"The smartest coats are also the simplest ones, whose elegance resides principally in the quality of the material, in the colour, and in the refinement of their basic lines." (pgs. 22-23)
Madame Dariaux suggests that there are four styles of coats that every woman needs to have in her wardrobe: a warm winter coat, a mid-weight wool coat, a raincoat, and a silk coat for evening. The only one of these that I think many women would find themselves lacking is the silk coat. In my opinion, more important than the fabric is the overall style of your evening coat. I had a black and gold jacquard evening coat that I wore for many years and absolutely adored. The best part of it was that it matched the formality of even my fanciest dresses so I never felt like my outerwear was ruining my overall look.
"[I]t is the bright coats which add a note of gaiety to a city scene and bring a flush of pleasure to your face when you catch a glimpse of your reflection as you pass in front of a shop window." (pg. 24)
"I wish we never had to take them off." (pg. 24)
Do your favorite coats fit in with Madame Dariaux's rules? Let me know in the comments!
Dariaux, Genevieve Antoine. A Guide to Elegance. New York: William Morrow, 2003. Print.