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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.

henbane Mon 08-Aug-16 22:28:14

Has to be the seventies - my legs weren't slim & shapely so I didn't look good in miniskirts. Maxis were great and you could wear them with flip-flops, super comfy! - where shoes were concerned I preferred comfort to style even when I was young. And I loved long hair on both sexes.

zeenie Mon 08-Aug-16 21:33:56

definitely the 60s

Isis1981uk Mon 08-Aug-16 19:03:34

The 1940's - I love the curve-flattering dresses & suits!

Clairemike Mon 08-Aug-16 18:25:21

1960s - swinging

Misslayed Mon 08-Aug-16 17:34:24

I loved the 80s at the time, I was a power dresser with big hair and shoulder pads! Now I look at photos and cringe! I like 'now' best because I'm at an age where I know what suits me and I don't care if it's high fashion or not.

Manzara Mon 08-Aug-16 16:24:03

The 50's! I wore the petticoats that needed sugar starch to make them stand out - and/or a nylon hoop! Off the shoulder blouses and dresses - very gypsy looking. Still love those today but getting a bit 'mature' now for these girly styles.

stewaris Mon 08-Aug-16 15:04:11

It has to be the Swinging 60's and the early 70's. Platform shoes, minis, midis, Twiggy and the music scene just says it all.

annodomini Mon 08-Aug-16 11:51:04

1960s - the decade of the shift, as short as you liked; and psychedelic fabrics too. I had a yellow PVC mac with matching yellow wellies, but perhaps my favourite outfit was a black and white checked pinafore dress with a floral motif on the pocket worn with a white polo neck and black lacy stockings. Then there was the navy blue bouclé Jackie Kennedy style coat with pink collar and pocket trims.

Twempy Mon 08-Aug-16 10:52:46

Liked the 70s so cool and innovative

lynwestie Mon 08-Aug-16 08:57:08

I love it now to be honest... so much variety & you can be individual.. anything goes now

suzied Mon 08-Aug-16 08:11:31

I'm a bit of a seamstress and love using vintage patterns from the 1950s, I have a pintucked shirt dress pattern with a full skirt which is very evocative of the era. Looks fab in navy and white polka dots, wide white belt and navy and white shoes.

Tarnie13 Mon 08-Aug-16 08:03:29

The fifties looked amazing

Lilylilo Mon 08-Aug-16 06:31:30

I love the clothes of this decade, leggings and loose floaty tops, stylish flat shoes, gorgeous trainers, ankle boots , neat little dresses, lovely leather bags and it"s ok to wear hats! I LOVE hats! Hairstyles are great now too, it's wonderful that white hair is acceptable, even fashionable! Mine is shoulder length , straight, with a full fringe and very white! I LOVE it! It's so easy to dress well and feel comfortable. Hardly anything really needs ironing and it's all so comfortable, not like the tight bodices and full skirts of the fifties - plus full make up and 'wash n set ' ! It must have taken ages to get ready to go anywhere.

timetraveller Sun 07-Aug-16 23:11:08

Not really into fashion but I like the 50s fashions. I have always loved 'twirly' skirts!

GranAnn42 Sun 07-Aug-16 19:36:40

For me it would have to be the 70's. I'd left school and was earning a wage that I could spend on what I wanted - especially platform shoes!

Venus Sun 07-Aug-16 19:12:06

I think the forties were a great time for fashion. I loved the higher hem lines, the slightly padded shoulders and stack heels and the skater style skirts. I wear the style as much as I can with bright red lipstick and the curled hair.

beckyinman Sat 06-Aug-16 19:49:07

1920s - I love the flapper glamour, beautiful dresses, over the top jewellery and decadent head dresses

KAYJAYBEAR Sat 06-Aug-16 17:29:10

Loved the 70's all denim and flares and flowery tops, just my style

Grannyjacq1 Sat 06-Aug-16 16:53:06

60s - miniskirts were definitely the best! Pleased that they aren't quite so fashionable now though. Had a wonderful Biba dress and Mary Quant stretchy knee length boots in mock snakeskin.

SuzC Sat 06-Aug-16 10:04:59

Wasn't alive then - but the 50's for me! All glamour, nipped in waists and full skirts and pretty petticoats etc. I'd have loved it then!

Grannyknot Sat 06-Aug-16 06:31:03

The glamour of the 1950s - my mother in flared, panelled dresses with sweetheart necklines and peep-toe platform shoes. Immaculate hemlines. Belted coats and deep Rita Hayworth waves in her hair. Red lipstick - and spit block mascara.

nannybev Fri 05-Aug-16 22:45:45

Oh how I love the post war fashions, from 1939-1950's, photos of my dear Mum show her looking fabulous, she used to make her own clothes as coupons were in use for a few years after the war. Mum was very fashionable, and was always interested in fashion even at the age of 94, she hated 'old lady shoes' I do miss her when I've bought new clothes, I always used to show her for her approval,

cporteus Fri 05-Aug-16 22:35:10

Think I would go for the sixties - anything went

Carolespr Fri 05-Aug-16 17:02:49

The 1960's - fashion for the younger people was new and exciting, and I loved the psychedelic patterns and blocking.

dahlia08 Thu 04-Aug-16 23:42:35

It has yo be the70's. The style were different.. Everyone has their own style in one way and then they had something which is is together or similar too. They were pretty and feminine. X