A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions (Hardcover)

by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux (Author) "The accessories worn with an outfit - gloves, hat, shoes, and handbag - are among the most important elements of an elegant appearance..." (more)
Key Phrases: dressy ensemble, outfit jewellery, ideal outfit (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The original What Not to Wear from one of fashion's most enduringly stylish women ...

Written by French style guru Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, Elegance is a classic style bible for timeless chic, grace, and poise -- every tidbit of advice today's woman could possibly need, all at the tips of her (perfectly manicured) fingers. From Accessories to Zippers, Madame Dariaux imparts her pearls of wisdom on all things fashion-related -- and also offers advice on other crucial areas in life from shopping with girlfriends (don't) to marriage and sex.

About the Author
Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux spent most of her life in Paris, and now lives in the south of France. Even as a child she preferred to accompany her mother to the dressmaker's rather than go to the movies. Her talent for design and making costume jewelry led her to open her own fashion house, and her success eventually took her to Nina Ricci, where she was the directrice for many years.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow (July 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060757345
• ISBN-13: 978-0060757342
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (85 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,156 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

194 of 196 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I hate to admit it , September 10, 2004

By	Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I hate to admit but since I bought Elegance and started following its advice I look much better. People have actually stopped to comment. Although I'm cringing (what did I look like before?) it has been fun to get the compliments. Madam Dariaux was a designer, a director of Nina Rici and a fashion writer. She arranged the book in alphabetical format with instructions and observations about everything from alligator bags to materntiy wear. The editors have updated the book just a tiny bit but it does no harm. It's like having your own stylist.

174 of 180 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite!, July 29, 2004

By	Reyna del Amador (United States) - See all my reviews

From Accessories to Zoology, this volume in its Tiffany blue dust jacket covers in exquisite detail everything one needs to be elegantly attired. Women will appreciate the trimmed down, but versatile and chic, wardrobe ideas as well as tips on beauty during pregnancy (E for Expecting) and for dressing your man (M for Men). Also amusing (and true!) is the section that contrasts what men think they like versus what is really attrative to men (S for Sex). In sum, Mme Dariaux's book is a breath of fresh air in our part of the world, where more is not always better and elegance is in short supply.

Highly recommended, but you may have to look for it: The Borders in Sacramento had it in the fiction section, under D for Dariaux~I suppose confusing it with Kathleen Tessaro's charming and evokative novel!

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegance for a lifetime, December 22, 2004

By	J. Goodwin (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Yes Yes Yes! I was given the original by my mother long, long ago. Every page was a revelation. As one's appearance speaks so emphatically about one, I can't think of any gift more useful to a young woman about to take her place in the world. However, Madame Dariaux has sage wisdom and common sense advice for women of any age. Who knew that being elegant was really so very simple! And it's certainly not money that creates elegance. I wish that this book had been given to more women, especially those that have made careers in the entertainment industry. Ahem. In any case, I look forward to reading the updated version of "Elegance". And I, too, am delighted that the author is alive, well and thriving. She is truly one of my idols. I would give many more stars were they available.