Women's Wardrobe

My latest read is Women's Wardrobe by Kim Johnson Gross and Jeff Stone. This is a very useful book. I think it would be very beneficial to someone who is just learning about style. It is a very difficult book to review, but I do highly recommend it. This would make a great gift to a friend that is interested in fashion, or a young woman just building her wardrobe. My only problem with the book is that the typeset is very annoying; they got out of hand trying to be creative, and it is difficult to follow.

The book is divided into the following sections: style, elements, clothes first aid, and where to find clothes.

My favorite thing about the book is that they show entire outfits, head to toe, including appropriate jewelry and shoes. They also take each fabric and place it in a category from sexy to quick-dry. The authors also teach the reader how to spot a quality garment. Each type of garment is described individually, with tips for wearing each style of that garment. They also have a great glossary of fashion language.

The first aid section is great. It lists different fabrics and how to care for them, how to get rid of stains, even the best way to store everything.

A Guide To Quality, Taste and Style

I just finished reading A Guide To Quality, Taste and Style by Tim Gunn. Although it was a fun read, the information was not that useful for me.

My favorite line in the book is that if you wouldn't want to run into an ex-lover in what you are wearing, get rid of it. He stresses fit, finding a fashion role model, and posture. My physical therapist would love him. He reminds the reader to open up the chest and bring the shoulders down, same advice my PT gave me.

An interesting comment in the book is about the current trend for adults to try to dress like teenagers. The author notes that in times past boys moved from short to long pants, and girls got their first high heels. Children looked forward to moving into "adult" clothing as an indicator of their transition into adulthood. Today with adults wearing the same thing as children (men in shorts and women in flip-flops), there is not that important moment in a child's life. I can relate to the significance of that moment. I came of age in the days before pantyhose, I can remember the first time I got to wear a garter belt and hose instead of ankle socks. Even though I am nearly 55 years old, I have never moved into an adult wardrobe, except for work. I am currently searching out my "adult" look. I am finally ready to grow up.

Golden Girls

I have been watching TV while sewing lately, including reruns of the 1980's sitcom, Golden Girls. I have always thought of the characters as being older women. I was watching an episode that gave Rose's age..........55! I'm nearly the same age as that character. What is even worse, I am dressing like Rose! Am I really out of date or is this a classic style for a romantic woman in her 50's? I just don't know.

I have always had a problem of not dressing to match my personality. When the Golden Girls was first on the air I worked for an insurance company that dealt with brokers who rarely came into the office. After literally years of correspondence with these brokers, they asked us to send a photo of the staff at our office. They then guessed who we were. At that point I dressed in the 1980's power suit and had my hair cut short. The brokers guessed that I was my secretary who had long curly hair and had a very bohemian style.

I have always had a problem deciding how to dress modestly, but with my own style, which is very romantic. I have had even more problems with this as I have gotten older. I decided to look at the styles shown on Golden Girls, as each of these women had their own style. I am a cross between Rose and Blanche. My clothes have multiple personality disorder.