Secrets of Style: InStyle's Complete Guide to Dressing Your Best Every Day [Hardcover]

The Editors of InStyle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

This title offers a full range of advice, including tips on dressing your best every day, developing a personal style, shopping strategies and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

InStyle's phonebook-sized issues burst with images of superstars in fabulous clothes and jewelry, hair perfectly coifed and nails meticulously manicured. The magazine's editors have taken a different tack with this book, however, as they attempt to make "fashion understandable, achievable and, maybe most importantly, fun." In chapters covering everything from shopping and storage to specific clothing items (like suits, shoes and lingerie) to particular occasions (e.g., traveling and maternity), the editors share tips many readers would never even think they needed to know. (For example, to keep denim dark, turn jeans inside out before washing them and never put them in the dryer; and take pearl earrings off before spraying hairspray and perfume, since the chemicals can destroy pearls.) Often emphasizing different styles for different body types, the book shuns models, opting for simple photos and drawings of the clothes (although the editors do throw in a few welcome movie star shots for reference). The result is an all-embracing, comprehensive manual on all manner of women's dressing.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Time; First Printing edition (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932273042
• ISBN-13: 978-1932273045
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 1 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #369,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

85 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Playing up Your Strengths, November 18, 2003

By 

J. A Carty "Jessie Carty" (Charlotte, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of Style: InStyle's Complete Guide to Dressing Your Best Every Day (Hardcover)

This is a book about developing your own innate style rather than following fashion trends. They define style as, "a distinctive way you speak, act or dress." In other words, style is YOU!

This was a good read. I actually got through the first 50 pages in one evening. I have read other books with "style" tips and this is a top notch resource from everything from sweaters, accessories to maternity wear.

I am an odd person to fit (short and still a bit chubby) and yet I found this book very applicable to myself. I went through my closet and started really looking at what works on me. I discovered very quickly that the nice flat front khakis and soft tight knit sweater I love best are the best for my type. These are also the items that were only about $5 to $10 more than the normal cheap items I buy. I like that this book does not push buying expensive items but does discuss the best types of fabrics and even gives you tips for vintage shopping.

If there are any drawbacks I would have to say I would have liked to have seen more about choosing fabrics and perhaps a section to show different body types in the best types of outfits.

If you are interested in learning how to shop for clothes that will really work for you then this is definitely a good read and definitely a good gift.

Enjoy!

107 of 110 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Who CARES what celebs look good in?, February 17, 2004

By 

Valerie Taylor "valereee" (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Secrets of Style: InStyle's Complete Guide to Dressing Your Best Every Day (Hardcover)

If I looked like Halle Berry I wouldn't need a guide like this one. This book is so full of posed photos of celebrities looking wonderful in their size-2 clothing that it doesn't have enough room to help me figure out how to camoflage my less-than-perfect derriere. The focus is SO heavy on the celebrities -- not nearly enough time is spent on what to do when you have two figure flaws that work at cross-purposes to one another. For instance, I'm short and small-busted. Short women are advised to avoid double-breasted styles...but small-busted women are advised to go for double-breasted. There's not much in this book about how to solve these sorts of issues. Instead of showing me Nicole Kidman in a $10,000 suit, why not show me a woman with a figure problem in side-by-side photos showing clothing that enhances her positives and hides her flaws and clothing that doesn't?

97 of 103 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource to help you look your personal best!, October 2, 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: Secrets of Style: InStyle's Complete Guide to Dressing Your Best Every Day (Hardcover)

The book "Secrets of Style" describes itself as, "the complete guide to dressing your best everyday" and it does not disappoint.

Jam-packed with detailed information, fine illustrations and beautiful color photographs, the book is a treasure for the woman who wants to look great.

"Secrets of Style" is an offshoot of Instyle Magazine. The magazine's fashion coverage over the years has been extensive. The author, Lisa Arbetter and the editors of Instyle, have compiled the information from the magazine and transformed it, into a working guide for the reader.

The beauty of the book is the information will not become dated. This is not a book about clothes. This is a book about style. By reading the book and visually seeing the examples you will learn how to develop, expand and enhance your sense of style.

We all want to look good. To wear our clothes and not let them wear us. To build a wardrobe of garments that meets our needs, gives value for our dollar and makes us look our personal best.
And within these pages you will learn how to do exactly that.

"Secrets of Style" includes chapters on selecting the clothes to best flatter your figure. How to spot quality. Vintage shopping. Best fit for jackets, pants, skirts and more. A look at lingerie. Picking shoes and bags. Care, repair and storage of items. There are sections on a stylish pregnancy and tying a scarf. The editors have done an exhaustive job to cover everything from head to toe and more!

The color photographs are lush and telling. Nothing like seeing a picture to gain a clear view of what looks great. Many of the photographs are from issues of Instyle and these are classics. Kate Hudson glowing in her champagne Versace. Jane Fonda booted in a scene from Barbarella. Sela Ward with a lipstick red bag adding "punch" to an all black outfit. Despite the use of celebrities many in designer duds it's still very effective in teaching those of us in Gap what works and what doesn't.

This book will help you analyze your wardrobe, find your best look and pull it together with confidence. An excellent resource!

Lee Mellott