The Thoughtful Dresser

The Thoughtful Dresser

by Linda Grant

It’s generally considered to be superficial or frivolous to have an interest in fashion, something that intelligent women shouldn’t be too concerned with. But clothes matter a great deal, on many levels, as home workers are well aware, and The Thoughtful Dresser shows just how much.

I found the book a compelling mixture. There’s some history of fashion, and Grant’s recollections of much-loved clothes and shoes, now lost but never forgotten. Plus the recurring story of Catherine Hill, whose life was probably saved by what might be considered a moment of vanity in a concentration camp, and who dedicated her life to fashion.

This book won’t help you to decide what to wear as a home worker, although an interesting parallel can be found in the fashion rules developed by Grant’s immigrant parents in an effort to fit into their new world, and the importance they attached to appearance. But if you’re at all interested in what to wear and the meaning of clothes you’ll find The Thoughtful Dresser a fascinating read.