Monday, October 31, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Elegant Dressing with Family Plaid
Elegant Summer Dressing: M-J de Mesterton at Home in a Plaid Made in Her Family Tartan
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Elegant Woman's Houndstooth Jacket by Aquascutum
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WOMENS-AQUASCUTUM-BLACK-VELVET-COLLAR-TWEED-JACKET-12-/290567832163?pt=UK_Women_s_Coats_Jackets&hash=item43a7314263
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WOMENS-AQUASCUTUM-BLACK-VELVET-COLLAR-TWEED-JACKET-12-/290567832163?pt=UK_Women_s_Coats_Jackets&hash=item43a7314263#ht_2566wt_905
Please read the measurements very carefully to ensure a proper fit. This is a magnificent ladies' double-breasted tweed houndstooth jacket with an elegant black velvet collar. Made by Aquascutum of England.
Please read the measurements very carefully to ensure a proper fit. This is a magnificent ladies' double-breasted tweed houndstooth jacket with an elegant black velvet collar. Made by Aquascutum of England.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Wandering Waist
The waistcoat worn by the U.S. president this week was too long, while the belts worn by his wife were too high. And I saw a photo of Oprah Winfrey wearing a light purple dress with another too-high belt, a look which gives the illusion of a baby-bump just underneath it. It's as though everyone has forgotten where the waist is actually located: at least one inch above the navel.
©M-J de Mesterton
The Sun-Dress
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| Poppy Galore Sundress by Tommy Bahama |
Just as its name indicates, the sun-dress or sundress is meant to be worn in the most casual manner, on the beach or while sunning one's self. The sun-dress is not something that a woman ought to wear to luncheon or lunch, unless that occasion is pool-side or at a beach resort, when one may have just showered off after a swim in the sea. Sundresses do not belong at elegant luncheons or on city streets.
Elegant Dressing necessitates a knowledge of propriety in attire; there is a time and a place for everything under the sun.
©M-J de Mesterton
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
M-J and UK Daily Mail's Liz Jones on the Obamas' "Royal Visit"
For Reference: Liz Jones in the Daily Mail, with Photographs
M-J's Impression of the Distaff Side's Dressing on May 24th
Proving the Elegant Survival theory that it does not cost more to look better, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a simple beige dress by Reiss, and dignified shoes. Mrs Obama wore a puzzlingly shiny dress (shininess is not appropriate for daytime) with a too-high waist that emphasised her belly, an oddly-mismatched bolero that seemed to have been squeezed around her, and some long-toed, open-heeled shoes (aren't the witch-toed shoes passé yet?). Just once we should see some elegant sartorial simplicity from this capable woman, who has obviously been wrongly-advised once again by her handlers. Her dress was the perfect length for the day. However, a pale blue dress doesn't blend well with a hot-pink bolero, and the satiny look ought to be reserved for evening. The "ensemble" that Michelle Obama wore when meeting the Camerons, a purple dress with a royal blue coat, was also mismatched and awkward. The occasions called for closed shoes (see the Duchess of Cambridge), which the First Lady finally wore with her garish blue and violet clothes, which actually would have been all right had they been of either complementary or identical hues.
Mrs Cameron's dress was a pure abomination, with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The complicated waist and white panels, together with the busy, low-prole print on the rest of it were tragic. And her reptilian shoes were outrageously high-heeled, making her look sleazy and overly-tall, and her head appear too small. All the above, of course, bears up my traditional theme on classic dressing: money cannot buy elegance. Clothes DO make the man or woman, but first, a person must make the right choices or they will make one look foolish instead of stylish.
©M-J de Mesterton
Friday, May 20, 2011
Steam and Starch
Ironing Update: Starch and Steam
Crisp but Not Crunchy Clothes with Home-Made Starch
I have a long, old-fashioned cotton skirt with embroidery and a cotton lining that hangs inside it. It seemed that both layers needed some more body. I iron all my husband's shirts without starch, so I had none in the house. He calls this my "Romanov skirt" and those ladies certainly had theirs starched, back in the early 1900s. I asked him to look up a recipe for ironing starch on the internet, and he came up with a standard formula. One cup of very hot water and a tablespoon of cornstarch, stirred until dissolved and put into a reliable spray bottle was what he recommended, and it worked very well. I have also spray-starched a couple of blouses with the aforementioned mixture, and had great success.
The New Elegant Survival Iron
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| The Elegant Survival Iron, by Shark One of the pictured spray bottles contains plain water and a little bit of orange flower water; the other spray bottle holds my starch and water formula. Both of these concoctions are useful for ironing clothes. The first spray gets the wrinkles out, and the second one puts body into natural fabrics. |
The Shark Euro-Pro is the best iron I have ever used. Its extended steam feature and heavy construction ensure an efficient ironing experience. The iron is also very pretty, and has a high-quality look.
©M-J de Mesterton 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Quod Erat Demonstrandum
My post on the Royal Wedding Day, and how I predicted the style of the Duchess of Cambridge's bridal gown:
http://www.elegantsurvival.net/apps/blog/show/6879786-quod-erat-demonstrandum
~~M-J
Friday, April 29, 2011
Wedding Day Disaster: Money Can't Buy Sartorial Splendour
Oh, My!
He spends over three-million per year on clothes: get a load of the cuffs, roughly two inches over-long, and those appalling bunched sleeves on both EJ and his husband (together with thick rubber army soles on the hubby's "dress shoes")....
