Dear LPG readers,

I feel as an older lady, I have found something that needs saying to my fellow peers (I mean all the ladies of the realm), who have a husband or partner who has spent years accusing their nearest and dearest members of the other gender of taking too long to get dressed and ready for the day. I don’t think that I am the only lady whose significant other blames them when they turn up late for one of those all-important events. 

Ever since I have had one, my husband tells me that I take too long to get ready for any outing, and it is true that, invariably, I am the one left still adjusting some clothing accessory because it is not quite right.

I remember reading an article on your pages some time ago which lead me to tell him that he should think himself lucky that we are 21st century people who need to prepare to look the part before we face the rest of the world, because it explained just how much more complicated making yourself look like the person other people are used to seeing was for a lady back in the day  (►►►). 

But I recently discovered something that offered a different argument to use when he begins to tell me just how consistent the men of this world have always been regarding the efficiency involved in the process they go through before they look the part. When you see those period dramas on television, the gentlemen always mention their man (the butler who travels with them constantly). I often wondered why. After all, dressing for them involves far fewer layers—shirt, tie, trousers, socks, shoes, and a jacket—and the average man feels ready for anything these days. But that was not always the case in times gone by. 

I happened across a couple of videos which explained what the average gentleman of centuries gone by would have had to go through before being ready for their day, and that was a bit of an eye opener that perhaps might open all those male eyes to the fact that being a fashionable dresser just a couple of centuries ago came with its challenges whatever your gender. No wonder if they needed help.

So, ladies, if you have a partner who constantly criticises you because they are the one left ready and waiting while you are still struggling to get the look just right, why not show them a couple of the videos I have left  below…

OH, Sydenham

 OH shares a little online insight into getting dressed in times gone by…

(►►►)   (►►►)     (►►►)    (►►►)