Customer Reviews

In the Dressing Room with Brenda: A Fun and Practical Guide to Buying Smart and Looking Great

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

 

 

After I had open-heart surgery which put a 12 inch scar down the middle of my chest, my wardrobe needed a serious going over.This book was a terrific help.If you are looking for pictures of stuff to wear, go elsewhere, you won't find them here. If you are looking for substantial fashion advice for any age or era, check out this book.I rearranged my closet according to Bren's very simple system, and it was a revelation.Now, the author probably spends waaaa...yyy more on clothes than I ever would, but I am a 43 year-old housewife/artist/army wife and she is an image consultant.But her advice is geared towards real-life. (What other fashionista out there recognizes that a woman may have specific underwear for "that time of the month", or one may need to dress for a specific climate or lifestyle?)This is practical advice, and her writing style is light and fun.Thanks, Bren!

IN THE DRESSING ROOM WITH BRENDA was one of those books that I was really glad I read, but at the same time I had to push myself through some of it. What's terrific are the lists, such as "Bren's Rules for Dressing," and step-by-step instructions on taking your measurements once and for all. Her helpful hints on taking care of your "babies" (clothes) had me wishing she'd write an entire book on the subject. I was disappointed, however, with the rather overbearing tone of the book. Although most of her advice was up-to-the-minute, sometimes it seems she assumes the world is divided into the well-dressed and those who still wear stirrup pants and hawaiian shirts. Come on, Bren--most of us fall somewhere in-between. I really didn't need a whole chapter of her opinions on tatoos, either. I give this book three stars because I'll bet she could help me out in the dressing room, but she might drive me crazy, too!

Women looking for "straightforward" advice will be disappointed.

If you can approach this book with an open mind, you'll have a lot of fun.

I really like the illustrations here and there, and especially the font Brenda used. It's easy on the eyes.

As far as the content, I'm fond of the "Fashion Calendar for Smarties" - a month by month look at what to expect in the stores each month. This is INDISPENSABLE.
I also love the "Fashion Feng Shui".

I haven't finished reading this book yet, but it's already given me a different approach to shopping for my wardrobe. It's about loving myself, not punishing myself with dreary clothes, or camouflaging myself! It's about a sense of adventure, and creativity.

Most of all, I adore her writing style. It's extremely upbeat and energetic, and very warm. There was no picture of Brenda Kinsel anywhere in the book, so I searched under her name in Yahoo pictures. I pictured her as a happy, smiling, uplifting woman. I found only one picture of her, but she was exactly as I had imagined her!

Anyway - Would I recommend this book? As I said above, if you can open your mind, YES!
IF you want to look at the world with new eyes - YES.
If you're tired of "practical", cold, uninspirational books about fashion that make you even more afraid of shopping, get this book.

...And please don't skip the introduction!

The writing style was so extraordinarily annoying that I found it virtually impossible to read. The few nuggets of good advice must be culled out of hackneyed, trite, tired attempts at wit. I found myself skimming the entire book searching for something worthwhile and find it was not worth the effort. If you were able to edit out the exasperating filler you might have the makings of a worthwhile magazine article.

I pour over this book and another Brenda Kinsale title, "40 Over 40", twice a year at seasonal wardrobe evaluation time. Her advice is so solid, and her tone so supportive. My look has imporved greatly since I started studying her advice. My favorite is "Don't save anything for "best". There is no "best". Now I go a head and wear my nice clothes any old time and feel much better for it.

This book is okay - a little cute, but some interesting ideas. However, I read Kinsel's Brenda's Wardrobe Companion first, and found that one much better.

The authors give out basic information about taking care of, building, and maintaining a wardrobe. Cost factors to consider, quality clothing cues, building a wardrobe, basic yes, yeses, and no, nos.

I looked up where they are located and plan on using their professional services as well.

A book like this should be something you would keep and refer back to - this went right in my recycle bin. Extremely disappointing. The only thing that was new or helpful in the least was the suggestion to look for clothing in colors that were reflected in your eyes, hair etc. Other then that I cannot think of anything. Pretty much a waste of time and money. I felt the same way about her 'Over 40' book that I also foolishly bought.