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YouLookFab Forum » Forum: Book Club - Recent Topics https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/forum/book-club Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:31:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php nuancedream on "WIW:Double inspiration" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/double-inspiration#post-2353871 Tue, 27 Feb 2024 20:50:20 +0000 nuancedream 2353871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I always look forward to the Outfit Bloggers post. Today's looks were so fabulous! Then, I saw Anchie's light neutrals post and how lovely she looks. I absolutely had to go with a light neutral look with an ivory pleated midi skirt by Mango, ivory/gold mesh top by Anthropologie, and a pre-loved light tan quilted leather jacket by Halogen. Angie, you should recognize my cream booties. quietloud on "Visual/inspirational fashion books" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/visualinspirational-fashion-books#post-2334054 Wed, 09 Aug 2023 10:01:15 +0000 quietloud 2334054@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love reading other people’s musings on style and fashion, and have a ton of text heavy fashion books, but I just realized I have very few mainly visual ones. I used to collect magazines and refer back to those, but have decluttered 95% of them in recent years, and would love to replace with some inspirational fashion books. Do you have any that you love and recommend? Here are three of my own favorites (1-3), plus three that I want to check out (4-6) #1 - Garcon Style by Jonathan Daniel Pryce #2 - The New Garconne by Nawaz Batliwalla #3 - Georgia O’Keeffe Living Modern by Wanda M. Corn #4 - On the Street: Five Decades of Iconic Photography by Bill Cunningham #5 - On Fashion Photography by Peter Lindbergh #6 - CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion by Sunita Kumar Nair (out in November) Bee on "Historical Fashion Books" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/historical-fashion-books#post-2326598 Thu, 15 Jun 2023 00:08:26 +0000 Bee 2326598@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I’ve always been fascinated by historical fashions, especially the Middle Ages and 19th century. I own two copies of the first two books. I had to put them in storage when I left Brazil and I missed them terribly, despite the fact that most of their illustrations are permanently printed onto my brain… so I bought another copy of each. The other three were recent purchases and I still look through the last two almost every single day. The third book was a fascinating read! Carol on "Great fashion books?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/great-fashion-books#post-2319135 Thu, 20 Apr 2023 17:01:48 +0000 Carol 2319135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I recently read The Gospel According to Coco Chanel. It has many scathing reviews by customers, because they were expecting a blueprint for how to do fashion the Chanel way. Instead they got a bunch of anecdotes about the personality, spirit and history of the woman herself. But once you understand this, it's a fabulous read--think walking through a Coco Chanel exhibit with a highly informed and entertaining docent. The bit where the author gets kicked out of a Parisian boutique is to die for. Have you read any great fashion reads, recently or in the past?  Keturah on "Book: Fashion Is Spinach" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-fashion-is-spinach#post-2073477 Wed, 30 Oct 2019 19:45:29 +0000 Keturah 2073477@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Has anyone ever seen or heard of this book? I have yet to fully read it. But just skimming a few pages it looks like a witty, scathing review of the state of women’s fashion and fashion history. It was published in 1938 by Elizabeth Hawes. Apparently, from my skimming, she was a couturier designer. I found it on a library book sale some years ago. While cleaning out my parents’ attic (of over 15 boxes of books, vintage fur coats and clothes, and more no less), I was delighted to stumble across it. I’ve included photos of the final two pages and table of contents for your delight and amusement. I love beautiful clothes but her last line about settling into an old sweater and skirt and remarking ‘to h... with it’ absolutely made me roar with laughter! Many times I was tempted to put this book in the donation pile. I’m glad I didn’t! Considering her strong opinions, her observations and experiences, I’m curious to see how her thoughts stack up against today’s fashion market and trends. She remarks on buying habits, cost of custom made and RTW, and much from that time. Lynn Mally on "The Lost Art of Dress" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-lost-art-of-dress#post-1259190 Fri, 23 May 2014 13:54:51 +0000 Lynn Mally 1259190@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Do you enjoy vintage fashion?  Then you might like reading The Lost Art of Dress, about home economists and fashion experts who gave advice about style in the first part of the twentieth century.  Read my review here: <a href="http://americanagefashion.com/?p=4195" rel="nofollow">http://americanagefashion.com/?p=4195</a> Barbara Diane on "My Macy's" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-macys#post-2057121 Sun, 01 Sep 2019 03:45:12 +0000 Barbara Diane 2057121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A few weeks ago I saw that the nicer of the two Macy's near me (not so nice, it's just that the other is dreadful) is adding a Starbucks. Note, this is not a big store. Sounds kind of desperate to me, although it could bring in some income. Thoughts? Anonymous on "Getting real and staying true to my style." https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/getting-real-and-staying-true-to-my-style#post-2053550 Fri, 16 Aug 2019 19:02:25 +0000 Anonymous 2053550@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I hope I don't do this every year, but maybe I do.  