Mining Gold: Day 6

Day 6 of Fashion: the Miracle 7-Day Glamour Course (in case you've forgotten what this is all about) will teach you how to get dressed—and not a moment too soon. Finally—what to wear when and where. Should you be reading in 1952 you might have flipped to that chapter first. I think I would. But it soon becomes clear only now is when the hard work of weeding and foraging pays off.

Much is made of "balance," making sure your if your hat is broad, your silhouette is narrow. A tiny hat calls for a full skirt, etc. Fashion as geometry.

Then there are accessories that are part of the look and those that "make" the look. Examples of the former are the right glove and bag for the occasion. Of the latter is the statement belt that makes an outfit. This takes up four pages.
 

The next four cover formal dates and informal dates. This leads me to believe the Course was directed towards women who were single and dating.

The definition of a formal date was a dance. Hopefully they still have them in high schools, but I can't remember the last time anyone invited me to a dance. Nevertheless we still have formal occasions, often known about months in advance, that fill us with as much dread as excitement. Some things are still relevant, dance card or not:

> Give yourself plenty of time to find the dress. The event might seem like ages away, but don't wait till the last minute to find your outfit.

> Don't let the dress wear you. Don't pick out anything so spectacular that it is remembered rather than you.

> Make sure you have all the underpinnings way before the big day or night. A fancy party outfit is not one you can necessarily road test before the big event, so be sure to try everything on and make sure they are comfortable and sit right.

> Ditto with shoes. If at all possible wear them a few times first.

> Figure out if you need a wrap or jacket and plan accordingly. Don't spend a lot here.

> Don't over accessorize. A little sparkle goes a long way.

> Take all the time to get ready when the big day arrives. That advice never gets old.

I wish you told me where were going...

Informal dates are anything else that isn't a dance. There are cautions about overdressing in case your date is just a movie and a hamburg or under-dressing in case it's a fancy party. Was it poor form to ask your date what you were doing? Some advice:

> Wear a tailored jacket over a fancier dress so you can whip it off should the date be just that. 

> Opt for flats if you are almost as tall as he is.

> Don't try any new hairstyle or makeup lest he may not recognize you.

> Three sure-fire date accessories are "a big smile, a honey voice, and a shell-like ear that knows how to listen."
 
Next comes How to Get Dressed When You're Doing Nothing. Besides saving wear and tear on your good clothes, having something glamorous to lounge about in is a boost for the soul. While I don't believe in hanging about the house in sloppy old duds, I never feel like spending real money on at-home clothes. Mine tend to be also-rans, things that never quite worked or that I'm just tired of wearing. In other words, not so good as to worry about messing them up, good enough to answer the door to Prince Charming—or the meter reader.

Lucy at home was the '50s ideal

The two-page chart of How to Dress Anywhere further reinforces what a battle plan dressing was back then. The "rules" have so many options—depending on the time of day, the company you're with (man or woman), and what everyone else is wearing:

> On a train, plane or cross-country bus aiming for wrinkle free dresses is pretty obvious, as is the omission of choosing sportswear.

> For a formal wedding before and after 6 PM as well as an informal wedding there is no caveat about wearing white. I used to think wearing black to a wedding was taboo, but it's not mentioned here. Once again, maybe assumed?

> In a city hotel or resort hotel stay on the conservative side for the former, check with your booking agent for the latter.

> To the theater or a nightclub check with your companions for the former. Street clothes are okay if you are coming from work. Dress to kill if you're not.

> On a ship or a cruise wear street clothes the first night out then how fancy you get depends if you are first class or cabin class. Am thinking this advice was kind of aspirational. None of the women I knew took anything other than a ferry.

> To apply for a job there are two choices: a tailored dress or suit.

> For a funeral "dark clothes needless to say with no extremes of style or accessories."

Job hunting with a friend?

We conclude Day 6 with a Compatibility Test vis a vis your ability to put things together. The previous owner got three wrong, trying to match her accessories too much. Matchy-matchy is a hard habit to break.

Day 7 (How to be a Fashion Expert) and graduation are just ahead!