Thoughts from a Noble Woman: On Clothing and Fashion Mishaps

We have an interesting development in our mysterious M.A.’s diary (first discussed here): it looks like she gave considerable thought into how she presented herself, clothing-wise.

How many philosophers can you name spent time thinking of such things?

Yeah, same here.

And yet, it can be argued, it is hardly a trivial pursuit. How you dress makes a difference in how people see you, and perhaps in how you perform.

But as M.A. points out, there is a dark side to taking such matters seriously, that being, feeling yourself superior as a result.

And personally? I love how she struggles with it!

Just see for yourself:

MA 2

Do not think that because you choose your attire with care that you are somehow better than she who does not.
Such as the woman you saw at the store this morning.
What was she thinking? For goodness sake, what would her mother say?
What would my mother say?
No! Stop it!
All women are your sisters – remember this. No matter how they are dressed, they are your equals.
Do not judge them because their slip is showing; you’ve been there too.
Never laugh at their fashion choices; you’ve taken questionable paths as well.
However scandalous the hemlines – oh dear, they are scandalous…
No! Don’t think it! Instead, repeat to yourself:

Clothing is not Morality
Clothing is not Intelligence
Clothing is not Kindness

And if in finding a woman who thinks as you do, who shares your fashion sense, if together you show contempt for a younger woman’s clothing, what does that accomplish except cause division among your sex? Will it cause the younger woman to change her attire? Of course not! She will see you and your friend as obnoxious prudes. For that is what you are.
So stop it!
Nay, keep your thoughts to yourself. Instead, let your own mode of dress speak for you and be kind.
In all things, be kind.

From M.A.’s Recipe Drawer

All Dressed Up with No Place to Go Egg Salad

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: easy breezy
  • Print

An egg salad elegant enough for company, whether elegantly attired or not.

Egg salad with smoked salmon

Ingredients

  • 6 hard boiled eggs, chopped
  • 4 ounces smoked salmon, finely chopped
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 Tablespoon finely snipped, fresh dill
  • 1 Tablespoon finely chopped chives
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Mayonnaise

Directions

Mix first ingredients together in a medium sized bowl, add enough mayonnaise to bind together.

Use as a sandwich filling or to serve with crackers.
Another option: Make deviled eggs! Slice hardboiled eggs in half and remove yolks, chop and mix with other ingredients. Spoon a generous mound of salmon-yolk filling into each egg half. Place a bit of dill or chives on each for serving.

23 thoughts on “Thoughts from a Noble Woman: On Clothing and Fashion Mishaps”

  2. She reminds me of my grandmother who thought much the same way. I mean this is a woman who wore black for a year after my grandfather died. But she would never say anything about how other people dressed. But to me, she would talk about anything and everything.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sounds like a great lady!
      You know, it’s interesting how the people we tend to admire the most are the ones who withheld judgement and treated others with respect. Seems like there’s something we could learn from that. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  5. It is becoming increasingly imperative that we must locate a time machine, hop inside, push a few important buttons, and then spend the day with M.A. You know we would love it, especially if she serves the egg salad whilst we sit in her garden on a lovely afternoon…

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Oh, if I could only persuade the world that being kind is the most important thing of all. M.A is a delight, her salad a treat – she needs to be a posthumous celebrity teaching the world to be kind.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Well, it’s always fun to regard others’ sartorial choices as evidence of their lovable eccentricity; this attitude produces a lot of enjoyment in life. Of course, the others then have the opportunity to do the same to us, so the whole process is yet another example of the many nuances of how to be kind–a really important concept in a sometimes hard world.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. What a historical goldmine. Clearly, from the 20s (the hemlines are the key) But the thing that blows me away is the emerging sense of female — that can exist without reference to anything else. You must be having so much fun deciphering this.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Holy cow, how did I miss this comment? WordPress, you’re making me look more antisocial than I am, and that’s saying something!
      Yes, WD, I’m having great fun. Possibly more fun than is reasonable, but I’m not complaining. 😉

      Like

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