Bette Davis in the film adaptation of Mr. Skeffington (1944).
I've always loved studying ladies who exhibit classic elegance, grace, and poise.
One of the things I love most about classic novels is that you can stumble upon so many lovely descriptions of the elegant lady I wish to be - the one often with a serene, otherworldly demeanor.
Here are some quotes I've come across recently:
"In a few minutes Mrs. Forrester came in. She was a tall woman in a flowing negligee, who wafted graciousness all around her, putting the world at ease." — Mildred Pierce, James M. Cain
"The chauffeur, unable to hurry her because of having to be respectful, felt his situation acutely, with policeman shouting at him in front, held-up cars bellowing at him behind, while his lady, incapable of being flustered and used to doing what she chose and how she chose and when she chose, with her customary grace and dignity, took her time." — Mr. Skeffington, Elizabeth von Arnim
"This was a woman's room, graceful, fragile, the room of someone who had chosen every particle of furniture with great care, so that each chair, each vase, each small, infinitesimal thing, should be in harmony with one another, and with her own personality." — Rebecca, Daphne du Maurier
"Not only did everybody with whom Helen Morrison worked and played with get along famously with her, but under her gentle management they got on beautifully with one another too." — Stella Dallas, Olive Higgins Prouty
I love the mental pictures each of these quotes stirs up for me. I'm reminded to take my time going through my day, to interact with the world in a gracious and calm manner, and to always bring beauty to my environment, wherever I may be.
I've unintentionally amassed a large hankie collection over my years of vintage shopping. They always seem to be so abundant, inexpensive, and just plain cute that you can't help but pick them up. It always makes me smile when I purchase a vintage bag and a hankie tucked inside comes as a bonus. I love the sentiment of a hankie - one fragranced with your perfume that you give to your beloved, or an embroidered "sweetheart" hankie that wipes away tears and waves goodbye. The red hankie has always intrigued me as it's so eye-catching compared to the delicate and lacy varieties.
The history of the little red hankie starts with none other than Joan Crawford. Rumor has it that while attending a glitzy awards show, she went to dab her lips and soiled her hankie with red lipstick - a bit of an etiquette faux pas! Hopefully she knew to use the folded underside of her hankie to hid her excess lipstick from the public. Nevertheless, soon after she asked her seamstress to whip her up a red handkerchief so she could dab at her lips without worry... and the red hankie was born! The audience took notice and soon all young women followed suit with their own red hankies at the ready.
Lipstick tissues did exist at the time, however these were more intended for blotting lipstick in between applications. Using a tissue after eating would have left little bits of paper all over one's pout. A red handkerchief is also just so much more stylish and would perhaps catch the attention of an admirer. Revealing a coordinating red hankie to dab at your perfectly reddened lips... talk about glamour!
You may wonder why many of these hankies are adorned with embroidery often featuring scottie dogs. Well, the scottie was the "it" dog of the era. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's own scottie, Fala, became world famous. The scottie dog became a symbol of feistiness and determination. As a result, the breed became the go-to in the 30s and 40s for spirited and fashionable ladies.
What should every housewife know in order to run her home smoothly, efficiently, and with style? Guides, like this 1930s film by McCalls, titled Recipe for the Perfect Housewife, were released to encourage the art of homemaking. I love these instructional, simple but authoritative videos that give a glimpse of life in the past when homemaking was considered a true art form. How lovely does this lady look pottering around her home in the clip below? She is totally chic with her short waved hair and pussybow blouse.
A housewife must know...
Food, and how to cook: A housewife should enjoy cooking for herself and her family. A few times a week, get creative in the kitchen and hone your culinary skills by attempting new recipes. Each time you make a recipe, make notes on what you could change to improve it or add your own twist. After a few attempts it will be perfected, and slowly you can build up your own menu of foolproof dishes that can be whipped up at a moment's notice. It's also important to know how to economize your kitchen by using up scraps and leftover servings.
How to set her table attractively: Make the effort to set the table nicely with china, silverware, flowers, and candles. Personalize the table's decor by coordinating linens, flowers, and candles to create various color palettes and themes that are pleasing to the eye. Table setting makes your meals feel more special - a reminder to slow down and enjoy your food and to connect with whomever is sitting with you.
How to make her home comfortable and inviting: Each room should be tastefully decorated with no clutter. Things like flowers, candles, throw pillows, antique books, lamp shades, and old paintings are easy ways to bring in charming decor. I enjoy looking at old homes because of the more formal style that the decor seems to have. Each room is decorated with the specificpurpose for that room in mind - the table is the centerpiece of the dining room, perfectly made beds in the bedrooms. etc. The homes are not gaping open-plan caves or stark minimalist dwellings - the rooms look cozy, warm, and lived in.
