"CLOTHES are to us what fur and feathers are to beasts and birds; they not only add to our appearance, but they are our appearance. How we look to others entirely depends upon what we wear and how we wear it; manners and speech are noted afterward, and character last of all."
Ms Post asks, "What makes a brilliant party?". Accordingly it is good clothes as a 'frumpy' party is nothing more than a collection of badly dressed people. One can have brains, beauty, finances but if they are badly dressed, can verge on having a vulgar appearance.
Ouch!
A chic woman (she mostly notes females to begin with, having an entire chapter devoted to gentleman's dress), does NOT buy the latest, greatest and newest fashions. Those that do, are referred to as a 'dressed-to-the-minute' woman. They do not take into consideration if the latest, greatest and newest fashions actually suit them. Grouping these ladies and comparing them to sheep, she takes some of the recent fashions in the early part of the 20th century and describes them thus:
"When hobble skirts are the thing, the fattest wabble along, looking for all the world like chandeliers tied up in mosquito netting. If ball dresses are cut to the last limit of daring, the ample billows of the fat will vie blandly with the marvels of anatomy exhibited by the thin. Comfort, convenience, becomingness, adaptability, beauty are of no importance. Fashion is followed to the letter—therefore they fancy, poor sheep, they are the last word in smartness."
Did I mention she was brutally honest? The word 'fat' comes up a lot.
Some suitable clothes.
4 comments:
Another post that I have to say, "I love it!" I've often looked at all the people and celebrities lining the catwalks and know that many will walk out with the latest and greatest. Yet the woman who dresses solely for her very own body, with pure elegant style, will stand out in a crowd long after the latest & greatest. What a hoot she must have been to have a conversation with!
Oh gosh I couldn't have said it better! That little grey number is wonderful! I'll take one for myself please!
These are some nice clothes. I really want to read her book. I need to get my hands on a copy soon. I had been thinking about it before, but your postings are really inspiring me to do so soon.
wow...i love that last quote about wabbling and chandeliers and ball gowns.....i am off to look up more emily post quotes on google!
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