“Vain trifles as they seem, clothes have, as they say, more important offices than to merely keep us warm. They change our view of the world and the world’s view of us.”-Virginia Woolf, Orlando
It is difficult to avoid peddling clichés when discussing Daphne du Maurier’s personal style: there’s just something so vigorously English about her look.
Daphne du Maurier
See what I mean? Her fresh-scrubbed bluntness still bewitches. Whatever the truth of her routine, she looks like a woman whose morning ablutions consisted of plunging her face into a cold stream, followed by a haphazard spritz of rose-water, mirror-less application of the perfect red lipstick, and a few deep breaths. Whether she spent the day at her typewriter or traipsing through fragrant fields with clever dogs gamboling at her heels, it’s obvious that she was sartorially prepared.
Daphne du Maurier and family
Check out that tweedy magnificence! Doesn’t it make you want to throw out all fussiness from your wardrobe, peel away the unnecessary layers of routine, to streamline, distill, simplify? That is one powerfully chic, easy, wearable silhouette. A put-it-on-and-forget-about-it-yet-look-better-than-everyone-else type of ensemble.
Daphne du Maurier at work
I don’t know many writers who look this crisply put together on the job, myself included. Yet, typewriter or no, she looks like a writer should look, doesn’t she? Serious, simply adorned, polished, comfortable. Ready to work, to create, to sweat it out, to answer an unexpected knock at the door without shame or a mad scramble for something suitable to wear. Every image of du Maurier seems to scream, “That, that was a woman who knew how to live.”
DAPHNE DU MAURIER (1907-1989)
SOME WORKS:
- The Loving Spirit (1931)
- Jamaica Inn (1936)
- Rebecca (1938)
- Frenchman’s Creek (1941)
- Hungry Hill (1943)
- My Cousin Rachel (1951)
- Mary Anne (1954)
- The Birds and Other Stories (1963)
- Not After Midnight (1971)
“Writers should be read, but neither seen nor heard.”–Daphne du Maurier
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 
I like du Maurier more as I get older, oddly. Her writing, I mean. I had no idea she was such a fashion icon. I do admire the effortless, outdoorsy, English country thing she has going on. God forbid anyone should photograph me writing. I turn off the camera when I Skype!
LikeLike
I read Jamaica Inn when I was maybe 11. That was my intro to du Maurier. I quite enjoy her work. As for her muse-dom…well, I don’t know if anyone else considers her a fashion icon, but I do. I tend to find my style inspiration in unlikely sources. I would freak if anyone took a photo of me whilst engaged in writing. Well, at least 90% of the time. I’m good to go for that 10%.
LikeLike
I’m quite sure du Maurier’s look is what Ralph Lauren and co. are going for. That effortless country squire (or lady, in this case). It’s the kind of look you have to inherit! I quite enjoyed her grandfather George’s classic novel, Trilby, as well. Since he was French-born, we can assume he was natty as well!
LikeLike
Oh, indeed; it is hardly a look unique to her or her time and place. Her look was effortless and natural, though, which is something that could never be said about R. Lauren or most other designers, for that matter. I love fashion, and follow it closely, but prefer to skip the middle man inspiration-wise.
Thank you for mentioning Trilby. What an unfortunately little-known minor classic.
LikeLike
I just loved Trilby! Svengali was different than I thought he would be.
LikeLike
It is definitely an underrated book! I love it, too.
LikeLike
THAT was a great article, photographs included. Tks.
LikeLike
Hey, thank you. I appreciate your sweet words.
LikeLike
quelle delicious blog you have here.
*lookingaroundwithpleasure*
we adore Daphne.
just read her short story collection which contains the one called Don’t Look Now – devastating!
of course being brought up in england, we all have that beauty routine (including Ponds for removing the merest smidge of mascara).
we shall visit you again.
love it here.
*wavingfrom(sadlyeconomy)* en route back to los angeles.
LikeLike
Thank you so much for visiting and liking what you read and/or saw!
I wish that more people adored Daphne, so three cheers for you.
Oh, Ponds. I haven’t thought of or used that in ages. It made my teenage self feel like a glamorous classic movie star.
See you soon!
LikeLike
This is a really great article; your descriptions of the photographs are fantastic!
LikeLike
Thank you, although her inspiring style made it easy. It is, I hope, the start of a new feature.
LikeLike
Loved this post! I had no idea Daphne du Maurier had such an effortless style. I’ve only read one of her books – Rebecca – and thoroughly enjoyed, but was never motivated to read any of her others. Why does this post make me feel like I should immediately read every one?
LikeLike
Thank you! The crisp casualness of her look is what makes it so inspiring for me. Between that and her novels, she definitely earns the title of Alternative Muse.
Jamaica Inn and My Cousin Rachel would both be good choices for a second dip into her work. If this post inspires you to re-discover her writing, then I will be extra happy.
LikeLike
I also loved the blog, maedez. Fashion and writing can pique my interest every time. I often find myself looking very hard at the clothes in English movies (or French) of a certain period. Everything looks so well made, like it will last forever and it looks fitted and stylish. Sometimes I wish I could just put on a pair of heels, a skirt and twin set to do my daily chores. In any case, I do favor classic tailoring and very simple clothes. Because I live where I do, ladies do dress up for the most casual occasions and it pains me to put on sparkly stuff when I’d rather wear a good denim shirt and pair of nicely fitting jeans.
LikeLike
Thank you! You just be you, Judy. If denim is your thing, then wear it and be a soft blue speck in a sea of sparkles. You’ll be happier that way. 🙂 I definitely agree about the clothes in classic foreign movies. Delectable. I take fashion inspiration from a variety of odd, disjointed sources both general and obsessively specific. Because I genuinely adore them, my looks never seem out of place. Or perhaps that is just wishful thinking? Well, either way I do not care one fig what anyone thinks of how I look…which is at least one of the secrets to being comfortable in one’s own skin.
LikeLike
From what I have seen, you have a wonderful fashion sense and the very fact that you don’t care what people think probably makes your look very personal and stylish. People who have style are very inspiring to others. I love good quality in clothes and tend to hoard for years those never-to-be-found again tweeds and knits and woolens. I think my very favorite thing is my leather jacket from Territory Ahead. Maybe we just have this really well-developed sense of quality in all things, including good books.
LikeLike
Thanks, that is a very sweet thing for you to say. I’ve never particularly cared what anyone else thinks about me in general, let alone my clothing. It is nice to have one’s own style, yet at the same time to be open to change. I find so many new influences every day that it is always evolving. It is great that you have a fave article of clothing. Although there are several pieces I am exceedingly fond of, I do not have a favourite.
Quality cannot be beat, especially in books, clothing, art, and food. Oh, and music. Okay, maybe quality period is just nice.
LikeLike
I saw the black & white movie “My Cousin Rachel” as a young girl, staying up late with my grandmother. I was so taken by it that I raced to read the book and all the others written by Du Maurier. Who knew that someone so carefully and simply dressed could write such chilling stories.
LikeLike
Oooh, Olivia de Havilland and Richard Burton. I saw the movie and read the book when I was really young, too, although, for me, Jamaica Inn came first on both counts. I definitely think her bracingly simple appearance is a nice juxtaposition against her writing.
LikeLike
I so enjoy your blog for I learn new things..Great post and shall be checking out a few of her writes I have not had the pleasure of reading yet!
LikeLike
Oooh, sweet. I am glad that other people get what I am all about, odd passions included. Definitely check out some of her other works if you get the chance.
LikeLike