Customer Reviews

40 Over 40: 40 Things Every Woman over 40 Needs to Know About Getting Dressed

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I hate to shop! I have to look good (on occasion) and I am definitely over 40.

This book is really great. For example, I spend far less on clothes now that I took the advice of creating a working a wardrobe around just a few good pieces. I don't throw away or give away so many failed pieces. I use the accessories to change the core outfits and I think I look a lot better.

If you go to the mall, it's plain that clothes are geared to younger women who shop often, wear somethink a short while and then move on to the next fad. These kinds of clothes don't work for me, don't fit me and cost plenty. You can save a lot of time and money by figuring out what is right for you and then building a working wardrobe around it. About time someone wrote a fashion book "for the rest of us."

I LOVED this book. As an art major, a lot of the advice was common sense/second nature, but the underlying theme of the book (to me)was PAMPER yourself. If you have a closet FULL of shoddy bargains, thrift store has beens, hasn't fit in 10 years knits and poor gift choices from sis/hubby/kids-you have NOTHING to wear and you truly are NOT taking care of yourself. There is a very wise emphasis on buying one or two items you adore, and building around them. The book does not preach shop 'til you drop, or only buy designer things-it says love yourself. You can build a wardrobe around really well made pieces. Most of us readers have spent 40+ years taking care of/looking after others. Now the focus is doing unto ourselves. It will be hard for a lot of readers to embrace ("I don't deserve this expensive-fill in the blank")-but the author gently convinces us WE CAN. We've earned it, and the pay off is more than just pandering to vanity. It's going with a stylish sense of entitlement into the second (better) half of life!

I'm definitely over 40 with a body that is changing in directions that don't necessarily please me. I also work full time and have two teenagers in the house. Believe me there is little time to focus on fashion! What I liked about the book was the author's very positive slant on being over 40. She is realistic in expressing the thoughts and confusions of this decade -- especially insofar as looking one's best. What was less than favorable was the assumption that the reader has plenty of disposable income and a lot of time on her hands (neither of which is true in my life and in the lives of my co-workers). Many of the "hints" were really rather common sense ideas. Other hints required money and time to truely pull off. Overall, I'd recommend the book beccause I liked the portrayal of the 40+ year old woman. I'd think twice about suggesting it to someone who wants to get fashion savvy but has little extra money or time.

This is the kind of book that looks like it might be great--but you never know if it will really deliver as hoped. Well--this one does! It was every bit what I hoped it would be (and I'm truly grateful to the author--I'm just hitting that age group, and I think her solid advice will stick with me and help me the rest of my life. So this IS a helpful book!). You don't have to agree with everything the author holds true. You can read it with a "take the meat and leave the bones" approach--discarding, for instance (as I did!) the advice about always paying full price because you're worth it. (It's not that I don't think I'm worth it--it's just that I happen to LOVE "bargain shopping"--plus we're hand-to-mouth poor--so I'm going to have to regretfully pass on that piece of advice!). But even so, there's plenty, plenty of "meat" to make this book a gem and reading it well worth it. It was for me, anyway! (P.S.--to the author--I'm sorry, but it's my M.O.--I bought the book second-hand!)

As someone who has never read a book about clothes, fashion or style before, I was very pleased with this one. The tone was light, fun and friendly. None of these stern schoolmistress rules about "never wear white after labor day" or "always cross your ankles when you sit down". I skipped around in it and gleaned some useful items. My closet is now organized by color, as the author suggested, and I find that it saves a lot of time picking out clothes in the morning. Also, when I feel a bit middle-aged and droopy, I tighten up my bra straps to give me that quick "lift". So much easier than dieting and cheaper than plastic surgery!

This book is fabulous especially for someone who hated to go shopping for herself. I couldn't put the book down once I started reading it because I quickly learned my clothing/shopping mistakes and thought the author knew me personally. I read only half the book so far and decided to stop and do the exercises she requested. I will now make sure clothes fit me properly before I purchase, add some "fun" items to my wardrobe and make sure my outfits are complete. Got to go and finish reading and learning from Brenda. I am recommending this book to all the women I know.

I bought this book a year ago. In my 40s, I was having tough time finding appropriate things to wear. I was too young to shop at the old ladies' department at Robinson's May, yet I felt too old to shop at Junior department or some boutiques likes of Express or Gap. The author taught me so much, and the learning process was truly enjoyable, because some sections of this book were very funny. I followed her advise and got lid of bags after bags of matronly looking clothes. Now I know exactly what I like to wear and what I look good in, and best of all, I feel very good about myself.

Save your money: you deserve better advice than being told to "pull up your bra straps and loosen your belt to look thinner." This book contains vague, tired "tips" with no real body type in mind, all the while telling you to love yourself just as you are--yes, we all need to hear that, but aren't you searching for advice to improve your appearance? Why else look at this book such as this?

Here's a REAL tip: try The Pocket Stylist for truly specific wardrobe help, or A Guide to Elegance to achieve that chic we 40+ women quest after.

I'm immediately selling my copy of 40 Over 40, if someone is gullible enough to buy it.

I am thrilled with the information the author gives in this wonderfully well written and humorous book. I couldn't put it down. It's a great beach or porch read. I have recommended it to many of my sisters, gal friends, and also to more than a few of my customers. I am 53, take care of myself with diet and exercise, and was miserable when I went into my closet or to the mall, trying to find something that expressed ME, and not some skeletal model in a fashion magazine. I now have an interest in fashion again that I had lost so long ago.

Or tired of trying to replace those shoes, jackets, and suits that you love but no one makes anymore? Brenda Kinsel has hit upon a phenomenon that I have noticed in myself and among my friends "of a certain age." We've all gotten into a bit of a fashion rut and are longing to get out of it. Kinsel's suggestions, both practical and spiritual, have helped me form new ideas about what looks good on me and have put some fun back into my wardrobe. Great read!