Topshop digs the Partner Look

Today on the Partner Look we have some Topshop. We all love Topshop. I find it quite expensive and the sizing a bit off and sometimes a bit too hip for me now that I am an old woman but, generally speaking at least, we all LOVE Topshop. Anyway, they have started a childrens' range (Topshop Mini) which, whilst not very broad, does have some really nice stuff. Our beautiful Sophie found this lovely Partner Look this week, featuring a maternity jumper and a matching baby jumper. Why you would want to pre-empt the Partner Look during pregnancy and whilst your Partner can't really join in is a bit of a mystery but there you go. I think this jumper would work post-partum as an over-sized thing with some black skinny jeans or something but, living in the south of France, over-sized jumpers become surplus to requirement for much of the year. Especially now. It is getting hot. Poor me and my massive belly. See the photo below, modelled by the lovely Sophie (also sporting a Partner of her own but he/she is still in the early cooking stages).

Sophie, our regal assistant for the day  

The lovely Christine also sent us a link to a shop based in Maui that digs the Partner Look, Cinnamon Girl (http://www.cinnamongirl.com/). Here we can see just one example of what they have on offer:

Apologies for the quality of the photo. I am an inter-moron and don't know how to make it better. I would like to blame my Partner but that seems a little unfair. Even before getting knocked up I doubt if I would have been able to do it. Anyway, here I can only imagine the mother is whispering to her daughter 'I HATE you for making me wear this, you twat'. The verdict is the children look ok, the mothers do not. No one wants this to be a consequence of the Partner Look. My look is paramount, my Partner is pretty much going to have to lump it. Partners are, generally speaking, inherently cute until they hit puberty anyway so they'll have to take what they are given.

Talking of me and my Partner here is my 8 month bump:

8 months oh shit who me neverrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

As you can doubtless see, my Partner is becoming ever-keener to make her presence known. This is clear by my massive gut, how long it takes me to get up out of bed/any chair, the fact I can't see my chatte any more (probably for the best, God only knows what is going on down there) and, finally, the fact I can't put tights on. Good thing I am not some weirdo who wears lace-up shoes because I would be in trouble. Things are going well here, still waiting for news on the flat, mechanic is due to pick the car up for repair today and then we are going for an exciting trip to the Post Office and maybe to see the family-in-law in the Var. Should be a nice weekend. Still having issues with very achy coccyx and some cramps which is annoying but things could be worse. I think I found my first stretch marks yesterday although they could have been duvet marks, who knows. Regardless, it reminded me about this amazing swimsuit:

Ariel is going to get it

I love this swimming costume. You can find it here: http://blackmilkclothing.com/products/shark-v-s-mermaids-swimsuit .

Here is a close-up:

Ariel is in serious trouble

I never liked my stomach even before getting pregnant so, although the discovery of stretch marks made me feel like I wanted to cry, I am trying to see the positive side of all of the different bathing costumes I can buy. ASOS have loads of nice ones. The Jaws one is obviously my favourite but it is in Australia and expensive and I would like to try it on first and I don't know what size I will be after birth etc so I won't buy it for now but I shall remember it for later.

I have to go and eat a pastry before I die.

Bon weekend a tous,

N x

The Partner Look continues across the globe (sort of)

Today we have our first entry from friends Amy and Gabriel sporting a fabulous Partner Look. You can't go wrong with stripes and, considering Gabriel's parentage, this seems just right. If you look closely you can see that Amy has even succeeded in matching the width of the stripes exactly and aligning them just for our photo: she truly is the perfect woman. Amy: thank you. A great Partner Look and you are now both fully-fledged members our our club. Don't hesitate to send in your own contributions if you want to join in.

The fabulous and lovely Amy and Gabriel at your service

The Sunday Times Style Guide has also been of assistance today with their Twitter mention of these childrens' loafers:

Courtesy of Sunday Times Style

Any of the women featured below could work this look with their offspring, as could Kanye or that old Playboy man or other rich twats or twats who wish to appear rich on their yachts or bikes or whatever.

Courtesy of whowhatwear.com

A special mention is reserved for men who wear the loafers without socks: I hate you.

I found another excellent website with a broad range of Partner Looks. See the best photo below.

I actually quite like this dress although sadly I think I will have to wait a few years until this version of the Partner Look could come into fruition. I have my suspicions as to whether this size 6 21 year old is the REAL mother of this 4/5 year old child but let's not get bogged down in the detail.

I found another website subscribing to the Partner Look: the odiously-titled Me n' Mommy. See here:
http://www.menmommy.com/

   As irritating as the name is I actually quite liked this look (leopard print leggings below). Definitely one I could go for. In reality, I would imagine my Partner Look will be based on matching basics rather than actually matching entire outfits or looks so this is some good inspiration for me.

Seems I am not the only one who digs the Partner Look. I found this Pinterest account online last night:
http://pinterest.com/jjackieooten/matching-family-outfits/

I don't understand Pinterest but I liked looking at the pictures.

Not much else to report really. Still waiting for news/development on moving house. I went window shopping for a baby sleeping bag that will be suitable for the hot summer here. Another Frenchy told me I spoke with an Italian accent, mamma mia. My parents are coming to visit next week and I am very excited, trying to get stupid car fixed before their arrival. My Frenchy is teaching at the flat today so I am currently sitting in a cafe having a decaff in a cloud of cigarette smoke and waiting for him to finish.

Bisous à tous,

N x

OH, HELLO. THE PARTNER LOOK IS BACK

Men and boys are in no way excluded from the Partner Look

So, having had one of the most challenging periods of my life, interspersed with really good bits, I am determined to get back into writing my blog, or writing anything at all for that matter.
The discovery of this little beauty of a Partner Look may also have been involved in the resurrection process.

See here the Partner Look in action in Aix en Provence. This is a shop which exclusively stocks mens' matching swimwear in adult and child sizes. It is a very expensive shop. The swimwear is horrible. The Partner Look aspect is the only redeeming feature.



The Partner Look: An update.

The last two months have been ridiculous and busy and full of ups and downs but things are generally good now, the sun is out, my bebe is healthy and I am nearing the end which means gin and tonic and no elasticated waists (eventually). I am 8 months pregnant, feeling enormous but still managing to wear a lot on my normal clothes which is great because I don't feel too removed from ME ME ME.
Here is a picture of me and my child to be:

Oh no massive and this was a few weeks ago

In terms of further updates here is the most recent picture of my Partner. She looks like a baby. Apparently she looks like me but I can't be sure. Pregnancy is hard at times and great at other times but one thing is for sure: I cannot WAIT to see her face and know what she looks like. I had never imagined the suspense would be so great but it really is. Look at her:

My bebe's tiny face.

Already not wanting to let her mother hog the limelight, my Partner has appeared in a little video. I suppose it would be considered a silent movie, at least until I start shouting. My stomach now resembles an egg with a massive trapped creature inside it. Essentially that is what it is. Here she is:

My search for the Partner Look is ongoing. I have found lots of stripy tops and things for my Partner but have lots of clothes already and need to sort them all out so am reticent to buy anything else at the moment, especially as we are due to move house and need to save our $. Submissions of your own Partner Looks most welcome. LET ME SEE YOU AND YOUR EGO REFLECTED IN YOUR CHILD'S WARDROBE. Famous nutters sporting the look also much desired.

Bisous,

N x

Update: I found another shop that stocks parent and child matching swimwear with really nice matching bikinis. Couldn't get a photo but rest assured they were suitably stylish and stripy and French looking. WANT.