By Dana Gornitzki

Is it just us or is elegance simply a nostalgic reverie?  It would be fair to say – and who could argue? – that the notion of Casual Friday has extended to the rest of the week. It’s far from uncommon to see a gentlewoman or gentleman walking to work in denim.

Somehow, it seems unfathomable that people didn’t leave their homes without donning a trilby or powdering their nose. Call us nostalgic, but we think there’s something romantic in such attention to detail.

Dare we say society has become a touch too relaxed about neat and tidy appearance (and, hello, we’re guilty of this as well).

If you too are wistful for a time when women always looked graceful, and men dapper, you’ll be interested in the four pillars of grooming from the glorious and elegant 1940s:

1) Health

2) Posture

3) Cleanliness

4) Neatness

Take a peek at this lovely video below made in 1949. It says it all, with its direct message and modish mid-century lingo. We are charmed by the the use of  “smooth” and may well start adopting it when referring to good grooming.

Do you feel the same or are we completely out of line? Are you always well groomed? Cannot imagine leaving the house in a tracksuit? Have a friend or relative that you think is especially immaculate and elegant?

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