The worth of labor saving devices: Even women in the 1930s used "modern" devices to make their housekeeping more organized and efficient. The goal wasn't to expend all your energy in a cleaning marathon, but to strategically conserve your energy while still maintaining a clean home. Find what appliances, cleaning products, and organizational systems work best for you. Treat your home like a boutique bed & breakfast that runs on schedule for meals, laundry, and cleaning routines. Getting the housework done smoothly means more time for family, socializing, and hobbies.
Clothes, how to buy and make them: The quintessential housewife always looks put together. Yes, this is an exaggeration, but it's a reminder that just because you work from home doesn't mean you have to neglect style. Get dressed every morning, look at photos for inspiration, and cultivate a sense of dress appropriate for your lifestyle. Regularly prune your closet and add new items as you go. If you sew, you can thrift, upcycle, and mend clothing to stretch your wardrobe and add your own personal touch.
That she must face death to bring children into the world: Well... that escalated quickly.
To be a companion and sweetheart to her husband: It's the "little things" are the big things here. Treat your partner with respect, be supportive, spend quality time together, and make your marriage a priority. Have fun and make the effort to plan special dates, surprises, and traditions.
To make social contacts: Housewives often had a strong sense of community with other wives in the neighborhood and were encouraged to participate in social events such as community groups, charities, and bridge clubs. With the use of modern technology, you can also cultivate a community of likeminded friends from all over the world - a blessing for the more introverted housewife.
To widen her own horizons and find time for culture: Contrary to popular belief, housewives were not just mindless domestic drones. Not only were women experts at running a home, but they were also encouraged to seek out the arts and bring culture into their life. Once the daily tasks were finished, finding time to read with the family, listen to music, or pursue an interesting hobby was encouraged. Being able to make interesting conversation, not just exchange local gossip, was very becoming for a lady.
When's the last time you saw someone wearing a bed jacket? Unless you're a vintage clothing aficionado, you may not even be aware of these darling little garments and their ample utility and practicality.
Bed jackets were garments made to be worn in bed, particularly in the morning hours while reading or breakfasting. They were made in a wide variety of fabrics and styles, dependent on the season as well as the level of formality. Jackets that were knitted were often referred to as "bed sweaters."
When you think about it, the bed jacket is a perfectly practical garment. Sitting up in bed and trying to read a newspaper, work on your crochet, or drink a cup of tea with a comforter tucked up to your neck would be virtually impossible. A bed jacket allows you free movement of your arms and hands to make use of your time in bed while still feeling warm and cozy, and looking chic!
A bed jacket's boxy, roomy silhouette made it easy to take on and off. They were hemmed to the waist, eliminating the uncomfortable bulk of wearing a full length robe in bed. Most jackets are held around the shoulders with a simple tie at the neck and were intended to be worn over one's pajamas or nightgown. Not only did the bed jacket provide warmth, but it also lent itself to an air of modesty and put-togetherness in front of one's family or public.
Bed jackets were the middle ground when you opted for an appearance more
formal than a pajama set, but not as "ready" as a full-length dressing
gown or peignoir.
Not all bed jackets were created with utility in mind. The heyday of the bed jacket would have been from the 1930s through the 1960s, when the garment was beloved and celebrated by the glamorous actresses on screen. These jackets were often made from luxurious silks and satins, and decked out with all the trimmings including ostrich feathers, lace, and tulle. It was a completely feminine and frothy affair.
So what spurred the invention, and inevitable decline, of such a garment? Well, the most likely
conclusion seems to be the need to keep warm. Homes in the 1930s and 40s did not have adequate heating, and families bundled up with layers consisting of long undergarments and woolen dressing gowns to keep warm. In the post-war years, heating began to improve and some homes had central heating for the first time. Also, more and more women began to enter the workplace, which meant less time for breakfast in bed... quelle horreur!
The popularity began to taper off as the years passed, and by the 70s, bed jackets were often relegated to the back of the wardrobe - only to kept in alive by elderly women, convalescents, and new mothers on bed rest. Women used to spend up to two weeks in bed, by Victorian standards. I don't know about you, but two weeks in bed sounds just the ticket...
Yes, it does seem that the bed jacket has been lost to time. In fact, I have never found one during my vintage shopping excursions, so my wardrobe has a distinct lack of bed jackets - that just won't do! I hope to add one to my lounge wear wardrobe so I to can recline in bed, taking breakfast on a tray like the elegant lady of the house. Perhaps I will also finish off my daydream with a gorgeous quilted eiderdown at the foot of the bed... more on that next time.
