The Women of Sablaise
AUTHOR Mr. Bruno Hat
So, I’m currently reading a novel called The Blue Room by the French mystery writer, Simenon (excellent, by the way). In a passage describing his hero’s vacation in Sables-d’Olonne, Simenon mentions “the Sablais women, with their pleated skirts and varnished clogs, in the fish market.”
Varnished clogs? We love clogs! A quick Google search found this picture:
What?! That headgear is so outrageous, the clogs are perfect (good luck finding a pair of those on eBay), and that Little Black Dress! Must see more! Immediately!
Wow…
So chic…
More Google knowledge: in 1921, Herbert Adams Gibbons writing in Harper’s called Sables d’Olonne “the finest beach in France”, and said of the women,
the Sablaises… wear their distinctive short skirts, black stockings and papillons at work as well as at play. The Sablaises enjoy a freedom in walking unique among the women of western Europe. Short skirt among them means knee-length. They are not ashamed of their legs – and have no reason to be. Old and young alike show them… even our most daring flappers are not yet skirted a la Sablaise. It takes a little time before one can feel that the Sablaises are not chorus girls turned loose.
Don’t they look it a bit?
This next woman looks like the epitome of all good things feminine. Plus look at that hair…
