We Brits are known for our inability to graciously accept compliments.
A common reaction to 'you look nice' is 'you must need glasses'. A remark on how pretty is your pair of earrings will often be answered by 'these cheap old things.' We can be embarrassed by compliments. The other day a friend of mine showed me a dress she had bought to wear at a wedding. She was worried that it was too much, she didn't want to stand out or upstage the bride. I immediately thought of my little granddaughter and how much I have learned from her about dressing to celebrate, to put your best foot forward. She was about one year old when she first showed us how to do this. Going to a parrty, then put on a party dress. Show the person who invited you that you care, you are rising to the occasion.
When I first came to Italy over forty years ago, we went o someone's house for dinner. The hostess was wearing a pair of old jeans. In those days you couldn't go to some restaurants in jeans. A sign outside saying 'no denim' was quite common. My husband said that in Italy it is polite for the hostess to let her guests be the ones who dress up. I liked this idea. It also made dry cleaning bills less expensive because even when wearing an apron I am able to be quite messy in the kitchen.
My father thought clean shoes were very important when interviewing employees, clean shoes and a clean car.
In English we say'don't judge a book by its cover.' In Italian 'l'abito non fa il monaco,' wearing a habit doesn't make a monk. What we wear shouldn't define us, but often it does. 'Mutton dressed as lamb' was an unkind expression that belongs in the past.
My favourite expression regards dressing is by Hardy Amis, 'A gentleman spends great care choosing his outfit and putting it on... the forgets about it.'
This goes for ladies too.
All this is prompted by the fact that we are coming out of lockdown and there will be cause for celebration, weddings, parties, friends to visit, let's all rise to the occasion and celebrate.
