FROM THE DESK OF THE SECRETARY OF FEUDAL AFFAIRS, GRAND DUCHESS OF LORHAUSER, LADY AMELINA PEIRGARTEN
With the Summer Festival and the warm weather kicking off, the Secretary of Feudal Affairs, Grand Duchess Amelina Peirgarten has deemed it necessary to clarify upon the expected etiquette of summer wear and beach behavior for the members of the peerage, as well as amending some long forgotten rules amongst the nobility. It is reminded to all members of nobility that all of these rules will be made sure to be kept in line by the Crimson Inquisition, and therefore one should always be mindful of the consequences that will follow in the case of disobedience of the rules of our class.
In regards to the beach etiquette for the peerage:
In regards to the beach etiquette for the peerage:
- Men and women may share the waters if it is the beach waters, but must always use separate baths in the bathhouses. Both sexes should endeavor not to share inappropriate physical contact. To defy this rule and to be touchy with another noble in the waters is to invite rumors of affair between them.
- Sharing the water with the other races of any kind is prohibited. The only exception are those who have been deemed nobility by the Emperor, i.e Digmaan, Frisque. While it is an exception, it is still expected that the noble will distance the water between themselves and the opposite race. To defy this rule is to be considered a jacobin activist.
- Men and women must never disrobe in front of the other sex, they should always go behind the changing screen, out of the sight of others. Same sexes may freely change in the same room, but to give each other eyes is considered extremely inappropriate by all counts.
- While it is acceptable to socially communicate with commoners in the Summer Festival and visit shop vendors, the peerage should never be in the same waters with a commoner. To do such is to lower oneself to the level of a commoner and to defy their own social class.
- Married men and women should never be in the waters without the company of their husband or wife. If a married noble enters the waters alone, it will invite rumours of physical dissatisfaction between them and their spouse, and raise questions to the health of their marriage.
- Regalian Physical Honneurs must still be upheld during this time: "It is an affront to Honneurs for a man to touch the bare skin of a woman that is not his wife without the separation of a silken handkerchief or a cloth linen glove. To touch a married woman, even with such acceptable barriers, is an affront to Honneurs, unless she has invited the person in question to do so with honorable intent and reason."
In regards to the swimwear etiquette of male nobility:
- Men should strive to wear swim trousers that come up to at least the navel of their torso. Men are allowed to remove their tops in the beach, however, should they move away from the beach, their tops must be worn back on within the correct changing areas.
- Men's swim trousers should reach to the top of their knee, not going any higher than two inches above. To defy this rule is to make the impression of a pervert who is attempting to shamelessly seduce his peers.
- Men's swim trousers should be adequately loose. To wear skin-tight trousers is seen as indecent and exposing to the other members of the peerage, which will invite rumors of perversion.
- Current day "speedos" are by no means allowed, anyone wearing such will absolutely be fined and immediately removed from the premise.
In regards to the swimwear etiquette of female nobility:
- A woman's torso must always be completely covered. To show cleavage, under-breast or any kind of reveal is to suggest to the peerage that the woman in mention is a prostitute.
- Two piece swimsuits are not allowed by any means. A woman's swimsuit must reach down to the middle of her thigh, if the swimsuit is any shorter than that, a thin layered covering must be worn over it.
- A woman's arms may be completely exposed, but only while in swimwear. A woman's shoulders must always be covered with a thin layered cloth, much like the covering for the thighs.
- The neckline of a woman's swimsuit is more lenient now, allowing the woman to show up to one inch and a half below the collarbone. The woman should still ensure that the neckline is formal and not physically suggestive.
- The women should endeavor to decorate their swimsuits with frills and garments as to make it seem like another dress that one might wear. If a woman's swimsuit is plain or simplistic, they would be lowering themselves to the level of a commoner.
