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100 of 122 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Worst fashion book EVER - if I could rate this book at -50 stars I would, April 7, 2006
This review is from: Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat: Style Advice for Every Woman (Paperback)
Don't buy this book. Please. It is not worth the time, money or brain cells. I recieved this book as a gift for my birthday (what are you trying to say Mom?). I proceded to skim it enough to be competant enough to write this review, and then threw it directly in the trash can. Where it belongs. The book lists approximatly 25 different occasions in life and tries to show how to dress for them. Examples of some of these occasions are work, work casual, date, girls night out, casual wear, summer wedding, pregnancy. For each occasion, the book has a cartoon picture of a "frumpy" girl and a "foxy" girl. The author then attempts to explain how to be the foxy girl and not the frumpy girl. Unfortunatly her advice consists mainly of her repeating advice that anyone with half a brain would already know. Take her "work casual" chapter as an example. Her "frumpy" cartoon girl comes to work wearing jeans with holes, a dirty "kiss me I'm Irish" tee shirt, and an old bookbag. Unless you work in a coal mine, you already know that this kind of outfit is obviously a big no any day of the week. Her "foxy" cartoon is what you would expect - nice jeans, blouse, heels. Duh. The advice is equally as dumb. Since my copy of "Frumpy" is in a landfill somewhere, I can't exactly quote, but I know it goes something like this - "Like, don't dress like that frumpy girl on the left! Like yeah! Dress like the foxy girl on the right! And like don't like wear jeans with holes in them!" Okay maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit but trust me. Her advice tells you nothing. The thing that makes me so angry about this book is, it's insulting! This woman acts as if you have no idea whatsoever how to dress yourself. The pictures make you feel bad because even the so-called frumpy girls are hot! And the advice is stuff that you already know how to do and are probably already doing. Such as brushing your teeth in the morning. I'm not joking, that is actual advice from the book! The worst part is the little "about the author" section. It basically says that this chick and her friend out in California somewhere decided to write this book because they wanted to help the rest of the clueless masses dress more like them. Yeah... those are two people I NEVER WANT TO MEET. If you really want to change your style for the better, I would reccomend Kendall Farr's book "Pocket Stylist." She actually shows you how to shop and dress better for all occasions, unlike the woman who wrote "Frumpy to Foxy." I urge you, please don't make Ms. Rubin's wallet or ego any fatter than it already is.
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Such a super cute book, if a little brainless., December 5, 2005
This review is from: Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat: Style Advice for Every Woman (Paperback)
There are books that I call bath tub reads. You know the ones, these books that are easy to read and make you feel happy. I think this is one of those books. There are people out there who are frumps by default. I admit, I am one. Not because I don't know *how* to dress, but because I just have a tendency to go for the jeans and tee-shirt style. This book is totally designed for people like us. The "Building a Foxy Base" section is simplistic. It breaks down the bare minimum of what you should do to stay looking your best at all times. Even I wanted to say "duh" to some of these things. Example: "...always start the day (and end it) with a thorough minty flossing and brushing." But sometimes it is nice to have a little refresher, just a "don't forget" (which is what I think this chapter is aiming for.)The "Essentials" sections is informative, but to be honest if you are looking for a book to help you build your wardrobe- skip this one. Use the Lucky shopping manual instead. Some of the suggestions in the what to wear sections had me a little confused. For example- the section regarding Foxy Weekends. Drawstring sweatpants, flip flops, and a baseball cap? Sounds frumpy to me- but this is the author's suggested outfit. Yet for just lounging she recommends a track suit? Otherwise, I think the book is fun. Not really something that you learn a lot from, but just pure fun. And you are sure to take SOMETHING away from it. Have something special coming up that you aren't sure how to dress for? Pull this book out and lend an ear (or an eye) to the advice. It made me realize that I should look into some skirts and dresses. We can all use a little hint now and again- and I think this book can give you that. Straight up and easy.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
From Frumpy to Boring is More Like It, July 9, 2006
This review is from: Frumpy to Foxy in 15 Minutes Flat: Style Advice for Every Woman (Paperback)
This book is amusing and has some advice and yes, I've seen frumpy women look even worse than their illustrations. However, they actually manage to go from frumpy to BORING in 15 minutes. How much solid black pants, kitten heels, and inspid pink lipstick does it take to make a woman a bore? About half as many as are listed in this book. I actually liked some of the frumpy party looks better than the so-called chic ones, although the authors were dead on about the tacky Christmas red and ornament jewelry. Ditto the designer handbags with the Logos all over the place.... But give up my sexy party dresses for black pants when I've got killer legs made for stockings? NO WAY! However, at least the Frumpy has something unusual going for it whereas these women's idea of Foxy (OUTDATED TERM THERE, AUTHORS) is more like BORING! I agree with the majority of the frumpy portions, but disagree with the authors' conception of chic. They lack creativity and suggest we all become mousy and fade into the woodwork. As a lover of red lipstick, I'll be darned if I'm giving my red up for a pale pink that washes me out so I can become "chic'! Read this book for fun and the cute illustrations, but glean the best information and let the rest pass you by! I also don't like the way the authors "talk down" to the reader. "Save the Rhinestones, Cowgirl" is an insult to any woman above the age of 18. And telling me to comb my hair and brush my teeth? It is as though these "fashionistas" are making fun of us!
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