Letitia Baldrige

I was saddened to hear of the recent passing of the etiquette maven Letitia Baldrige.  Her obituary in the New York Times pays tribute to her life as an etiquette advisor, author, and as the Social Secretary to Jacqueline Kennedy.

Ms. Baldrige surely lived a very interesting life...In this photo she is seen emerging from the limo to accompany Ms. Kennedy at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington, D.C. on November 3, 1961.

As Ms. Kennedy's Social Secretary, Ms. Baldrige was responsible for orchestrating many social and state events at the White House in the 60's.

Letitia Baldrige published 20 books in her lifetime and these are some of her books I recommend to those of you who wish to learn about proper etiquette or to brush up on your social and dining etiquette skills!

"New Manners for New Times," my go-to etiquette manual!

"More Than Manners," is a great book to use when teaching children manners at-home.

"Taste: Acquiring What Money Can't Buy!"  This was the last book Ms. Baldrige published in 2007.

Ten years ago, I was honored to meet and have a sit-down with Ms. Baldrige at a Southern Lady Event...it was so very gracious of her to give of her time, even though I don't think she felt well that evening.  

Letitia Baldrige

1926 ~ 2012

Hat, Glove, and Corsage Etiquette

It's that time of year--time to show off your new spring hat, some prissy gloves, and a beautiful corsage!

While sipping a cup of White Vanilla Grapefruit Tea (available at Harney Teas), I browsed through one of my favorite books published by the former Victoria Magazine editor, entitled The Romance of Hats. This book is full of delightful pictures of all different styles of hats and tips on how to wear them. Hats are a beautiful accessory and certainly popular to wear on Easter Sunday. You may keep your hat on while indoors, but should remove it at dusk. Gentlemen should remove their hats when entering a building. Hat pins are lovely adornments to a hat and should be pinned on the right side of a lady's hat and on the left side of a gentleman's hat.

Make it Southern...A lot of Southern gentlemen still tip their hat to a lady (some men were just raised right)!

The Romance of Hats...A pretty book, loaded with beautiful pictures!
Oh-so pretty and romantic...

All y'all know by now that you may start wearing your white shoes and carrying your white pocketbooks on Easter Sunday...Here's Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy with Young John Fitzgerald, Jr. on Easter Sunday 1963...
There is also etiquette to be followed when wearing gloves and corsages. Proper etiquette dictates that gloves are removed when entering a building, whether it is a tearoom or a church. It is not considered proper to shake hands while wearing gloves (only the Queen of England can get away with this) or to eat or drink while wearing gloves. Remove your gloves in a lady like fashion, one finger at a time. Always hold your pocketbook and gloves in your left hand so that you will be ready to shake hands at any time.

Remember, only the Queen of England may wear gloves while shaking hands!

Corsages are a tradition in the South and may be worn on Easter Sunday. Corsages are pinned to the clothing on the left shoulder.

The Palins, wearing their corsages (and boutineer) on the left hand shoulder.

Corsages may also be worn as a "wristlet," attached to a ribbon and tied around the wrist.

Whether you are attending Church, an Afternoon Tea, a wedding, or any other fancy event, remember to practice proper Hat, Glove, and Corsage Etiquette.

Thank you for stopping by today!