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I'll Drink to That: A Life in Style, with a Twist Kindle Edition

by Betty Halbreich (Author), Rebecca Paley (Author, Contributor)

287 customer reviews

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The stunning true story of Bergdorf Goodman’s legendary personal shopper

Eighty-six-year-old Betty Halbreich is a true original who could have stepped straight out of Stephen Sondheim’s repertoire. She has spent nearly forty years as the legendary personal shopper at Bergdorf Goodman, where she works with socialites, stars, and ordinary women off the street. She has helped many find their true selves through fashion, frank advice, and her own brand of wisdom. She is trusted by the most discriminating persons—including Hollywood’s top stylists—to tell them what looks best. But Halbreich’s personal transformation from cosseted young girl to fearless truth teller is the greatest makeover of her career.

Length: 306 pages	Word Wise: Enabled	Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
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Product Details

File Size: 1845 KB
Print Length: 306 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1594205701
Publisher: Penguin Books (September 4, 2014)
Publication Date: September 4, 2014
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B00INIXS5K
Text-to-Speech: Enabled

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Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,147 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #43 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Commercial > Fashion Design
- #273 in Books > Arts & Photography > Graphic Design > Commercial > Fashion Design
- #627 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Biographies & Memoirs > Women

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Customer Reviews

287

4.2 out of 5 stars

5 star		51%
4 star		30%
3 star		11%
2 star		5%
1 star		3%

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Top Customer Reviews

Bergdorf Goodman. Xanadu. Candy Land.....

By Kcorn TOP 500 REVIEWER on September 1, 2014

Format: Hardcover Vine Customer Review of Free Product ( What's this? )

Because I've been pushing my comfort zone when it comes to reading material, I decided to go far afield and tackle this book. I thought there was a good chance I'd feel indifferent towards it - or possibly even loathe it. Instead, I found it entertaining and I write that as someone who has no inclination to buy designer clothing, shop at Bergdorf Goodman or learn about working with celebrities, all of which are covered in this book. But those topics are only part of what is contained inside.

While I may not be inherently riveted by books about fashion or celebrities, I AM drawn to memoirs which focus on the unique personalities and talents of men and women who have created a special place for themselves in the world. And Betty Halbreich has certainly accomplished that feat. At 86, she is still a personal shopper for Bergdorf Goodman, a job she created for herself 40 years ago. She describes that part of her life in detail and yes, she also dishes about celebrities and reveals some of their quirks and insecurities.

But she also spends a fair amount of time remembering her childhood, a very lonely childhood. This was the part of her memoir which pulled at my heartstrings and set the stage for everything else. The rest of the book fell into place after she described so poignantly how "clothes were my playmates." I ached for her when I read of the parents who were rarely there and even of Christmas holidays where she opened a wealth of presents - but all by herself.

That was when I understood why she was drawn to a career in fashion, not as some trivial pursuit, but as a way to create a deeper meaning for both herself and other women. Clothes were her comfort.Read more ›

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Finally, A Person Old Enough To Write & Publish A Memoir . . . .

By SundayAtDusk VINE VOICE on August 21, 2014

Format: Hardcover Vine Customer Review of Free Product ( What's this? )

Having little interest in fashion, I'm not sure why I chose this book to read. I guess because Betty Halbreich is being described as a "tough broad". "Tough broads" can be very interesting people. Only, Ms. Halbreich doesn't come across that tough in this memoir. She actually seems pretty vulnerable. She also doesn't come across that amusing, as she has so often been described by others, and as she appears in the documentary Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorfs. But that doesn't mean I'll Drink to That: A Life in Style, with a Twist is not an interesting read. It is and it's one of the most unique memoirs I have read in the last few years.

One reason being that the 86-year-old Ms. Halbreich is old enough to see her life in a much clearer light than most much younger memoir writers. A second reason is she does not come across at all like a shallow snob, or someone who thinks the world begins and ends with extremely expensive clothes. A third reason is she sees herself as also being a therapist of sorts, not just a personal shopper. There are indeed some intriguing insights in the books, such as when she states: "The lust for clothes is a brilliant defense mechanism (particularly if you are a person of means). The displacement of love, affection, and attention onto a pair of shoes or a dress has built an entire industry. Like all good defenses, however, they are best used in moderation and only when one understands a little of the motivations that lurk beneath the surface."

And like all good therapists and personal shoppers, Ms.Read more ›

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Fashion, and Finding Yourself Through Clothes That Make You Feel Beautiful

By E. Griffin VINE VOICE on August 10, 2014

Format: Hardcover Vine Customer Review of Free Product ( What's this? )

I'll Drink to That is a memoir by Betty Halbreich who after created and then ran personal shopping at Bergdorf Goodman. The book starts out with Betty's affluent, coddled, but lonely childhood. Her parents were often too busy for her, but always made sure Betty had fine food and beautiful clothes. Shortly after the end of WWII, Betty is swept away by a handsome, fast talking and fun living New Yorker. Caught up in the after war frenzy of fashion and partying, Betty constructs a luxurious and proper home and lifestyle.

As her children grow up, Betty becomes frustrated with her lack of purpose and empty marriage, and after asking her husband to move out, has a nervous breakdown. Fighting to save herself, she falls into jobs in her comfort zone of helping women to dress well. Not one for cash registers or actual selling, Betty proposes the concept of personal shopping at Bergdorf Goodman, starting a 40+ year career helping all types of women find the clothes to help them look their best. But often, Betty is more than a shopper, helping women build their confidence, display their inner strengths via their clothing, and offering advice of all types.

I enjoyed I'll Drink to That the most when Betty wrote about the fashion extravagances after the war, and the time earlier in her career when women's clothing was distinctly different by designer, and of high quality, and not the mass produced trash offered to most of us today. If you enjoy fashion, or books about retail stores, you'll find much to interest you in I'll Drink to That.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

It was a 10 stars on a 10 Star scale ...

It was a 10 stars on a 10 Star scale!
Honest, witty, positive and a touch of real glam - plus hard work.

Published 2 days ago by Amazon Customer

I've never seen clothes as beautifully crafted til this day

Fascinating read. Growing up in a small Pennsylvania town, I was introduced and gained an appreciation for couture at my aunt's small women's boutique during the late 60's through... Read more

Published 1 month ago by LuvAllArt

Thoroughly Entertaining!!

Great book....loved it!

Published 1 month ago by samyjo

I loved reading about Betty's journey and advice

I loved reading about Betty's journey and advice. I was sorry when the book ended, so I ordered her first book, which is more of a "how to" guide. Read more

Published 1 month ago by Aarat A. Alexander

fantastic read

fantastic read I felt like I was in Bergdorf's with every page I read

Published 1 month ago by LCP

not really good and not bad but a way to pass the ...

OK, not really good and not bad but a way to pass the time. I did find my mind drifting to other books I could have been reading instead... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Nancy R.

I liked the way the past was interwoven with her actual ...

Interesting. I liked the way the past was interwoven with her actual work as a personal shopper. Enjoyable memoir. Read more

Published 2 months ago by Charise Olson

Fascinating!

Good story on fashion, clothes, designers... And would recommend it to my fashion forward friends..what a lady!!! A fast read!

Published 3 months ago by JudithSpoelhof

Five Stars

Fun read

Published 4 months ago by Nancy L. Olson

Five Stars

Loved it!

Published 4 months ago by Letitia Beans

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