SKU: 28889200392

The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and Glamour

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The Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication, and GlamourWhat makes fashionistas willing to pay a small fortune for a particular designer accessory? Why does a special occasion only become really special when a champagne cork pops? Why are diamonds the status symbol gemstone, instantly signifying wealth, power, and even emotional commitment? Writing with great lan, one of the foremost authorities on seventeenth century French culture provides the answer to these and other fascinating questions in her

What makes fashionistas willing to pay a small fortune for a particular designer accessory? Why does a special occasion only become really special when a champagne cork pops? Why are diamonds the status symbol gemstone, instantly signifying wealth, power, and even emotional commitment?

Writing with great lan, one of the foremost authorities on seventeenth-century French culture provides the answer to these and other fascinating questions in her account of how, at one glittering moment in history, the French under Louis XIV set the standards of sophistication, style, and glamour that still rule our lives today. Joan DeJean takes us back to the birth of haute cuisine, the first appearance of celebrity hairdressers, chic caf s, nightlife, and fashion in elegant dress that extended well beyond the limited confines of court circles. And Paris was the magical center -- the destination of travelers all across Europe.

Full of wit, dash, and verve, The Essence of Style will delight fans of history and everybody who wonders about the elusive definition of good taste.

Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Free Press
Published: 05/01/2006
ISBN: 9780743264143
Pages: 303
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.47w x 0.82d
Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 105983 / Essence of Style: How the French Invented High Fashion, Fine Food, Chic Cafes, Style, Sophistication
Reading Level: 10.4 / Interest Level: Upper Grade / Point Value: 18
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SKU: 28889200392

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Fletch
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Overall Great.
Size: 10.5 Wide, Color: Black
Great product. Great value. Great style. Overall great.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2026
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B.J. G
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 3
Decent Shoes with Misleading Description (Not Leather)
Size: 12 Wide, Color: Black, Size: 12 Wide, Color: Black
I only look for leather when I’m purchasing dress shoes. Under the description “details” on this item it lists the shoe as leather upper and inner lining. A photo shows “genuine Napa leather lining”. If you keep reading (which I have now that I’ve received the shoes) it shows “faux leather” in the small print and that is not “leather”. I run a small leather business and this irks me because it’s clearly false advertising. The details also show the product is made in Brazil but when they arrived today, the shoe tag shows “Made in China” and “Man Made upper and lower”. I don’t hate the shoes. They look nice. What I know is they won’t hold up over time like leather, which is why the description should be accurate and not misleading.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Shoes
Size: 10, Color: Cognac
Love these shoes super comfortable and look great. Everyone asks me where I got them.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Beautiful shoe but too narrow
Size: 10 Wide, Color: Navy Grainy Leather
Too narrow
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2026
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Tim Arnette
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Looks good feels good
Size: 13 Wide, Color: Black
I've had them 2 weeks and love them. Took a little breaking in but they feel great now.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2026

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