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Rating:  Summary: Way Too Thin Review: After seeing Leah Feldon on a recent Oprah Winfrey show, I was so impressed with her that I ordered this book on-line, sight unseen. What a disappointment! No pun intended, but in my opinion "Does This Make Me Look Fat" is simply way too thin. Although there is some useful information in the book, most of it is on the generic and fairly obvious side (how many of us aren't already aware that we should steer clear of horizontal stripes, or that dark colors are slenderizing?) There is no anecdotal material to liven up the text; no real people case studies or before-and-after stories of transformation that underscore the tips Ms. Feldon gives (I was hoping that the book would contain examples similar to the stunning makeovers she did on the Oprah show). The real meat-and-potatoes of the book is Chapter 2 -- The Definitive Rules of Camouflage Chic" -- but these rules desperately need to be expanded upon and applied to specific body types. My other main complaint has to do with the overall art direction of the book. ... This topic needs photos and lifelike sketches to capture the "do's and don'ts" that are discussed. What's more, the placement of the quotes from celebrities and fashion luminaries is jarring. Although they're interesting and amusing, there are way too many of them (relative to the amount of overall text), and many have nothing to do with the specific tip being discussed; they're just inserted throughout the text in a random, helter-skelter manner. Bottom line: I think Leah Feldon is brilliant; she's a funny writer and an inspired stylist and fashion communicator. I wish she had her own TV show. With any luck, a different publisher will pick up this book, give it -- pardon the expression -- a big, fat production budget, and let Ms. Feldon go to town with it. I'll be the first in line with my checkbook.
Rating:  Summary: Does what it promises but little more. Review: Feldon mixes some useful information about clothing construction, color, and line in with her other advice, but most of the book is devoted to exactly what the title suggests: making you look slimmer. Her advice on "dressing thin" works only if you have are heavier than you'd like but not curvy; if you have curves, the straight-up-and-down line, with no waist definition, will only make you look heavier by obscuring your thinner parts. If, like me, you are happy with your basic shape but would like to look your best, you will have to glean the useful information and discard the rest. Forget her advice about basing your wardrobe on black unless you want to look older, more tired, and outdated. Most people look better in a less stark dark neutral such as navy, brown, or army green. (And if you think black fades into the background, notice how someone in all-black stands out against the typical pale sidewalks and buildings of the city or the light greys of some offices; their contrast with their background can make people look larger, not smaller.) The emphasis is on very classic styles, mostly for work, and some of her choices are outdated, as mentioned below (Maude vests are the most hilarious example.) The book combines useful with not-so-useful advice. It's worth buying second-hand or borrowing from a library.
Rating:  Summary: Because guys don't want to look fat either Review: I am far from fat, but also far from "fashionable" looking. That said, I got a copy of this book at my local library. Thankfully, most of the information and general concepts apply to men's and women's fashions alike. In years to come, I hope people would evolve beyond the limitations of prescribed "genders" and would just be wearing "clothes." This is however, not how Leah Feldon wrote this book, as it is aimed towards women, with many a female celebrity and quotes cited for examples. There is one token chapter for men's fashions towards the end (the author assumse that you, dear reader, as a woman, will be dressing your man because he is incompetent), and a final chapter on shopping tips and organizing your clothes.The book is a no nonsense look at quick and dirty fashion tips. She emphasizes wearing black too much though, and needed more and better information about colors, prints, patterns, fabrics, textures, matching and coordinating them. Also, I was hoping there would be information about what to look for in "high quality" clothes, since she does prescribe to the theory "you get what you pay for." Still, these shortcomings should not stop you (man or woman) from at least borrowing this book from the library, or buying a used copy as a reference.
