
The Female Dandy
by Sasha Soren
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The ability to make a pair of suit jacket and a pair of trousers look the epitome of chic isn’t exclusive to male dandies.
Historically speaking, there’ve been female dandies as well, although admittedly, there are far fewer of them. Female dandies are usually referred to as quaintrelles; in the 19th century, they were called dandizettes.
Famous women with the necessary je ne sais quoi and remarkable style that would mark a quaintrelle: Designer Coco Chanel, Art Deco artist Tamara de Lempicka, 20th century heiress and eccentric Luisa Casati, and, possibly, 19th century novelist George Sand.
But what a long and complicated word, when we could simply call them female dandies.
Or just dandies.
And one of the most obvious and enduring examples of the type is actress Marlene Dietrich, who managed to look more sleek and dashing in a pair of pants than most male Hollywood actors in her onscreen heyday (1920s-1940s), and even well into her later years.
Like the aging dandy Maurice Chevalier portrayed in Gigi, Dietrich had that certain eternally youthful esprit of the true dandy.
Yes, there are many more dandy fellows to talk about -- the 1890s, in particular, seemed to produce a bumper crop of dandies -- but hopefully this brief discussion about some of the more famous dandies in history is enough to sate your appetite for all things dandy.
For the moment, of course, until a new diversion becomes utterly irresistible.
Adieu, dear reader, and à tout à l'heure.
Tomorrow is sure to be lovely…
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by Sasha Soren
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other faboo thingz
* image source Dietrich
* comments count towards the Dandy Bon Bons giveaway
That was pretty daring, woman just weren't seen wearing pants at that time.
ReplyDeleteZounds -Dandizettes! And boy, I forgot all about Marlene Dietrich and her famous men's suits - yeah, VERY outre for that time!
ReplyDeleteBTW - for whatever bizarre reason, these Dandy posts made me think of the term *Fancy Lad* from the movie Cabin Boy (one of my favs hehe)
hahaha- very cool. I dont think I can Rock the dandizettes or female dandie but Halloween may be a great time to find out!=)
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there were female dandies :)
ReplyDeleteNever thought of "female dandies," but now I like it!
ReplyDeleteMarlene Dietrich is one of my favorite actresses from the 20's!
ReplyDeleteI think most men would be turned off by female dandies. But Dietrich looked very "handsome". I love to wear pants, instead of skirts too. But it's more because I hate wearing stockings. And I've written a Regency Lizzy dressing as a man once. It was fun writing it.
ReplyDeleteFire and Cross
I just love Marlene!
ReplyDeleteShe is the perfect combination of both genres, a woman to dazzle both men and women!
Love this post! Marlene is a perfect example of dapper femalism. Always chic!
ReplyDeleteLe swoon! Love the suggestions - I would throw in the infamous Thelma Wood into the mix!
ReplyDeletelove this post!
ReplyDeleteIf only she was a pig! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteI would love to be her...
ReplyDeleteI have all her movies!
ReplyDeleteShe was one of the greatest!
I think Marlene is the woman everyone was in love with.
ReplyDeleteHer sexual charisma expressed a powerful androginy that would enchant both men and women.