I've been thinking a lot, probably too much for my own good though, about how much money I've spent and wasted on clothes this year, and how far I've drifted away from the looks I am comfortable with and feel like the real "me" in . I haven't felt well-dressed this summer, and just went through my closet yesterday and filled a green garbage bag full with 4-5 purses (hardly used) and a pile of summer clothing that is was all purchased this summer and rarely, if ever, worn.   And that was just the start of a true edit that I'd like to get done before September 1 so that I'm notpacking away anything I won't be wearing again. I love this forum because it connects me to other people with similar interests, and I love posting and reading and getting so many great ideas and constructive feedback. BUT.....I also get caught up in thinking I "should" try what others wear and look at what others are buying and see if that will be the magic solution to feeling good about how I dress.   This is not good, obviously. For example, this spring I decided that I "should" try injecting more pattern and colour into my spring and summer wardrobe. I also thought I "should" be sprucing up my casual wear by wearing more blouses and similar structured, woven tops. So - instead of buying just one or two such tops, I probably bought 10, and hated all of them.  Seriously.  Nothing made me feel fab, and I either didn't make the time or effort to try to style them in a way that looked sophisticated and work-ready......because I didn't end up feeling good enough in them to want to bother.    I ended up with a couple of pair of cropped wide leg pants and jeans, and guess what?  I don't like any of them.  And I'm annoyed that I thought I had to at least try to wear them and try to like them even though nothing about them appealed to me. Same with white boots.  Another expensive experiment.   This is the theme of my life it seems, and I'm so exhausted, frustrated embarrassed, and ashamed of myself for buying so many stupid things in the name of keeping up and staying fashionable.    1. bright colours do not make me feel well-dressed; I feel conspicuous (and not in a good way) and too "gaily dressed", to use an old expression.  Bright colours do not make me feel happy, either.  I don't look to my clothes for happiness. I get that elsewhere . 2.  trendiness is a moving target, and I need to stick to my own very strong opinions about what I like and will wear.  If that makes sense.  I read a lot and and am fairly plugged in to colour and style trends (because it's part of my job to do so) and instead of feeling like I need to keep an open mind and try lots of things, I have found my instincts are reliable and that I'll wear what I like and what I want to, not what I think I "should' be trying just to look up-to-date. This has been my biggest trip-up here on the forum. 3.  I actually do yearn for a modest, well-edited wardrobe even though it's not popular here on the forum.    I don't need  or want a lot of variety; I don't need a ton of clothes because I don't see the same people every day.  My mind and work style is often chaotic, and I function best when I don't have too many choices and too much stuff around me.  I hate a closet stuffed full of pieces, hate excess consumption , hate environmental irresponsibility , and hate depending upon clothes and shopping  to soothe my soul.  I know, I know, hate is a strong word....but..... 4.  I like neutral, dark, and moody colours, and only very few strong colours like citron, and a few pastel/soft colours like pale pink and blue.   These I wear in outerwear pieces as a foil to my neutrals.  I don't like plaid, don't like polka dots, don't love stripes , and have no love for ditsy prints either.  I look and feel my best in statement making, tailored, and often architectural pieces. I don't mind drama, but am not interested in looking kooky.  I want to know that I am well enough dressed to take a meeting with the - hmm - editor of British Vogue?  You know what I mean... 5. I am 58, and although my body sure doesn't look like it used to - whose does?? It's like men who constantly crow about how great a football player they were in high school or college (cough - my husband - cough) .  BUT YOU AREN'T IN HIGH  SCHOOL ANYMORE SO STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AS IF IT DEFINES YOU!   I don't want to apologize anymore for my body or for not being able to tuck things in ,for not being able to wear fitted dresses etc  , because I am simply not willing and able to do the work it takes to maintain the physique of a 35 year old.  I will stop worrying about what size I am , and stop buying  clothes  that don't  fit well just because  they are the  size I think I should be.  My abs aren't flat, I have had 2 major abdominal surgeries and my muscles are torn and separated.  My upper arms have never , even been thin and well-defined, even when I was underweight and overtrained , so , whatever.  I give up.  Trading on your looks and having them define you is so dangerous - as we  all know.  As you age, it's a recipe for disaster if that's what matters most to you. And I know I've been horribly hamstrung by this.  No more.  6.  I don't want every new style of denim , every new style of bag or shoe that appears, and instead of falling into the trap of buying low-priced stuff to get more variety, I would sincerely rather have one beautiful top from the best brands I can possibly afford that I can wear everywhere and with everything than 5 tops from mid-range stores that don't look great longer than a year or two. I'm still thinking about a gorgeous floral silk Equipment blouse ($400 ) that I saw earlier this summer but shied away from because of the price. It would have worked with every bottom I have, and I should have bought it, Instead, I wasted that same amount of money on a bunch of stuff I didn't end up wearing.    