Therefore, we must start by try­ing hard to be honest with ourselves; we have to be objective about the clothing problem. This has nothing whatever to do with fashion. What becomes you will always do so. But what you have thought becomes you may be wrong, even though you have not looked dowdy or out of fashion. And the only way to find out is to experiment, which any woman with a little ingenuity can do. By and large, avoid "the latest thing." Find the right style for you and you can then be serenely con­fident that, as hostess or guest, you won't find yourself entertaining or being entertained by women of every size and shape, dressed in dupli­cates of your own best dress!

clothes without fuss
One of the basic rules is that simple clothes are likely to be more be­coming, in better taste and longer-lasting than fussy clothes. The most beautiful lady can display her charms far better in clothes which serve as a background for, not as competition with her beauty. An unattrac­tive women is made conspicuous by too elaborate or too fussy clothes.

fit the picture
No matter how right you feel, don't wear clothes which will displease your family or friends. This rule applies for the most part when you aie entertaining or being entertained by older people. But you don't deliberately wear a costume which will make friends uncomfortable. For instance, if I have as week-end guests in the country people who have a passion for sunning themselves, I am pleased to have them come to luncheon in their sunning clothes. I will appreciate the gentlemen's wearing sports shirts, but I see no earthly reason why they should change their shorts, or their sandals, any more than the women should change their sun suits. They'll just go back to the sunning in the afternoon, in any case. I hasten to say there is a basic rule which can change this: there are some women who should never wear shorts. If you are one, allow yourself to realize it. You can tan your arms and legs (as much as they ever ought to show) in a dress.

"black tie" or "white tie"
Let us re-emphasize that the proper hostess always tells her guests how formal her party is to be. If the men are to wear white tie (full dress) or black tie (dinner jackets), the woman who has only one long dress (they are legion) can wear it whether her husband is in tails or dinner jacket-if she buys just the right sort of dress. There are long dresses, usually called "dinner dresses," which are so informal that a woman would feel uncomfortable wearing one, if her husband wore a white tie.