How to Have Style (Paperback)

by Isaac Mizrahi (Author)
Key Phrases: inspiration board, have style, Mary Kate, New York, Personal Shopper

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Clothing designer Mizrahi, current creative director for Liz Claiborne and a semi-regular television personality, presents a complete style guide in 12 case studies, meant to address attitudes and budgets as well as size, shape and age. Looking at twelve women stuck in a fashion rut, Mizrahi tailors his approach to the specific needs of each ("When Traveling on Business," "Reinvent Yourself," "Be Funny and Sexy," "Wake up from a Jeans Coma") while drawing out universal lessons and inspiration for readers. While some of his bon mots are quite simple ("A girl can do and say anything she wants when she looks like a lady"), the makeovers themselves, captured in numerous photographs and laid out in clear, clutter-free spreads, are the real testament to his wizardry. A process that includes crafting an inspiration board and filling out Mizrahi's questionnaire, making the investment of time and energy ("you have to try on lots and lots of clothes"), and gaining the confidence:. "Know when a particular style doesn't work for you and pass on it. Confidence and knowing what's right for you is 95 percent of style." This chic, easy-to-use guide should make readers more knowing and confident.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Product Description
The king of real-world chic shares his tips and award-winning flair in a colorful guidebook designed to unleash every woman’s inner fashionista.

A twenty-year veteran of the fashion industry, Isaac Mizrahi has become a unique icon in the world of style. He doesn’t do “makeovers” or take pleasure in berating the way a woman dresses. Instead, he is a problem solver—and a titan of trendsetting who believes that fashion should be seriously fun. Showcasing his singular approach to looking great, How to Have Style begins with the premise that all women should wear what inspires them. Using twelve real women facing real wardrobe dilemmas, Mizrahi walks readers through the fundamentals of finding a personal style that reflects their authentic selves. Other features include:

• A personal fashion questionnaire and how to create an inspiration board that unlocks the secrets to individual style
• Hundreds of fashion tips on everything from clothes and accessories to expert advice on skin care and makeup to mixing patterns and wearing color
• How to become a collector instead of just a shopper

Dubbed a “one-man brand” by BusinessWeek, Mizrahi shares his style rules on everything from boots to bags, from skirt length to the right undergarments. With more than 400 dazzling photographs as well as Mizrahi’s own sketches, How to Have Style makes it simple to look your best.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Gotham (October 7, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592403921
• ISBN-13: 978-1592403929
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,665 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #85 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Beauty & Fashion
  #90 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Sociology > Culture
  #91 in	Books > Arts & Photography > Fashion

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!, October 14, 2008

By	Assunta Sciarretta (Suburbia, USA) - See all my reviews

If your girlfriends were to come around Trick-or-Treating, this is what you'd want to drop into their goodie bags!
Mizrahi's book is candy for the eyes. There are so many pictures - full color, not just sketches, on glossy pages. Plus, this book is both fun and informative. There is a certain richness, breadth and depth to the information, unlike a lot of the style books out there. Mizrahi's writing is a love letter to women. His approach is different from many stylists, who seem to only provide guidelines for dressing like themselves.
In this book, Mizrahi takes 12 women of varying ages - 20's to 50's - and body types, and transforms them into better versions of themselves. It's amazing how the women all seem to become more vivid and alive. Mizrahi does not dilute their personalities, either. Instead, he enhances them, e.g. the quirky woman wears a thick Russian fur hat; the shopaholic learns how to combine all her prints; the plus-size woman becomes an alluring femme fatale; the socialite stops playing it safe and dons couture.
What I really love is that because Mizrahi has the credentials and the expertise, he doesn't limit himself to the same tried-and-true fashion rules. He's sort of a Picasso of fashion. One blonde professional in the book comes to him with the safe, appropriate honey-blonde hair, and he transforms her with color - both by lightening her hair to a bold platinum (she then looks like Kim Novak) and moving her away from safe black to colors that enhance her features.
Mizrahi instructs the reader as to how she can be true to herself and yet break out of her own rut through the use of an inspiration board, a broad list of resources, and a helpful style workbook.
This truly is a guide to personal style. (The pictures of Mizrahi throughout the book are really cute, too!)

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five star style, October 17, 2008

By	Charlie "wordwiz8" (New York) - See all my reviews

I've always thought my wife as being stylish. I was browsing through a bookstore, and How to Have Style caught my eye. I thought she might enjoy it, and not be insulted or do me bodily harm. Much to my delight (and relief)she devoured the book from cover to cover and back again, telling me how it's given her completely new insights into putting an outfit together, and how to shop. I recommend this book as a great gift.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quintessential & Essential, October 13, 2008

By	V. X. KIRSCH (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

I have been waiting for this book for some time. Isaac Mizrahi has "made over" the style advice book genre. How insightful of him to help each reader understand that style comes from within. He advocates thinking things out when it come to developing a personal style. Think before you shop! Brilliant! The book is full of fantastic advice. It looks great. It is full of clever details. I love having his handwriting on the pages of the book.
As I said it is an essential book on your way to becoming your quintessential self!