4.35

4

Mar 01, 2018

I hesitated to pick this up, because I already am pretty savvy in this department. But i did pick it up and read it, because I am a fan of The Late Olivia Goldsmith's writing and it was like she was speaking to me from the grave. (I have never and will never get over her dying in such a foolish, needless way and I mourned her as I read this. Why Olivia, WHY?)
This tiny little book is cute and bubbly and actually helpful--tells you how to declutter your closets and drawers, get organized, simplify I hesitated to pick this up, because I already am pretty savvy in this department. But i did pick it up and read it, because I am a fan of The Late Olivia Goldsmith's writing and it was like she was speaking to me from the grave. (I have never and will never get over her dying in such a foolish, needless way and I mourned her as I read this. Why Olivia, WHY?)
This tiny little book is cute and bubbly and actually helpful--tells you how to declutter your closets and drawers, get organized, simplify your wardrobe and your life, and the advice is doable for almost everyone who isn't a Hoarder. There is SO much awesome advice on how to save money on clothes (and look better) by making judicious choices.
This reads like a Woman's Magazine article, which makes sense since an editor of Vanity Fair and Harper's Bazaar, Amy Fine Collins, co-wrote it with Goldsmith. I loved the clever
illustrations. I loved Olivia's anecdotes about her own struggles and journey to her own style, as well as hearing about those of her friends and acquaintances who found what worked best for their unique bodies and personalities.
This is a FABULOUS stocking stuffer for any woman, from age 12 to 92 (and maybe even from 10 to 100).

Some samples of great advice/lines:
Looking good--at ANY weight--Is Possible
A Waist is a Terrible Thing to Mind
Comfort and style are not necessarily contradictory and can be closely related.
Make your imperfections your trademarks
What you've been told are your defects May in fact be your strongest points
Get rid of the sentimental favorites.
Contemplate the tragedies in your closet.
Unload those really expensive things that just didn't work. "I don't care it its Versace and the most expensive skirt you ever bought--you look like a hippo in it, so put it aside."
Don't shop with the wrong friend and Don't shop when you're miserable.
Get a lint brush/tape roller: "I have both a cat and a dog, along with a preference for dark colors
that attract everything but men and money."
"Opening your closet door should be like arriving at a really good party where everyone you see is someone you like."

I can't disagree with ANY of the advice--most of it I came up with on my own independently and it is delightful to have one's experience and good taste reinforced--and this was pure fun, fluff and Sassy Good Sense. ...more

4

Mar 09, 2018

This was a really cute book and was fun to read.

A few tips I would like to implement from this book are...
- to pay more attention to what clothes flatter me, and if I love/hate an item of clothing I would like to step back and ask "why".
- I would also like to try to up the quality of my clothes, especially my work clothes, as currently my work and home attire are almost exactly the same. I should dress up a bit more for work, even if I have to sacrifice a bit of comfort (as Goldsmith said, This was a really cute book and was fun to read.

A few tips I would like to implement from this book are...
- to pay more attention to what clothes flatter me, and if I love/hate an item of clothing I would like to step back and ask "why".
- I would also like to try to up the quality of my clothes, especially my work clothes, as currently my work and home attire are almost exactly the same. I should dress up a bit more for work, even if I have to sacrifice a bit of comfort (as Goldsmith said, comfort is relative to the person and situation). I should ditch clothes that are worn out (I tend to hang on to pretty items that have holes, and just hope no one will notice).
- I also liked her idea of putting sentimental clothing items in a box instead of hanging in one's closet, as "closets are not journals".

I feel like I naturally already do a lot of the practices that Goldsmith recommends in her book. This is not to say that I have great style or clothes savvy, but I already try to keep my clothes / closet as simple as possible. I do periodic purges of my closet and get rid of items I don't wear. I am happy that I don't go shopping as a hobby, as it has never been all that fun for me. When I do go shopping I try to only buy items that will become one of my 7 favorite items of clothing. Otherwise I wont wear it, as I will wear my #1, then #2, then #3 (and so on) favorite items of clothing, then clean them, then repeat. I never buy clothes that have flaws (not soft, too tight in one section, have a weird fit) as I will never wear it. I already have a personal style (not to say it is all that "stylish" per say, as my friends often joke as to the casualness of the clothes I choose to wear). ...more

5

Mar 30, 2009

This is probably the best book of its kind and it's especially good for the style challenged. It's comforting and practical and isn't bound to the fashions of a given era. The section on clothing care is especially useful.

If you read it, look out for an anecdote about the photo of the movie studio costume department -- my favorite body image booster.

3

Sep 15, 2009

If your closet (and yourself) is in need of a makeover, this is a good book to start with. The message is simple. Less is more! As the saying goes, the more you know - the less you need.

4

Jul 09, 2015

Always good to get different opinions on how to maintain a great wardrobe.