Wednesday Ponderating & #ThursdayDoors — Elegance That Was

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Thursday, November 13, 2025

Elegance image search

The image above shows the first result from each of Google, Bing, and Duck-Duck-Go when I did an image search today for the word “elegance.”

Wednesday Ponderating

Hello, everyone.  Lately I’ve been ponderating… wondering about a topic to which I haven’t given much thought since I left my “real world” job six years ago — class.  By class I do not mean wealth or social standing. I’m thinking in terms of poise, dignity, or elegance.  I’m not throwing shade.  I admit that since I’ve been my own boss my dress code is leisure bras, knit tops that are two sizes too big, yoga pants, and Sketchers. 

I realize I’ve been aware of the disappearance of elegance many times during the past two years, and that I started noticing it about ten years ago.  I couldn’t stop thinking about it recently when I stumbled upon a from the CBS News archives in 1962.  In it, Jacqueline Kennedy conducts a tour of “America’s House.” It’s a 55-minute video, so I saved it for the end of this post.

Image may contain Clothing Apparel Erika Jayne Human Person Female Woman Fashion Footwear and ShoeAbove a Vogue composite photo of some “Real Housewives.”

However, I couldn’t help being struck by the vast difference when I recently watched an episode of the 1950s (and 60s) TV game show, “What’s My Line.”  The “line” of that title means job or career.  That show is absolutely a lesson in sociology.  Seriously, compare the image above of TV celebrities to the one below of celebrities and rock stars.

What's My Line?

The above image is from a 1960s episode with “mystery guests” Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard of The Supremes, as they greet the celebrity panel of judges Arlene Francis, Digby Wolfe, Suzy Knickerbocker, and host Bennett Cerf on the CBS TV gameshow. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Do you see what I mean when I say elegance?

Video below is “What’s My Line” from October 28, 1956 (full episode). I made sure to get an episode that shows the panel entering through a DOORWAY.

I’ve finished “ponderating.”  That elegance was from days that had a lot of social and gender problems.  I wouldn’t want to go back to them.  And I wouldn’t want to give up my yoga pants.  Although, if I could extract just the elegance and bring it forward in time without also bringing their lack of women’s rights, voter rights, etc., I would.  Which brings me to some other elegance that was.

Thursday Doors

Below, the White House Rose Garden circa 1988, Wikipedia.

White House Rose Garden 1988 Wikipedia

Yes, I’m finally getting to the doors.  If you needed a heavy equipment “fix” there is a door on the contraption below.   It belongs to the ACECO LLC contracting company.  There’s also a door in the background — or there was.  It’s gone now too.

White House East Wing demolition Politico via Jacquelyn Martin-AP
October 2025 photo credit Politico via Jacquelyn Martin-AP, showing ACECO LLC heavy equipment in use at the East Colonnade.

Elegant hallway with wooden paneling and marble flooring. Above, the East Wing entrance to the White House where tour groups used to arrive. Wikipedia Photo.

Entrance area with large windows and decorative plants

Above, the East Wing Garden Room which connected to the to the Jackie Kennedy Garden which no longer exists.  Wikipedia photo.
The Executive Branch Reacts to 9/11

 The presidential Emergency Operations Center built under the East Wing as a bunker in 1940s. Photo from Getty Images.  I can’t help wondering if any bulldozers fell through the ground into it. Probably not… 

Above, President Barack Obama welcomes service members and their families to a screening of Men in Black 3 in the White House Family Theater, located in the East Wing.  The movie was presented in 3D.  Wikipedia May 25, 2012.

Portrait of US President Calvin Coolidge and unidentified representatives from the Osage Nation as they pose in front of the East Colonnade at the...

Outside the East Wing Colonnade, 1927 Getty Images. President Coolidge Receives Osage Nation Representatives.

Sometimes Even Running Seems Elegant

President Barack Obama runs down the East Colonnade with family pup, Bo.

To close out this post I’m including the video that I previously mentioned.  It is from the CBS News archives in 1962.  First Lady of the United States, Jacqueline Kennedy conducts a detailed tour of the White House.  She spoke with such sincerity about the importance of the setting for international politics as well as how important it is that the American people like and can be proud of the building that has long been called “America’s house.”  Her words carried genuine enthusiasm about the intricate history of both the building and its furnishings and other contents.  Her mobile facial features show expressions of pride in the building and history she presented. She had clearly learned it all, and she wasn’t reading from notes.

I realize that I was treading a fine line with this post, but the true subject is ELEGANCE.  Think of it as my tribute to something past.  As always, do not leave political comments — no matter how tempting it is.  Friendly comments are welcome, but there’s nothing friendly about politics.  Thanks for opening this door.  Hugs!

