--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She went alone to the vast room where the…" description: "\"“She went alone to the vast room where the second-hand clothes were kept. Later, she thought it the happiest hour of her life. There were silks and bro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b1/martine-bailey-22087_costumes_she-went-alone-to-the-vast-room-where-th_2732455.jpg" --- # She went alone to the vast room where the second-hand… ![“She went alone to the vast room where the second-hand clothes were kept. Later, she thought it the happiest hour of her life. There were silks and brocades by the yard, and pile upon pile of hats, wigs, cloaks, and masks. After two years in wretched rags, even the linen shifts felt as soft as…” quote by Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b1/martine-bailey-22087_costumes_she-went-alone-to-the-vast-room-where-th_2732455.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b1/martine-bailey-22087_costumes_she-went-alone-to-the-vast-room-where-th_2732455.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b1/martine-bailey-22087_costumes_she-went-alone-to-the-vast-room-where-th_2732455.jpg) > ““She went alone to the vast room where the second-hand clothes were kept. Later, she thought it the happiest hour of her life. There were silks and brocades by the yard, and pile upon pile of hats, wigs, cloaks, and masks. After two years in wretched rags, even the linen shifts felt as soft as thistledown. She whirled from one delight to another- clutching lace, burying her nose in furs, holding flashy paste jewels next to her new-bleached skin. Catching her reflected eye in the mirror she laughed out loud, her red mouth wide and knowing. She put aside a few carefully-chosen costumes and elbow-length mittens. Then, finally, she chose a few costumes of a particular nature: shiny satin, ebony black. Lastly, she gathered the garments she would wear for her journey: a grass-green woolen gown and a lace cap and apron. The effect was somewhat grand for a domestic servant. Her auburn locks were pinned tightly, her figure flattered by a frilled muslin kerchief, crisscrossed in an 'X' over her breast. Pulling out a few auburn tendrils from her cap, she adjusted her bodice to show a little more flesh. Then she grew very still, and smiled slowly into the empty space before her. "How do you do, sir," she said with a graceful curtsy. "Now, what pretty dish might you care for tonight?”” [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A servant finds profound joy and identity in dressing up, using clothing to transform her self‑image and assert agency. **In simple terms:** She feels happy when she dresses beautifully, feeling powerful and expressive. Key Takeaway Use fashion or personal style to boost confidence and self‑expression. Themes identity self‑expression class transformation joy Mood hopeful reflective Type inspirational literary When to use this quote - personal rituals - celebrations - social gatherings - self‑care Key Concepts material culture performance psychology of dress Questions to Reflect On - How does clothing affect your sense of self? - Can style be a lasting source of empowerment? A Different Perspective The joy may be fleeting; external appearance cannot change deeper social constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adjusted Bodice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adjusted-bodice-2964925/) [Bodice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bodice-413112/) [Chosen Costumes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chosen-costumes-2964924/) [Costumes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/costumes/) [Dressed-to-kill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dressed-to-kill-51089/) [Dresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dresses/) [Empty space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empty-space/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Shopping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shopping/) [Two years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-years/) [Woolen Gown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woolen-gown-2964923/) ## Related quotes > [“That night, in the dark, dressed to kill, I lost my life—and became twenty forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patois/that-night-in-the-dark-dressed-to-kill-i-lost-my-life-and-became/) [Patois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patois/) > [“Jasmine dressed carefully the next morning, choosing her clothes like they were her armor. She paired a regal purple waistcoat and blouse with matching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-monir/jasmine-dressed-carefully-the-next-morning-choosing-her-clothes-like/) [Alexandra Monir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-monir/) > [“Ladies dress to kill, not realizing fashion is ill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-joclebs-bassey/ladies-dress-to-kill-not-realizing-fashion-is-ill/) [John Joclebs Bassey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-joclebs-bassey/) > [“She walked confidently next to him. Her black hair was slicked down and tucked behind her ear. "To better fight Guardians with, my pretty,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-johnston/she-walked-confidently-next-to-him-her-black-hair-was-slicked-down/) [Marie Johnston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-johnston/) > [“When I meet a pretty girl and beg her: "Be so good as to come with me," and she walks past without a word,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-kafka/when-i-meet-a-pretty-girl-and-beg-her-be-so-good-as-to-come-with-me/) [Franz Kafka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-kafka/) > [ “Why are you all buttoned up like that?" Cameron ran his gaze down the blackberry-shaped buttons of her bodice.\[...