Read Online The Regal Rules for Girls by Jerramy Fine - Free Book Online
Authors: Jerramy Fine
Tags: Itzy, kickass.to
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say good-bye to a large group, there is no need to cheek-kiss every single one of them (waving or blowing a kiss to the group is more appropriate).
Hugs are rare in the UK for anyone other than close family, so try to restrain your American tendencies.
R ECOMMENDED R EADING:
Debrett’s Etiquette for Girls
The one and only British authority on all matters of modern etiquette, taste, and achievement. This fantastic guide is full of great advice including tips for entertaining at home and getting ahead at work.
1 See “Formal Balls,” page 152 .
2 For example, in England you must say chicken
fil-ET
, NOT chicken
fi-LAY
as the French word requires.
3
Vile Bodies
by Evelyn Waugh is a must, must read (and was later adapted for the 2003 film
Bright Young Things
). They are both too, too divine.
4
Tatler
is a glossy UK magazine depicting the glamorous lives and lifestyles of the upper class. Get yourself a subscription asap.
5 This line is attributed to London playwright R. B. Sheridan—and I think it’s one of the best sayings ever.
6 aka “ice lollies.”
7 Kate famously attended a 1980s-themed roller-skating disco in aid of Oxford’s Children Hospital.
THREE
L ONDON S TYLE
If you consider that when you are far away from home and surrounded by strangers, you are judged entirely on the strength of your external appearance, perhaps you will realize the importance of being flawlessly well-dressed wherever you travel.
—G ENEVIEVE A NTOINE D ARIAUX
L et’s face it: Nothing screams American more than sneakers and baseball caps. As we all know, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being American—but drawing attention to the more negative American stereotypes is not going to help your cause.
When I first moved to London, I couldn’t believe how much women seemed to dress up just to go grocery shopping on a Saturday afternoon. What I didn’t quite comprehend was that these women were not dressed up, they just don’t dress down. European cities have much stricter sartorial standards than American cities. You can’t come to London and dress as if you are lounging about in your LA apartment—it just doesn’t work like that.
Sitting on the tube, I can always tell who the tourists are becausethey dress for a day in London as if they are going on a hiking expedition through the Rocky Mountains—sneakers, fanny packs, baseball caps, windbreakers, etc. Half the time I’m surprised they don’t have walking sticks. These people just don’t seem to comprehend the concept of “city attire.”
In London, you don’t step from your home to your car and from your car to your destination. Living in London means taking public transportation and walking around on real streets. It means fantastic people watching, but it also means understanding that those same people are watching you!
This doesn’t mean you have to buy a whole new wardrobe or start dressing like a catwalk model in order to survive in England’s capital city. Far from it. All it means is that you need to think twice before leaving your flat.
HOW TO DRESS FOR LONDON LIVING:
Ignore fashion trends and stick with the classics. (Skinny jeans belong on Kate Moss—not Kate Middleton.)
Learn to love cashmere and tweed.
Buy one pair of nice boots that you can wear with jeans or skirts.
Don’t be afraid to wear skirts 1 for any and all occasions—even for casual outings to the park.
Invest in a pea coat that will last you a decade and a cocktail dress that will last a lifetime.
Wear pearls. They are simple, elegant, and go with everything. And compared to other jewelry, they are relatively inexpensive. Invest in a pair of studs and wear them everywhere.
Carry a timeless, versatile handbag. Longchamp is a catch-all classic that is reasonably priced until you can afford Mulberry or similar.
Heels? As often as you can. (See “City Shoes.”)
When in doubt, less is more. (Coco Chanel famously suggested that a woman should remove at least
Hugs are rare in the UK for anyone other than close family, so try to restrain your American tendencies.
R ECOMMENDED R EADING:
Debrett’s Etiquette for Girls
The one and only British authority on all matters of modern etiquette, taste, and achievement. This fantastic guide is full of great advice including tips for entertaining at home and getting ahead at work.
1 See “Formal Balls,” page 152 .
2 For example, in England you must say chicken
fil-ET
, NOT chicken
fi-LAY
as the French word requires.
3
Vile Bodies
by Evelyn Waugh is a must, must read (and was later adapted for the 2003 film
Bright Young Things
). They are both too, too divine.
4
Tatler
is a glossy UK magazine depicting the glamorous lives and lifestyles of the upper class. Get yourself a subscription asap.
5 This line is attributed to London playwright R. B. Sheridan—and I think it’s one of the best sayings ever.
6 aka “ice lollies.”
7 Kate famously attended a 1980s-themed roller-skating disco in aid of Oxford’s Children Hospital.
THREE
L ONDON S TYLE
If you consider that when you are far away from home and surrounded by strangers, you are judged entirely on the strength of your external appearance, perhaps you will realize the importance of being flawlessly well-dressed wherever you travel.
—G ENEVIEVE A NTOINE D ARIAUX
L et’s face it: Nothing screams American more than sneakers and baseball caps. As we all know, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being American—but drawing attention to the more negative American stereotypes is not going to help your cause.
When I first moved to London, I couldn’t believe how much women seemed to dress up just to go grocery shopping on a Saturday afternoon. What I didn’t quite comprehend was that these women were not dressed up, they just don’t dress down. European cities have much stricter sartorial standards than American cities. You can’t come to London and dress as if you are lounging about in your LA apartment—it just doesn’t work like that.
Sitting on the tube, I can always tell who the tourists are becausethey dress for a day in London as if they are going on a hiking expedition through the Rocky Mountains—sneakers, fanny packs, baseball caps, windbreakers, etc. Half the time I’m surprised they don’t have walking sticks. These people just don’t seem to comprehend the concept of “city attire.”
In London, you don’t step from your home to your car and from your car to your destination. Living in London means taking public transportation and walking around on real streets. It means fantastic people watching, but it also means understanding that those same people are watching you!
This doesn’t mean you have to buy a whole new wardrobe or start dressing like a catwalk model in order to survive in England’s capital city. Far from it. All it means is that you need to think twice before leaving your flat.
HOW TO DRESS FOR LONDON LIVING:
Ignore fashion trends and stick with the classics. (Skinny jeans belong on Kate Moss—not Kate Middleton.)
Learn to love cashmere and tweed.
Buy one pair of nice boots that you can wear with jeans or skirts.
Don’t be afraid to wear skirts 1 for any and all occasions—even for casual outings to the park.
Invest in a pea coat that will last you a decade and a cocktail dress that will last a lifetime.
Wear pearls. They are simple, elegant, and go with everything. And compared to other jewelry, they are relatively inexpensive. Invest in a pair of studs and wear them everywhere.
Carry a timeless, versatile handbag. Longchamp is a catch-all classic that is reasonably priced until you can afford Mulberry or similar.
Heels? As often as you can. (See “City Shoes.”)
When in doubt, less is more. (Coco Chanel famously suggested that a woman should remove at least
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