While shopping in Philadelphia one day, the Manhattan socialite Anne Slater spotted some wonderful eyeglasses (in a shop called Lugene's). They soon became her signature accessory. "I bought one pair of these cobalt ones I loved," she recalled years later, "wore them for about an hour, went back and ordered 36 pairs. The person helping me said, 'But ma'am, your prescription will change over the years.' To which I said, 'It wouldn't dare!'"

[Slater's Manhattan apartment boasted eight walk-in closets.]