The Truth About Style - Kick-Off Thread

Hi everyone and welcome to a new Book Club meeting.

This time we are talking about Stacy London's The Truth About Style. Through a series of "start-overs" with nine women the TLC's "What Not To Wear" cohost explores why we often construct practical and emotional obstacles for ourselves, and how personal style can help us move beyond them to a healthier and happier perception of who we are.

I thought we'd go about this a little differently in the new year: instead of talking your ear off first, I'll let you guys chime in first and I'll be back to let you know what I think too, of course;-)

A few conversation starters:

- What did you think of Stacy's approach, i.e. addressing the underlying emotional "issues" before (and during) creating a new look for the ladies?
- How do you feel about the "I Get It" and "Yes!............And?" features with each chapter?
- Do you think the women selected are a good mix/represent a good variety of different body types, ages, lifestyles...?
- What did you think of the new look and "prescriptions" for each of the women?

I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

11 years ago

Anonymous

Hi Inge! Thank you for heading up the book club and discussion. You're such an articulate moderator!

With a stroke of luck, I read this book a month or so on inter-library loan. Since I don't have it to refer back to, I'll count on others' comments to jog my memory. The thing I remember the most is Stacy's own story about her horrible skin condition as a young girl and her own journey of style. It left quite an impression on me. (I hope we're talking about the same book). I said to DH during a recent WNTW that all stylists should have a minor in psychology (which I think Stacy and Angie both do?). It plays such a role in how and why we dress the way we do.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Inge, you are such a great moderator!

Okay- I have to confess that I haven't given this book the attention it deserves. I "read" it while I was holiday shopping, waiting in line to pay for something. But I was very interested to check it out. Not only because of Angie's lively interview with Stacey but also because my husband had heard her on the radio and came back saying that he thought I'd be very interested in what she had to say. He thought she made some very good points.

I must say that based on my admittedly short perusal, I liked the idea behind this more than I liked the actual results. At least in terms of practical advice I could translate to my own life, that is. I think it is super important to get to the bottom of women's shopping weaknesses, as Angie might put it, or their fashion fears -- and this can really help them take their style to the next step (whatever that is). But, as with many fashion books, I didn't find the final outfits as inspiring as I might hope. Still -- the subjects seemed much happier with their stylings and that has got to be important!

Day Vies

I loved this book, and bought a hard copy last month. I am a WNTW devotee and believe this books explains a lot of Stacey's great one-liners on the show. It's very true that we dress ourselves in our "issues" And when you force people to consider other cuts/styles of clothing you get them to acknowledge what they've been trying to hide or ignore about themselves (usually to the detriment of their whole look). I just found Stacey's personal journey so fascinating and feel the book is more about her explained through the 9 women she chose as opposed to any one of them. So the book isn't a how to more than it is an exploration of using fashion to make a statement about yourself.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Inge! I haven't read the book yet! Sorry! But I will

Great comments so far. I know a little about Stacy's style journey because I interviewed her, but I am curious to read about her precise thoughts on paper.

Jamie

Confession -- I intended to be totally prepared to participate, bought the book, and started it. But the holidays and some unexpected family issues took over, so I'm not very far along. I'm going to give your questions some thoughts, and I will jump back in to follow up.

Caro in Oz

Still waiting on this book from the library:(

Perhaps we can talk about the book again at a later date, Inge?

CocoLion

Oh... I thought we were talking about the Marc Jacobs documentary.

I am so behind!

MsMary

I just ordered this book and will have it by Wednesday. Looking forward to discussing it with you ladies!

Kari

Personally, I think that the exploration of why we dress the way we do - and particularly, what leads us to make some common style pitfalls - was the most compelling and empathetic part of the book. I actually was pleasantly surprised because I thought the book would end up being similar to Clinton & Stacy's style advice book; instead, I got to hear stories from Stacy and other women about their own journeys. As a former teen who was totally mortified by my terrible acne, I particularly related to Stacy's struggles. It was a much more warm and personal approach than what I'd originally expected.

Inge

Moderator

Claire: that is the right book indeed:-)
Jamie, Caro, Denise and MaryK: no worries, time goes by so fast and we can only do so many things a day;-)
Angie: I think that's a very good idea.

> Ladies: how do you all feel about revisiting this book and the discussion in say about a month from now? I'll start a new thread then (and link back to this one, because Kari, Day Vies, Claire and Suz have made some good points already). Would the week of 20 February work for most of you?

Oh Denise: Please feel free to start a new thread on the Marc Jacobs documentary anytime you like (or add your thoughts in the older thread - I just bumped that one too). We'd love to hear your thoughts!

In case this wasn't clear: just because we have moved on to a new title doesn't mean that we can no longer chat about previous Book Club titles, au contraire:-)

Hi Inge - I like your idea of February 20!

Sounds good to me, too, Inge. I will have time to take a more thorough and fair look at the book!

Perfect! Thanks, Inge

Sounds great, and gives me time to re-read and freshen up in the meantime!

Thanks for being so flexible, Inge! I'm excited to get my book in the mail! My mom got me an Amazon gift card for Christmas and this is a great way to use part of it!!

Thank you sweet ladies, 20 February it is then!
Have a fun read, MaryK (Amazon gift cards are brilliant, aren't they;-)

I'm looking forward to chatting about this more next month.

renee

Member

Newbie here.... just finished Stacy London's, "The Truth About Style." Commend the book's message & lessons. Interesting case studies, 50-50% on the actual results..... The artful book design, large & numerous photos masks the limited content.

Karie

I liked this book a lot. I think it deals with a lot of the things Stacy does on WNTW - helping people with their emotional baggage and getting at the underlying causes of why they dress as they do. I like how Stacy "made it real" with the "I get it" sections and with telling her own story.

I have a sister-in-law that my other sister-in-law and I wanted to nominate for the show - we never did because we knew she'd never do it. She used to be a very fashionable dresser, but not for about the last 15 years. Her clothes are always at least 2 sizes too big - she thinks she's "fat" and she's no where in the neighborhood of even having a few extra pounds (my guess is she would be a size 6 or 8). She wears clothes with holes in them and refuses to allow her picture to be taken at family functions. She is a sweetheart of a woman who has been through a lot but for some reason now refuses to focus on herself.

So this book has kind of "hit home" with me - I like the "prescriptions" for each of the women, and I do think there was a fairly good cross section of body types, ages, etc.

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