Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style (Tim Gunn's Guide to Style) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Plucked straight from Parsons's New School for Design, television network Bravo found a surprising hero in Project Runway style mentor Gunn, whose catch phrase "make it work" has inspired an undeniable following of armchair fashionistas. Though he'll admit that book writing isn't easy, this venture marks another feather in his tasteful cap. A precursor of sorts to his new series on Bravo, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, this accessible guidebook covers it all, including the "hunt," "stalk" and "pounce" of "shopping at its most instinctual" (inspired by cheap, forward-looking clothiers H&M), what to ask yourself before taking advantage of a bargain (is it season-appropriate?), the difference between a fashion icon and a mentor (Gunn's the former, Coco Chanel the latter) and full-on closet reconstruction. Gunn's friendly, conversational prose will give readers the feeling of a face-to-face encounter, and Runway fans will be happy to find Gunn hasn't abandoned his colorful metaphors (shopping as "safari") and 50-cent words ("insouciant"). Whether revealing the secrets of "The Under Arsenal" or ruminating on the "tone" and "diction" of a handbag, Gunn's text is clever, a touch waggish, and highly practical for both ensemble mavens and fashion criminals.
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Product Description

There seems to be no one more qualified or equipped to ponder or even, dare I say, dictate 'quality, taste, and style' than Tim." -Sarah Jessica Parker, actor/producer

Television has introduced the world to a new fashion authority: Tim Gunn. As Bravo's style mentor and Chair of the Fashion Design Department at Parsons The New School for Design, Tim delivers advice in a frank, witty, and authoritative manner that delights audiences.

Now readers can benefit from Tim's considerable fashion wisdom in Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style. He discusses every aspect of creating and maintaining your personal style: how to dress for various occasions, how to shop (from designer to chain to vintage stores), how to pick a fashion mentor, how to improve your posture, find the perfect fit, and more. He'll challenge every reader-whether a seasoned fashionista or a style neophyte-to "make it work!"

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Abrams Image; First Edition edition (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810992841
• ISBN-13: 978-0810992849
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,265 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

202 of 206 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost as good as a chat with Tim Gunn, April 9, 2007

By	Anita Ashland (Madison, Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

You can almost hear Tim Gunn's distinct voice as you read this book. His thoughts translate as well on paper as they do on television.

In the "Who You Are" chapter he sets you at ease with his characteristic warmth as he tells you that you are who you are for a reason and he is here to help you accentuate your positive features and mitigate the negative ones. He recognizes that there is a connection between inner and outer beauty and encourages you to think hard about who you are.

This book doesn't contain lots of details about what to wear or not to wear. He zeroes in on the basics - he provides a top ten list of wardrobe essentials (he convinced me that ballet flats are necessary, for instance) - and doesn't overwhelm the reader. There is a chapter devoted to posture and walking. A chapter devoted to style icons ranging from Katharine Hepburn to Kate Moss to Patti Smith. Instructions for how to dress for various special occasions. There's a chapter about the challenge of finding the right fit. There's much more to style than merely the clothes and his book addresses this very well.

The most helpful section is the one that addresses Creeping Closet Syndrome. He gives specific instructions about editing your closet and every woman should heed them. The New York apartment in which he lived for 15 years had seven linear feet of closet space so he knows how to edit.

He praises stores like H&M and encourages quality over quantity. Every woman would do well to read his chapter on shopping before succumbing to the urge to go on a shopping spree. He says, "The most important part of your expedition should take place before you leave home. The salient question to ask is: 'Why am I shopping today?'"

I finished this book with regret, wishing for more, which is how I imagine I would feel after finishing a conversation with him over lunch. Now, I'm off to buy some ballet flats...

174 of 179 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tim Gunn - The Master of Style and Elegance, April 9, 2007

By	J. Whitford (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews

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The only reason I watch Project Runway is to see Tim Gunn "make it work". The only blogs I read on the Project Runway web site are those by Tim Gunn. His blogs are so insightful into what transpired on each episode. Tim is an incredibly unassuming, elegant, stylish man. You just want to sit and talk to him about fashion for hours on end.

There are so many books about style on the market - most of them by thirtysomethings who are telling us how to dress hot, keep up with the fashion trends or imitate well known celebrity fashions.

It is a joy to read Tim's book about identifying and capturing your own definitive signature style. I love that he includes "Blind Spots" - things we do to sabotage our fashion wardrobe.

Tim starts by helping you define your style and the pitfalls we often make in choosing and wearing fashions. He takes us shopping, warns us about the "it" bag while we choose accessories and the right outfit.

At the end of the book we are treated to a little fashion dictionary and a list of fashionista movies that are fun to watch.

I highly recommend this book over all the other fashion guides for its classic take on being your authentic fashion self and its timeless advice.

Be sure to watch Tim Gunn's new show on Bravo - which continues his take on style and taste.

76 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tim Gunn, I love you, April 14, 2007

By	Kimberley Wilson (VA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

One of the best things about Project Runway is Tim Gunn and he's offering witty advice and commentary on style, taste and quality in this delightful book. One of the things I was most surprised about was Gunn's maxim that you should forget about clothes size. Sizes vary depending on where the clothes were made and when. The important thing is to make sure the outfit fits you. He talks about how to buy quality clothes and how to shop. He also discusses appropiateness. A 60 year old looks like a fool when she dresses like her granddaughter and the 13 year old looks all wrong dressed and painted up to look like a matron.

A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style doesn't assume that the reader is rich and points out that looking good isn't about spending a fortune. It's a light hearted, charming guide and is as smooth and sophisticated as it's author. I loved, loved, loved it.