I've said this before but somehow have never been able to stick with it. Well, the time is now, my friends. I am SO SICK OF MY CLOSET being stuffed with things, forgetting what I have, and not knowing what I truly need .  Can someone please explain to me why I bought a bright yellow/goldenrod linen shirt this spring?  I wore it yesterday with jeans and the same colour yellow Fly London sandals  and felt like an idiot ! I hated it.  I felt suburban , bright, conspicuous, unsophisticated and overly styled . I could easily have lived without either the sandals ($200) or the blouse ($100) and yet here I am with $300 sunk in two pieces I don't really think are me. And that's just one example ! 7. My ideal look:  a blazer, a silk top or blouse, jeans, trousers ( no, not clean front dress pants) , really great footwear, a good bag and really good jewelry.  A cashmere long cardigan, a silk tank, really good sneakers (nothing kooky ) .  An excellent coat.   Maybe 3 or 4 colours at most in my closet.  Soothing, a spacious and clean closet , beautiful to look at, and well planned. THIS IS MY IDEA OF FASHION NIRVANA.   Is there any hope for me here or am I officially kicked off the island now? Tell me how you manage it all.  :)   xo Lisa Gigi on "Book Review: Forever Chic (long)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-forever-chic-long#post-1925082 Sun, 03 Jun 2018 21:02:20 +0000 Gigi 1925082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Not long ago I finished reading Forever Chic: Frenchwomen’s Secrets for Timeless Beauty, Style, and Substance by Tish Jett (2013). YLF member efbgen recommended it in a post a few months back, and since I am currently interested in learning more about French chic, I thought it would be a good read. And it was! The book is written for les femmes d’un certain âge (women of a certain age), that is, women who are 40 and older—my age bracket (I am 45). Jett is an American journalist who was sent to France to be a Paris fashion correspondent, and the book compiles what she learned from actively researching French style. She still lives in France, having married a Frenchman. She spoke to both high-class French professionals and average women to come up with the gems for this book. Here are some of the things that stuck with me: Body and Face Care: Every Frenchwoman has a dermatologist to recommend the right products for her skin; they don’t mess around with figuring it out themselves. As we age, we need to work harder to maintain what we have than we did when we were twenty—and that’s OK. The key is to view this self-care as a joy and not a burden. Take time to pamper yourself as you apply your creams and serums. You want to be the best version of yourself that you can be. (Translation: We don’t give up and let things go, but neither do we stress unnecessarily about trying to look younger than we are.) Makeup: Bronzer is a favorite of Frenchwomen. They like the just-back-from-St.-Tropez look. Jett talks about bronzer quite a bit, saying that it is important to get just the right shade for your skin and to learn to apply it properly. Makeup is always worn when a woman goes out, even if it’s just to run an errand. It might just be a bit of lipstick and some mascara; you don’t have to do a full face, but you do want to look somewhat put-together. Makeup is generally kept natural looking, unless you are purposely trying to make a statement. Jett mentions that one makeup artist she went to refused to conceal her under-eye circles, saying that they were beautiful and very natural looking. Rose lipsticks are the standard for everyday wear. Nails: Neutral nails are the norm. Many women soak their nail tips in a mixture of water, lemon juice, and peroxide, then push back the cuticles, run a white nail pencil under the tip, and put on a couple of coats of pale pink polish. Hair: Give yourself permission to drop a lot of money on hair, specifically cut and color. Your hair is such an important part of your overall style that you must not skimp in this area! Be willing to work with what you have: your natural texture, face shape, etc. Frenchwomen in general maximize what they have and don’t try to be something that they are not. As we age, generally shorter hair (just above the shoulders) looks best. An “effortless” styling is very popular, but that effortless look might have taken a very long time to achieve (and your French girlfriend will lie and tell you it took her only five minutes). Diet: Frenchwomen don’t deny themselves sweets and rich foods, but they are careful to eat them in moderation. Or, if they splurge one day, they will cut back the next few days to make up for it. The adjustments are minor, not major. They try to eat healthy as a rule, which allows them the occasional indulgence. If they notice that their clothes are getting tight, they adjust what they are eating accordingly until their weight is back to normal. This approach to food is portrayed as very cultural and a lifestyle. Clothing: I skipped most of this chapter because a lot of it I already knew from Angie’s blog. One important point was to maximize your best body traits and minimize your less beautiful traits. For example, if you have a small waist, wear tailored clothing to emphasize that; if you have cellulite, downplay it by wearing a longer skirt. Women rely heavily on tailoring to get their clothes to fit perfectly. They may wear the same dress for thirty years, taking it to the tailor to have seams let out if necessary as they age. Jett mentioned one woman who even had sleeves added to a much-loved sleeveless dress because she no longer wanted to expose her upper arms.  