Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
6th out of 12 books
—
5 voters
A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions
The originalWhat Not to Wearfrom one of fashion's most enduringly stylish women ...
Written by French style guru Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, Elegance is a classic style bible for timeless chic, grace, and poise -- every tidbit of advice today's woman could possibly need, all at the tips of her (perfectly manicured) fingers.From Accessories to Zippers, Madame Dariaux i...more
Written by French style guru Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, Elegance is a classic style bible for timeless chic, grace, and poise -- every tidbit of advice today's woman could possibly need, all at the tips of her (perfectly manicured) fingers.From Accessories to Zippers, Madame Dariaux i...more
Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
July 27th 2004
by William Morrow
(first published 1964)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
917)
A lady who follows her advice, I imagine, has perhaps only 10 items in her wardrobes and everything is perfectly coordinated. She is also perhaps similar to Bree Van De Kamp (Marcia Cross' character in "Desperate Housewives"): dressed to the nines, impeccably mannered, yet a little psychotic.
I find myself consulting this book from time to time ahead of my shopping trip, not to follow the advice (I mean who can afford Chanel tweed spring Suit in this time and age? Definitely not me) but to restra...more
I find myself consulting this book from time to time ahead of my shopping trip, not to follow the advice (I mean who can afford Chanel tweed spring Suit in this time and age? Definitely not me) but to restra...more
I'll admit, I am not a candidate for elegance most days. I came across this book just as I was eyeing up my closet and realizing that I am going to have to do one hell of a clearout because it it bursting at the seams with completely interchangeable crap. I'm the type who buys a serviceable work sweater from Banana Republic in three different shades, or goes to an outlet mall and picks up a black skirt if it fits. I look fine, but that's just it -- I look FINE. Acceptable, standard, blah. And th...more
I have long been interested in the female equivalent of the "Art of Manliness" blog which my boyfriend reads quasi-religiously, and this provided some solid answers in that direction. Something about the way Mme. Dariaux writes made me unable to put the book down for the first read-through; it feels like a long conversation over tea, or perhaps several glasses of wine. Many reviews I've seen complain about her advice being obscure or old-fashioned, but I found it charming. As with anything, this...more
How I love these Cold War-era guides to femininity. This one, penned in 1964 by an intensely uptight French Couturier, is full of important advice. Words of wisdom include which kinds of white gloves to wear to a daytime embassy reception and the different attire one wears to horse shows depending on what kinds of horses are being shown at what kind of show, along with "drop earrings are very dressy and should never be worn before 5 p.m. and never with a tailored hat" and "your various pieces of...more
Sumptuous. Though much of the actual clothes advice is very much of its period (1964) and for a decidely affluent class; there are many absolute gems of timeless advice; such as "Even if you look like a goddess in a bathing suit, it is absolutely incorrect to wear it any place but on the beach" (p.14).
This book acts as a stark reminder that so called 'fashion' today (in 2011) exists primarily to increase the wealth of the designer, fashion journalist, and retailer; and does very little (if anyth...more
This book acts as a stark reminder that so called 'fashion' today (in 2011) exists primarily to increase the wealth of the designer, fashion journalist, and retailer; and does very little (if anyth...more
"To be elegant is first of all to know oneself, and to know oneself well requires a certain amount of reflection and intelligence. Consequently, a woman who is utterly stupid will always find it extremely difficult to become truly elegant."
- Dariaux, p. 129, in the section "Personality"
This 60s gem was recently reprinted (and slightly revised by the author) to cash in on the craze for ladymag fashion how-to guides crowding the displays at Barnes & Noble. Yet it's far less frivolous than suc...more
- Dariaux, p. 129, in the section "Personality"
This 60s gem was recently reprinted (and slightly revised by the author) to cash in on the craze for ladymag fashion how-to guides crowding the displays at Barnes & Noble. Yet it's far less frivolous than suc...more
Considering that this book was written so long ago, 99% of it is still relevant today. Advice on everything :clothing, lingerie, men, holidays, everything that the average girl about town wants to know. Every woman will learn something from Mdme Dariaux, a former style director at Nina Ricci, the crux of the matter being that it's far better to buy just one statement piece that you wear for 10 years rather than every fashion piece that comes out. High fashion and elegance are very rarely compati...more
I've had my eye on this book for quite some time as I value elegance, sense of beauty and good manners. However I couldn't justify buying it since there are so many "proper" books waiting in the queue to be read while this one seemed trivial. Finally some time ago I found it in a charity shop, bought it and started reading.
Madame Dariaux didn't tell me anything I had not known before. Perhaps it's a good guide for someone whose mother never taught her how to look elegant, what to wear, what not...more
Madame Dariaux didn't tell me anything I had not known before. Perhaps it's a good guide for someone whose mother never taught her how to look elegant, what to wear, what not...more
1964 edition is by far the superior. Also, you have to keep in mind that the author is kind of a bitch.
2 likes
·
like
· see review
view 1 comment
I normally enjoy these types of books... I mean what woman wouldn't want to be more elegant and charming.
What really bothered me in this book was the chapter about dressing with handicaps. According to the author, I have three of the four womanly handicaps: I'm short, I'm busty, and I have red hair and freckles.
I also did t like the fact that she considered a woman who is 5'3" weighing 125lbs to be "plump."
So at 5"1', 130lbs, with an E cup and red hair, I am fashionably handicapped. And to th...more
What really bothered me in this book was the chapter about dressing with handicaps. According to the author, I have three of the four womanly handicaps: I'm short, I'm busty, and I have red hair and freckles.
I also did t like the fact that she considered a woman who is 5'3" weighing 125lbs to be "plump."
