirts, platform shoes and flared jeans. Definitely my era and I still love flared jeans, they're quite slimming. Unfortunately the hot pants and mini skirts have gone together with the platform shoes. These have been replaced with sensible skirts, knee length, and comfortable loafers! Oh, to re-live those years!!

monkeymonkeyrarara Mon 22-Aug-16 21:29:21

the 80s

MSHGW Mon 22-Aug-16 17:49:27

The 1960's was my favourite decade for fashion.

tomskype Mon 22-Aug-16 13:14:27

80s, classic suited me best!

Charleygirl Mon 22-Aug-16 11:58:03

Loved the 60's- music, fashion and no longer living at home so very grown up. Very little money but somehow I got by.