Edith Head (1897–1981)

My favorite section in this should-have-been-a-classic self-help book is "How to Dress to Get a Man...and Keep Him." A charming throwback to the days of more straightforward morality where a woman's place in the world was dependent on her ability to hunt down a man and ensnare themselves in the bonds of matrimony, Ms. Head classifies men in terms of how you should dress (and behave) for them. From page 30, regarding the Sophisicated Man-about-Town: "If he takes you out dancing (which he most show more certainly will) he doesn't mind if people turn around to stare at you if you look simply smashing--but he'll steer you to the darkest corner if you look too bizarre." Ladies, we have been warned... show less

A hilariously out-of-date guide to fashion and how a woman should dress. With sections exhorting women to dress properly to get and keep a man, and other such priceless advice, this book is really more of a historical curiosity than a guide for contemporary women. That said, it is a lot of fun to read, and my copy was a lovely object, covered in lavender cloth with silver tooled lettering on the cover and spine.

The whole point of a gossip book is to gossip. There's not enough gossip, although Ms Head does dish out some nice details about the stars with whom she worked. But she's just too NICE about the whole thing.

Still an interesting read, and it is a reflection of a kinder, gentler Hollywood--or at least one much more likely to cover up the real scandals.

Not quite as dishy as I would have liked. And since Edith Head was Paramount Picture's fashion designer for decades, I'm sure she was just full of dish. Alas that this book came out in a gentler time, when people were less likely to write and tell. Still, good stuff about the Hollywood fashion world.