https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 05 Apr 2026 05:41:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1925033 Sun, 03 Jun 2018 17:31:17 +0000 Anonymous 1925033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SHEVIA- thanks for the tips - I will have to check them out. Except for Kendall Farrs- I have both of hers already and really like them both. You should post a review.<br /> LIESBETH- yes Rees book would be beneficial for people who need and / or enjoy the process or methodology. That’s what is nice about the myriad of books and the YLF site. Something for everyone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924950 Sun, 03 Jun 2018 12:03:58 +0000 Liesbeth 1924950@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just want to add that I think the into mind approach is not just for total novices but also for those of us who cannot find the forest through the trees anymore :). Like many, my main introductions to style advice were what not to wear and seasonal color analysis (found in every magazine throughhout my formative years lol). When I came across into min I really needed that kind of methodic introspection in order to find my own preferences and needs after years of confusion about whether or not to wear taupe and cap sleeves (to name just two things that supposedly flatter me but that don’t make me happy). I liked Anushka’s non-prescriptive approach, which is also what I like about ylf. Angie however is clearly more pragmatic and experienced with clients and gives great advice on how exactly to make things work if they are not conventionally flattering, for exqmple. Plus the lovely community :)<br /> And thanks shevia for listing your favorite style books, I’ll check those for sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924903 Sun, 03 Jun 2018 02:20:28 +0000 Jaime 1924903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the review. I love style books and have read many but not this one. I appreciated her blog, but I am an wardrobe artist rather than a wardrobe scientist and given my love of second hand and thrifting as a hobby in itself have a somewhat different attitude to wardrobe building.</p> <p>FWIW the following are some of the style books I have found the most interesting.<br />The Triumph of Original Style (in a league by itself)<br />Secondhand Chic by Crista Well (not just about second hand - a lot of good information about quality of fabric and sewing)<br />Minimalism and Fashion by Elysaa Dimant (the best I have found on&nbsp; minimalism in art and design NOT limiting your wardrobe size)<br />The Pocket Stylist by Kendall Farr (a great guide to some basic concepts that you will see again and again if you start reading about style)<br />I love your style by Amanda Brooks (She comes off as very elitist and perhaps somewhat obnoxious but there are great pictures and information.)</p> <p>I am sure there some pearls I am forgetting. And I have read every one of Angie's blogs having had the fortune of finding her shortly after she started! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924902 Sun, 03 Jun 2018 01:49:21 +0000 3style 1924902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Seconding Jenni NZ in appreciation of Debbie and Sally’s blogs. Also sorry to see them “off the air” so to speak. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924877 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 23:43:43 +0000 Anonymous 1924877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SUZ- I agree there are many books that are glorified magazines. It has gotten worse with self publishing -don’t get me started on this:-(<br /> I agree with STERLING- you can navigate this site better than anyone;-)<br /> RACHYLOU- the conscious consumer section is why I advise to not bypass it completely. Not being real computer savvy Pinterest can bring me to tears- not in a good way- lol.<br /> LISA- so glad I was not alone in feeling that way.<br /> STYLE FAN and JOY- I so agree- that’s why I had to end the review with a shout out to ANGIE and ALL THE WONDERFUL YLF FRIENDS.<br /> JENNI- I stepped up my blog watch when I retired and recovering from surgeries and a broken foot. When you are a captive audience you are limited in activities. Books and blogs of all kinds kept me from going crazy. I find fashion blogs are either a strong love or hate- rarely in between. YLF has a nice balance of info and opinions and I love the international part of it. My review of books can be all over the map as some just catch my fancy while others grate on me... no rhyme or reason- hence my disclaimers. I do like “color me beautiful”- it was the only real one on the market when I was starting my interest in fashion. I remember checking out T &amp; S ‘s book out of library because of their show was in syndication here in States. I have quite a book collection ( have dumped many also).<br /> Thanks all for your thoughts and support. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924842 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 21:52:52 +0000 Jenni NZ 1924842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>YLF is the only blog I read, but before I found it I was reading Debbie Roes' blog Recovering Shopaholic and I learned about YLF from there- and also learned about Sally's blog Already Pretty. Since Debbie and Sally have stopped blogging I only read Angie. Before I joined up I read every blog post Angie had ever written! Imagine the time in that!<br /> I think I needed Angie's advice because of having gained weight and not being as easy a shape to dress for the past 11 years since menopause.