Photo MSNBC
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| MSNBC Photo M-J's Note: Men's shirt-cuffs should only show a half-inch. |
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Elegant Coat and Skirt Suit by Monique Lhuillier
My friend Christabelle is offering this glamorous ladies' suit for a fraction of its original price:
http://www.christabellescloset.com/SUITS-&-2-PIECERS/SKIRT-SUITS/MONIQUE-LHUILLIER/p-89-206-8498/
http://www.christabellescloset.com/SUITS-&-2-PIECERS/SKIRT-SUITS/MONIQUE-LHUILLIER/p-89-206-8498/
Please read the measurements carefully for a perfect fit. This is a suit for an elegant, voluptuous woman.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Ladies' Elegant Pinstripe Suit
This superb, elegant women's pinstriped suit is offered by our reliable and sterling friend Peter in Herefordshire. He will ship outside of Great Britain.
This vintage women's skirt-suit gives a very shapely silhouette to its tasteful wearer.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Elegant Pink Floral Jacket from Laura Ashley
This waist-length, figure-flattering cotton jacket by People Tree, available at Laura Ashley, will go well with a white skirt or trousers for late spring and summer dressing.
This elegant ladies' jacket is also available in a navy and white print.
Splendid Vintage Jaeger Boating Jacket
45" Chest, Made in England by Jaeger
A tasteful, understated old example of the fine British traditional summer blazer.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Superb Laura Ashley Tweed Skirt Suit with Velvet Collar
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Luxurious Knitted Skirt-Suit
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WOMENS-SUPERB-VINTAGE-GPURE-WOOL-CHECK-SKIRT-SUIT-8-/330537775875?pt=Women_s_Clothing&hash=item4cf5963303#ht_2707wt_905
Bust 35"
Waist 28"
Hips 36"
This sweater-suit would be very elegant for St. Patrick's Day or Easter. An ivory or green hat, a congruous silk scarf and brownish pumps would enhance this luxurious, classic style.
Superb Chukka Boots Made in England
Excellent condition, versatile, elegant and comfortable---read more descriptions of these English-made chukka boots here.
Women's Sheepskin Toscana-Style Coat
Women's Sheepskin Toscana-Style Coat
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WOMENS-SUPERB-F-LENGTH-TOSCANA-SHEEPSKIN-COAT-12-/290541084060?pt=Women_s_Clothing&hash=item43a5991d9c#ht_2580wt_905
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| Elegant Long Sheepskin Coat, Traditional Frog-Closures and Trim Made in Strasbourg by Roth |
Chest measures 44"
These coats sell for over a thousand dollars new.
These coats sell for over a thousand dollars new.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Elegant Bridal Gowns
Elegant Wedding Gown
| Posted by M-J de Mesterton on January 19, 2011 at 2:31 PM |
Prospective Brides: Something to Consider
Why not eschew the modern strapless evening dresses/corsets with long trains that are now standard in the wedding business and adopt a classic, elegant, dignified style for your bridal gown? Following the crowd is not wise. That which is in fashion right now may make one cringe in the future. Brides of refinement and good breeding, women of high station in life have traditionally worn bridal gowns with long sleeves and elegant, high collars. Here is Julie Andrews as Maria von Trapp in the Sound of Music, wearing a gorgeous wedding dress that looks right for any decade:
Note that this elegant wedding dress has a figure-flattering shape while bearing none of the tacky, complicated embellishments that often find their way onto the most important garb of a woman's life. If it is now impossible to locate a ready-made bridal gown of dignity and taste, there are patterns available from which one may be made.
©M-J
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Proper Wool Trousers, 20 USD
It is so difficult finding men's OR women's trousers that actually come up to the waist these days, that I was excited when I stumbled upon these lined, cuffed wool slacks at Sportsman's Guide for an unimaginably low price:
Traditional Trousers
Traditional Trousers
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Thursday, January 6, 2011
Elegant Country Dressing
M-J de Mesterton is wearing a Porter & Harding tweed jacket made in England by Bookster, with an English-made wax coat, an elegant mandarin-collared cotton blouse by T.M. Lewin, a long skirt, and Khombu boots.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Elegant Dressing 1961
No anorexics here; just healthy, happy models wearing short swing-coats and turtlenecks, elegant hats, gloves
and boots. From Frau und Film, winter 1961. With thanks to our dear friends the Kings of Herefordshire for this well-preserved, glamourous vintage magazine.
and boots. From Frau und Film, winter 1961. With thanks to our dear friends the Kings of Herefordshire for this well-preserved, glamourous vintage magazine.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Elegant Men's Tweed Trench-Coat
This is an extremely elegant men's double-breasted trench-coat made from wool cloth that resembles Bateson tweed.
UPDATE: this exquisite beauty has been sold.
Butterick 1947 Elegant Dress Pattern
The Elegant Forties-Style Dress
Often Imitated and Poorly-Made in China by Today's Manufacturers
This is the proper pattern for a 1947 dress, with the correct proportions.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Classic, Elegant Winter Dressing
M-J de Mesterton Elegantly Attired for a Snowstorm
Aigle Boots (Made in France)
Montgomery Elysian Wool Duffel Coat (Made in England)
White Fox Hat (Made in Helsinki, Finland)
Scottish Walking Cane
Scots Glen Cashmere Scarf (Elgin Castle, Scotland)
Cashmere-Lined Black Leather Gloves (Made in Italy; Bergdorf Goodman NYC)
Elegant Tweed Jacket by Laura Ashley
Covered buttons and an inset-velvet collar distinguish this elegant tweed plaid jacket by Laura Ashley. The chest measures 40", while the waist measurement is 38". This is a dignified and refined wardrobe element that can be worn three seasons a year in most regions. Offered by our dear friends at Bookster UK online auctions.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Elegant Dressing for the Christmas Holiday
Author and painter M-J de Mesterton wears an ankle-length velvet skirt by J. Peterman, a satin-like cotton blouse
by T.M. Lewin, and a silk-cashmere pashmina.
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