The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece [Turtleback]

Andrea Linett (Author), Kim France (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 6, 2003

What to wear, how to buy, where and when to spend: These are the topics covered each month by the exceedingly plugged-in staff of Lucky, whose circulation rocketed from 500,000 to 800,000 in just two short years. For Lucky's devoted fans, and anyone devoted to dressing better and shopping smarter, The Lucky Shopping Manual will be the über-find. Finally, there is a book that does away with the inconsequential information in previous fashion books and presents only the most useful tips and imperative information for how to dress better for less. Filled with tips that will appeal to shopaholics and disciplined bargain hunters alike, this enticing guide is packed with over 1,000 full-color photos and illustrations, with a ribbon marker and flexi-cover so women can take it shopping with them.

With great advice on every uniquely designed page, The Lucky Shopping Manual includes features such as:
* Building a wardrobe you love, with cross-referenced sections on everything from skirts, tops, dresses, pants, and suits, to shoes, bags, belts, and what looks best for your body type
* How to spot great finds at the local flea market or the best boutiques
* What to spend your money on and where you can scrimp
* Cool stores coast-to-coast to check out when you're traveling
* Practical tips for fabric care, shoe maintenance, and stain remedies
* Shipping just in time for the holidays, The Lucky Shopping Manual makes a luscious gift-a fantastic shopping spree under the tree.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Strikingly similar to InStyle magazine's recent Secrets of Style, this chunky little book purports to lay out the basics of dressing. Indeed, the editors make looking fashionable seem as easy as pie. Their book goes through all aspects of a woman's wardrobe, from overcoats to undergarments, and suggests must-haves. For example, they say that to build an outerwear closet, a woman should have one overcoat, one warm parka, one spring jacket, one fall coat and one raincoat-and "if you live in Minnesota," they say, invest in "some fun coats," too. With sassy humor, the editors counsel readers on how to wear a twin-set without looking like "the dowager aunt" and suggest solutions to fashion challenges, like making casual pants look office-appropriate. They also share mini-profiles of "Lucky Girls," including designer Shoshanna Lonstein and Lucky's West Coast editor, Marlien Rentmeester. Like the magazine it's modeled on, this tome is frivolous, instructive and fun.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Lucky Editor-in-Chief Kim France has had an extensive career in publishing, which has included positions at New York magazine, Spin, and Sassy. Her articles have appeared in many other national magazines. Creative Director Andrea Linett served in the fashion departments of Sassy and Harper's Bazaar before joining Lucky as fashion director in 2000. Melcher Media is an award-winning book producer based in New York City.

Product Details

• Turtleback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Gotham (November 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592400361
• ISBN-13: 978-1592400362
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (155 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #66 in Books > Arts & Photography > Design & Decorative Arts > Textile & Costume

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

169 of 174 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All a woman needs, February 2, 2004

By 

wild child's mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece (Turtleback)

This is the book I always wanted to write. The Lucky Shopping Manual, together with "What not to wear", is all a woman will ever need. "What not to wear" will teach you exactly what clothes are right for your body shape and the Lucky Shopping Manual will help you transform this information into a functional wardrobe. The book is written with the same passion for helping women develop their shopping skills as the magazine. Andrea Linett has an extremely discriminating eye for what looks cool, relaxed, and put together on the street and she generously shares her observations with us. I believe the real value of the book is to demystify sales, over-abundance, and high-end fashion magazines; and to keep your eye, mind, and budget focused on the gaps in your wardrobe and how to close them. Linett and France manage to nail down the essence of cool, sophisticated street dressing into easy-to-get formulas with room for experiments. Every high-end fashion designer that I admire but cannot afford claims that their only goal is to make women look beautiful and desirable -- Linett and France, together with the authors of "What not to wear", fulfil this mission in a smart, street-wise, and sophisticated way; and for every budget.

142 of 146 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Advice was great if you're under 30, March 11, 2006

By 

Joanne - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece (Turtleback)

I learned a lot from this book - basic do's and don't's that really opened my eyes to some of my own fashion faux pas. But the book is really aimed at under 30 girls who are also size 10 or less. I took the book with me on a shopping trip to five of the stores listed in the book. None of them carry clothes for anyone larger than a size 10. I'm 45 and I felt very uncomfortable in all of the stores.

112 of 119 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dress with Pizazz!, December 12, 2003

By 

Lee Mellott "Skin Care For Wrinkles" (Frederick, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece (Turtleback)

This is a super book, choc o'block with information. The hard decision is not if you should buy it, but which cover you should get. The book comes with several different covers. I hate to admit I stood at the bookstore debating if I wanted the copy with the classic red pocketbook or the trendier camel colored Marc Jacobs bag! Order from Amazon and let them decide for you.

Inside the book you will find scads of information to help you look great. The authors will show you how just a little tweaking can result in a totally different look. What to look for in fit. How to make your pieces work from one season to the next. And the little details that make a good outfit an exceptional one.

The book also includes examples of everyday women and the types of garments they choose and why. It's inspiring to see the special wardrobe favorites of others. Lovely Shoshanna Lonstein shows off her curvy figure and shares what clothing looks best on her. Pictures are shown of her favorites including her fabulous Prada mules, cashmere sweaters and gold vintage bag. Makes me realize why and how much I enjoy the staples in my own closet.

Sample chapters include, sweaters, swimwear, undergarments and shoes. What to pack for a 3 day trip, streamline your closet, classics to collect, 20 great pieces worth the expense and more.

The back of the book also includes a page of "Lucky Breaks". These are coupons for discounts at benefit, underglam, bluefly. urban outfitters and nine west. Better hurry up though they expire December 31, 2003. (Not sure if future printings will update these).

Great fashion resource!