The Meaning of Sunglasses: And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable [Hardcover]

Hadley Freeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2008

The dictionary Anna Wintour might keep in her desk drawer

Miuccia Prada said, “Everyone who is smart says they hate fashion. . . . I have asked many super-serious people, ‘Then why is fashion so popular?’ Nobody can answer that question.” Now the author of the popular Guardian column Ask Hadley does just that in The Meaning of Sunglasses, examining the joys, silliness, and occasional insanity of our love affair with fashion. From (B) Botox— “when fashion meets Logan’s Run”—to the joys of (V) vanity, Hadley Freeman has written an encyclopedia of lightly philosophical and instructional mini-essays to gladden the heart of everyone with a slight-to-obsessive interest in the fashion world.

In a tone both exasperated and affectionate she dissects our love-hate relationship with the way we look (and offers some tips on how to look better). With a razor-sharp wit that lives somewhere between The Devil Wears Prada and The Devil’s Dictionary, Freeman is a versatile and exciting new voice.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Belts aren't meant to hold up pants, according to Freeman, deputy fashion editor at the British newspaper the Guardian; belts are superfluous additions to outfits that help cinch a waist or make one appear thinner. In her witty and acerbic debut book, Freeman notes what designer bags say about their owner (Fendi is for the well-groomed lady); the messages different hemlines can send (super short miniskirts will have men whistling Roy Orbison's greatest hit at you); and the trouble with the unnecessary distraction patterns provide. Her short chapters come at random as Freeman takes a haphazard approach to the fashion world by organizing her book alphabetically—which leads to some confusion as there are six separate chapters dealing with footwear. Her most convincing chapters expose the problems with the fashion industry, such as the unrealistic body image models like Kate Moss present. Readers plagued with indecision concerning what blouse is best or what jean style fits their body type can turn to Freeman, who doesn't pull her punches (ethnic clothes, like a pastel beach caftan, are offensive; mittens are childlike; and animal prints embarrassingly obvious). (Feb.)
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Review

"[An] uproarious dictionary of style (or what passes for it)."
-Liesl Schillinger, The New York Times

"Wildly entertaining."
-Entertainment Weekly

"The world needs more wickedly observant naughty gals like Hadley Freeman."
-Simon Doonan, Creative Director, Barneys and author of Eccentric Glamour

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult (January 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670018678
• ISBN-13: 978-0670018673
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,297,630 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 Fun, funny, fierce!, February 18, 2008

By 

NaughtiLiterati (NYC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Meaning of Sunglasses: And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable (Hardcover)

I read about this book in Mediabistro's Galleycat section about a week ago and HAD to go see it for myself because it seemed like something that I would enjoy. Much more of a bookworm than a fashionista, I felt that the author's essays on the industry would appeal to both senses and I was not disappointed.

This book is an insider's hysterical, snarky encyclopedia of the fashion world; what we love and hate about it, where and how we all fit into it in some way, and how we can each maintain our individual swagger. It's also the perfect book for those of us who primarily don't even GIVE a fvck and are more concerned with the perfect sentence than the perfect shoe, DEFINITELY don't wanna look like EVERYONE else just because something has been declared the "in" look of the season (*gag*), but love to be informed all the same. LOL I had to come on here and give this chick her props and I highly recommend this book!

You will be sold from the first entry, which is about accessories and how designers are making a mint because they've found that women "WILL pay $1000 for a Marc Jacobs hat" (or double for a bag, cause it's easy to tell the fakes among THEM as opposed to a dress from Marni or H&M) and also now-ubiquitous keyfobs to be displayed on the bags ("now your accesory needs an accessory!"). Or the charm bracelet or the little Tiffany heart necklaces you see. And what about rationalizing buying expensive bags for their longevity, then reading that it's the "IT bag" for only one season? I could go on and on about how great this book is, but you should just see for yourself...and I'm sure you will agree!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a scream, February 21, 2008

By 

Anette W. Reda (Va. Beach, Va United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Meaning of Sunglasses: And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable (Hardcover)

For any woman really interested in fashion this book is great. Very Funny . I bought two for friends who are also fashion aware. I don't mean a fashion victim or in the industry, just someone who likes fashion , is fun and wants a good laugh.

This book contains so many nuggets of absolute truth, don't miss it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get: a copy of this book, March 10, 2008

By 

Jennifer Skinner (Hancock, NH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Meaning of Sunglasses: And a Guide to Almost All Things Fashionable (Hardcover)

This book is just too much fun!

If you've ever pondered the amazing power that fashion holds over the females of this species, you will find here much to tickle your funny bone.

Ms. Freeman wittily exposes our bizarre, lemming-like tendencies in this collection of mini-essays. You will laugh out loud while reading because if you don't recognize bits of yourself in this encyclopedia of dos, don'ts, and why did Is, you will certainly recognize someone you know.

My favorite bits in the book have to do with fashion trends and the choice between "looking fashionable and looking good". I also enjoyed the section "Get: fashion that girls do and boys don't". Hats off to Ms. Freeman for her ability to poke fun in such a wicked and yet ultimately sympathetic manner.

In short, Get: this book. And you, too, will know the real meaning of sunglasses.

Jennifer Skinner

Author of The Very Small Closet