Accessories: Scarves are popular. Hoop earrings are a favorite. Substance: Jett says that women who are cultured and can carry on a good conversation are considered highly attractive—even if they aren’t much in the looks category. She emphasized the importance of attending concerts, plays, and museums and continuing to learn about all kinds of things. My Reaction: I thought this was an excellent book. As I read it, I felt myself growing in acceptance of my aging self. I no longer felt like I had to try to find the latest magical potion to make me look like I’m twenty. At the same time, I felt vindicated in devoting a decent chunk of time (and money) to maintaining my appearance—and actually daring to enjoy that time that I spend on myself. I also made an appointment with a local esthetician for facial product recommendations so that I am not shooting in the dark. I am renewing my commitment to developing my substance side: I agree that a woman of substance is very attractive indeed, and I want to cultivate that. I want to be the best version of myself that I can be. Anonymous on "Book Review #3: The Curated Closet" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924701 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 09:18:45 +0000 Anonymous 1924701@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anuschka Rees is up front about not liking the standard “lists of essentials” but has no problems with lists of her own. while not a fan of “must have “ lists, the premise of the book is to put in the work using her lists to make your own list. She states her method as having 5 key principles- be selective- be authentic-aim of quality-style trumps fashion and put in the work. For the individual who has trouble finding their style I am sure the “work” will pay off. For someone like me who sees her style as organic and ever evolving her process is mind numbing. Part 1 has you documenting your current outfits for at least 2 weeks, answering her questions and analyzing. Part 2 involves discovering your personal style by stuffing file folders ( by hand or on computer) full of pictures of things you like. There are making pie charts, mood boards and writing summaries. Then there is a trip to the store to try on samples of things in your folder, pie chart, mood board and written summary....then revising said folder, pie chart etc etc aaauuugghhh! The gem here was recognize the difference between appreciating something vs wanting to wear something. Part 3 involves closet detox . She offers 3 strategies for wardrobe building: balance- color - outfit formula. Alert! Balance is same old semantics of what constitutes key, basics & statement pieces. Color is the same old semantics of main vs neutral vs accent colors. Outfit formula is same old semantics of small outfit capsule. Part 4 is wardrobe overhaul which is using her list to make your list for shopping. And tips for becoming your own stylist. The real gems are found in her conscious consumer section. She discusses the process of making a purchase that is very valuable. Her guide for assessing garment quality is a must read as is her section on fit and tailoring. For me this was the best part of the book! In general I liked the book and would suggest checking it out of the library to see if you would want to purchase a copy for your personal library. The gems are there. While her methodology speaks to me as tedious at this stage of my life, I imagine in my younger years when knowledge and confidence was lacking her methods would work fine. I think her ideas are great for folks who need step by step instruction for finding their style. I think ANGIE’s blogs are much more informative ( so hit those archives!) and the fantastic YLF Friends have a keen eye for assessing fit, silhouettes, styles that work and give honest evaluation and feedback. As always, this is just my opinion. Others may see it differently. And GIGI - please do the review on Tish Jett’s “ Forever Chic. In my mind that book remains the gold standard.... and yes- if you post it I will gladly chime in. See matching bra and panty post for reference. Anonymous on "Book Review #2 Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-2change-your-clothes-change-your-life#post-1923975 Wed, 30 May 2018 18:02:29 +0000 Anonymous 1923975@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <div>Greetings YLF Friends:</div><div>If you remember, back in late April/early May I posted my first book review on Anna Harvey's "Timeless Style".  I was not thrilled with the book at all and compared it to 3 others that I liked more.  I was also thrilled that other Friends chimed in with books that they recommended.  If you missed it, check out the review and recommended books by YLF Friends here. </div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-book-to-avoid"><a href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-book-to-avoid&nbsp" rel="nofollow">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....&nbsp</a>; </a></div><div> </div><div>So today I am back with Book Review #2: George Brescia's " Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life (because you can't go naked)".</div><div>I enjoyed this book as both a fun and easy read.  He has a quirky sometimes silly or campy sense of humor that weaves through the chapters. He does wax philosophical at times especially in Chapter One :The Secret Language of Clothing like when he says ," The messages carried by your clothing don't only travel outward- they also boomerang their way back to you, affecting your deepest sense of self and identity."  or "that you can use fashion to become present in your life".  I felt he was speaking to me with his comment about  "the eye prefers harmony  or we let fear rules our actions or lack thereof".</div><div>Chapters 2 and 3 introduces you to his approach and offers checklists while Chapter 4 offers a tutorial on color for all you folks that find that is your weak area. Chapter 5 was somewhat disappointing but probably because this is my weak area- the closet. His suggestions were good but I felt like he could have gone into more depth. The remainder of the book speaks to shopping, grooming and becoming "the change you seek".