Anne FogartyWife Dressing: The Fine Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife

This book is a must-read for anyone studying the progression of fashion and styles. While the advice is quite outdated for the 21st Century, Fogarty's fashion sense is still relevant today. It's also an enjoyable look into the (now) archaic rules of satisfying your husband (or partner) based on dressing just FOR them - not yourself. From the boudoir to the business meeting, Fogarty walks the upper-class woman through her busy day into the night. A true MUST READ for anyone in the fashion industry - designers, students, researchers ... even eBay sellers!!

I've read Wife Dressing four times in two months. It's so much fun and even after all these years the fashion advice still works. I haven't worn white shortie gloves since the last family funeral and haven't worn a petticoat since last week but the basic theme works just fine. Let's face it, all you have to do is go to Target or Walmart on a Friday night and you'll see that a lot of married women look bad. Curlers in the hair, pajamas or stained sweats, bedroom slippers, and fat rolls escaping from their tops. They figure that hey, they're married and their man aint going anywhere so why make an effort? Anne Fogarty, who sounds very much like the fabulous top girl in high school that you longed to hang with but were just a tiny bit scared of, would've hated women like that.She was a wife but a business woman first and possessed incredible discipline.She was smart enough to realize that nobody can have it all or do it all. She had a staff at work and a housekeeper at home. When she was away from work she lavished attention on her husband. When the marriage didn't work she tightened her girdle and moved on.From her 18 inch(!) waist to her glistening white gloves and ability to plan her whole day like a war campaign, Fogarty didn't believe in ugliness, laziness or a letting a chance to find beauty in everything pass by. I've learned, I've laughed and I'm using the tote bag trick.

I am glad all the reviews were positive except for 1 (who complained about it not being applicable to her life with a small child) Of course some of the principles are in conjunction with the times and the protocol of that era and a womans position in it cannot be utilized today practically, but if you can look past that, and look to the heart of the book's message; stay attractive for your husband by keeping up your appearence and dress appropriately for every occasion you will find timeless information in it pages which are applicable today. I saw a woman show up to my friends wedding in a jean skirt, top and sandals while every one else was dressed "after five" and she herself was newly married with a child! Too many of us in the name of libeation and comfort have completely neglected our appearence once we get married and have children. No one is saying you have to wax the floor in high heels and a corseted dress with apron a la 1950's t.v. but ditching the "spit-up" stained shirt, put on a little make-up and purfume and give your husband a pleasant vision when he walks though the door (if you are a stay at home mom) giving him something to smile about other than the remote control and easy chair. Personaly, I love the book and look forward to applying the principles as I am able to when I get married and maybe I will have 15 steamer trunks of clothes to take with me on my honeymoon! : )

"It truly is a man's world, and I for one am glad."Egads! A woman who goes to Europe with an extra suitcase just for her petticoats?Times have changed and I for one am glad. Still an amusing read as a time capsule of yesteryear.Hats off to all the women who had to don their girdles and heels and march quietly and obediently walk behind their husbands! I could never do it!!

Inspiring book that gives you ideas not just about how to dress, but also how to be a wife, entertain, take housework seriously, grow into your role, etc. Has given me lots of fodder for consideration and inspired me to start treating dressing differently.

I have been married five years and have a child. I was a fantastic dresser before I started caring for my child and working from home. I have a closet full of gorgeous skirts and dresses and high-heeled everything - that I rarely wear now. I needed direct, relevant advice on how to get back some of my glam even though I rarely leave the house. This book was annoyingly useless. It referenced pieces of clothing that no one owns any more (girdles, short white gloves, etc). It had virtually no advice that was relevant to my situation. It was such an annoying waste of my time and money that I a) have gone to the trouble of writing a review, and b) feel like the book was falsely advertised - it is completely of and for women of the 1950s (a very different era). If you're looking for serious advice, don't bother. If you're looking for a fun read on dressing in the 1950s, then you'll enjoy it.

I love all things retro (specifically 50's and early 60's) so buying this book was de rigueur for me. To be frank: the female author is horribly, and unwittingly misogynistic... but I think it is sadly in line with the times. All the same, I found this to be an illuminating, entertaining, and at times thought-provoking read that has a permanent home in my retro collection.

I would have enjoyed illustrations or photos. A book about fashion without pictures is disappointing.

I'm "one of those girls" who has her values and dreams firmly set in the past. A time where it didn't feel shameful to "just" want to be a good wife and homemaker. I stumbled upon this book after searching for some fashion and style advice for those who want to dress like a real lady.... Wow what a book! Of course, the advice is "old", but that just makes it timeless. Obviously I won't be finding many opportunities to wear my furs and stoles, or even driving gloves (though I would now love some), but the practical advice on how to shop for quality over quantity was refreshing and inspiring. I found the section on caring for your clothes particularly useful. I now "hang" my overcoats to air for a little while and brush them down before putting them back into my wardrobe and have taught my Husband to do the same.Loved this book, just wish you could find the dresses and clothes mentioned as opposed to all the naff, flimsy, sweat-shop produced "fashion" overloading the high street these days.

Fantastic book