already love it!

I'm only into the second chapter but already really enjoying the society that we're peaking into. I second what Melissa says, I like that Wharton herself was one of these socialites. It gives the book a genuine feel.

In the first chapter, Wharton mentions something called the "Josephine look." I was intrigued and looked to our friend the internet. I couldn't find a picture but I did run into the following:

a gown in the style of the first French Empire (1804–1815) named after Napoleon’s wife, Josephine, empress of France (1804–1809); with a short waist, decollette bodice, flowing skirt, and short, puffed sleeves.

and....in the back of my book it says that Wharton was inspired by this painting called The Age of Innocence by Sir Joshua Reynolds (17 88).