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The Way We Wore by Daphne Selfe: book review





The Way We Wore: A Life in Clothes (2015) is a memoir by the oldest professional fashion model in the world (entered in the Guinness Book of Records in 2014). Born in London in 1928 – the same year as child star Shirley Temple – modelling since 1949, she is now 88. This book was written when Daphne Selfe was 86 years old.

Daphne begins her memoir with one white shoe and the story of how her parents met. Throughout the book, chapters are divided into the clothes of the times, such as: scarlet cloaks and big knickers; boned bodices and sequins; a mink stole; hot pants; and a coned corset. At the beginning of the memoir women did not wear trousers – and her mother never wore trousers in her entire 95 years.

This memoir mentions just about every style of clothing ever worn, from halter-necks to sportswear and knitwear to corduroy coats and bellbottom trousers – and from outer wear to underwear. And then there were the accessories and hats – cloche, floppy brimmed, pill-boxes, straw boaters, berets, and more! While clothes are the focus (including sewing her own), she discusses her childhood, school days, influences, jobs, modelling assignments, marriage, and lifestyle on a historical continuum.

Her first photography shoot came in 1949 when working in a department store, and winning a competition to be a cover girl for a magazine. At the time, the photographer was experimenting with colour!

The language and style are colloquial and readers can imagine Daphne reading the lines on the page. Describing wedding dresses of the 1950s, she wrote of the traditional gown and the chiffon and lace style that ‘had a bit more fizz to it.’


This memoir will take many – women and men – down memory lane. My parents had the same experience as Daphne when making ginger beer! The myriad of comical episodes will make readers smile as they remember one trend after another, not just with fashion but also in cooking, sports, entertainment, and employment. Daphne’s positivity is infectious and inspirational, which makes this memoir a delight to read.









MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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