Customer Reviews

Who What Wear: Celebrity and Runway Style for Real Life

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Over the past few months I have been into buying fashion books including Influence by Mary Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen, Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V's Guide to How Style Happens from Inspiration to Runway and Beyond, and most recently The Sartorialist by Scott Schuman. What I appreciated from these books were the different styles portrayed and how it inspired me to try different things and not focus on being so "matchy-matchy."

Since this book was promoted by Nicole Richie, I thought she had great style, so why not check it out? When the book arrived, I was disappointed on how little content there was, how few pictures it had and overall the advice it gave about fashion. I appreciated the "From Runway" to "Real life" section, but it's not anything new. Maybe my expectations were higher or different. I was looking for photos of celebrities and different styles they had, which I could incorporate in my own wardrobe, but I didn't get that from this book.

Bottom line is that if you want to be influenced by fashion check out other books or read their site. If you don't buy it, you won't be missing much.

Also, what's the purpose of the red ribbon glued in the book? At first I thought it was a bookmark but after ripping it out, it tore up the book, so I stopped.

I am an avid reader of the WWW site, but was extremely disappointed with this book. As a mature woman, it was geared to twenty-somethings. The part on interpreting runway views to the real world was OK, but only three examples were given. In reviewing the "looks" for different occasions, they were for a very young crowd and very casual, bordering on messy in some cases. The model's hair and makeup were not done and she is standing knock-kneed and looks way too thin for interpretation in the real world. In addition, most of the looks would work on the east or west coast, but would not play in the midwest unless you were working in fashion. Some of the looks, like the "on the plane" look were outright wrong. Never be sloppy when you are flying unless you are on a private plane -you never know who you may run into that can help your career. I doubt if a powerful person who could be a potential employer or mentor would take you seriously in ripped jeans and Chuck Taylor's. This book does a disservice to any young woman (and does not even apply to anyone over 30) who not only wants to look contemporary and fashion savvy, but wants to move forward in her career. If you want just a casual trendy look - head for the magazine rack or better yet - to the internet, at least it is free. I read every book, magazine and website there is devoted to fashion and style and this was a big waste of money and time.

First, I find it interesting that many of the people raving about how this is the best book ever have never rated anything else...could authors Kerr and Power be up to no good and reviewing their own product to boost the ratings. Tsk tsk!

Second, I am a huge fan of the WWW blog; I've been a subscriber for over 2 years. When the blog first came out is was great. Lately things have become a little boring, and this book echos the more boring blogs of late rather than the interesting and fashion-forward blogs from when they started. The runway to real way is a common feature in many fashion magazines; many of them do this monthly so to purchase a book version of a trend that changes so rapidly is kind of useless.

The model looks messy and the looks are geared toward a young audience, which is possibly what they were going for (I'm 26 and felt the looks in the book were not easily translated to my job or even my social life). With the wealth of GREAT fashion blogs out here, this book is a waste and offers nothing new or insightful that can't be found on their blog or someone else's.

I own a number of fashion books, and when I saw this one on Amazon, I thought, "Hey, I can just read the blog." Well, I ended up buying this book while I was on vacation and desperate for something to read. It is surprisingly helpful. While other fashion books tend to divide women into types, whether body types or fashion types, and then proceed to dictate how that type should dress, this book gives basic lessons how to understand the outfits on a designer's runway and realistically incorporate the "look" into your own wardrobe. It made designer and celebrity looks more accessible to me.

Let's admit it. A lot of these types of books are the same- but what sets this one apart is the writing- the excellent tips- and the witty comments. I've been a fan of Hillary Kerr and her blog for a long time and I'm thrilled that she wrote this book. I've already given several as gifts and the recipients loved them ! I do think they good have chosen a more representative model-somebody who looks more like the "average" reader- but the pictures were thoughtfully chosen and the book contains many creative ideas.

When people like Jessica Alba and Rachel Bilson say that WhoWhatWear is their "go-to" blog for fashion tips I think you can surmise that these gals know what they are talking about.

No book is going to dress you. At best it will give you good tips. If it's written in a style that's easy to understand and by somebody who "gets" fashion it can be a useful tool.

PS- I'm over 29 :)

This is for me the best book of fashion or style how to.
Clear for normal people like me, but very informative, with some tricks to be like a fashion expert. I can throw all of my previous books, but not this one.

Loved this book. I was not even aware of the website when I decided to get it, but I will certainly check that out as well. I wanted some real life tips as I know I won't be able to buy off the runway, but things with style and elegance. This book does the trick. Again, loved it!

The book is heavy on the words and too light on the pictures. Kind of a yawn! And the model who poses for their archetypical outfits is very uninspired--she doesn't work it at all, except maybe the detached teenager who hides behind sunglasses and can't be bothered to smile or stand up straight. I thumbed through it in half an hour on the bus and returned it to the library the next day. Arguably, the book is geared towards the under 30, even the teenage set, but the clothing presented was too trendy, and the book will feel dated in short time. I was hoping for much, much more of their trademark cut and paste paparazzi photo collages, and their playful play between word and picture, but was disappointed. Way too light on the pictures. It gives the book a flimsier, cheaper content feel, as if they didn't have the budget or time to pay photo usage fees and wanted to get the book out too quickly.

I received this book for Christmas and so far I love it. I have been a HUGE fan of the blog since it started and while I think its content is more suited to the internet (updated photos, discussion boards, links a plenty) I am still loving the book. I would assume anyone who likes the blog and therefore the authors' tastes and opinions will enjoy reading the book.

I especially like how they make everything relevant for the reader. For example, based on your skin tone (for the Red Lip) or your body type (for clothing) they give you options on the popular trends. I love all of the pictures and their sense of style as shown through their words.

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My daughter, a junior in college, requested this book for her recent birthday. She loves it and now says she's one of the most stylish dressers at Marymount University in Arlington, VA.