\] "You were happy to bare… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-ashley/why-are-you-all-buttoned-up-like-that-cameron-ran-his-gaze-down-the/) [Jennifer Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-ashley/) > [“This is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever worn,” she admitted, her eyes filling with light. It was not pure white, but rather a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/this-is-the-most-beautiful-dress-i-ve-ever-worn-she-admitted-her-eyes/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [“I think this dress will stun the nobility, and leave them stupefied with envy and lust," Madame Sandrine announced with relish. "I'm just glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerrigan-byrne/i-think-this-dress-will-stun-the-nobility-and-leave-them-stupefied/) [Kerrigan Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerrigan-byrne/) > [“Parking himself on the chaise lounge, he stared at the gown that Lassiter had handled so roughly. The fine satin was bunched up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/parking-himself-on-the-chaise-lounge-he-stared-at-the-gown-that/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) > [“Celaena knew the scarlet dress was a little scandalous. And she knew that it was definitely not appropriate for winter, given how low the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/celaena-knew-the-scarlet-dress-was-a-little-scandalous-and-she-knew/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [Men are more particular, and they're not going to grab something with a bodice-ripper cover on it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karin-slaughter/men-are-more-particular-and-they-re-not-going-to-grab-something-with/) [Karin Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karin-slaughter/) > [“had much luck, and she was down to the last one: a pale-green silk dress with a vine of tiny embroidered pink roses meandering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-london/had-much-luck-and-she-was-down-to-the-last-one-a-pale-green-silk/) [Julia London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-london/) > [They always call 'Poldark' a 'bodice-ripper,' but I don't think a single bodice has ever been ripped.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-tomlinson/they-always-call-poldark-a-bodice-ripper-but-i-don-t-think-a-single/) [Eleanor Tomlinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-tomlinson/) > [“The high-waisted bodice had been cut quite low, much lower than anything she had ever worn before, and she had to resist the temptation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-quick/the-high-waisted-bodice-had-been-cut-quite-low-much-lower-than/) [Amanda Quick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-quick/) > [“Madeline stood before him in a gown of rich, emerald-green silk. The low-cut bodice did miraculous things for her bosom, and the vibrant color…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tessa-dare/madeline-stood-before-him-in-a-gown-of-rich-emerald-green-silk-the/) [Tessa Dare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tessa-dare/) ## More by Martine Bailey > [“Look, I fetched some Fat Hen for you.' Jem offered me a bunch of wilting greens. I reached for the plants, rubbed the leaves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/look-i-fetched-some-fat-hen-for-you-jem-offered-me-a-bunch-of-wilting/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“Around me shone the kitchen I'd worked in each day: the copper pans hung neatly, the scratched wooden table and neat blue plates set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/around-me-shone-the-kitchen-i-d-worked-in-each-day-the-copper-pans/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“It was almost Christmas, and Renzo was preparing all the delicacies Florentines must eat at the festival: roast eels, goose, fancy cakes with marzipan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/it-was-almost-christmas-and-renzo-was-preparing-all-the-delicacies/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“Sal and Henry return with a gust of warm garden air and I settle down to create miniature roses from sugarpaste using tiny ivory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/sal-and-henry-return-with-a-gust-of-warm-garden-air-and-i-settle-down/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“There was a new smell in the air at Lyons, of sun-baked southern stuffs, of strong red vinegar, and spikes of rosemary. It was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/there-was-a-new-smell-in-the-air-at-lyons-of-sun-baked-southern/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“Signor Renzo's lodge stood on a grassy knoll near the crest of the hill. It was a modest place, just a low stone hut,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/signor-renzo-s-lodge-stood-on-a-grassy-knoll-near-the-crest-of-the/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“The Cocoa-Nut Tree at Covent Garden? Why it's the finest confectioner in the capital and sells bonbons, macaroons, candied fruits, and ices,' I said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/the-cocoa-nut-tree-at-covent-garden-why-it-s-the-finest-confectioner/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“While Mr Loveday aired my lady's sheets, I set to scratching up a supper. With not even time to change from my own damp…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/while-mr-loveday-aired-my-lady-s-sheets-i-set-to-scratching-up-a/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“On December the twenty-third, the park was hazy from clammy mists that muted and softened all color and distance. Michael had not set off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/on-december-the-twenty-third-the-park-was-hazy-from-clammy-mists-that/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“Every cook knows it's a rare day when you have all the parts of the perfect dish. But that day back at Mawton I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/every-cook-knows-it-s-a-rare-day-when-you-have-all-the-parts-of-the/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“I was thrown together with Florence, or 'Florawns' as she was called, a pert girl of nineteen who worked in our kitchen and was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/i-was-thrown-together-with-florence-or-florawns-as-she-was-called-a/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“I'd give me two eyes for a slice of apple pie." She was brain-cracked, but spoke for them all. Then Tabby Jones joined in,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/i-d-give-me-two-eyes-for-a-slice-of-apple-pie-she-was-brain-cracked/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“So on Christmas morning I was up at five o'clock, making the fire as bright as a furnace, baking minc'd pies and boiling plum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/so-on-christmas-morning-i-was-up-at-five-o-clock-making-the-fire-as/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“So what are you after, eh? Side of beef? Some chops?' 