So at 5"1', 130lbs, with an E cup and red hair, I am fashionably handicapped. And to th...more
The five stars is for the original (not the revised version) of this book. I haven't read the latest, so I can't judge. But I read the original in my teens and it was a fun read - introducing me to terms like haute couture and jetsetty concepts like dressing for travel in the south of France. I especially liked Ms. Dariaux's take on the derivation of the word "snob" as coming from the Latin sine nobilitatis (without nobility). I never verified this, but whether true or not, what a charmingly Fre...more
I found this book on a friend's shelf, and after five minute's perusal, decided I needed my own copy. As another reviewer noted, the 1964 version is best, and while it requires a bit of searching on the internets, it's well worth it.
This book is both style guide and time capsule. The section on shopping in particular (the suggestions of what to buy in particular countries is largely irrelevant thanks to globalization) stands out for its historical interest, but not for any particular usefulness...more
This book is both style guide and time capsule. The section on shopping in particular (the suggestions of what to buy in particular countries is largely irrelevant thanks to globalization) stands out for its historical interest, but not for any particular usefulness...more
I like this book a lot, and it is certainly not lacking in the advice department (unlike many, many books), but it can be irritating at times. Genevieve Dariaux isn't the least bit lenient and can make you feel like it is a sin to wear anything but a linen suit to a luncheon or to carry a black purse before noon. That probably isn't her intent...but sometimes it is hard to tell what is an example and what is an order, or what is a serious fashion faux pas or just her opinion. She has quite a few...more
This is a slightly updated version of the 1964 book (for instance there are references to Princess Diana's style), but for the most part it contains the same delightfully retro advice about how to be properly dressed as the original edition. An example:
In general, gloves should always be worn on the street but never indoors, except at the theatre, a formal reception, or a ball. They should always be removed when eating, even if it is no more than a coctail canape. But a lady never takes off her...more
In general, gloves should always be worn on the street but never indoors, except at the theatre, a formal reception, or a ball. They should always be removed when eating, even if it is no more than a coctail canape. But a lady never takes off her...more
This little "TIFFANY" colored book is Awesome enough to put in your purse for reference at any & all times!!Written by a French style guru is a classic style bible for timeless chic,grace and poise_every tidbit of advice today's woman could possibly need,all at the tips of her (perfectly manicured)fingers!!!She also offers advice on CRITICAL areas of Life from Shopping w/Girlfriends(DON'T) to marriage and Sex.LOVE IT!
I don't know what it is about this book but it inspires you to greater heights. I always end up spending too much on clothes after rereading this book.
The bottom line is that quality and not quantity should be your goal. Of course, some of the advice, vis a vis gloves, etc is dated, but you can still work on some of the recommendations.
The point is, we all still want to be elegant, don't we.
The bottom line is that quality and not quantity should be your goal. Of course, some of the advice, vis a vis gloves, etc is dated, but you can still work on some of the recommendations.
The point is, we all still want to be elegant, don't we.
Simply a lovely book for those who are intent on maintaining or attaining elegance. We so often miss the nuance of a well dressed woman. Pick up a copy and read on occasion to remind yourself that no matter what some starlet wears on the red carpet, no matter how visually arresting, does not a lady make.
Nov 23, 2009
Sweetman Sweetman
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
sensible young women
Recommended to Sweetman by:
my grandmother and aunt
Shelves:
influential
What hat to wear, when to wear gloves, dresses, shoes, pocketbooks that made sense. This book was written when fashion meant something about the person wearing the clothing and accessories and not about the foolish designer who makes us all look like utter buffoons.
It is amazingly interesting to see how much this type of advice reflects the social situation like average income, employment practices and social structure. Like, the only man she ever mentions is the reader's husband - and she never even questions his existence.
Don't mind that her fashion suggestions are dated. She demonstrates timeless style and encourages, as well as points, you in the direction of finding your own. After all, elegance is a state of mind.
It's a go-to to prepare for all those would-be uncomfortable situations. Arranged by category, you can read a portion - or the whole thing. I didn't always follow it... but hey, that's just me.
This book should really have a title change. This book is a long winded opinion of what elegance is to one french woman. Unlike The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia this book pans out nearly every waking moment in life. There really isn't much to say about this book beside that face that it is well written with suggestions of what an elegant woman should have in her wardrobe. Other then that I couldn't really go back to this book for personal use. I would only use it as an easy read. It...more
Interesting take on What it takes to be Elegant. Agree with some points and thought others were comical. Did not take away too much, but is was a Cute book. Easy to skim.
the original Elegance book. Cathlene Tessaro wrote her book on Elegance from the inspiration she received from this one. I had to read it to get the picture. i did. its great.
I received this book as a gift from a friend. It's an amusing and quick read. Some of the advice is rather dated but Dariaux's advice about quality is timeless.
It's a guide to build a practical and elegant closet. It doesn't have to be expensive! The author is the designer of Nina Ricci. Lovely book.
I could never be accused of being very elegant, but I enjoyed this read nonetheless. I was inspired to read it after I read Elegance.
This is a facsimile of the 1964 edition and very charming it is too! Fashion-conscious women should not dismiss this book on account of its age. On the contrary, they should embrace Dariaux’s witty but informed insights into what makes a woman chic and elegant. Although this was originally marketed towards the wealthy upper class European, these guidelines can be adapted to any budget. Every mother should give their daughters a copy of this book in order to establish a good grounding in grooming...more
Alright but many chapters are more suitable to a career woman or a woman who has a comfortable income
An interesting read, and a good place to start building a wardrobe from, however can get quite a bit preachy after a time. Still refreshing to at least see some aspects of dressing spelled out on the page, for those (like me), who appreaciate having some rules by which to dress. Has a few massively high-brow moments, such as when she discusses her purse collection. I agree with her general opinion (frivolous bags versus higher end bags) but I could spend half my life saving for an Hermes Berkin...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