<br /> In past years I had read Carole Jackson's Colour Me Beautiful in my early 20s and then Trinny and Susannah's The Body Shape Bible in the late 00s. The only 2 style books I own are a NZ one I won in a competition at its launch ( and had signed by the author) and another updated colour one I got for about $8 on sale. They are not as good as YLF advice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924830 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 21:17:47 +0000 Anonymous 1924830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for these reviews. YLF and playing in my closet and Angie’s Team A or Team B questions have taught me so much and helped me eliminate some things that I appreciate on others but don’t wear myself. That is what I need most at this point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924817 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 20:00:27 +0000 Anonymous 1924817@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I bought the book a year ago or so, and admit I lost consciousness part way through &nbsp;and have not picked it up again . Mind-numbing indeed. &nbsp;Over analysis drives me crazy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924792 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 17:07:29 +0000 Style Fan 1924792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the review.&nbsp; I read some of the Into Mind blog and got the ebook.&nbsp; I might have started it.&nbsp; I am great at starting those sort of things but then I don't finish. &nbsp;<br />I do find the YLF blog very helpful.&nbsp; I look through the old posts and find all kinds of gems.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924781 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 16:20:49 +0000 rachylou 1924781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The conscious consumer part sounds very interesting to me. There’s a lot I don’t know about garment construction etc. Info like that is probably the one thing I got out of Kibbe - it somehow led me to a greater knowledge of fabric and drape and so forth.</p> <p>Also interesting is the point about appreciating and wanting to wear. That’s rather what led me to YLF. I really like to play with fashion, but found I lacked... consistent and consonant ‘messaging.’</p> <p>... You know, the thing about YLF is that it’s an actual space to do the work. I have Pinned thousands of images, but I never actually go back and look at my boards! Lol! And I mean, I have lost my outfit selfies several times in the past due to computer crashes and YLF was how I got them back! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924765 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 15:15:43 +0000 Suz 1924765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you so much for these reviews, <b>efbgen</b>! It's really interesting to hear your thoughts. I have found most fashion books...uh...somewhat lacking...more like plumped up magazine articles, shall we say? So it is good to know which ones offer more promise and in what areas.&nbsp;</p> <p>I used to look at the Into Mind blog occasionally and downloaded the e-book and began but never completed the process. The timing was off for me -- I had discovered it after I came to YLF and was already developing more fashion confidence to the point where I could operate more intuitively.&nbsp;</p> <p>I could certainly identify with the point you took from this book about the difference between <b>appreciating</b> a garment and wanting to wear it. I am sending back the Jade Boden dress for precisely that reason. I appreciate its whimsical bright pattern and the retro cut -- but do not want to <b>wear</b> it.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Sterling</b>, thanks for the praise, but honestly -- it's a cinch! &nbsp;The way to find relevant posts in the archives (blog OR forum) is simply to do a keyword search. Expand to "all time" if you want to go back to the olden days.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924735 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 12:16:18 +0000 Anonymous 1924735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>STAYFIT- thanks for the vote of confidence but I honestly don’t know if I would call it an “accurate assessment “ - lol. I can be an opinionated little twerp at times. But I enjoy reading a variety of things but fashion books are my fun thing. I still use Pinterest though I am not a,ways good at navigating it.<br /> LIESBETH- that’s why STERLING and I both thought it is more useful when you are starting out and need both a roadmap and confidence. When you have more experience sometimes those things that would have worked back in the day no longer hold appeal as a methodology. Agree on YLF.<br /> Thanks for your thoughts </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924731 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 12:05:11 +0000 Anonymous 1924731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>STERLING- you hit the nail on the head. Back in the day it would have made a big difference in my wardrobe planning ......but now- well sometime age brings a degree of wisdom. Unfortunately age does little for level of patience which is why it was at times like nails on a chalkboard. I always cut out pictures from magazines and catalogs but never did the mood board. I’m serious when I suggest you check it out of the library because the final chapters really do have great tidbits. It’s a quick read with lots of pictures ( minimalist style, muted pallet all). I just found out about her blog a couple of days ago- go figure. I have quite a few blogs I follow via my Feedly account ( including ANGIE’s) some are better than others.<br /> But i find this sight remarkable. The collective knowledge is amazing.<br /> If you want to know about other books let me know. It’s how I decompress and or take a break from heavy reading.