The Little Black Book of Style

A swift review of style, or rather of stylists and frankly, I’m being a word-stylist if I point out the platitudes. For a review of famous names, it’s great. But there is a kind of style which women have everywhere and when it’s lacking, it seems to be a symptom that the environment is sick in some way. I was hoping for a different book.

An excellent little fashion-style manual. It's not wordy nor very flashy. It is a slim, quick, and helpful style book. The guide on using cult fashion movies (i.e.: Breakfast at Tiffany's; American Gigalo; Belle du Jour) and music stars was very helpful, especially if you're too young (chronologically or fashionista-ly) to know the connections & influences. The movies and rock stars listed were obvious. Like most fashion/style guidebooks, I did find this one to aslo be a bit snobby. Not everyone can afford a 100% (and long lasting) cashmere sweater to be worn casually to supermarket. A nice arclyic and cotton blend sweater can look just as nice in both professional and personal settings.

THANK YOU NINA GARCIA!!! All my life I felt like a fashion faux pas, like I just couldn't quite get it right. I picked this book up in the middle of an identity crisis looking for help getting it right. For something to help me feel like I was finally "put together." Imagine my surprise when page after page I was faced with descriptions of MYSELF, of the ways I already dressed. Talk about a revelation!

If you've ever felt like I did, or just wish you could change things up a little this book is a fabulous guidepost.

★ ★ 1/2

Meh! There are many things I agree with and many I do not.... Some of the designers she touts, pah over self-aggrandized posers..... Over the edge style is for women who have little else to do with their money & the designers are merely playing up to egos......

The basics she talks about work, the fact that one needs to dress for their own personal sense of style is correct.

Chapters:
Be Your Own Muse
The Basics
Inspirations
What to Wear When
Insider Tips & tricks
Fashion Cliff's Notes: Decade by Decade

I suppose this book is good for those who are really interested in trying to "make it" with the In Crowd. For the rest of us, there is something here to be taken or left behind.

I quite enjoyed reading Nina'sw style advice, even though it wasn't really anything new.

I bought this book on Saturday (3/26/11) and finished it Sunday (3/27/11). It's very easy to get through. There are plenty of illustrations by Ruben Toledo to elucidate Ms. Garcia's points. I'm also reading "The Look Book" by Ms. Garcia, in which she expands upon some of the themes in this small book, such as what to wear for different occasions, and what's appropriate and what isn't in different situations. Like Tim Gunn's "Guide to Quality, Taste and Style," she has a list of fashion-oriented films in the appendix so you can get an idea of different styles through the decades, and how different stars were dressed for their films. There's also a Q&A with various designers, where she asks them different questions, but always ends with show more the question of who or what inspires them and who is the most stylish woman they know. There's also the ubiquitous list of items every woman should have in her wardrobe, and a list of 10 things you must know.

Like I said, it's a very easy, pleasant read. My advice is to not spend too much on the book, because while it is handy, it's not what I consider comprehensive. It's more like a basic overview. The list price for the hardcover I bought is $19.99. I got it for half that with a coupon and my Borders discount card. If you can get it from the library, even better. My advice is to save your money for the really big fashion books, and maybe a subscription to a magazine or two. MissusSmartyPants.com is an excellent resource, too. show less

I liked this book. I agree with the criticisms about her fur stance, but I think that a lot of the advice in there is pretty sound.