Life Is Not a Dress Size [Paperback]

Rita Farro (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1996

Rita Farro is on a mission to knock down fashion barriers for overweight women and strengthen their self esteem in the process. This is the how-to road map to help evaluate a person's best features and develop their personal style. Includes a special appendix for sewing clothes.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Rita Farro discovered that she could make clothes that not only fit her "gifted" figure but flattered it and made her feel good about herself, an inspirational personality was born. Finally looking good in her clothes changed her life, and since then she has been sharing with others her upbeat, humor-filled message: "How to Dress with Style When You Feel Like Cher but Look Like Roseanne." Her advice on finding the right look for different body types, accentuating your positive features, planning a wardrobe, working with accessories, and much more is clear and practical and told with wit, and the clothes are colorful and extremely flattering. This is not about losing weight to look good; it's about developing a personal style that fosters self-esteem and gives you back your life. --Amy Handy

From School Library Journal

YA. A welcome practical handbook. Overweight women have been trained to be ashamed of their size, hiding inside lumpy sweats and shapeless layers. This can be especially true for teenage girls, who will find scant support at the local mall. Well, "life is not a dress size," says Farro. Instead, careful attention to fit, style, and "that all-important vertical line" can help overcome the fashion barrier that encourages poor self-image. The author includes the usual chapters on body types and the styles that work best for each. A bonus sewing section provides a few simple patterns for garments and accessories, as well as valuable information on altering patterns for larger sizes. The author also includes important sections on attitude, self-esteem, and personal grooming. The book is well illustrated, though most of the models are clearly adult women. Nevertheless, the format and tone will appeal to teens who can benefit from Farro's exuberant and humorous approach to this closet problem.?Robin Deffendall, Prince William Public Library System, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: kp books (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080198758X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801987588
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,969,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every plus size woman should read this book!, March 22, 2000

By 

Carol P. (Abilene, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Life Is Not a Dress Size (Paperback)

Whether you sew or not, Rita Farro's book is for all women of size. She uses wit, warmth and a large dose of common sense to get the message across that large women are just as entitled to be happy and productive as anyone else and those "fataphobics" who have a problem with us plus size gals...well, it's THEIR problem. All we can do, she says, is change ourselves for the better. We CAN be happy. And she's right. I spent years sitting at home feeling terrible about myself but after reading Rita's book, I started taking control of my life and in small steps, try to be better every day. I can't recommend this book too highly. I just wish Rita would hurry up and write another book!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars wanted to like this more, July 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Life Is Not a Dress Size (Paperback)

I think that if I had read this book ten years ago, I would have given it a higher rating; I really did enjoy her positive, up-beat take on size acceptance, and she was very honest about how difficult it can be.

However, to be truly honest, I simply could not enjoy the clothes! At 27 years old, I don't want to look like an explosion at a crayon factory. I love that Rita Farro wears just what she likes best, but I myself would rather look stylish and sophisticated instead of clownish. Again, this is my very own personal preference - I applaud Rita for following her vision, it's just not mine.

5 stars for the message, 1 star for the clothes.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, inspiring book!!!!!!!!, April 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Life Is Not a Dress Size (Paperback)

I picked this book up two years ago and have since read it several times. It is an excellent resource for anyone who does not fit "society's" standards. The author gives insightful and witty advice on how to present ourselves in the best possible manner to a world that is often hostile. As an added bonus, the sewing section at the end of the book was extremely useful. Kudos to Rita. When will she write her next book?