Ask a Victorian Lady & Lounger

In what should probably not be considered guides to modern living, the British Library has re-released a pair of charming Victorian-era books about beauty and fashion. “Beauty, What It Is and How to Retain It” by A Lady was first published in 1873; “The Gentleman’s Art of Dressing With Economy” by A Lounger at the Clubs followed in 1876. While the tone A Lady takes is rather sharp, The Lounger is trying to dispense real advice without taking himself too seriously…

While you wait for your copies to arrive in the mail, here is a quiz from the LA Times — “Are you fashion backward?” — made up of tidbits from the books.