Customer Reviews

I Love Your Style: How to Define and Refine Your Personal Style

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have lots of style books - both Lucky manuals, the InStyle guide, Rachel Zoe's book, etc. - and Brooks's book is a good addition to the genre. She's doing something slightly different here: though she's divided the book into the standard styles (classic, bohemian, minimal, high fashion, street, and eclectic), she has lots of new things to say, and the text is more substantive than I expected. Brooks has an engaging and personal writing style; she talks about her life and includes lots of pictures of herself in different style phases. Though the book is clearly aimed at average women, Brooks is writing from the perspective of someone who works at Vogue (or is at least friends with lots of people who work at Vogue). She doesn't bother with the standard list of basics everyone should own (trench, white button-down, blah blah blah) and thankfully does not include a section on flattering different figures. She does include specific outfit ideas and advice about how to wear the items associated with particular styles. The best part of the book, though, is definitely the pictures. There are lots of fantastic photos of stylish women from the last hundred years that I had never seen before. As Brooks points out, they all still look great today. All in all, this one is worth buying, even if you have several style books already. The photos and advice are inspirational and Brooks has a likable voice.

I bought this book after obsessing over it for a couple days. The pictures, as have been mentioned in other reviews, are utterly gorgeous. But beyond that this is kind of a waste of money.

I wish this book didn't masquerade as a style manual as it's really all about Brooks, her journey through fashion and (as she makes quite clear) her very privileged position in the fashion world via her (very, VERY rich) familial background. Seriously, I laughed out loud when she claimed proudly that a $300 silk tank top is totally worth it because it lasts over a year. Her "thrifty" section just feels like a weak attempt to relate to us regular fashion-loving folks, and her idea of high-low mix in fashion feels more like her throwing a bone to people who can't happily splurge on $1000 pieces she got her hands on because a designer used her as a muse. I'm the last person to judge on spending exorbitant amounts of money on expensive clothing, but to present it as an everyday and perhaps NECESSARY thing for fashion lovers is kind of ridiculous.

And because it's all about her personal style, the sections are really quite limited to her personal experience. She clearly did very little, if any, research into the styles she talks about and she presents them as the end-all, be-all of acceptable style.

This book is a thinly veiled fashion autobiography, NOT a style guide, with some of the most absurd and useless style advice I've heard outside of Vogue and Elle. But hey, the pictures are lovely, as is the overall layout and design of the book. Although Brooks probably had little to do with cultivating either.

I'm shocked at how good this book is. There are so many personal style/ inspiration books out there, that repeat the same information over and over again ("basics", "LBDs", etc.), and I have been disappointed in most of them ("Who What Wear", "Style Clinic", etc.) However, this book has great photographs from various decades (rare in most style books), does not assume you have no idea how fashionably dress, and is organized in a simple, easy to follow format. Don't let the simple cover, and terrible "inside view" on Amazon fool you- there's a wealth of info inside this book.

As a colour and image consultant (I'm also a decorator) I own a lot of books on style, fashion, body shapes etc. I totally agree with A.K. that so much is repeated in most books, that it is rare to find anything of value in them. Most writers start out with the goal of inspiring women - but merely descend into lists of wear this/don't wear that. BUT this book is a CORKER! It fills in the gaps, joins the dots, makes that gigantic leap from theory to very do-able practical in a way I have never seen before. And it is INSPIRING!! I felt so excited when I started this book - it is unique and will speak to you no matter where you are in your style journey. It also covers unique styles of dress. As the book quotes, style doesn't just happen - you need to study it. This book is the perfect text - and a highly readable and up-to-the-minute one at that.

This book is so amazing it's pushed me to write my first Amazon review. I've collected a number of style and fashion books and was losing heart - there's only so many times I can read the same boring tips on what to wear to look thinner/taller/hide your flaws/show off your assets. Yawn.

This book is different - the author discusses style. True style - with images from now and the past to help you not just identify the different styles discussed, but to identify your own style icons (for example Brigitte Bardot? Ali McGraw?). This book is so great if you're looking to develop your own personal style, to be noticed for always looking pulled together and stylish or if you want to look like you're working with a stylist. The book also helps you to understand your own style, your personality and better ways to express the kind of person you are (or the person you feel like being that day) to everyone you pass. You'll feel like 'yourself' if what you're wearing expresses how you feel and who you are, or want to be.

The author covers off a few traditional styles - such as classic and bohemian, which she calls 'identifiable styles'. Each chapter shows examples of clothing and styling for that style. The chapter also shows you different variations of each style - for example in bohemian she covers off different kinds of bohemian - vintage bohemian, rock goddess bohemian, ethnic bohemian; to show you the different takes on each look.

She also looks into indefinable styles (such as street style, which she smartly advises people look at books like Nylon's Street Style; and high fashion).

This book is great for if you're looking to define your style, or to style your looks beyond the basics of looking 'good' to looking 'styled' and 'stylish'.

Typically style books either focus on "investment pieces" or figuring out your unique body shape and then learning what accentuates the positive and hides the negative. Amanda Brooks actually writes about style. Of course its essence boils down to really understanding yourself (like any other fashion or style advice book), but she actually gives concrete tips on how to look DIFFERENT -- or at least how to start, which is by studying pictures of true bohemians and chameleons like Francois Hardy and Cher... Chloe Sevigny, even Georgia O'Keefe.

