Customer Reviews

Dressing Smart in the New Millennium

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Let me preface this by saying that I work in the field of career counseling, so matters of professional attire are central to my work.

Having said that, I must note that I have been astounded to see all the rave reviews of this book. Not that it is a terrible book, but it simply is NOT THAT GOOD. For one thing, the author writes in a very cutsey manner, calling underwear "underlovelies" as one example. Another problem with this book, as I see it, is that there are no illustrations. Surely a book on image and dress should include some visuals!

While this book is certainly comprehensive and the information it imparts did strike me as being on the money, I could not get beyond Ms. Nicholson's chatty writing style...I felt it diminished her credibility. I much prefer THE COMPLETE IDIOT's GUIDE TO SUCCESSFUL DRESSING by Karyn Repinski or even MASTERING YOUR PROFESSIONAL IMAGE, by Stephanie Petersen. While a bit outdated (1995) the latter book has wonderful sketches of different looks and provides good,solid advice.

Count me in as another perplexed reader wondering how on earth this book has scored so much positive press. Even under the lax standard extended to self-help titles, this book is a disaster: poorly written, disorganized and ultimately unhelpful.

Did I say poorly written? The author reads like a graduate of the Cosmo Girl School of Writing, and the editor who passed this manuscript ought to be hauled in for an eye exam. Multiple exclamation points compete with italic, boldface and all-caps emphasis, all within in the same sentence.

The book has no discernable organizational structure, just a rambling series of 200 "Smart Tips" (and, yes, this author puts every other phrase in quotation marks). Someone new to wardrobe planning would have no idea where to start, not in the book and not in her closet. Nor is there an index or a comprehensible table of contents to help the reader.

Even being firm with myself and putting away the metaphorical red pencil, I still hated it. The content is insufficient and uneven. For example, there are no illustrations, line drawings, or color charts. None. There are literally no graphics anywhere in a book about clothing, color and style.

Too many of the "Smart Tips" are sketchy, bulleted lists of catch-phrases. It's as if the author cribbed a substantial portion of this book from training transparencies.

Then there are the annoying little self-adulation events, averaging one every other page. This author claims to have "founded" (yes, I "caught" Quotation Mark Fever from her!) the "color and image consultant industry"; she name-drops alleged clients every third paragraph, and makes constant references to her illustrious career, business, modeling experience, sexiness and all-round perfection. The absolute kicker is the entire "Smart Tip" which warns the reader against retaining any color consultant NOT "trained by me, or by one of my fabulous directors of training!"

I am put in mind of the old adage, "The rabbi who must praise himself has a congregation of one."

I think this lady probably knows her stuff, and could likely do a good job in a one-on-one setting. IF you can get past the dreadful writing, the lack of organization, the absence of graphic help and the bragging, bragging, bragging, she has a few reasonable tips and pointers. However, the book's defects render it unusable.

Instead, for style development, try the lusciously-illustrated, comprehensive and positive "Triumph of Individual Style" by Carla Mathis and Helen Connor. For a traditional, straightforward wardrobe and style guide, you can't beat "Looking Good" by Nancy Nix-Rice.

First off, I'm not a career counselor, wardrobe stylist or even an artist. I tend to just throw stuff on in the morning for work (fortunately I have a job that doesn't require a "corporate suit" look). I ended up picking up this book mostly because there were some handy tips -- things like what length skirt goes with what type of shoes, etc. that I thought I could use.

However, I'm perplexed that a book that focuses so much on clothing styles and colors has not a SINGLE illustration or color panel! Does the author assume I know what an A-line skirt is, or that I can tell the difference between coral and pink-coral in my mind? She places particular emphasis on your skin tone and its color, because that is how you base your entire wardrobe's color system. According to her, it is very important that I know the difference between coral and pink-coral... and that which I choose depends on what my skin tone is. However, aside from listing celebrities with certain skin tones, she never really explains how to judge your own skin tone. A comparison wheel or something -- ANYTHING -- would have been very helpful. The only color you get is the book's cover.

It's not until you read the middle of the book that you discover that the author is a founder of a color consultancy organization that charges people to find out what colors work best for them (the book's cover does not mention this). While I'm sure her certified consultants are quite good (after all, THEY must have that color chart that got left out of the book), after reading the book and visiting her Web site (which she advertises inside her book), I feel like I've just been sold one big infomercial on how to hire one of her consultants. Caveat emptor.

JoAnna's book has opened a whole new world for me! I have read numerous books on 'dressing for success' and have found her book to be the most thorough (and entertaining) I have seen so far.

Many of the 200 tips in JoAnna's book can be incorporated into your everyday lifestyle without additional effort. These tips can be utilized regardless of whether your lifestyle is casual, business casual or formal.