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Naturally, here’s the obligatory shameless self-promotion.

Speak Flowers and Fans: a Dictionary of Floriography and Fanology

Universal Purchase Links

E-book:  relinks.me/B0FK3ZGNQT

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0FK3RH7LY

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This post is part of Dan Antion  Thursday Doors challenge. Click the blue link for more information about the challenge.

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64 thoughts on “Wednesday Ponderating & #ThursdayDoors — Elegance That Was”

  5. I had to laugh at Jan’s comment about pantyhose because I asked the same thing recently around the time of the wedding. In case you’re wondering, I didn’t wear any and have no desire to stuff myself into them any time soon, lol. I’m a big fan of yoga pants (I could literally live in them), but you also won’t find me wearing PJs and slippers out in public. I enjoy your ponderating, Teagan – hugs!

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    1. LOL, I’m seeing that wedding in a whole new light, Teri. 😀 These days my hands are so ragged that pantyhose would get shredded just from me trying to put them on! I certainly don’t miss keeping a bottle of clear nail polish in my desk to stop “runners.” Thanks for opening this door. Hugs winging back to you.

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  7. I too have no desire to return to those days of rigid dress codes, but we’ve certainly lost something when people wear PJs and slippers to go grocery shopping.
    I mourn the loss of the Rose Garden and the East Wing, and the shared history of the many first ladies who graced the White House with respect and love. (K)

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    1. Haha, Kerfe, I love what you said about pajamas and slippers at the grocery store — and that we’ve lost something. That’s spot-on. 😀

      So do I. I’ve been grieving about it. Actually, this post is an outlet for my grief. Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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  8. I loved watching What’s Your Line? Things certainly have changed. I loved how people cared enough to look elegant. Even my mom, a simple farmer’s wife, always made sure she dressed elegantly (not expensively) when she went out in public.

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    1. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Darlene. You bring out an interesting point — part of elegance is caring enough, isn’t it? “What’s Your Line?” is an amazing lesson in sociology. It fascinates me. There are dozens of full episodes on YouTube, and I’ve been watching them often. Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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      1. Exactly! I was an employment counsellor before I retired. My advice to job seekers was to take care how they dressed and groomed themselves when going for an interview. An employer will automatically sense that you will care about your work if you took care in getting ready for the interview. First impressions count.

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    1. Hi, Robbie. I had not thought about the undisciplined aspect I guess that’s part of it too. I see it as having a lot of disrespect in general. Maybe we don’t have quite the same perception of elegance. It need not be uncomfortable if clothes are cut well and fit properly. Just the same, dressing well is not quite as comfortable as my yoga pants — and I absolutely don’t want to go back to a “real” bra! LOL. Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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  10. I love this post. We are watching the truly elegant being replaced by the gawky and cheap looking. No doubt this ballroom will be expensive but I’m betting it will be ugly compared to what once was. Money cannot buy true elegance.

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  11. Elegance is definitely a thing of the past. You depicted your ‘ponderating’ perfectly. I too love being in leggings and t-shirts now that I am out of the office work place. I’d hate to go back to pantyhose, or do they even still make those? 🙂 Thanks, Teagan.

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    1. Haha! I actually don’t know about pantyhose, Jan. Surely they do still make them… although it might be hard to find them! Annoying as they were, I was more comfortable with them (emotionally at least) than the bare legged look that came along. I have very little pigment in my skin, and I’ve always been mortified about showing my fright-white legs. (Heck… I don’t even know if people still go with bare legs in dresses now…) LOL. It’s the “real” bra that I don’t want to go back to! 😀 Hugs.

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  12. As one who dressed to the “nines” every workday, the shift to casual was not one I embraced. Yes the Friday casual was always a treat but then back to suited up on Monday. Travel was always in a suit since at the end of a trip was usually a meeting or dinner. Now? Barefoot, shorts, t-shirt. Slipping into the heart of darkness. Lovely post, Teagan.

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    1. Haha! The heart of darkness… John, you slay me — but I hear you. In my mind there’s a lot of disrespect tied up in the overly-casual-for-everything.

      In one of my pre-Federal jobs as a writer, my cubicle was open to the main pathway through that floor of the office building. It was also pretty near the exit to an area where some conference rooms and a cafeteria were, so I saw and heard a lot of people going by. Apparently I also WAS SEEN… It was a business casual office, but I usually only wore jeans on Friday. I felt that most of my co-workers dressed similarly to me. (Excepting my preference for colors.) ….. There was a woman who was statistically like me, age weight, etc. I had been there less than 6 months and I hadn’t gotten acquainted with her. It wasn’t even on my radar that she always looked, well, sloppy. …… One day I heard her talking about two feet behind me, complaining to a man I knew, about the way I dressed. “She’s going to ruin it for all of us!”

