Description
Book SynopsisNo Nice Girl Swears is the original, trailblazing guide to the “new etiquette,” brimming with timeless advice on style, romance, and grace, and finally back in print 90 years after its original release. Forewords by today’s editor in chief of Town & Country and the editor in chief of Vogue from 1914–1952.
Heralded as the go-to guide for soon-to-be debutantes and ladies who’d recently made their debut, No Nice Girl Swears ushered in a “new etiquette” on its release in 1933, much to the shock—and delight—of the high-society crowd of jazz-age America. Today it is equal parts time capsule (how to dress for dinner on your transatlantic voyage) and timeless missive (how to ditch a date who’s had a few too many).
Worldly-wise socialite Alice-Leone Moats advises on everything from style and dating to travel and party throwing, and weeds through the dos and don’ts of weddings, weekend trips, and the workplace. Her wisdom, though steeped in the charm of her time, endures: treat others—and yourself—with respect, always put your best foot forward, and don’t throw a party without champagne. It’s just good manners.
This keepsake volume includes a new foreword from Stellene Volandes, the editor in chief of Town & Country, the original foreword from Edna Woolman Chase, Vogue’s editor in chief from 1914–1952, and a contextualizing preface. It encourages consideration of what etiquette rules we’d like instilled today, and shows how Moats helped usher in a world where women could speak—and act—freely.
Trade Review"A book of modern etiquette for the modern debutante and sub deb, with an eye on her mother. Definitely keyed to the city and suburban communities, rather than the small town. Humor and commonsense combined in due proportion in answering such questions as: Shall I ask him in? May I call you up some time? What is the technique of being picked up? What should be done if my escort passes out on me? And so on. In addition, the author gives the latest usage in the matter of debutante parties, chaperonage (you'd be surprised!), engagements, weddings, clothes, week-end parties, and other contingencies. In good taste, and yet distinctly smart. The book itself is another experiment in colored stock—yellow this time—but since the books are to be sealed with cellophane wrappers, the prospective buyer wont know what she is getting until the purchase is made."
—Kirkus Review
“In spite of such reminiscent titles of 'Shall She Ask Him In?' and 'Never Speak To Strangers Unless They Speak to You,' these chapters contain serious advice—the pragmatism of it all cloaked in a flippant and humor-flecked style.”
—New York Times
Table of ContentsI: No Nice Girl Swears
II: Should She Ask Him In?
III: You're the First Man I've Ever Kissed
IV: Keeping an Amateur Standing
V: This Casual Era
VI: May I Call You Up Sometime?
VII: Out for No Good
VIII: Joining In
XX: Launching a Belle
X: Chaperons Do Exist
XI. Between Courses
XII. The Inevitable Details
XIII. Lunches and Teas; Or, Scarcely Worth the Trouble
XIV. Coming Out to Music
XV. Cutting In or Sitting Out
XVI. That Certain Someone
XVII. The Great Step
XVIII. In a Cloud of Tulle
XIX. Twice Shy—?
XX. Travel Broadens the Mind
XXI. Never Speak to Strangers Unless They Speak to You
XXII. Out of Town
XXIII. Summer, Winter, Spring
XXIV. An Old English Custom
XXV. In a Strange Bed
XXVI. Pity the Poor Working Girl
XXVII. Serious Business
XXVIII. Hot Footlights
XXIX. The Hiccuping Fifties
XXX. Our Plastered Friends
