Customer Reviews

Chic Simple: What Should I Wear?: Dressing for Occasions

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

In reading/looking at this book, I was amazed at not only the beautiful clothes, but the way the authors had chosen to accessorize the outfits they'd chosen for the book. However, the response from some of the other readers is not what I had expected. In putting expensive clothes into the book, I don't believe the authors were saying that in order to achieve the look they showed on the page, you had to go spend a fortune. The outfits shown were mere ideas; a guide to go by. People, if you can't afford the actual items shown in the book, it is completely acceptable to buy a less expensive knock-off. You can still get the basic look of the clothes shown in the Guide by A). Bargain-hunting and B). Using your imagination a little bit. Let's show a bit of creativity here, ladies!

This is a gorgeous book, organized by season with a sizable section for situation-specific outfits. This is the best ChicSimple women's book because it covers the areas that work, etc. cover, only now you get bonus material and only have to buy one book!

Some have criticized it for showing designer clothing or a more formal look than we in the South wear. Well, you can't go to the department store and find a one-off of some fabulous designer item if you don't know what it looks like. The ChicSimple team is using the book to train your eye so that you can put the looks together or approximate them. Most people don't actually see the REAL clothing from the runway, let alone see it put together in a wearable arrangement. The authors do it in a way that isn't fussy, but practical and comfortable. They do an especially good job bridging the work/work-casual chasm that so many people face with sections showing you how to work a black blazer or basic camel pants.

I really love this book. The pictures are wonderful. They show many clothes the average woman can't afford to spend but using the pictures and advice the writers give to the reader, it is quite easy to see you probably already have many items you will need to dress for all occasions. This is a must have book for all woman who just aren't sure what to wear!! I love clothes and I love this book. I keep reading it and reading it and finding something new each time to help me put my best foot forward. A worthwhile buy--not to pass up.

I am one of those people who goes to TJ Maxx or sales anywhere all the time and I buy tons of separates, and I think I am getting the greatest deal and that I am a true Shopping Diva. Then the most basic occassion arises and I have nothing to wear! I can't even find the best pieces I do have because my closet is drowning in my spontaneous, packrat purchases. This book teaches you to occassionally buy the expensive suit at Saks Fifth Avenue, but it will last ten years and be a versatile piece. This book helps people focus on what they need and when they need it- and teaches what to buy, and what not to buy. This book helps you be one of those people who always has the perfect thing on all the time!

My mom got this book and I began to flip through it. It's a really fun book to look at -- great pictures, nice clothes -- but the layout is sort of annoying. IMO too much attention was paid to the look of the book and not the content. One thing that bothered me was that most of the outfits were probably hideously expensive (big labels = big cost) and the average woman probably would not be able to regularly afford most of the clothes shown. I can understand the "buy less but buy better" theory but, really, you could buy 3 perfectly good pairs of shoes for the price of the Blahniks the book raves about. The book is a nice jumping off point, but it's up to the reader to translate it into something that would work within their budget. The person who said that it's for the under 30, LA/NY crowd is mostly right, I think (although women over 30 shouldn't immediately discount this book); and I'd have to add that it would have to be an affluent crowd as well.

I really love this book and look or flip through it all the time, often getting fresh ideas from the outfits illustrated for playing with my own wardrobe. The book has really helped me to be a lot braver about clothes and accessories which I love, and therefor to have more fun with my life! I thoroughly recommend the book to anyone who loves clothes and shoes and bags and etc. (PS I'm not really 12 years old, I'm 29. I don't know why this site won't let me correct this.)

I adored this book. It gave great advice about dressing for every occasion, season and even city across the US and beyond.

Finally! After a whole year of wondering whether or not to buy this book, I got it! I love clothes and I love glossy magazines, and I LOVE THIS BOOK! I keep flipping through the pages because I like the colors and layout, and because it walks you through the seasons. It gave me a mental map of how to build a "wardrobe", instead of buying "clothes". I've also become more aware of seasonal fabrics, layering, and also differentiating between day/night coordination. If you really want to be told "what to wear" this book might not be for you. There are a hundred bags in this book, and you can't just go out and buy them all. But the basic principles and guidelines(systems) are laid down. So with a bit of imagination and personal needs assessment, this book serves its purpose well.

This book has a very attractive cover, but it is not organized for a reader who is trying to follow it like a Do-it-Yourself Manual. The pictures were very nice and the clothes very nicely put together. I admit that I have to read the book cover to cover a few times before I could really put some of the good ideas into practices. So if you are looking for a Manual type book, this is not for you. Also, it's a bit pricey for what it's worth. The 'packaging of the book' (fancy layout, fancy photography) must cost a lot more than the content itself.

I love shopping and clothes and this book has been a great help with both. I have been able to reduce my closet of things I haven't worn in years and fill it with great items (suggested by this book). I think its great that it gives you suggestions on how to pull together outfits for different events, seasons and geographic locations. We visited Italy last Spring and it would have been a great resource guide for packing. I found the "must have" section to be very accurate and sensible. I love to keep up with what the basics are in dressing and then add to them with some interesting selections and this book has helped with both!!