'Aye, sir. Whatever you fancy.' He licked his lips and listed his favorite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/so-what-are-you-after-eh-side-of-beef-some-chops-aye-sir-whatever-you/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) > [“I continued my explorations in a cobbled yard overlooked by broken doors and cracked windows. Pushing open a swollen door into a storeroom, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martine-bailey/i-continued-my-explorations-in-a-cobbled-yard-overlooked-by-broken/) [Martine Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) [Explore all 28 Martine Bailey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martine-bailey/) ## More Costumes quotes > [So, did the costume come with a condom, or is that sold separately?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/so-did-the-costume-come-with-a-condom-or-is-that-sold-separately/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [Meanwhile someone is shining my head to get it dry to attach my top-hat to my head with toupee tape. I get into microphone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tituss-burgess/meanwhile-someone-is-shining-my-head-to-get-it-dry-to-attach-my-top/) [Tituss Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tituss-burgess/) > [When my kids were in the school play for the first time, I decided I had to make the costumes from scratch and bought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-alexander/when-my-kids-were-in-the-school-play-for-the-first-time-i-decided-i/) [Sarah Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-alexander/) > [Merlin' was awesome, but the costumes would drive you insane. Every day, you'd get into chain mail and wear 30 pounds of that stuff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-macken/merlin-was-awesome-but-the-costumes-would-drive-you-insane-every-day/) [Eoin Macken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-macken/) > [When the Strokes first started playing gigs, instead of getting into a costume for the shows, we talked about how we should dress every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-casablancas/when-the-strokes-first-started-playing-gigs-instead-of-getting-into-a/) [Julian Casablancas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-casablancas/) > [I've always worked closely with the designers and whoever's making the costumes. Comfort is the last thing you want on your mind when you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristi-yamaguchi/i-ve-always-worked-closely-with-the-designers-and-whoever-s-making/) [Kristi Yamaguchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristi-yamaguchi/) > [ Shigure Sohma: \[got Tohru a maid costume for White Day\] I can't wait to for her to call me master while wearing this. Hatsuharu… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuki-takaya/shigure-sohma-got-tohru-a-maid-costume-for-white-day-i-can-t-wait-to/) [Natsuki Takaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuki-takaya/) > [I always use the analogy that when you go to a jeans store and put on a new pair of jeans, it's a pair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bana/i-always-use-the-analogy-that-when-you-go-to-a-jeans-store-and-put-on/) [Eric Bana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bana/) > [I am out in public and using the phone. I am in a phone booth, got the phone in my hand and a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-engvall/i-am-out-in-public-and-using-the-phone-i-am-in-a-phone-booth-got-the/) [Bill Engvall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-engvall/) > [...and there I suddenly found my articulate self in a dazzling land of smiling, jostling people wearing and not wearing all sorts of costumes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cary-grant/and-there-i-suddenly-found-my-articulate-self-in-a-dazzling-land-of/) [Cary Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cary-grant/) > [I'm an actor, so I like costumes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/parker-posey/i-m-an-actor-so-i-like-costumes/) [Parker Posey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/parker-posey/) > [My parents are actors as well, so I grew up around that world. It was always a very romantic, mythical world. They did a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-fox/my-parents-are-actors-as-well-so-i-grew-up-around-that-world-it-was/) [Phoebe Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-fox/) > [Singing is an incredible expression and something that is important to me, but where I feel comfortable with how much I reveal about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brie-larson/singing-is-an-incredible-expression-and-something-that-is-important/) [Brie Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brie-larson/) > [Someone once bought me loads of clothes from a charity shop - and sent them to me in a black bin liner. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-shaw/someone-once-bought-me-loads-of-clothes-from-a-charity-shop-and-sent/) [Suzanne Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-shaw/) > [When I was young, I would get my tailor to replicate Madhuri Dixit's costumes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mallika-sherawat/when-i-was-young-i-would-get-my-tailor-to-replicate-madhuri-dixit-s/) [Mallika Sherawat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mallika-sherawat/) [Browse all 655 Costumes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/costumes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She went alone to the vast room where the second-hand clothes were kept. Later, she thought it the happiest hour of her life. There were silks and brocades by the yard, and pile upon pile of hats, wigs, cloaks, and masks. After two years in wretched rags, even the linen shifts felt as soft as thistledown. She whirled from one delight to another- clutching lace, burying her nose in furs, holding flashy paste jewels next to her new-bleached skin. Catching her reflected eye in the mirror she laughed out loud, her red mouth wide and knowing. She put aside a few carefully-chosen costumes and elbow-length mittens. Then, finally, she chose a few costumes of a particular nature: shiny satin, ebony black. Lastly, she gathered the garments she would wear for her journey: a grass-green woolen gown and a lace cap and apron. The effect was somewhat grand for a domestic servant. Her auburn locks were pinned tightly, her figure flattered by a frilled muslin kerchief, crisscrossed in an 'X' over her breast. Pulling out a few auburn tendrils from her cap, she adjusted her bodice to show a little more flesh. 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