</div><div>He warns of falling back on comfort zones and challenges the reader to always present a "perfect 10" whether at work or play. I should probably make up cards with some of his comments and hang it near my closet for pep talks.</div><div>All in all- I liked it as a fun fashion read to lead into Summer's heavier reads.</div><div> </div><div>My next review will be A Rees'  "The Curated Closet."</div><div> </div><div>As always- this is my opinion and others may feel differently.  Look forward to hearing from you and would love more fashion book recommendations from all of you!!!!  Thanks! </div> Anonymous on "Fashion book to avoid" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/fashion-book-to-avoid#post-1907184 Wed, 11 Apr 2018 23:08:14 +0000 Anonymous 1907184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi YLF Friends- I told you I would get back to you with a review of Anna Harvey’s book “ Timeless Style “. Considering she is a fashion expert ( vogue) and this book was published in 2016, it was a huge disappointment. Do not waste your time or money on old ideas. The stellar advice it offered included: Pg 55- “a down coat with a hood is ideal for bad weather “. You don’t say? Pg 73-“If you like wearing sandals, they don’t work with tights.” Really? Or this one was just great...... Pg 34- “ I bought an A-line skirt the other day- a bit dowdy, I have to say.” I found myself screaming at the book- YOU ARE A FASHION EXPERT- WHY DID YOU JUST BUY A DOWDY SKIRT??? At least in Genevieve Dariaux’s book “ A Guide to Elegance “ you know you are reading a book written in the early 60s and it is a fun and nostalgic snapshot of the advice of that time. Harvey’s book is just tired not Timeless. I much preferred the following: “ You Are What You Wear” by clinical psychologist Jennifer Baumgartner who offers an easy and insightful read as to why we do what we do fashion wise. Or “Forever Chic” by Tish Jett a fashion journalist living in France, who offers a reader an opportunity to “sit with the average French woman while she spills the beans on everything from fashion to facials”. Her women are real and their words wonderful; it is not just another what French women wear book. As always- this is just my opinion. I may be wrong ( have been before, will be in the future) Thanks krishnidoux on "The Cool Factor" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-cool-factor#post-1861080 Thu, 16 Nov 2017 14:01:03 +0000 krishnidoux 1861080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I want to share with you a reading I have been doing that is having an unexpected positive impact on my style journey. I picked up the book The Cool Factor <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.ca/Cool-Factor-Achieving-Effortless-Secrets/dp/157965648X">https://www.amazon.ca/Cool-Fac.....157965648X</a> . At first I didn't want to spend the 40$ it costs, but now I'm glad I did. It's packed with fun ideas that are more about how to wear stuff rather than what stuff to wear. The women featured are all in my age bracket, and are all sublimely, effortlessly stylish. Most don't wear much make-up and display slightly unkempt hair but emit this deliberate, impertinent poise with what looks like natural elegance. In the book, all this is dissected quite precisely, which prompted me to look again at my own wardrobe.  I realize I might have been dwelling in a style rut for the last year or so. Part of the explanation is the fact that I will turn 50 in 2018. Unlike the changes of adolescence, this time every milestone has to be resolved by self love and acceptance of loss. I am sure many of you know what I mean.  This reading is infusing a more than welcome new breath to my style. It's more about mojo than about looks, which is the direction I want to take, and I think the only winning one. I am stepping into a new phase of life, it's like a new level in a video game if you will: new challenges, but also more exciting. When I was younger, I felt I had to decode everybody else's rules and play by them; this time around, I feel I am making my own rules. It's as liberating as it is scary.  Here are some style changes this book have inspired: - Wear my silver jewelry, and pile it on! For me, this strategy works. I am blessed with a type of body that works well with adorning my wrists with ridiculous amounts of cuffs. I find it offsets my (relatively) enlarged biceps and shoulders I get from being a mature woman who works out. Wrists are a new area of my body I am discovering.  - Leather tights - I already owned a neglected pair of simili-leather black cigarette pants I had been lucky enough to find at Winners a few years back. It was slowly creeping its way to the donation box but is now back in my drawer.  - Unexpected combination of very strict and very delinquant in the same outfit yields to sure winners.        Examples of strict: classic blazers, pencil skirts, button downs, suits...        Examples of delinquant: runners, tees, rolled-up anything, non-matching earings, socks in heels, ripped anything, knotting shirts and tees, rocker tee, rebellious jewelry, you get the picture. There are many more ideas in the book. To me, identifying with "cool" seems to be the ticket out of my rut. What I am liking of this experience is the unexpected pull of inspiration I got, and the fact that no further expense is generated, since it encourages me to wear what I already have in a new way.  Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "Our own YLF veteran, Lisa, has written a book (SPOILER: it's fabulous)" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/our-own-ylf-veteran-lisa-has-written-a-book-spoiler-its-fabulous#post-1836149 Mon, 14 Aug 2017 14:03:02 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1836149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ YLF veteran, Lisa, <a rel="nofollow" href="https://shoppingbrake.com/">who some of you might know from her blog, Shopping Brake</a>, has written a book!  