STYLE TALK
Miss T.
POSTED: Tue, 08/24/2010 - 12:18pm
Books on style?
Hello ladies,I am new to posting here (though I've been a member of the website for some time!) I am trying to decide what I need to do for my wardrobe! I have a lot of clothes of varying quality, but I really need some basics and HELP.
Have any of you read any books on style that you liked? I know there are a million of them out there, but I wondered if anyone had some favorites (that were particularly french perhaps?)
Mireille - if you are reading this - PLEASE write a book on french style next!! All of your little tips are fantastic but if you wrote a book I would not hesitate to buy 10 copies for myself and my girlfriends. <3
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Elizabeth G
POSTED: Sat, 09/04/2010 - 8:48pm
Style books that I enjoy
Hi Miss T! I've been gone from this board for a while, but have enjoyed catching up with this conversation. I'm actually a big fan of Tim Gunn and like his Guide To Style quite a bit. He does a decent job of addressing how different lifestyles, body types, and personalities should be factored into achieving a chic, maintainable style of dressing. I don't believe "Simple Isn't Easy" is in print any longer, but it looks like used copies are available Amazon.com. I bought my copy on eBay, and simply LOVE this book. It's a really straightforward, fun to read guide on purging your closet of mistakes, determining what works best for you, avoiding impulse shopping, and lots of other topics. I highly recommend it.http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Isnt-Easy-Personal-Fantastic/dp/0061093947
Vintage1944
POSTED: Sun, 09/05/2010 - 10:57am
Oh Oh
More books I MUST have.Sigh.Ava
POSTED: Fri, 09/03/2010 - 6:17am
Hello Miss T
French Style? Check out Paris Vogue or look online, there are some great blogs out there with ideas and photos (I've listed some of my fav's at the bottom). I have a number of books on style - some more useful than others! The ones I find particularly good for sounding out a basic 'essential items' list are:Style Clinic; Harpers bazaar Great Style; A Guide To Elegance; Things A Woman Should Know About Style; Debrettes Etiquette For Girls; InStyle Secrets Of Style.
I have many other books including; Books on Chanel; Nina Garcia little black book; One Hundred etc; L is for Lady; InStyle Instant Style; Lisa B; Who Do You Want To Be Today; Vintage Style; Elegance; Audrey Hepburn (around 12 books on her fashion) but the ones I use the most are the Style Clinic and Harpers Bazaar books.
My ultimate style bible is Paris Vogue as you can always find something in there to inspire you! UK Vogue is also good, as is Harpers Bazaar. I also find the Audrey Hepburn, Chanel, Vintage Style & Elegance books are all great sources for inspiration. Your style should be your own! Fashion is fun but why follow the pack? I'd rather be stylish and chic than look like I've just walked out of Primark! Vintage stores & eBay provide one off designs and charity shops are good for quality basics at great prices. I love fashion because it is fun and can be beautiful (check out Dior Couture AW10), I add elements (not whole outfits) of it each season, that way you can spend more on good quality classics, like a camel cashmere Maxmara coat that will last an age; yes, I do have one :-) Good luck on your style voyage and have fun with it! Bon chance!
A few of the blogs I Like (Fashion & Interiors) You may have to search them to find bits about France / Paris - enjoy!
http://www.vogue.fr/
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/
http://www.garancedore.fr/en
http://bardotinblue.com/
http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com/
http://french-kissed.com/
http://frenchessence.blogspot.com/
http://athousandclappinghands.blogspot.com/
http://garvinweasel.blogspot.com/
http://foodflirt90210.blogspot.com/
Dior: AW10 http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/show.aspx/catwalk-report/id,9278
Marilyn
POSTED: Sun, 09/05/2010 - 7:05am
Blogs
Thank you, Ava. I have saved a couple of those as favourites to have a good browse when I have a quiet moment.Have you read 'French Home' by Josephine Ryan? I enjoyed it and dip in regularly when in need of inspiration. Also 'Jean Muir:Beyond Fashion' by Sinty Stemp, great photos.
Style is a personal matter and I find that by just adding a quirky touch occassionally you can lift an outfit out of the back of the wardrobe and make it as new.
Ava
POSTED: Sat, 09/11/2010 - 5:32am
I haven't
read those books but I'll see if I can find them in Waterstones and have a browse!Style is indeed personal and should reflect your individuality. When I'm dressing, I ask myself if I look 'classically chic and stylish'. If I don't think I do quite, then I'll change something. However, if I think I do...then I'm ready for the off with a touch of lipstick and a little perfume!
Vintage1944
POSTED: Fri, 09/03/2010 - 9:04am
Good Morning Dear Ava
Thanks for the blog list.Looks like a few hours of fun and glam ahead.I did buy the Seeberger Bros. book.Really interesting and lovely,and a few fashions that caused a guffaw.When I am through it goes across the sea to Nya_Nya.How was your visit with your sister?What fun things did you do?
Mine flew back to Miami yesterday.Quite lonely here.Being the brilliant Designer that she is ,she turned my Bijoux place in to a real bijoux,with very little expenditure.We did lots of fun things.OXO Jean
Marilyn
POSTED: Sun, 09/05/2010 - 7:08am
Happy Sunday, Jean
Don't be lonely we are all here. I know it's not the same but we are all sisters at heart. Bet your apartment is a real jewel with happy memories of your sister.Vintage1944
POSTED: Sun, 09/05/2010 - 10:08am
Happy Sunday Marilyn
You are so like my sisters.That is the joy and pleasure of sharing with you.OXOThe place looks so chic.And mainly done with what I already own.Lorraine(my sis)arranged my art work and it looks smashing.Rearranged my furniture(amazing when you know what you are doing).Put up a simple floating shelf above my desk ,changed the hardware in the kitchen and sorted the bookshelf and added a few decorative items,I already owned.The piece de resistance is the Mid Century Mordern wood end table with a glass top that we bought at St.Vincent de Paul shop for gasp and drum roll...$9.99.YESSSS!It was really funny,because we were tired and I said let's go tomorrow...NO today was the reply,and as if a magnet drew her ,there it was.Such fun.
Ava
POSTED: Fri, 09/03/2010 - 4:46pm
Hello lovely Jean!
Sounds as though you had a really terrific time with your sister - go girl! As for her designer skills - take full advantage! You can't go wrong with advice, especially if it is GOOD and FREE ;-)My sister and I spent the day at The Notting Hill Carnival. My longest standing friend came with us and then we spent hours going around London in her black cab - free of course; seeing all the sights! We had a great laugh. We also visited our grandmother and our then very pregnant cousin (she gave birth last night!)
I think Nya_Nya will also appreciate the 'Elegance' book. I would love to have their lifestyle - oh to travel back in time to the golden age!
Nya_Nya
POSTED: Sat, 09/04/2010 - 5:37am
Elegance
I sure will! And I think we'd all like to travel back to the golden age - maybe we can book a group trip ;)Congratulations on the new baby in the family! It's always a nice thing, getting new family members, though my family is rather 'old' so babies are scarce. It will be my turn next, i think :)
Vintage1944
POSTED: Sat, 09/04/2010 - 9:16am
Tee Hee
Yes let's book a tour!!Vintage1944
POSTED: Fri, 09/03/2010 - 5:03pm
First
Congratulations on the new baby in the family.Beautiful.Would adore a free cab ride about London.Would adore ANYTHING in London.:-))And would like to see The Notting Hill Carnival.Presently,I am mooning over the latest issue of Britain magazine.
Golden Age life has a real appeal.Dream,dream,dream.OXO Jean
Ava
POSTED: Sat, 09/04/2010 - 3:18pm
Hello both
A baby in time for Christmas - she will be spoilt; I just know it!A good way to 'tour' London and Britain is via google earth :-) It's great for looking at places such as Paris, Rome, & Venice too - in fact, it's pretty good for looking at just about everywhere on the planet!
Marilyn
POSTED: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 9:05am
Message for Mireille
Agreeing with Miss T. We need a style book please. Take pity on us and write one next.Vintage1944
POSTED: Thu, 09/02/2010 - 9:29am
Mais oui
I am all for this idea.Sheri
POSTED: Mon, 08/30/2010 - 6:53pm
3 recommendations
Dress Like a Million - Leah Feldon (also author of Dressing Rich) How Do I Look? - Gale Hayman (of Giorgio, Beverly Hills) and the Elegance Book by Dariaux previously mentioned. (Elegance I admit I have not "really" read - I bought it at a used book store - my copy is from 1964. I will read it now though, thanks to the inspiration.)Nya_Nya
POSTED: Wed, 08/25/2010 - 3:21am
There are three books that might solve all your problems...
I'd recommend A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions by Genevieve Dariaux as the cornerstone. It was writen decades ago but it's the best and if you are capable of translating her guidelines to the modern time it has no equal.As for more contemporary books, there's The Little Black Book of Style by Nina Garcia, which is modern, useful and fun to read, but I suggest you borrow it, and not buy it because half of it is completely useless to help you get a style of your own. It deals with the history of fashion and with fashion icons from music, film and the like. The first part, however, is good.
The last one I'd recommend is Things a Woman Should Know About Style by Karen Homer, but it comes No.3 for a reason. It's a funny book. Great advice is mixed up with completely useless stuff that is probably trying to be funny but falls short. It repeats the main points that you will find in book 1 and 2, and it also gives you a new feeling for style, making it more effortless and natural - at least it did for me.
I hope this was of some help. I suggest you look at all three of them, preferably in the order they are listed.
Sheri
POSTED: Mon, 08/30/2010 - 7:24pm
Elegance - Dariaux
Thanks for suggesting this book. I am amazed at the solid advice. And I must comment on the change of perspective. (Not the gloves and hats.) Written in 1964, I understand that age 70 would seem "really very elderly". What a difference now! I work with very physically active individuals in their 60's, 70's, 80's and they seem youthful. I am grateful that perception (and reality) are changing.Miss T.
POSTED: Thu, 08/26/2010 - 4:46pm
Thank you!
This is fantastic!! Wow I believe I will get straight to reading these :-) Did you ever see or read Tim Gunn's book? Amazon is telling me to check that out as well!Nya_Nya
POSTED: Fri, 08/27/2010 - 3:46am
No, sorry, I'm not familiar
No, sorry, I'm not familiar with that one. But Amazon is not necessarily a good guide: I have some embarrassing buys at home to prove it :)Nya_Nya
POSTED: Fri, 08/27/2010 - 3:34am
No, sorry, I'm not familiar
No, sorry, I'm not familiar with that one. But Amazon is not necessarily a good guide: I have some embarrassing buys at home to prove it :)Miss T.
POSTED: Mon, 08/30/2010 - 4:29pm
ha!
Me too!Vintage1944
POSTED: Thu, 08/26/2010 - 7:01pm
Hi
You have plenty to be going on with and fun ahead.I have Nya_Nya's copy of Things a Woman Should Know About Style.Some good points and silliness.We are doing a transatlantic book exchange.If you want to see this one I'd be happy to send it on to you.JeanMiss T.
POSTED: Mon, 08/30/2010 - 4:29pm
Oh how fun!
What a great idea!meneia
POSTED: Wed, 08/25/2010 - 5:49am
Elegance
I'm also a fan of Genevieve Antoine Dariaux's book. I also like "How to Dress for Success" by Edith Head, but the first one is more applicable to a modern audience.Vintage1944
POSTED: Tue, 08/24/2010 - 10:10pm
Hi
Me again...Amazon.com will let you have a look at The Pocket Stylist.Vintage1944
POSTED: Tue, 08/24/2010 - 10:05pm
miss T
Welcome and how nice to see you posting.The book I have liked on style is written for "women of a certain age"as I am .It is Style Evolution by Kendall Farr.She also wrote the Pocket Stylist,which you might find more useful.And I would also suggest The Satorialist blog.He takes photos of fashinable people on the street all around the world and talks about style/fashion.It is terrifi.And on this site anything by mireille about style and fashionWe aslo had a discussion going about Finding Your Own Style and some of that could help.Good luk and have fun.JeanMiss T.
POSTED: Thu, 08/26/2010 - 4:48pm
Hello Jean!
Thank you so much for the warm response! :-) I have read a bit more into a few of the threads in the "Style" section and really found some great advice. I DO actually read that Satorialist also! I get so excited to see updates from him, all very interesting people!Vintage1944
POSTED: Thu, 08/26/2010 - 7:13pm
Hello Miss T
I am glad you are finding the style discussions helpful.We are all at different ages and stages of life and style,so there's plenty to share.The Sartorialist is a treat,I agree.I am looking forward to hearing more about your Style Journey.OXO JeanVintage1944
POSTED: Tue, 08/24/2010 - 10:05pm
Rats
My c sticks...luck