I didn't think it was even possible to learn to be an offbeat self-stylist, but I think Brooks does an unusually good job. Nina Garcia's book, The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own, is the definitive book on classics, and this one is the definitive guide to actual style, not just looking like Nina Garcia. (Both women are in the fashion business and possibly 'socialites', but Brooks's upbringing seems to mostly have been suburban - though also privileged. She seems largely self made, and she certainly doesn't dress like the typical upper East Sider.)

I must say that this book is useful and fun. It is a personal tome on the evolution of the author's style, and she opens her closet and photo albums and fashion scrapbooks to show us what she's discovered along the way. I read it thinking of my own style refining and playing and experimenting and laughed along with her admissions of fashion faux pas, recalling my own. The book feels like a fashion and life scrapbook that anyone who loves fashion might keep--photos clipped from magazines, books spanning many fashion decades, of anything visually inspiring, and of dynamic women wearing clothing that obviously makes them feel beautiful. I find Amanda Brooks' book a kind of condensed reference guide for weekly fashion inspiration reminders.

Another thing that makes this book usable is its size and heft. It's a well-made soft-covered book with high quality paper stock and very nice graphic design. It feels good in the hand, and provides many hours of pleasurable reading. The writing is unhurried and funny at times, and she's spot on about where to find great fashion treasures (grandmother's closet, vintage, world markets, boyfriend's closet, etc), what to scrimp on and what to splurge on, how to look for a garment's tailoring quality, but not about fake fur, or novelty socks (sorry! I love my carefully curated collection of Paul Smith, striped and animal print socks which I wear discreetly underneath boots and long pants--my little secret.). Her industry knowledge comes through, as do her connections to designers and access to copious amounts of beautiful designer clothing, which she attempts, not all that convincingly, to downplay by talking about budget and restraint and careful editing.

What I do appreciate about the tone of the book is that it's written by an adult woman who is looking back on her own fashion discoveries and charmed life (so far--she's still just in her 30's--lots more learning to do, right?), as if she's talking to a girlfriend. It's not didactic, unlike so many fashion how-to books. Any thoughtful reader is going to take or leave elements of a book she reads, as she is going to do about what she wears. This is the book for the woman who knows and trusts her own style already--she's just looking for even more inspiration and co-conspiracy.

I'm totally perplexed by the reviewers who are accusing Amanda Brooks of being self-absorbed because of the time she devotes to talking about her own style in this book. I loved Brooks' account of her own fashion journey; it made her advice and opinions much more relatable and understandable. Imagine if she just said "wear this, not that", it would feel condescending. Instead, she gives you some background as to why she feels the way she does about certain looks and pieces. I found her fashion history mesmerizing and I think all of her advice is really level-headed and practical.

At first glance the book might seem a bit subjective. Like one of the reviewers has said it's all about ME. I went to the book store after reading the reviews and got the same impression after flipping through the pages of the book for the first time but I ordered it anyway for entertainment purposes. I mean, if I am willing to read someone's memoirs or biography about their life or work accomplishments, why not read someone's fashion history, especially someone as stylish as Amanda Brooks.

But I have to say, the book turned out to be much more than I expected and I did pick up plenty of inspirations from there.

Especially i enjoyed the part where Amanda gives advice on how to find your style. Some find it irritating how often Amanda changed her look and style, but isn't it the best way to find who you really are? How can you ever truly know unless you've tried nearly everything outthere? For some style comes naturally, during the first couple of decades of life, but for others it takes a lot of soul searching and a lot of changes.

Amanda recommends go through books and magazines and make cut outs of what you found the most appealing. Out of those images one can create a fashion book where you could see how your style and taste evolves over time. Will you like the same thing a year from now, 5 years from now etc.

According to Amanda, there are 6 style types, 3 definable: Classic, Bohemian, and Minimal and 3 undefinable: High Fashion, Street, and Eclectic. She describes different periods of her life when she identified with each one of the above, illustrating it with photoes of herself, people she knew and various celebrities, whom, she believed, reflected particular style the best.

I wouldn't say it's a story of Amanda's life, more like a guide to finding your own style, illustrated by exaples from her life and her experiences.

Last part of the book talks about types of shopping: Basic, cheap Chic, Designer and Vintage. Unlike other books, this book tells us that our basics do not have to be classic, but more of a reflection of our particular style. If basic item is a t-shirt, it does not have to be classic black or white t-shirt, it could be ripped or torn etc., whatever suits one's particular style and personality.

I must say, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely keep it in my style library.

I bought this book for my younger 'fashionable' sister for Christmas but since it didn't come wrapped in plastic I found myself flipping through the pages and reading Brooks' words avidly. As most reviews would have stated. It's a wonderful, personal read. I've flipped through Nina Garcia's style guide and found it too cold and dictative. Brooks manages to keep her tone warm, helpful and not condescending at all. As mentioned, she also does not impose guidelines on you but mentions other people's style tips, preferences, and encourages you to wear clothes in a manner that suits you, not in a manner that mimics supermodels. Say, for example wearing a crisp white office shirt slighly rumpled instead of pressed. She divides the book into a few sections, such as Minimalist, Bohemian, High Fashion, etc. The pictures will definitely interest and intrigue you, even if that's not your style. This book will not tell you what to wear, but how to wear clothing to flatter your personal style.
What else can I say? This one's a keeper.