--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Come to the bit about soft silk shirts…" description: "\"“Come to the bit about soft silk shirts for evening wear?\" I asked carelessly. \"Yes, sir,\" said Jeeves, in a low, cold voice, as if he had been bitten ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ec/p-g-wodehouse-723_jeeves-said_come-to-the-bit-about-soft-silk-shirts-f_1952409.jpg" --- # Come to the bit about soft silk shirts for evening wear?"… ![“Come to the bit about soft silk shirts for evening wear?" I asked carelessly. "Yes, sir," said Jeeves, in a low, cold voice, as if he had been bitten in the leg by a personal friend. "And if I may be pardoned for saying so - " "You don't like it?" "No, sir. I do not. Soft silk shirts with evening…” quote by P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ec/p-g-wodehouse-723_jeeves-said_come-to-the-bit-about-soft-silk-shirts-f_1952409.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ec/p-g-wodehouse-723_jeeves-said_come-to-the-bit-about-soft-silk-shirts-f_1952409.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ec/p-g-wodehouse-723_jeeves-said_come-to-the-bit-about-soft-silk-shirts-f_1952409.jpg) > ““Come to the bit about soft silk shirts for evening wear?" I asked carelessly. "Yes, sir," said Jeeves, in a low, cold voice, as if he had been bitten in the leg by a personal friend. "And if I may be pardoned for saying so - " "You don't like it?" "No, sir. I do not. Soft silk shirts with evening costume are not worn, sir." "Jeeves," I said, looking the blighter diametrically in the centre of the eyeball, "they're dashed well going to be. I may as well tell you now that I have ordered a dozen of those shirtings from Peabody and Simms, and it's no good looking like that, because I am jolly well adamant." "If I might - " "No, Jeeves," I said, raising my hand, "argument is useless. Nobody has a greater respect than I have for your judgment in socks, in ties, and - I will go farther - in spats; but when it comes to evening shirts your nerve seems to fail you. You have no vision. You are prejudiced and reactionary. Hidebound is the word that suggests itself. It may interest you to learn that when I was at Le Touquet the Prince of Wales buzzed into the Casino one night with soft silk shirt complete." "His Royal Highness, sir, may permit himself a certain licence which in your own case - " "No, Jeeves," I said, firmly, "it's no use. When we Woosters are adamant, we are - well, adamant, if you know what I mean." "Very good, sir." I could see the man was wounded, and, of course, the whole episode had been extremely jarring and unpleasant; but these things have to be gone through. Is one a serf or isn't one? That's what it all boils down to.”” [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A comedic argument about fashion highlights stubbornness and the absurdity of rigid opinions, showing how pride can derail rational discussion. **In simple terms:** Stubbornness makes trivial matters into big fights. Key Takeaway Stay open-minded and avoid needless conflict. Themes stubbornness communication social etiquette Mood wry lighthearted Type humorous advice When to use this quote - fashion choices - family gatherings - workplace disagreements - social rituals Key Concepts pride absurdity social hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - When did pride stop you from listening? - What small issue could become a larger conflict if you stay obstinate? A Different Perspective The humor may downplay the seriousness of genuine prejudice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Oh, Jeeves," I said, "did Peabody and Simms send those soft silk shirts?" "Yes, sir. I sent them back." "Sent them back!" "Yes, sir."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/oh-jeeves-i-said-did-peabody-and-simms-send-those-soft-silk-shirts/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“The blighter's manner was so cold and unchummy that I bit the bullet and had a dash at being airy. "Oh, well, tra-la-la!" I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/the-blighter-s-manner-was-so-cold-and-unchummy-that-i-bit-the-bullet/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Sir?” said Jeeves, kind of manifesting himself. One of the rummy things about Jeeves is that, unless you watch like a hawk, you very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/sir-said-jeeves-kind-of-manifesting-himself-one-of-the-rummy-things/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“The boy is of an outspoken disposition, and had made an opprobrious remark respecting my personal appearance." "What did he say about your appearance?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/the-boy-is-of-an-outspoken-disposition-and-had-made-an-opprobrious/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Jeeves," I said, "those spats." "Yes, sir?" "You really dislike them?" "Intensely, sir." "You don't think time might induce you to change your views?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/jeeves-i-said-those-spats-yes-sir-you-really-dislike-them-intensely/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Jeeves," I said, "listen attentively. I don't want to give the impression that I consider myself one of those deadly coves who exercise an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/jeeves-i-said-listen-attentively-i-don-t-want-to-give-the-impression/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Do you mind not intoning the responses, Jeeves?" I said. "This is a most complicated story for a man with a headache to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/do-you-mind-not-intoning-the-responses-jeeves-i-said-this-is-a-most/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Pretty soft!' he cried. 