Customer Reviews

Autobiography of a Wardrobe

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If your wardrobe could talk, what would it say about you? Author Elizabeth Kendall tells the story of B., her evolving self, by creating a delightful narrator--Wardrobe.

In the first chapter, "How I Was Born," Wardrobe says: "I came into being in the last moments of that two-centuries-old institution called Childhood, in which everything was ironed: collars, sashes, sailor suits. Nowadays it's different."

Elizabeth Kendall rebelled against the Country Club look her parents loved. At twelve, she saw in a store window a new kind of dress. It was sleeveless red coral with a dropped waist and white piping, just like the dress she'd seen in Mouseketeer Magazine!

Wardrobe's report of the incident: "The only problem: the mother recoiled from the red coral dress. 'It's brassy,' she said. 'It's not,' said B. 'It's...modern. And if I don't get it, I can't be myself.'"

And so the story goes. Kendall gives us vivid descriptions of her various careers--fashion designer, dancer, writer, Parisian bohemian--and the way they were reflected in her clothing, all through the voice of Wardrobe. It is clever writing, and for someone like me who spends far too much time searching for "the right look" for every occasion, it was a delightful read that made me laugh at myself.

I also enjoyed the book as a study of a unique way to write about one's life. My own writing may have improved a notch or two from having observed Kendall's skillful style.

by Donna Van Straten Remmert
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

Autobiography of a Wardrobe is just that-"a tale told from the point of view of one woman's Wardrobe, as if it were a person (hence the logic of capitalizing the word Wardrobe through out this review). Wardrobe imparts to the reader the story B, of her owner, with all of her hand-me-down and retail mishaps, as well as successes, recorded for posterity.

Most women will easily relate to the confusion in our early fashion lives as we were dressed by those who nurtured and cared for us. From Wardrobe's descriptions, you sense that B was at the hands of well-meaning relatives who wanted to imprint their style onto a young B, without consideration for her desires.

Wardrobe describes B's teen years as a hit-and-miss proposition, although she purchases her first true classic, a raw silk dress and tiny gold earrings. It is a hint of the woman emerging from the cocoon of childhood.

As B matures, Wardrobe describes her life as continuing to be a haphazard fashion free-for-all, but a chance purchase of a sweater-jacket gives B a polished look that gets her a job with Conde Nast. It is the beginning of B's career as a writer, which will take her around the world in both words and fashion. A love of dance brings B to her true passion as a writer, and Wardrobe is soon filled with pieces that reflect a tribute to dancers both past and present.

The book goes quickly but feels a bit rushed at the end, as if Wardrobe suddenly missed the peace and quiet of a dark calm space in which to "hang" out.

For fashionistas, or anyone whose ever searched through the racks at Bloomingdales for the perfect little black dress, this is a must read.

Armchair Interviews says: Fun chick lit all will enjoy.

Reading this book was a wonderful experience, especially for someone who religiously saves clothes - as well as makeup and lotions - as a diary of what was going on in my life at the time I wore it. I loved the descriptions, I loved the idea, I basically loved the whole thing. Original idea, and wonderful writing.

I loved how this book looked at a person's history from a unique point of view: i.e. that person's wardrobe. It was a really interesting way of detailing how, from childhood on, what women wear can affect and reflect how they feel about themselves and how they are at a certain point of time. The woman's wardrobe isn't the same generation as mine, but I could still relate to all kinds of examples in the book, from a well-loved childhood outfit to a rebellious dress bought as an adult during an assertion of independence.

I bought this as a gift for a fashion buddy and sneak read it before I wrapped it. It was dreadful, pretentious, and boring. I hoped my friend would like it, but funny thing, I never got thanked for it. I wish I hadn't pre-read it since I had to add another gift to make up for this one. I know she liked the second gift but this book never got mentioned, as one would expect for totally forgettable crap. If you want insight into the world of fashion, just watch What Not to Wear on cable. This book is a waste. Too bad you can't leave zero stars.

This is a very interesting spin on an autobiography. I think it was creative and well-executed, although it ran one chapter longer than it needed to. I know that sounds funny considering the nature of the book but the very end didn't add anything to it. Also something to consider: unless you are way into fashion and designers some of the references may lose you."

The author's unique contribution to literature is to tell the story of an interesting, vulnerable, artistic woman from the point of her constant companion: her wardrobe. I am about 10 years younger than the writer but from a similar Midwestern upbringing, and East Coast college experience and I thought she captured some really classic tales that many of us experienced. I couldn't put this book down. It was a moving and engaging story that made me laugh and cry and smile.

I bought this because it was "recommended for me." Does anyone really care about a communicating wardrobe? No insight, just criticism. Save your money.