Archive for category: Elegant Living

We are now moving on to social spills and recoveries from Kate Spade’s book Manners. I thought these were pretty funny and interesting.

It’s one thing to get mail with your last name misspelled and quite another when an acquaintance continually does the same thing (and mispronounces your name as well).  What can you do? How can you be gracious without embarrassing your friend?

~ Squirting your seatmate when you crack open a lobster. Offer your bib, if you have one, another napkin, and maybe even a piece of your lobster if it was from the claw.

~ Arriving a week early for a party
Humor is really the only way out of this one. Explain that you’re on a campaign to improve your tardiness and that you seem to have gone slightly overboard in the direction. 

photo credit Guillaume de Germain 

~ Inquiring after someone’s spouse and learning that they’re no longer married

It’s apparent that this is more of an acquaintance than a close friend, so offer a brief but sincere apology. Don’t, however, take license and ask why the marriage ended. 

~ Wearing the same dress as the hostess of an event

This is a case of the Frozen Smile Solution. Doubtless, neither of you is amused by the coincidence, but outwardly make light of it and let it pass. 

photo credit This is Glamorous Instagram account

~Spilling a Sea Breeze down the front of your white summer dress/ Someone else spilling a Sea Breeze down the front of your white summer dress. 

Both spills were accidental, and thus it doesn’t matter how the cocktail got on your dress. Excuse yourself, find some club soda, and do what you can in the short term to minimize the problem. 

~ And the most predictable of bathroom boo-boos: a stubborn toilet

Who said life’s fair? 

And last but certainly not least….

The Name Game:

Social faux pas are often committed in the misspelling or mispronunciation of a name. Contrary to the belief that you should grin and bear it, it’s actually a kindness to correct the person right then, rather than wait until a later time. Sometimes a delay adds to someone’s embarrassment rather than mitigates it. When you do inform someone of your correct name, do so in a friendly and casual manner. 

I hate doing that but you want to make sure that they know how to say your name. I have to correct people all the time. I hope you enjoyed this list just as much as I do. It was most helpful. 

(text by Kate Spade)

I wanted to share these fabulous tips from Kate Spade. I am a firm believer in office dress codes. People will push “causal” to the max if you let them.

“To be honest, I don’t dress that much differently in the office than when I’m not working. Sometimes my choice of colors (or clothing is based on hooky and going to museums).”

I so agree with this! My wardrobe doesn’t change much from weekend to work week.

How many of us have had a heel snap or a button burst? I know I have and anytime you go out myriad things can go wrong.

And as Kate Spade put it in her book Manners when these things happen, laugh, throwback your shoulders, and move on.

I have been reading this book for the last couple of months and in the section called, ” Dressing Disasters: Slips, Rips, and Broken Heels”, Kate gives wonderful advice on how to handle these mishaps.

~ The blouse with the missing button-  You notice this during a business lunch. If you’re wearing a blazer, draw it closer; otherwise, pull up your napkin to cover the offending wink of skin. 

~ A hole in one-– You walk into a room, sit down, and realize you’ve got a large run in your stocking. Excuse yourself and remove the stockings. Even on a cold day, a bare leg is preferable.  (I have done this a number of times)

~ Great dress, wrong bra– When you put on your sleeveless dress it didn’t occur to you to check that no straps showed in back. If you have a shawl or sweater, drape it over your shoulders, or ask a friend to borrow hers. 

~ You’re stepping out of the car and whoops- the heel on your shoe breaks off. Ask yourself which looks funnier- one barefoot with one shoe, or two bare feet? Sometimes it makes more sense to jettison both shoes. 

Photo by Nick Karvounis on Unsplash

~ The one time you borrow clothes from your best friend, disaster strikes– the zipper breaks, buttons burst, or you become a magnet for mustard. The sooner you can change, the better. Afterward, be honest and tell your friend what happened; inform her you’ll have the garment repaired and dry cleaned. Return it with a short note and a small token expressing your appreciation. 




~ You missed the fine print- you’re the only one in formal wear. Slip off your jewelry, unpin your hair, and quickly wipe off excess “party” makeup. Then flag down the nearest waiter with the champagne tray. 

~ You thought the restaurant was casual, when in fact it’s dressy, as are all the people already there. Comb your hair, apply lipstick, and don a confident smile, then glide to your table as though you were in ermine ( and pray for a banquette seat). Once the table’s pushed in, who will know you’re in jeans?

Photo by Greta Farnedi on Unsplash

~ Your date sees the tags you forgot to remove hanging inside of your new coat. Laugh it off, then quickly get into your coat and head out the door. 





These were some fun and helpful cover-ups from Kate Spade. I do hope that you enjoyed these and that you think about picking up her book. It is quite delightful.