      That shocked me into being on my good behavior, rather than firing something back at her. “It takes a little effort for me to feel good about myself. I don’t have the figure I had in my 20s.”

      She countered with a snort, “I don’t feel any better when I dress up.”

      I gave a matter-of-fact shrug, not caring either way. I certainly wasn’t going to argue about it. But with an involuntary and fractional glance at the sloppy t-shirt and pants, I conceded, “If I thought I looked good in jeans and a t-shirt, I’d wear them all the time, but I don’t.” ….. Nearly every day after that she started wearing office clothes. People are strange…

      Anyhow, many thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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  13. Great post! And yes, elegance seems to be a thing of the past. The costumes that stars wear to awards shows are outrageous and might I say, frequently barely there!

    Jackie was an icon for sure! Maybe we’ll see elegance again when the ballroom is finished?

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  14. Thank you for these beautiful pictures of what was. Mrs. Kennedy was the epitome of elegance. Thanks, too, for the What’s My Line?. I enjoyed it very much when it was on, and it held up for me. I remember thinking Arlene Francis and Dorothy Kilgallen were the most glamorous women on earth.

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  15. I grew up in the late Southern aristocracy where elegance was taught and practiced to perfection. Strange enough, causal dress included a bow tie while formal affairs like dinner required a coat and tie with mirror polished shoes. As a teenager, all social events were attended in a two piece suit unless it was formal and in that case it was a three piece suit. When I joined the Army, I had no problems polishing brass, shoes, and dress uniforms. I could quote the entire book of Amy Vanderbilt’s instruction on manners which surely would have me tarred and feathered in today’s society if I even tried to mention no elbows or hats on the table, please. Those days are forever gone. I too have lowered my standard to a point below zero on the good manners and proper dress scale. When in Rome, do as the Romans do is good advice in our society except just look like you fit in, don’t actually participate in any activities lest the police arrive and mistake one for a ruffian or vagabond.

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    1. What a marvelous comment, Daniel. It’s good to see you. Haha, I think I grew up in the same place, but on the other side of town. Even so, I knew how things were meant to be — and my father was big on those mirror polished shoes. You touched on one thing that does nag at me whenever I see it — men wearing hats indoors. LOL, it’s such a small and unimportant detail now. And my father (or anyone I saw when I was growing up) didn’t wear a hat, so heaven knows why that should bug me — and I know that, so I wouldn’t say anything about it to anyone. Even so, an annoyed thought flashes through my mind every time. (Shrugs) I guess everyone has a weird little pet peeve. Have a wonderful evening. Hugs.

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      1. Oh yes! Hat manners were very important. The hat must come off before crossing the threshold. One must never were a hat indoors. Now, we even wear our hats in the bathroom while philosophical debates occur on the throne. At least the shower crowd still takes off their hat. 🧢 🚿

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  16. Interesting reflections. Yes, some things about the past are best left behind, but renovation for the sake of it can end up destroying things that can’t be replaced… Thanks, Teagan. Big hugs to you and love to the Scoobies.

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  17. Teagan, I for one miss all things classy. Especially if that means looking good for school, church, going out to dinner, etc. I like getting slightly formaled-up to go places, and I think it adds to the enjoyment and experience of the destinations in question. Classy style should never go completely out of style! Hugs.

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  18. What a wonderful post, Teagan. I love elegance ( although I don’t have much of my own ) but I also love the freedom of dressing as sloppily and lazily as I want , and not give a fig. The tour of the White House with Mrs Kennedy was fascinating. So much history and obviously she was passionate about restoring the White House to represent the best of the US. It was interesting to hear President Kennedy’s remarks at the end of the tour in which he seemed to imply that one day a woman could be a presidential occupant of the White House. Did I hear that correctly? How amazing that would be; to one day having portraits of female presidents in the White House.

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    1. Mandy, I’ve seen the photos you post on Facebook, and I think you have elegant taste.
      Yes, it was sobering to hear JFK’s remarks at the end of the video, especially since I wasn’t expecting him to appear. Sadly (and I truly hope I’m wrong) I think it will be a very long time before the USA elects a woman president. People (even Americans) don’t grasp what a misogynistic country we really are. Two times a woman has run, and look who got elected instead both of those times.
      Anyhow, I love to see elegance… and if I were able to get out and about, I wouldn’t be as casual as I am now. I admit that I’m not willing to give up my yoga pants either though! 😀 Haha. Hugs.

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  19. Teagan, your ponderating brought back a vivid memory for me I remember watching Jacqueline Kennedy’s tour of the White House when it first aired. I was very young, but even then I sensed something extraordinary about her presence. It wasn’t the clothes or the setting. It was that quiet elegance that came from within. She had a steadiness, a dignity, a grace.

