From "Elegance" by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux.
"It is indispensable to own a complete set of accessories in black, and, if possible, another in brown, plus a pair of beige shoes and a beige straw handbag for summer. With this basic minimum, almost any combination is attractive.
Of course, it would be ideal to have each set of accessories in two different versions: one for sport and the other for dressy. And in this regard I cannot restrain myself from expressing the dismay I feel when I see a woman carry an alligator handbag with a dressy ensemble merely because she has paid an enormous sum of money for it. Alligator is strictly for sports or travel, shoes as well as bags, and this respected reptile should be permitted to retire every evening at 5 PM.
And here, as in no other department, quality is essential. Be strict with yourself. Save. Economise on food if you must (believe me, it will do you good!) but not on your handbags or shoes. Refuse to be seduced by anything that isn't first-rate. The saying, "I cannot afford to buy cheaply" was never so true. Although I am far from rich, I have bought my handbags for years from Hermes, Germaine Guerin and Roberta. And, without exception, I have ended by givng away all the cheap little novelty bags that I found irresistable at first. The same is true of shoes and gloves."
"It is indispensable to own a complete set of accessories in black, and, if possible, another in brown, plus a pair of beige shoes and a beige straw handbag for summer. With this basic minimum, almost any combination is attractive.
Of course, it would be ideal to have each set of accessories in two different versions: one for sport and the other for dressy. And in this regard I cannot restrain myself from expressing the dismay I feel when I see a woman carry an alligator handbag with a dressy ensemble merely because she has paid an enormous sum of money for it. Alligator is strictly for sports or travel, shoes as well as bags, and this respected reptile should be permitted to retire every evening at 5 PM.
And here, as in no other department, quality is essential. Be strict with yourself. Save. Economise on food if you must (believe me, it will do you good!) but not on your handbags or shoes. Refuse to be seduced by anything that isn't first-rate. The saying, "I cannot afford to buy cheaply" was never so true. Although I am far from rich, I have bought my handbags for years from Hermes, Germaine Guerin and Roberta. And, without exception, I have ended by givng away all the cheap little novelty bags that I found irresistable at first. The same is true of shoes and gloves."
lol