A Guide to Elegance: A Complete Guide for the Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed for Every Occasion

"Elegance is a guide for anyone who has hit a style rut and wants some classic advice. Yes, the book was written in 1964 and is old fashioned, but if you use the advice to cater for your needs, such as being aware women wear tights now. You realise Genevieve Antoine Dariaux is leading you down a path of complete style and elegance."
~ Written on 2007-01-13

"This book was written some time in the sixties but must have been updated of sorts ever since because some entries vaguely refer to late lady Diana and the use of cellphones. I only regret that the updating process was not taken any further, for the book is badly dated. The first thought that pops to mind is Thank Goodness the dress etiquette has thoroughly simplified these days. Dariaux is not partial to trousers, which women nowadays could simply not do without and recommends different dresses for different moments of the day, an encumbering task for the working woman, to say the least. Let's say that Dariaux's is a good reference book, as could be expected from a French woman who has worked as fashion consultant for Nina Ricci, but it's the sort of advice a kind Grandma would give her granddaughter. I dare say it could be an invaluable guide for the woman who has absolutely no inkling on style whatsoever, for it provides good pointers on colour coordination, adaptability of one's wardrobe to different social situations and basics for impeccable grooming, but the stylish woman already knows most of the things she talks about. Though also dated, I find Susan Sommers' "French chic" is the definitive guide to French elegance and far easier to translate to our times"
~ Written on 2005-11-18

"I wish I could treasure this book as much as I'm sure past generations have done. Unfortunately, since it was first published in 1964, the contents of this book has a striking resemblance to something my grandmother would wear and advise. To a modern woman with a career and a busy social life, this is the style version of the telegraph. For a more updated book on style, try Karen Homer's 'Things a Woman Should Know About Style'."
~ Written on 2005-08-15

"A slice of a life now long gone when women were women and men adored them!!
This little book is a true find,Madam gives you no excuse not to look stylish and groomed at all times .
A true gem.
Read with Elegance by Kathleen Tessaro and you wont be disappointed trust me...now where did I put my lipstick?...."
~ Written on 2005-04-13

"I love this book: it's charming, funny, interesting and well observed. However, it would have been improved by the publisher deciding on which side of the Pond he/she wanted the spelling to reside. Colour/color, travelling/traveling, favourite/favorite, and many more, inconsistency rages throughout the whole book, sometimes both versions appear on the same page. Everyone makes the odd mistake, and it would be both pedantic and pointless to insist on perfection, but this level of error, especially in a book about appearance and elegance, is unforgivable, and insults the reader. It is a pity that whoever managed the book through the editorial process did not adhere more closely to the advice contained therein. It's such a shame. So, one star for the publisher, and five stars for the author."
~ Written on 2005-02-15