I'm on the second chapter now, and it's very, very good! <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Shopping-Brake-Proven-shopping-wardrobe-ebook/dp/B074858SLB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502719239&sr=8-1&keywords=shopping+brake+book">https://www.amazon.com/Shoppin.....brake+book</a> Stagiaire Fash on "Walter Benjamin on fashion" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/walter-benjamin-on-style#post-1822912 Tue, 11 Jul 2017 23:47:31 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1822912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The German Jewish, mystic, Marxist author wrote about fashion quite a bit. My first introduction to that was Susan Buck-Morss' book on Passagenwerk. I'm planning to go reread that and the Benjaminian pieces she refers to. Care to join me? Ledonna N. on "Cinderella ate my daughter...Jenny NZ" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cinderella-ate-my-daughterjenny-nz#post-1821726 Fri, 07 Jul 2017 23:30:41 +0000 Ledonna N. 1821726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jenny, Just wanted to let you know I got the book from the library. My niece was kind enough to pick it up for me and I will read it and get back with you it sounds very interesting in case anybody else wants to read it we can discuss it. njw on "Should I return?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/should-i-return#post-1724699 Wed, 07 Sep 2016 23:56:13 +0000 njw 1724699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I stalked this skirt (when it went on sale) until I found it and got a great deal...who doesn't need a black skirt, midi length?  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/pdp/index.jsp?&color=001&navAction=jump&id=4120336411012#/">http://www.anthropologie.com/a.....=412033641</a>  Well today I thought I would wear it to work and as a size 14/16 I think I looked like a barrel in the skirt...tried a tee with a vest over it , AWFUL.  It can be returned but if there is a "slimming" way to wear it that I am not aware of, please let me know.  I understand I will not look slim and trim because I am not but what would be a flattering way to wear it that would not highlight my big hips/thigh?    All suggestions very much appreciated. Momo on "Book: My Mrs. Brown" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/my-mrs-browmy-mrs-brown#post-1645624 Sun, 17 Apr 2016 12:01:10 +0000 Momo 1645624@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Just read this very sweet book about a lady who decides she will save up and buy a certain dress. I very much enjoyed it and bet other FABers will too :-) From Amazon: From William Norwich, the well-known fashion writer and editor, an unforgettable novel about a woman with a secret who travels to New York City on a determined quest to buy a special dress that represents everything she wants to say about that secret…and herself. Sometimes a dress isn’t just a dress. Emilia Brown is a woman of a certain age. She has spent a frugal, useful, and wholly restrained life in Ashville, a small town in Rhode Island. Overlooked especially by the industries of fashion and media, Mrs. Brown is one of today’s silent generations of women whose quiet no-frills existences would make them seem invisible. She is a genteel woman who has known her share of personal sorrows and quietly carried on, who makes a modest living cleaning and running errands at the local beauty parlor, who delights in evening chats with her much younger neighbor, twenty-three-year-old Alice Danvers. When the grand dame of Ashville passes away, Mrs. Brown is called upon to inventory her estate and comes across a dress that changes everything. This isn’t a Cinderella confection; it’s a simple yet exquisitely tailored Oscar de la Renta sheath and jacket—a suit that Mrs. Brown realizes, with startling clarity, will say everything she has ever wished to convey. She must have it. And so Mrs. Brown begins her odyssey to purchase the dress. For not only is the owning of the Oscar de la Renta a must, the intimidating trip to purchase it on Madison Avenue is essential as well. If the dress is to give Mrs. Brown a voice, then she must prepare by making the daunting journey—both to the emerald city and within herself. Timeless, poignant, and appealing, My Mrs. Brown is a novel for every mother in the world, every woman who ever wanted the perfect dress, and every child who wanted to give it to her. Anonymous on "How can you not order this book?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-can-you-not-order-this-book#post-1634299 Wed, 23 Mar 2016 22:47:32 +0000 Anonymous 1634299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sorry - I'm just full of random information today . We were talking about Andrea Linnett the other day on some thread - I can't remember which.....but I've preordered this to my iPad .  After all, who doens't want to be cool ?  ;) <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.ca/Cool-Factor-Achieving-Effortless-Secrets-ebook/dp/B015X2PG8U/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1458773154&sr=1-1&keywords=andrea+linett">https://www.amazon.ca/Cool-Fac.....1_1?s=book</a> Gigi on "What is your favorite book about style?