Other tips will require more planning and effort than I really wanted to hear. But, I decided that I would do a 2 week 'experiment' and try to follow the thoughts in the 200 tips. The results have been unbelievable. I have received more compliments in the last two weeks than ever before. My self confidence has been the big winner. A huge opportunity has come my way at work just in the last couple of days. Hard work, networking and 'looking the part' all play a role.

I was also surprised that I could achieve my 'million dollar look' w/ less than 10 minutes added to my morning routine.

This book will help you find your best colors, organize your closet, prioritize your purchasing, and avoid spending money on things that you will not wear (leaving more money to spend on the things you need). Much of what is in the book you have heard before, but JoAnna's presentation creates a comprehensive reference that you will keep close by for a LONG time.

Although this book had a bit of useful information, I did not appreciate the MULTIPLE vague references to "magic dust" and the author's personal stories. I also did not appreciate the many suggestions as to how to appear sexy, or to attract a mate. I am a married, working mother, and would NOT sleep in my husband's previously worn dress shirts as pajamas as she suggests.(My kids would look at me funny.)
I was looking for more specific advice on keeping a simple, flattering, professional wardrobe. The author does not have a grip on the real-world demands on women of life, career, children, and family. Her book is projected from the single life of a New York fashion model. Not very helpful for the rest of us. Don't buy this one--you'll waste your money.

I must say, I can't understand any of the negative reviews. This book is so vital to looking your very, very best. I have read it 2 or 3 times now and I use the tips/principles outlined in the book to go shopping.

Before I read Joanna's book, people looked down on the way I dressed. To be honest, I was dressing in the same colors that my mother wears (and wearing some clothing cut in an unflattering way). These colors look good on her, but they wash me out, even though at first glance, our complexions look very similar. Now, people are always complimenting me and I get a lot of looks from men, including my husband. In fact, I buy his shirts now based on the color principles. I really don't think that there needed to be a color chart in this book because if you think about what looks really good on you already, that is the first clue to finding other clothes that would look good as well.

Also, the same advice applies to knowing what kinds of clothes to buy in the future. If an outfit makes you look too heavy or otherwise bad, then there is some design element in that outfit that is not working for you. For instance, I am a fairly slim person, but I have wide shoulders and wide hips and large thighs. If I purchase a blouse or other top that is not tapered at all along my trunk (from under the arms to my hips), I look about 10 pounds heavier than if I wear a tapered top. I also do not wear flared pants for this reason. But I discovered this by analyzing what looked good on me and pinpointing why. So now, I kind of have "uniforms" that I wear because I look good in them. The concept of uniforms is discussed in a fantastic book, "Simple Isn't Easy" by Olivia Goldsmith. This book is not in print any more, but I would HIGHLY SUGGEST finding a used copy, because it will complement this book. Many of the world's best dressed designers wear "uniforms" because it is their best look.

Tip: Here is how I determine if a piece of clothing might look good on me. I put my hand on the center of the garment to see how my skin looks next to the fabric. If the skin on my hand looks healthy and my skin and the fabric are not competing against each other for attention, then I will try it on to see how it looks. What I have found is that blues, pinks, purples, and reds that are of a medium tone (not pastel and not dark or bold) look best on me. I don't buy anything that doesn't enhance my skin color. As Joanna says, color is the first accessory, and its free!!!

Also, I have freckles and wavy hair. That is somewhat of a visual distraction, so I normally do not wear blouses/tops that have a print. If I had straight hair with clearer skin, then I would probably look a lot better in prints. Joanna talks about who looks good in prints.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough, along with "Simple Isn't Easy." Good luck to you all!

I have visited another bookseller's website and I have been surprised at the number of rave reviews that this totally unimportant book has generated. Here too there are many reviews. It looks like the reviewers are selling the book. Like I said on the other website, the literary style of those reviews reminds me too much the author's. Again, I give this book two stars, one for the paper it is printed on and another one for the glue that keeps it together!

This book will train you to be your own wardrobe and style advisor.

Joanna Nicholson has filled her book with so many practical and sensible tips, that you will need to read it slowly. You will learn to walk yourself through each stage of the learning process that will transform you from Cinderella into Princess. It is NOT a quick read. Like a bible, it needs to be read a small section at a time, thought about, and put into practice.

You will learn how to dress to suit your color-type, your figure, your life-style, your mood, and your budget. Oft-quoted but unflattering fashion myths are exploded, and common sense prevails.

If you want to know why you can look great on some days and not so great on others, you need to buy this book. It will tell you how to achieve wonderful and stylish looks at all times.

I am so thrilled to have Dressing Smart in the New Millennium as a resource for myself, my clients, and my students. As an image consultant and teacher, I appreciate having such a comprehensive book to explain how to use color, line, and coordination of clothing and accessories to enhance each unique and wonderful person's own special beauty. When I dress according to Joanna's guidelines, I receive such comments as "You look radiant!". These guidelines really work!

A fashion bible! This book gives all the dos and don'ts concerning fashion. This book never goes out of style.