Rating: 
Summary: Worth buying
Review: I really love this book. The pictures are wonderful. They show many clothes the average woman can't afford to spend but using the pictures and advice the writers give to the reader, it is quite easy to see you probably already have many items you will need to dress for all occasions. This is a must have book for all woman who just aren't sure what to wear!! I love clothes and I love this book. I keep reading it and reading it and finding something new each time to help me put my best foot forward. A worthwhile buy--not to pass up.
Rating: 
Summary: Women under 30, this book is NOT for you!
Review: I was so dissapointed when I got this, especially after the great reviews I had read. Whoever said this book was for the under 30 crowd was seriously, seriously mistaken. I don't know how older people think the under 30 set dresses, but it's certainly not anything like this book!! As a 22 year old fashion-forward woman, I wouldn't wear a single piece in here! The looks are dowdy, frumpy and matronly. I don't know anyone my age, or even 30, who could pull off these looks without being mistaken for someone twice their age. I even showed the book to my 47 year old mother who said that even she couldn't wear the clothes shown. Think I'm being too harsh? If you see this book at your local bookstore, have a look at the 80's snow suit on page 166 and the horrible 80's couch fabric dress on page 186, as examples. (They need no explanation once you see them for yourself.) Also, two of the occassions this book dresses you for are an Invitation to the White House and the Academy Awards. I don't know one real person who has ever gone to the White House, and if you're going to the Academy Awards you don't need this book because you have a stylist! The "tips" for each region in this book are strange and rigid. I certainly haven't had to wear a Chinese dress while attending a dinner party at someone's home in LA (page 198). Also, as other people have said, this book is poorly laid out. Perhap the looks in this book would work for someone who is 50, but I think they may have trouble reading the tiny font; I know I did. I received this book today, and I'm returning it today. To get USEABLE tips for my style, age and budget, The Lucky Shopping Manual is the way to go!!
Rating:
Summary: A bit unimaginitive?
Review: In reading/looking at this book, I was amazed at not only the beautiful clothes, but the way the authors had chosen to accessorize the outfits they'd chosen for the book. However, the response from some of the other readers is not what I had expected. In putting expensive clothes into the book, I don't believe the authors were saying that in order to achieve the look they showed on the page, you had to go spend a fortune. The outfits shown were mere ideas; a guide to go by. People, if you can't afford the actual items shown in the book, it is completely acceptable to buy a less expensive knock-off. You can still get the basic look of the clothes shown in the Guide by A). Bargain-hunting and B). Using your imagination a little bit. Let's show a bit of creativity here, ladies!
Rating:
Summary: A bit unimaginitive?
Review: In reading/looking at this book, I was amazed at not only the beautiful clothes, but the way the authors had chosen to accessorize the outfits they'd chosen for the book. However, the response from some of the other readers is not what I had expected. In putting expensive clothes into the book, I don't believe the authors were saying that in order to achieve the look they showed on the page, you had to go spend a fortune. The outfits shown were mere ideas; a guide to go by. People, if you can't afford the actual items shown in the book, it is completely acceptable to buy a less expensive knock-off. You can still get the basic look of the clothes shown in the Guide by A). Bargain-hunting and B). Using your imagination a little bit. Let's show a bit of creativity here, ladies!
Rating: 
Summary: beautiful book
Review: Inspiring...but I agree that the looks shown are not suitable all over the world. I live in the South and it getstoo hot here for some of the looks shown. Also, where I live, (Including the more affluent cities and suburbs) people tend to dress very casually. And even in an occaision like a wedding or prom or fancy dinner out some of these clothes would look overdone, over blown ala the cast of Dynasty circa 1985. I love the elegant looks, I love the less is more philosophy, I have always believe it is better to buy the best you can afford than to cheap out, quality beats quantity, blah blah blah...but I also have to agree that many of the looks shown are simply too expensive for the average budget. Blahniks are sexy shoes, but I can go to the nearest department store and find a comparable pair in quality if not style which costs way less. And so it goes with the clothes--thiings like a little black dress or black shoes are easy enough to find, but some of those other outfits...! I am green with envy. I wish I could find a cheaper alternative and can't. Guess I'll have to do with out. :-( Not a bad book...but it is just the vaguest of guides. Not practical but fun nonetheless.
Rating:
Summary: More flash than content
Review: My mom got this book and I began to flip through it. It's a really fun book to look at -- great pictures, nice clothes -- but the layout is sort of annoying. IMO too much attention was paid to the look of the book and not the content. One thing that bothered me was that most of the outfits were probably hideously expensive (big labels = big cost) and the average woman probably would not be able to regularly afford most of the clothes shown. I can understand the "buy less but buy better" theory but, really, you could buy 3 perfectly good pairs of shoes for the price of the Blahniks the book raves about. The book is a nice jumping off point, but it's up to the reader to translate it into something that would work within their budget. The person who said that it's for the under 30, LA/NY crowd is mostly right, I think (although women over 30 shouldn't immediately discount this book); and I'd have to add that it would have to be an affluent crowd as well.
Rating:
Summary: pretty pictures, entertaining reading
Review: The pictures are beautifully done, and the organization of clothes into the four seasons works out well. The self-consciously hip attitude was annoying though. This book would be useful for the very urban, fairly young, professional woman. Despite these limitations, this book is an entertaining read.
Rating:
Summary: Disorganized, Pricey, but Some Good Ideas
Review: This book has a very attractive cover, but it is not organized for a reader who is trying to follow it like a Do-it-Yourself Manual. The pictures were very nice and the clothes very nicely put together. I admit that I have to read the book cover to cover a few times before I could really put some of the good ideas into practices. So if you are looking for a Manual type book, this is not for you. Also, it's a bit pricey for what it's worth. The 'packaging of the book' (fancy layout, fancy photography) must cost a lot more than the content itself.
Rating:
Summary: Fashion challenged? You don't have to be...
Review: This is a gorgeous book, organized by season with a sizable section for situation-specific outfits. This is the best ChicSimple women's book because it covers the areas that work, etc. cover, only now you get bonus material and only have to buy one book! Some have criticized it for showing designer clothing or a more formal look than we in the South wear. Well, you can't go to the department store and find a one-off of some fabulous designer item if you don't know what it looks like. The ChicSimple team is using the book to train your eye so that you can put the looks together or approximate them. Most people don't actually see the REAL clothing from the runway, let alone see it put together in a wearable arrangement. The authors do it in a way that isn't fussy, but practical and comfortable. They do an especially good job bridging the work/work-casual chasm that so many people face with sections showing you how to work a black blazer or basic camel pants.
Rating:
Summary: A "must have"!
Review: This is the "must-have" reference tool for your wardrobe! How many times have we asked ourselves, "what should I wear?" to a particular occasion?! This book de-mystifies the question and offers some great solutions. You will find that you have many of the components in your very own closet that you never even thought of combining! I loved it---one of the best in the series!
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