'To have to come and live in New York! To have to leave my little cottage and take a stuffy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/pretty-soft-he-cried-to-have-to-come-and-live-in-new-york-to-have-to/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“I looked round the place. The moment of parting had come. I felt sad. The whole thing reminded me of one of those melodramas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/i-looked-round-the-place-the-moment-of-parting-had-come-i-felt-sad/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“I have brought the heather-mixture suit, as the climatic conditions are congenial. To-morrow, if not prevented, I will endeavour to add the brown lounge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/i-have-brought-the-heather-mixture-suit-as-the-climatic-conditions/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Jeeves," I said, when I had washed off the stains of travel, "tell me frankly all about it. Be as frank as Lady Bablockhythe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/jeeves-i-said-when-i-had-washed-off-the-stains-of-travel-tell-me/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Yes, sir,' said Jeeves in a low, cold voice, as if he had been bitten in the leg by a personal friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wodehouse-p-g/yes-sir-said-jeeves-in-a-low-cold-voice-as-if-he-had-been-bitten-in/) Wodehouse P.G > [It was one of those cases where you approve the broad, general principle of an idea but can't help being in a bit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-was-one-of-those-cases-where-you-approve-the-broad-general/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Oh, Jeeves,' I said; 'about that check suit.' Yes, sir?' Is it really a frost?' A trifle too bizarre, sir, in my opinion.' But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-2/oh-jeeves-i-said-about-that-check-suit-yes-sir-is-it-really-a-frost-a/) [P. G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-2/) > [We Woosters freeze like the dickens when we seek sympathy and meet with cold reserve. "Nothing further Jeeves", I said with quiet dignity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-woosters-freeze-like-the-dickens-when-we-seek-sympathy-and-meet/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by P.G. Wodehouse > [“Love, Miss Halliday, is a delicate plant. It needs tending, nurturing, assiduous fostering. This cannot be done by throwing the breakfast bacon at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/love-miss-halliday-is-a-delicate-plant-it-needs-tending-nurturing/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [ “\[A\]lways get to the dialogue as soon as possible. I always feel the thing to go for is speed. Nothing puts the reader off… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/a-lways-get-to-the-dialogue-as-soon-as-possible-i-always-feel-the/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“In these days in which we live, when existence has become a thing of infinite complexity and fate, if it slips us a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/in-these-days-in-which-we-live-when-existence-has-become-a-thing-of/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Good Lord, Jeeves! Is there anything you don’t know?’ ‘I couldn’t say, sir.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/good-lord-jeeves-is-there-anything-you-don-t-know-i-couldn-t-say-sir/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Ask the first lion cub you meet, and it will tell you that, once you’ve tasted blood, there is no pulling up, and it’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/ask-the-first-lion-cub-you-meet-and-it-will-tell-you-that-once-you-ve/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“He will lunch with you at your flat tomorrow at one-thirty. Please remember that he drinks no wine, strongly disapproves of smoking, and can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/he-will-lunch-with-you-at-your-flat-tomorrow-at-one-thirty-please/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Too often on such occasions one feels, as I feel so strongly with regard to poor old Stilton, that the kindly thing to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/too-often-on-such-occasions-one-feels-as-i-feel-so-strongly-with/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“My late Uncle Henry, you see, was by way of being the blot on the Wooster escutcheon. An extremely decent chappie personally, and one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/my-late-uncle-henry-you-see-was-by-way-of-being-the-blot-on-the/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [ “...he switched on the \[flashlight\]. When he did so, he instantly became the center attraction to a rowdy mob of those gnats, moths, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/he-switched-on-the-flashlight-when-he-did-so-he-instantly-became-the/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Conversationally, I am like a clockwork toy. I have to be set going.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/conversationally-i-am-like-a-clockwork-toy-i-have-to-be-set-going/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“One of the advantages a sister has when arguing with a brother is that she is under no obligation to be tactful. If she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/one-of-the-advantages-a-sister-has-when-arguing-with-a-brother-is/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Liz," said Mr. Cootes, lost in admiration, "when it comes to doping out a scheme, you're the snake's eyebrows!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/liz-said-mr-cootes-lost-in-admiration-when-it-comes-to-doping-out-a/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“a chap who's supposed to stop chaps pinching things from chaps having a chap come along and pinch something from him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/a-chap-who-s-supposed-to-stop-chaps-pinching-things-from-chaps-having/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Bertie, do you read Tennyson?" "Not if I can help.