Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27857 in Books
• Published on: 2003-11-17
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

Synopsis
A new-look edition of the style bible from the 1960s written by French fashion guru Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, which provided the inspiration for Kathleen Tessaro's novel of the same name. An early version of "What Not to Wear", the book states that "Being beautiful is no guarantee of happiness in this world. Strive instead for elegance, grace and style." From accessories to zippers, Madame Dariaux imparts her pearls of wisdom on all things fashion-related - and also offers advice on other crucial areas in life from shopping with girlfriends (don't) to marriage and sex.

Customer Reviews

A guide of style
Elegance is a guide for anyone who has hit a style rut and wants some classic advice. Yes, the book was written in 1964 and is old fashioned, but if you use the advice to cater for your needs, such as being aware women wear tights now. You realise Genevieve Antoine Dariaux is leading you down a path of complete style and elegance.

A classic which needs updating
This book was written some time in the sixties but must have been updated of sorts ever since because some entries vaguely refer to late lady Diana and the use of cellphones. I only regret that the updating process was not taken any further, for the book is badly dated. The first thought that pops to mind is Thank Goodness the dress etiquette has thoroughly simplified these days. Dariaux is not partial to trousers, which women nowadays could simply not do without and recommends different dresses for different moments of the day, an encumbering task for the working woman, to say the least. Let's say that Dariaux's is a good reference book, as could be expected from a French woman who has worked as fashion consultant for Nina Ricci, but it's the sort of advice a kind Grandma would give her granddaughter. I dare say it could be an invaluable guide for the woman who has absolutely no inkling on style whatsoever, for it provides good pointers on colour coordination, adaptability of one's wardrobe to different social situations and basics for impeccable grooming, but the stylish woman already knows most of the things she talks about. Though also dated, I find Susan Sommers' "French chic" is the definitive guide to French elegance and far easier to translate to our times

I wish...
I wish I could treasure this book as much as I'm sure past generations have done. Unfortunately, since it was first published in 1964, the contents of this book has a striking resemblance to something my grandmother would wear and advise. To a modern woman with a career and a busy social life, this is the style version of the telegraph. For a more updated book on style, try Karen Homer's 'Things a Woman Should Know About Style'.