    Your reflection reminded me that elegance isn’t about fashion or formality. It’s something deeper. A way of moving through the world with kindness, restraint, and presence. And maybe, in a time when everything feels hurried, simply noticing this absence is the first step toward cultivating it again. Thank you for a great post. Sending hugs on speedy wings to you and the Scoobies!

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    1. I agree that elegance is something deeper, Rebecca. I like that you put it that way. It would be easier to recultivate it, if so many people didn’t self-define (make up their own definitions for) so many things. That’s been a growing trend for a few decades. Webster’s dictionary:
      a: refined grace or dignified propriety
      b: tasteful richness of design or ornamentation
      c: dignified gracefulness or restrained beauty of style
      It seems the term elegance gets confused with things that are not elegant at all, like opulent, elaborate, or excessive. (Just as most Americans don’t know the difference between communism, socialism, and capitalism.)
      Purrs to you from the Scoobies. Hugs winging back to you. ❤

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  20. I like the elegance, and how you took a look at it. Lovely, lovely post, thank you Teagan!

    I’ve seen the video with Jacquie and the tour. I’ll watch it again when I have time. Thank you for the reminder!

    🌹 HUGS 🌹

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  21. Yes, there is a big difference, and I think now it’s all about those “likes” and influencer money. That’s the main reason why celebrities nowadays dress like clowns. 😂 My definition is the same as Liz’s. As for the White House demolition and pouring concrete over green spaces, well, someone over there has issues.

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    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Edward. Haha! That photo does look like clown costumes. I found some that were even more clownish. When I started looking for a photo to illustrate my thoughts, the word that came to my mind was “trashy.” BUT the actual celebrity outfits (not costumes) I found… frankly, I didn’t want to put them on my blog because they were offensive. Although I admit that I’m offended by the objectification of women and girls, and when they do it to themselves, it’s at least as bad.
      You’re right about “likes” and money. I’m glad you opened this door. Hugs.

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  23. As Brian mentioned, I remember getting dressed up to do the simplest things. If we were going out, we had to look good. We were taught that our appearance reflected on those we were with. We dressed for church, for school and for visiting relatives. We could use a little bit of that again, but as you say, without the baggage of the bygone era.

    I don’t think anyone is as close to elegance personified as Jackie Kennedy. She was also able to communicate with everyone. I also remember her fight to save Grand Central Station from destruction. She knew how to use her celebrity for the right reasons.

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    1. Hi, Dan. I didn’t know her connection to Grand Central Station — that’s interesting. To be honest, I never really got acquainted with her (so to speak) until I saw this video. Then I suddenly understood the fascination the masses had with her. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs.

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  24. Quite elegant Teagan 🤗
    When I was a kid, women used to dress well just to go shopping not like the slobs of today. Mum used to make sure I was clean, neat and tidy, well dressed to accompany her to the “big” shops in a larger suburb. The treat was to have lunch in a wonderful place where I could choose what I wanted to eat for lunch.
    Men setting off to work in suits, a hat and polished shoes.
    A world of politeness even in the working class area I grew up in

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    1. That’s such a lovely childhood memory, Brian. I’m glad you shared it. I grew up in a very working class neighborhood, and it was similar to what you described. My mother was non-typical about dressing well for anything other than church, but even she put on something better than what she wore at home… Well, sometimes anyway. 🙄
      Although my father was big on polishing shoes, an made sure I knew how. LOL which infuriated my mother.
      Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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  25. Ponderating—thanks for adding a new word to my vocabulary, Teagan. Class is also exemplified by the way a person carries oneself. I always thought Barack and Michelle Obama exemplified that in the way they spoke and treated others.

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    1. Ha! Pete, I have a small repertoire of “Teaganese,” that also includes steampunkery and re-inventionator.
      Agreed on both counts. Poise and deportment used to be taught in schools. (Although most schools had stopped that even when i was a kid.) Now people don’t even know what the words mean. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Hugs.

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  26. You got me thinking about them and now. We used to dress up to go to Church or fly. Now, especially near Christmas you see families ( adults and children) flying in their Christmas jammies. Except for maybe Christmas or Easter, church services can look like casual Friday at work. I realize that some churches do have congregations that still dress up, hats, dresses, hose, and heels for women with men in suits and ties.

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    1. Hi, Pat. I’ve only flown a handful of times, the first being in 1985. I dressed up like I would for church because that’s what I thought one did. I was a little surprised to see that about a third of the passengers were wearing jogging suits. The last time was about 2002, and nearly everyone was very casual. It seems like as our “cultural dress code” loosened up, so did a lot of other things including respect… Thanks for commenting. Hugs.

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