<br /> Thanks for your thoughts </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924730 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 12:02:14 +0000 Liesbeth 1924730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did not read that book, but followed the blog years ago and purchased (and worked through) her first e-book, which was a workbook. Into mind was really the best approach for me for figuring out my personal style and then building a wardrobe on that. But I AM a very methodical person who loves pie charts and all that :). It was a great relief to me that I didn’t need to be born with style, I could practice my eye and make better choices through an analytical instead of intuitive approach. I did need lots of handholding. Only lately have I let go a bit of the strictly planned shopping lists, to allow some more love at first sight purchases and wildcards. I think Anouchka prepared me to get the most out of ylf now, because I have a solid foundation and can better judge which trends or advice will work for ME. At the same time, I love how ylf opens my eyes to new possibilities and makes sure I don’t get stuck in my own ideas of what’s right and what’s not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924729 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 12:02:00 +0000 Staysfit 1924729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Efbgen, many thanks for this and your previous thoughtful book reviews! I am an avid reader, and it’s helpful to have an accurate assessment of a books content prior to selection because my time is limited. </p> <p>My very first approach at creating some structure for clothing purchases after finding the forum involved creating a mood board using Pinterest. I remember choosing three objects that I found compelling and then using them to form some parameters for my style that season. I only recall two of my objects at the moment, but I can look back and find the post and the board—( a humming bird and an ivory bracelet that had a fairly smooth surface). In any case, it was an interesting exercise, but I found it felt unnatural and too time consuming for my busy life. I needed something less cumbersome, and I agree that Angies old posts in the archives, and the helpful eyes of the forum have been the best tools for my purposes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924726 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 11:47:13 +0000 Anonymous 1924726@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A comment about YLF archives. &nbsp;The information is definitely there. &nbsp;I have never been able to find what I need when I need it though. &nbsp;There are Forum Members, like <b>Suz</b>, that can instantly provide long lists of archived posts that are exactly on topic. &nbsp;I still marvel at her skills. &nbsp;Obviously, mine are lacking. &nbsp;</p> <p>I do go back periodically and just review the older posts. &nbsp;I haven't done that in a while. &nbsp;Perhaps this summer would be a good opportunity to do a refresher. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/book-review-3-the-curated-closet#post-1924725 Sat, 02 Jun 2018 11:39:27 +0000 Anonymous 1924725@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As soon as I knew you were reviewing this book, <u>I was eagerly awaiting your review</u>. &nbsp;You read fast. &nbsp;</p> <p>I used to read&nbsp;Anuschka Rees' blog years ago. &nbsp;When she stopped blogging, I was genuinely sad. &nbsp;I admit to buying mood board supplies. &nbsp;They are still sitting in my office. &nbsp;The idea of a mood board made so much sense to me back then, but the implementation was ... well, hard. &nbsp;</p> <p>I never bought her book, but I was always curious. &nbsp;Your reviews are so riveting. This statement, in particular, was enlightening: &nbsp; "<i>The gem here was recognize the difference between appreciating something vs wanting to wear something.</i>" &nbsp;</p> <p>What I appreciated about her blog was that years ago <u>I really did need hand holding and structure</u>. &nbsp;I was an undisciplined buyer. &nbsp;I bought what caught my eye <u>without a plan</u>. &nbsp;</p> <p>My pre-YLF closet definitely reflected that tendency (it was a disaster). &nbsp;I was literally that woman that spent thousands on her wardrobe, owned breathtakingly-gorgeous garments, and could not get dressed in the morning to go to work. &nbsp;</p> <p>It took a lot of work and religiously reading YLF to achieve a workable closet that I was proud of in 2017. &nbsp;So yes, I agree with you reading YLF archives is a powerful tool. &nbsp;But for the beginning woman, one right out of college, that is trying to transition to a work world, with next to no money, perhaps&nbsp;Anuschka Rees' book could provide an important foundation to get started. &nbsp;If I remember correctly, she really tried to steer her readers to buying carefully and consciously. &nbsp;That was something that appealed to me greatly in her blogs. &nbsp;</p> <p>Like you, I am at a completely different place in my life and wardrobe building. &nbsp;So it sounds like her book wouldn't really help me all that much today (I bookmarked her blog on assessing quality). &nbsp;But I can't help but wonder if her book would not have been the gold standard in my 20's. &nbsp;I remember feeling so lost and confused back then. &nbsp;</p> <p>I sincerely want to thank you for sharing your reviews with us. &nbsp;They really have been fascinating to read. &nbsp; </p> 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/ <p>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.<br /> 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.</p> <p>Part 1 has you documenting your current outfits for at least 2 weeks, answering her questions and analyzing.<br /> Part 2 involves discovering your personal style by stuffing file folders<br /> ( 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.<br /> 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 &amp; 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.<br /> Part 4 is wardrobe overhaul which is using her list to make your list for shopping. And tips for becoming your own stylist.</p> <p>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!</p> <p>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.<br /> 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>As always, this is just my opinion. Others may see it differently.</p> <p>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. </p>