Rating:  Summary: Because guys don't want to look fat either Review: I am far from fat, but also far from "fashionable" looking. That said, I got a copy of this book at my local library. Thankfully, most of the information and general concepts apply to men's and women's fashions alike. In years to come, I hope people would evolve beyond the limitations of prescribed "genders" and would just be wearing "clothes." This is however, not how Leah Feldon wrote this book, as it is aimed towards women, with many a female celebrity and quotes cited for examples. There is one token chapter for men's fashions towards the end (the author assumse that you, dear reader, as a woman, will be dressing your man because he is incompetent), and a final chapter on shopping tips and organizing your clothes. The book is a no nonsense look at quick and dirty fashion tips. She emphasizes wearing black too much though, and needed more and better information about colors, prints, patterns, fabrics, textures, matching and coordinating them. Also, I was hoping there would be information about what to look for in "high quality" clothes, since she does prescribe to the theory "you get what you pay for." Still, these shortcomings should not stop you (man or woman) from at least borrowing this book from the library, or buying a used copy as a reference.
Rating:  Summary: Does what it promises but little more. Review: I found this book completely unhelpful, since I'm a teenager and the fashion tips Ms. Feldon gives are obviously for women over the age of at least forty. Maybe it's helpful for them, but teens, don't buy this one ;)
Rating:  Summary: Learning How to Dress Well... Review: I have been researching fashion/dressing books (about 15 of them) in the last month for a presentation. I can say that there isn't much else available that compares to this book. It is well written/edited, comprehensive, contains useful and practical information for both genders, and is fun to read...I highly recommend it. By the way, it's not written for large women only, it applies to all!
Rating:  Summary: An Excellent Fashion Book! Review: I Really loved this book! I found the information extremely useful and wonderfully accessible. (The illustrations and quotes are great fun too.) I'm recommending it to all my friends! I Can't believe the reviewer who was going on about how superficial it is to care about what we wear. What planet is she from? She totally missed the point of this book and what the author is trying to say. In fact, it doesn't sound like she read the book at all. The author clearly points out that of course, we should love ourselves as we are, but that it only makes sense to choose the clothes that make us look our best. How we dress clearly reflects the way we feel about ourselves. Why would anyone---execept, of course, the reviewer---want to wear clothes that are not flattering? If she wants to look unsightly, that is certainly her priviledge and she has my blessings. But for the rest of us, who would like to put our best foot forward---no matter how fat or skinny we are--and present ourselves in the best light, this book is a treasure. It really helps you figure out which clothes will make you look great and which clothes won't. It's as simple as that.
Rating:  Summary: Maybe just not for me Review: I thought the advice was ok, but I dunno...The problem with these sorts of books is that they fixate on everyone trying to be the same way (even if they claim otherwise!). I'm a short woman, curvy, with a big chest, and I always thought that was well, sexy. Really, I did. Leah Feldon however, felt that a shape like mine was "matronly" or magnified every single extra pound. Which is fine, it goes to the theme of her book--making everyone look thinner--but I guess I would have liked some simple dressing tips without so much negative judgement attached to my body as a whole. Keep it in mind that if you're not perfect, this book will have the tendency to make you feel worse about the fact that you're not perfect.
Rating:  Summary: Valuable Advice Review: This book is a collection of reasonable and sound fashion advice for dressing the body one has (not the one that is wished for, used to exist, etc.). By honestly answering questions about one's figure, face shape, physical shortcomings and assets the reader can then apply the fashion truisms presented and, indeed, dress "thinner". The author admits that the advice creates illusion but the reality is that simple changes can alter one's appearance for the better, regardless of body type. I especially appreciate that the author's approach is about making a wardrobe work better for the wearer-dressing well should not be a struggle.
Rating:  Summary: Great book Review: This is a very readable book, liberally sprinkled with interesting quotes from celebrities (large and small, young and old, literally). The basic advice, however, is plain, plainer and plainest. Which makes you look thinner, I would have to agree- and much less colorful than many of us want to be. There are some excellent points about lines and details that might not otherwise cross your mind, and the overall effect of things that made me want to throw everything out and make a new wardrobe at once, but I'm feeling better now. Maybe I don't ALWAYS have to look thinner, you know?
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