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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.

Grannymoz Tue 09-Aug-16 22:07:26

Oh definitely the 60s, I was a teenager and though the style was great, real swinging sixties! The less I say about my look in the 80s the better I think....

bonnie57 Wed 10-Aug-16 10:43:36

I went to teacher training college in the 60s and each month there was a formal dinner.My friend Jenny and I always made a new outfit for each occasion and we enjoyed scouring the market stalls for suitable fabrics.Each outfit was a special creation which we very much enjoyed putting together and best off all wearing. So for me the 60s was the best fashion era.

Carndaisy Wed 10-Aug-16 13:43:53

I love the 1920 style, feathers galore....

leemw711 Wed 10-Aug-16 20:23:51

From personal experience, I enjoyed the fashions of the 1960s. Remember Mary Quant and Ozzie Clark? In terms of sheer elegance though, it has to be the 1920s of the flappers and those 1930s gowns in films worn by stars like Ginger Rogers, dancing in a cloud of feathers with the wonderful Fred Astaire. The book sounds fascinating and set in a period of French history that really interests me so I have my fingers crossed - let's hope I'm lucky enough to win a copy.

Myrrhanda Wed 10-Aug-16 20:24:44

Right now my favourite decade for fashion is the 2010s. But in four years time it will be the 2020s. The wonderful thing about fashion is it's constantly changing - sometimes glamorous, sometimes bohemian, sometimes tasteless - and embracing each new trend as it comes along is part of what makes life fun!

LizOz Wed 10-Aug-16 22:29:28

Loved the 80s clothes and accessories.

Marmight Wed 10-Aug-16 22:58:36

I lived in Paris as a student so I would have to say the Sixties, (although I would have liked to have lived in the 30's if only for the fashion). I experimented and wore some very whacky clothes. I was all hot pants, mini-mini dresses, berets and capes. It was the first time I had left home and was free to do my own thing. I saw a pair of pink suede boots in Galeries Lafayette which I yearned for with a passion, but couldn't afford and used to go in at least 5 times a week for a couple of months just to gaze at them! I looked at them so often that in the end I went off them - a tactic I use to this day but usually for more expensive items (like cars grin) Heaven knows what the shop assistants thought about this strange foreign girl with a strange habit........

wallers5 Thu 11-Aug-16 06:16:43

I loved the early 60's with pretty dresses, girls dressed like girls. Music, fun, floral clothes.

albertina Thu 11-Aug-16 08:46:07

Born in 1951, I think the 50s was the most romantic era with lovely full skirts with net underneath, pinched in waists and gorgeous hats.

kacky Fri 12-Aug-16 10:22:38

I grew up all the way through the 60's and believe that it was the start of a revolution in fashion. Women had so much choice. The cut. The colours and the daring ways that we could be dressed in trousers one minute or in a dress that was either 4 ins above our knees or right to the floor the next. Sleeves like huge bubbles or skin tight. It was fantastic

IvvieN Fri 12-Aug-16 11:14:20

Early 60's -beautiful circular skirts with net petticoat, low cut tops, tiny fitted waists - and the figure to get away with them.

newfield Fri 12-Aug-16 11:25:09

the sixties, rock n roll era

Auntieflo Fri 12-Aug-16 11:39:00

I remember making a circular skirt and loved it.

annodomini Fri 12-Aug-16 13:02:20

In 1958, the year I went to University, my mum bought me a dress with a circular skirt. Navy and white stripes fanned out from the waist which was enclosed with a red cummerbund. I thought I was the bees knees!

Jane9999 Fri 12-Aug-16 16:03:52

1920s

Bejar001 Sat 13-Aug-16 13:47:23

I love the art deco period of fashion designs. The elegant long lines in the dresses and shimmering fringes to garments along with the elegant hats which framed the face so beautifully

imrankhanpost Sat 13-Aug-16 17:07:07

it was 1970s because people wore chic clothing and really started spending a lot more in fashion as it was fun decade.

rangerone Sat 13-Aug-16 22:18:57

Classic look of the 50's is the best

Otter105 Sun 14-Aug-16 09:07:44

The twenties! Obviously wasn't around back then but it's all so elegant

wicki1 Sun 14-Aug-16 09:11:12

loved the 80's

Elysium Sun 14-Aug-16 11:11:39

I love the 40s and post war period. My old French teacher, who really was French worked for the underground 'maquis' during the war and told us all about their horrific experiences and exploits and yet still remained strong women who forged ahead after the war.

fmonson Sun 14-Aug-16 17:27:17

I love the 1950s - such elegance and optimism

judylow Sun 14-Aug-16 18:06:10

It's hard to decide which decade I liked the most. As others have said the fifties with the pretty floral full skirted dresses and stiff petticoats (with white gloves!) were lovely but the 60's brought freedom from stockings and gave us short skirts. Later the seventies were more casual with flares and muslin tops. In between I was a weekend 'beatnik' in my father's black jumper.

For years I wondered at what age I would break out the crimplene dresses but hurrah, at 72 they are still nowhere in sight (do they even still exist?).

mecazza Sun 14-Aug-16 21:47:09

I loved the early 60's, I could make a shift dress out of a yard of material and I used to sit in the bath in my jeans to shrink them as tight as possible, some fashions never change, they just get easier.

lucycakeface Mon 15-Aug-16 10:57:13

For me it was the 80's. In the new romantic movement any fashion was trendy. I would wear really pretty 40's and 50's clothing and it would give me a real feminine feeling.
Also loved the big shoulder pads!