Shameless Blondes

Of course the title is a compliment, referring to a character in Evelyn Waugh’s Handful of Dust who flies her own airplane, puts on overalls with the house painters, and generally befuddles Tony Last (though she sweetly plays Animal Snap with him).**

Channeling Mrs. Rattery (for that is the shameless blonde’s name), I’d like to report that I’ve been thinking about blondes with a certain iconic hairstyle, prompted, sadly, by the recent loss of Mary Travers (she of the gloriously clear voice).

There’s Mary in the top image.

And here’s Nico, below:

And Joni Mitchell:

And Marianne Faithfull:

Indeed, all these blondes have something else in common: they’re musical. But shameless? You tell me.


**Why, oh why was this shameless blonde played by raven-haired Anjelica Huston in the film version? She had the spirit, but Waugh readers would miss the hair. At least this one did.