Call it archaic or a graceful, nearly bygone, custom. I still call it stunningly beautiful and gratefully, the mores have adjusted with the times, and many of the proceeds still go to worthy charities...
Lovely to meet you, Invitees of 2008. Cannot wait to see what you make of all this mannerly grace which has surrounded you these past months. You arrive into a world that has largely left this balance and polish behind. Hold on tight to the cultured manners in which you have been so carefully schooled. Listen not to hang-ups of those who don't know that even this tradtion evolves. The world they entered...
Has changed so remarkably since Slim Aarons shot, "Five Debutantes" in 1951. Though, the dresses, gratefully, still allow you to slip your shoes off while standing and no one is any the wiser...
However, one tradition still leaves me breathless, confused, and a little terrified for these young women. Texans do it like this:
Always a good chance there might be signifigant embarrasment in the rising. Yikes.
Welcome to the world, Baby Girls. Here's to you. Oh, the places you'll go...
Photos: New York Times and Slim Aarons
1 comment:
Thank you! Years ago I curtsied, not Texas style, and I loved the entire experience. Although ridiculed to this day I would do it again...maybe my girls. Wonderful!
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