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/bertie-do-you-read-tennyson-not-if-i-can-help/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“It seems to be one of Nature’s laws that the most attractive girls should have the least attractive brothers. Fillmore Nicholas had not worn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/it-seems-to-be-one-of-nature-s-laws-that-the-most-attractive-girls/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) [Explore all 389 P.G. Wodehouse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) ## More Jeeves Said quotes > [We Woosters freeze like the dickens when we seek sympathy and meet with cold reserve. "Nothing further Jeeves", I said with quiet dignity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-woosters-freeze-like-the-dickens-when-we-seek-sympathy-and-meet/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Jeeves," I said, when I had washed off the stains of travel, "tell me frankly all about it. Be as frank as Lady Bablockhythe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/jeeves-i-said-when-i-had-washed-off-the-stains-of-travel-tell-me/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“I have brought the heather-mixture suit, as the climatic conditions are congenial. To-morrow, if not prevented, I will endeavour to add the brown lounge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/i-have-brought-the-heather-mixture-suit-as-the-climatic-conditions/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Oh, Jeeves," I said, "did Peabody and Simms send those soft silk shirts?" "Yes, sir. I sent them back." "Sent them back!" "Yes, sir."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/oh-jeeves-i-said-did-peabody-and-simms-send-those-soft-silk-shirts/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [Oh, Jeeves,' I said; 'about that check suit.' Yes, sir?' Is it really a frost?' A trifle too bizarre, sir, in my opinion.' But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse-2/oh-jeeves-i-said-about-that-check-suit-yes-sir-is-it-really-a-frost-a/) [P. G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse-2/) > [“I looked round the place. The moment of parting had come. I felt sad. The whole thing reminded me of one of those melodramas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/i-looked-round-the-place-the-moment-of-parting-had-come-i-felt-sad/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Pretty soft!' he cried. 'To have to come and live in New York! To have to leave my little cottage and take a stuffy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/pretty-soft-he-cried-to-have-to-come-and-live-in-new-york-to-have-to/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [It was one of those cases where you approve the broad, general principle of an idea but can't help being in a bit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-was-one-of-those-cases-where-you-approve-the-broad-general/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do you mind not intoning the responses, Jeeves?" I said. "This is a most complicated story for a man with a headache to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/do-you-mind-not-intoning-the-responses-jeeves-i-said-this-is-a-most/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Jeeves," I said, "listen attentively. I don't want to give the impression that I consider myself one of those deadly coves who exercise an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/jeeves-i-said-listen-attentively-i-don-t-want-to-give-the-impression/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [“Jeeves," I said, "those spats." "Yes, sir?" "You really dislike them?" "Intensely, sir." "You don't think time might induce you to change your views?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-g-wodehouse/jeeves-i-said-those-spats-yes-sir-you-really-dislike-them-intensely/) [P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-g-wodehouse/) > [I don't want to seem always to be criticizing your methods of voice production, Jeeves, I said, but I must inform you that that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-want-to-seem-always-to-be-criticizing-your-methods-of-voice/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What was that bit about authorizing remote monitoring of my implants? Do you mean you have me bugged?” “Strange how nobody from your world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-foner/what-was-that-bit-about-authorizing-remote-monitoring-of-my-implants/) [E.M. Foner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-foner/) Browse all 14 Jeeves Said quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Come to the bit about soft silk shirts for evening wear?\" I asked carelessly. \"Yes, sir,\" said Jeeves, in a low, cold voice, as if he had been bitten in the leg by a personal friend. \"And if I may be pardoned for saying so - \" \"You don't like it?\" \"No, sir. I do not. Soft silk shirts with evening costume are not worn, sir.\" \"Jeeves,\" I said, looking the blighter diametrically in the centre of the eyeball, \"they're dashed well going to be. I may as well tell you now that I have ordered a dozen of those shirtings from Peabody and Simms, and it's no good looking like that, because I am jolly well adamant.\" \"If I might - \" \"No, Jeeves,\" I said, raising my hand, \"argument is useless. Nobody has a greater respect than I have for your judgment in socks, in ties, and - I will go farther - in spats; but when it comes to evening shirts your nerve seems to fail you. You have no vision. You are prejudiced and reactionary. Hidebound is the word that suggests itself. It may interest you to learn that when I was at Le Touquet the Prince of Wales buzzed into the Casino one night with soft silk shirt complete.\" \"His Royal Highness, sir, may permit himself a certain licence which in your own case - \" \"No, Jeeves,\" I said, firmly, \"it's no use. When we Woosters are adamant, we are - well, adamant, if you know what I mean.\" \"Very good, sir.\" I could see the man was wounded, and, of course, the whole episode had been extremely jarring and unpleasant; but these things have to be gone through. Is one a serf or isn't one? That's what it all boils down to.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "P.G. 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