Tea at Trianon: Dressing for Unpredictable Weather

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Monday, October 26, 2026

Dressing for Unpredictable Weather

From Léonce:

1. Never Underestimate the Importance of a Good Umbrella

I realise an umbrella is hardly the most exciting place to begin a fashion conversation. But anyone who has spent an autumn in Amsterdam will understand. There is nothing quite like having your umbrella turn itself inside out in the middle of a downpour, preferably just as you’re crossing a busy street. I’ve come to believe that a good, wind-resistant umbrella is one of those rather unexciting purchases you’re eventually very grateful to have made.

2. Dress in Layers, but Don’t Overdo It

The difficulty with dressing for chilly, unpredictable weather is that the temperature outside rarely has much in common with the temperature inside. I’ve found that several lighter layers are generally much easier to live with than one particularly heavy one. A fine merino wool sweater, a cotton shirt, or a lovely cardigan worn beneath a jacket or coat allows you to adjust without too much fuss. I also tend to prefer natural fabrics that feel comfortable against the skin and are easy to layer without becoming too warm indoors.

3. Suede Is a Beautiful, Rather Impractical Love Affair

I have a particular weakness for suede. Shoes, bags, jackets, there is something about the softness of the material that makes almost everything look a little more beautiful. Unfortunately, I also happen to live in Amsterdam, where autumn and rain are practically inseparable. You would think that, after a few years here, I might have learned to stop buying suede. I haven’t. I still find myself admiring a beautiful chocolate-brown suede jacket or a pair of suede ankle boots, conveniently forgetting that there may be very few days when I can actually wear them. (Read more.)