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-your-favorite-book-about-style#post-1174159 Sat, 22 Feb 2014 03:10:01 +0000 Gigi 1174159@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Do you have a favorite book about style, fashion, or beauty? My favorite is The Triumph of Individual Style (<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Triumph-Individual-Style-Dressing/dp/1563672693">http://www.amazon.com/The-Triu.....1563672693</a>). But I will also confess that it is the only style book I have read to date! :^) I liked it because it was built around examining your own body and how you can "echo" your own body traits in your clothing. For example, the authors have you analyze your facial structure to see if you have generally straight lines or curvy ones, and they show you how you can echo this in clothing details. They also show how you can mimic your bone structure (large, medium, or small) in your choice of handbag, jewelry, and footwear. In short, it provided me with a lot of new ways to think about clothing. What is your favorite book?  Lynn Mally on "Women in Clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-in-clothes#post-1402779 Wed, 26 Nov 2014 15:49:20 +0000 Lynn Mally 1402779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here's a link to my blog post about the book Women in Clothes.  It's a big read!  Maybe tackle it in little bits, rather than plowing through the whole thing. <a href="http://americanagefashion.com/?p=4618" rel="nofollow">http://americanagefashion.com/?p=4618</a> thimblelina on "'Women & Fashion' book discussion opens today!" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-fashion-book-discussion-opens-today#post-1367044 Wed, 01 Oct 2014 16:30:35 +0000 thimblelina 1367044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hello... Lynnette here stepping in for Viva while she travels. If you've finished the first 100 pp of 'Women & Fashion' please chime in! On seperate threads I will begin to post the book's core survey questions 3-4 at a time, looking for answers from all... no need to be a reader to chime in on the personal survey portion. I'm at work now & will be back later with comments. Sooooo until then please 'talk among yourselves!' xo viva on "Looking for a volunteer to moderate the book group starting Oct 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/looking-for-a-volunteer-to-moderate-the-book-group-starting-oct-1#post-1364711 Sun, 28 Sep 2014 14:26:11 +0000 viva 1364711@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi all, Oct 1 is the day we had planned to start discussing the book Women in Clothes. As it turns out, I will be traveling for work this week and probably scarce next week as well due to my work schedule. Renee, aka Gardenchick, who was also behind this idea, is also on the forum less right now due to her schedule. (Sorry to Bait and Switch, or Hit and Run, or whatever vaguely crime-related metaphor you wish to slap us with!) Is anyone interested in being responsible for posting the question on Oct 1 and getting the discussion underway? I'm not sure how much actual "moderating" will be required. I suppose that will be entirely up to you, as we haven't at all set any kind of process for how to handle the discussion. I plan to read on my flights this week and hope to log on enough to post a thought or two -- but I would love for someone to step up and get this going. Thanks in advance!!! Vivian viva on ""Women in Fashion": Book talk begins Oct 1" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/women-in-fashion-book-group-anyone-in#post-1349648 Sun, 07 Sep 2014 23:14:28 +0000 viva 1349648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gardenchick suggested reading and discussing this new book as a group. Is anyone interested? Several people said they might be interested in picking up a copy or looking at it at their library. Mine has come in. And it looks kind of magical. I love to read (this will be my third book group!), and I love all things graphic, and there are amazing images and handwritten excerpts and all sorts of interesting visuals in this book. Plus, it's beautifully put together (I love the font and the weight of the paper). There does not seem to me to be an obvious organizing principle to the content (although it might become clear), so I would suggest that perhaps we decide to read a certain chunk by a particular date and then weigh in with comments. It's 497 pages long (but again, pictures!). I was thinking perhaps the first 103 pages would be a good starting chunk. Is anyone interested? And how much time is reasonable for that amount of reading? Lynn Mally on "Toss the Gloss" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/toss-the-gloss#post-1337761 Fri, 22 Aug 2014 14:19:00 +0000 Lynn Mally 1337761@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A witty book on make up for those over fifty.  Be forewarned, though, she has strong opinions about liquid eyeliner and red lipstick: <a href="http://americanagefashion.com/?p=4391" rel="nofollow">http://americanagefashion.com/?p=4391</a> Lynn Mally on "A book by personal shopper Betty Halbreich" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/a-book-by-personal-shopper-betty-halbreich#post-1034724 Fri, 20 Sep 2013 13:22:53 +0000 Lynn Mally 1034724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ The personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman's, eighty-six year old Betty Halbreich, has been in the news a lot lately.  What isn't widely known is that she wrote a fashion advice book in the late nineties called Secrets of a Fashion Therapist.  If you are interested, I wrote a long review on my blog: <a href="http://americanagefashion.com/?p=3680" rel="nofollow">http://americanagefashion.com/?p=3680</a> MovingFashionForward on "Color Your Style/The Color of Style, by David Zyla" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-your-stylethe-color-of-style-by-david-zyla#post-1123859 Sun, 29 Dec 2013 02:37:31 +0000 MovingFashionForward 1123859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ (Forgive me if this is the wrong place to post this!) I was wondering if those of you who have read David Zyla's book, The Colour of Style (now called Colour Your Style, I think) have managed to establish your 'true colours' using the instructions he gives in the book?  [For anyone who remembers my plaintive post a while back about how I absolutely must reduce the amount of stuff in my wardrobes (well, roomsful of clothes and shoes actually) following a traumatic move from a huge house to a tiny flat, reading this book wasn't just procrastination (no, really!): the idea was that if I were to become persuaded that only a small number of colours suit me (which at a stroke probably excludes a large proportion of my clothes, given my penchant for black and white) that would make it very easy to let go of lots of stuff. Genius! Actually, in a way it has worked in one sense, in that having read David Zyla's book, I am now so flummoxed that I don't feel like buying anything new at all until I get to grips with what David Zyla might deem my colours to be. Not buying anything new is a good start, right?!] Anyway, about the book... I find the idea of the 'true colours' fascinating and useful in principle, but in practice I have no idea what Zyla would say my three eye colours are, because they never seem to be the same colours twice, no matter how carefully I try to avoid reflections from other coloured things etc. Has anyone whose eyes seem to change colour quite considerably depending on light, what you're wearing, what you're looking at, etc, succeeded in coming up with their three eye colours as per David Zyla's book? Then there is the colour of my veins. I think it is predominantly blue, though I can see a reddish-purplish one, yet purple makes me look ill, and green (or at least some greens) definitely suits me, despite the lack of green veins. (Could it be that my skin is most definitely cool-toned, not warm, but my freckles and hair are warmish golden toned, and the green sort of harmonises the coolness and the warmness?) Another problem I have with the book -- which I hasten to add I did find fascinating and am very glad to have read it, my issues notwithstanding -- is the he first appears to say that ones 'season' depends on the colour of one's blushing skin (though I could not tell which description fits mine despite having no trouble seeing the colour)... then later he links this to personality characteristics. For me, that seems a bit tendentious to put it mildly (for me it makes about as much sense as astrology or other cranky nonsense), but even if it did make sense, again, I have not the slightest idea which season or which archetype Zyla might deem me, and reading the descriptions in no way helps, since I could relate to many of them. Which reminds me of cold reading... (And I may be misremembering here, but I think Zyla said that he could tell a person's season and/or archetype just by talking to them on the phone for 5 minutes, never having seen them or a photo of them. So is it a personality thing or determined by the colour of the blushing skin? To me those are unrelated but perhaps I have misunderstood?!) If you have read the book, and better still if you have done the colour analyses Zyla suggests, I would love to hear how you have got on with the book. Apologies if I should have posted this somewhere else. Feel free to move this if appropriate/possible. Sarah Anonymous on "Just finished reading" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/just-finished-reading#post-1131144 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 05:32:54 +0000 Anonymous 1131144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My apologies for forgetting who posted about this great book, leading to my checking it out from the local library (or perhaps it was on the list of Finds on YLF). Anyway, I want to share that this was a very interesting, informative and enlightening biography. Highly recommend. Also sharing that the Chanel look really is everywhere as manifested by my six year old's holiday shoes! (Yes, she picked them out herself). djeegn on "Book Recs" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-recs#post-1118843 Fri, 20 Dec 2013 16:22:06 +0000 djeegn 1118843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi Y'all, I just recently finished up reading the gospel according to Coco Chanel, and Chanel, I thought both were really interesting insights into Coco, does anyone have any other recommendations for books that deal with the intersection of fashion and lifestyle, and use the way/wisdom as the backdrop for the read?   gillianwilliams on "Does an early discovery mean future glory?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/does-an-early-discovery-mean-future-glory#post-1039917 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 10:48:37 +0000 gillianwilliams 1039917@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ At a very young age i experimented with fabrics, and i'd take something and give it a new look, because somehow to me it didn't seem completely normal when something looked "just" ordinary.                                                                                                                                                                                      My parents couldn't figure me out- it was battleship! They failed to understand why i'd tear up my clothing and leave pieces of material lying all over the place...that was the time i CREATED.                                                                                                                                                                            "What is wrong with you? What is so delightful in ruining your clothes? That's it, no more buying you clothes!!!", were the words of my parents.This didn't mean the end to a new wardrobe, no. In fact it meant a change in style.                                                                                                                                     For some reason i have neglected my fashion interest, but now i am ready to get my STYLE on again. I usually always get these wild ideas, i just don't always know what to do with them....can anybody please Help?