Photo: Jo Podmore/Courtesy of Penguin Random House
The following is an exclusive excerpt from Carly Lane’s new book, “A Regency Guide to Modern Life,” available for purchase here. Reprinted by permission of DK, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Text Copyright © Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2023.
First impressions, careful reader, are crucial. They can mean the difference between an instantly charmed companion and someone whose good opinion is forever lost. It is key to put your best foot forward in every interaction – with said foot clad in the best slipper or boot available.
It is not merely the external that should serve in winning over others; manners are equally beneficial to master. From perfecting the aesthetic of your abode to knowing which items are a must-have in your reticule, let me be your guide in how to be proper, both inside and out.
The Importance of the Right Accessory
Photo: Jo Podmore/Courtesy of Penguin Random House
Dear Lady A: I’ve bought a new outfit to wear to work, but I can’t decide which accessory to pair it with. When it comes to that side of fashion, I get stuck!
My dearest friend the Viscountess of Waverly once took me aside at a summer soireé and, as politely as she could, said, “Darling, sometimes less is more.” At first, I was distressed by her assessment, but then I came to realize that in this particular instance, she was absolutely right. In my desire to pair several different accessories to my new dress – including fan, reticule, several strands of pearls, matching earrings, and a rather large headdress – I looked more like an overstuffed peacock than the most fashionable lady of the ton. Quelle horreur!
So, if I can dispense any advice upon you now, it is this: learn from my tragic misstep, and do not fall prey to the temptation to wear every piece of jewellery in your possession, for you may be at risk of blinding your fellow …….
