Retro Etiquette and Single Gals

“No one should criticize young women whose circumstances force them to live alone for making a natural and pleasant background for themselves. It would be absurd to shut them up and forbid them the usual social intercourse.” 

“Anne Gives Advice on Etiquette”

Madam– Two young business women, between twenty-two and twenty-five years old, who live together in an apartment, have been criticized by friends and contemporaries of their parents for receiving their men friends in this apartment and having men call there to take them out. Their callers never stay late and their conduct is at all times above reproach. Will you be good enough to tell me if this criticism is justified? Does not social convention today permit girls in business, who are forced to live alone, the independence of action which they would have if living with their parents? Death has deprived these girls of the natural protection of their parents and of means to invite an older woman to live with them. They have stood upon their own feet in the face of such devastating losses, and in such a wonderful way, that any criticism, which is unjust, seems cruel. Must girls who are forced to live alone, forego the natural social joys and contacts which they would have in their parent's home? – "H. R." 

Modern convention is much more open-minded than the friends of the girl’s parents. No one should criticize young women whose circumstances force them to live alone for making a natural and pleasant background for themselves. It would be absurd to shut them up and forbid them the usual social intercourse. Of course, their men friends should be allowed to call on them at their apartment and take them out whenever the occasion suggests it. Nobody goes out of the way, nowadays, to suspect evil: that is entirely out of date, thank goodness. Girls in business, supporting themselves and living in the simple decorous manner outlined by you, should be helped in every way to make a happy surrounding. – By Anne Singleton, 1930

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Etiquette for Ladies’ Hats

Should the ladies pouring at a formal tea wear hats? Common sense seems to be the basis of your etiquette, and in my humble judgment hats at this time do not sound sensible.

Good Taste Today ...

Shall I Wear a Hat With Afternoon Dress in the Evening? When Pouring Afternoon Tea?

Dear Mrs. Post: We seldom wear formal clothes in our simple community, which fact I contend is no reason why the ladies here may not go to evening parties wearing afternoon dresses and no hats. Don’t you agree with me? There are several new residents who have been turning up on such occasions with hats on. 

Answer: The general rule is if you wear an afternoon dress (meaning a dress not suitable for general wear on the street), in the evening, then you should go without a hat, but if you are wearing a street dress, then you should wear a hat But whether the hats you describe are bad form or not, depends entirely upon their type. In other words, if they are an indoor type of hat, they are quite as suitable to wear with afternoon dresses as to go without. In fact, they are decidedly a fashion of the moment.

Dear Mrs. Post: Should the ladies pouring at a formal tea wear hats? Common sense seems to be the basis of your etiquette, and in my humble judgment hats at this time do not sound sensible. 

Answer: This question is best decided by the arbitrary custom of each community. In New York, for example, a deputy hostess always wears a hat unless she is a house visitor, and even in this case she is likely as not to wear one. Neither dress or hat for a deputy hostess should be too tailored. – Emily Post, 1937

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia