Alison Freer

I'd been wanting to read this, as I've enjoyed Alison Freer's columns at xoJane for ages (speaking of which, they seem to have disappeared since the book was published). The local library still doesn't have it, so I finally plunked down $8 for the Kindle copy (the price has dropped since it was first published). It's a quick, easy read and will be a useful reference for years to come, especially for the chapters on stain removal and basic alterations.

I do wish there had been a few more show more illustrations in the discussions of alterations. Most – certainly not all – of the alterations she discussed require only basic sewing skills and many readers could probably figure out how to do them with just a little more description and a couple of line drawings. I've been hemming my clothes pretty much entire life, as it's a necessity at my height, and I've learned to do a few other basic alterations as well. As a teen in the 1970s when we were all supposed to be wearing men's jeans, I figured out the so-called secret of putting a couple of darts in the back of the waist to make my pants fit better (even then, I did not have boyish hips). I'm no seamstress, but I've also taken in the top half of a dress at the side seams to remedy gaping armholes; I'm confident I could manage other such basic alterations with a bit of guidance.

Having said that, I really do appreciate how thorough this book is about making sure your clothing fits properly and in providing instruction in how to take proper care of your clothes. show less

4.25-4.5 Stars
A beginner's guide to selecting clothes that fit, the different types of fits & cuts, how to clean a variety of fabrics, and how to organize your closet. There are some really good ideas (costume secrets) in here that anyone would find helpful, especially those in a hurry or in with a smaller budget. I plan on using some of the closet-organizing suggestions immediately.

I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.

Unexpectedly fantastic - written by a Hollywood costume designer, this book covers all of the stuff you need to know about fit, alterations, and clothing maintenance. Feels dishy enough to be entertaining, too.

I read this book as an electronic advance reading copy provided by NetGalley, and I have submitted my comments to the publisher via that web site.

This book offers lots of smart, helpful tips on style, which the author says is most dependent on fit. She has a friendly, body positive attitude and is a firm believer that your clothes should fit your body (not vice versa). I especially enjoyed the information about alterations and what proper fit should look and feel like. My only suggestion is show more that I wish there were more detailed instructions about taking one's own measurements. Highly recommended for all libraries. show less