WELL ROUNDED

Rating:
Summary: Stellar fashion advice for Big Gals, too much schmaltz
Review: 'Well Rounded' makes a good-hearted attempt to boost large women's self-esteem and fashion sense. I love the dressing advice -- finding a uniform and sticking with it has saved me hundreds of dollars and hours of frustrations.

What I find annoying are the lame bits about self-esteem and accepting yourself. It's become a rote line in the emerging field of plus-sized books. Don't get me wrong -- I believe we need all the encouragement and support we can get -- but it seemed cookie-cuttered. It didn't seem very personal.

If you're look for fat-positive stories of success, stick to 'Wake up!, I'm Fat' by Camryn Manheim. She actually explores her relationships, emotions and motivations more. But if you'd like some light-hearted fashion advice and some well-meant plattitude, then this is a good book to pick up. It has earned a permanent place in my library, but mostly for the practical fashion advice.

Rating:
Summary: Beauty from the inside first!
Review: Being a model, Catherine Lippencott shares rich insight about the fashion industry. She strives to shatter the intimidating, mythical "beauty standards" that Madison Avenue has helped to create. I appreciate that Lippencott encourages readers to accept their bodies. The body image exercises are very good.

While raising one's self-esteem may be more complex for many than what is implied in Lippencott's eight steps, a well-rounded woman may well be on her way. Sometimes a person just needs a few tools (postivie affirmations, body image exercises) to reach a level of new-found confidence. I have also benefited from the relaxation exercises.

Lippencott encourages readers to look within first before taking drastic external measures to boost self-esteem. Although she talks about clothing/fashion later, it's the first part of the book that holds the most importance.

Rating:
Summary: Beauty from the inside first!
Review: Being a model, Catherine Lippencott shares rich insight about the fashion industry. She strives to shatter the intimidating, mythical "beauty standards" that Madison Avenue has helped to create. I appreciate that Lippencott encourages readers to accept their bodies. The body image exercises are very good.

While raising one's self-esteem may be more complex for many than what is implied in Lippencott's eight steps, a well-rounded woman may well be on her way. Sometimes a person just needs a few tools (postivie affirmations, body image exercises) to reach a level of new-found confidence. I have also benefited from the relaxation exercises.

Lippencott encourages readers to look within first before taking drastic external measures to boost self-esteem. Although she talks about clothing/fashion later, it's the first part of the book that holds the most importance.

Rating:
Summary: No matter what your gender, this book can help transform you
Review: I'm a Gay man of large size (6'4", 210-220 pounds) and I related to Ms. Lippencott's struggle with yo-yo dieting and learning to appreciate her unique body. Her 8 Steps are very useful regardless of gender, and the "Toolbox" exercises are a great way to learn to reassess one's view of one's body and immediately begin to see a more positive image. They are effective when put into practice, and the book is a relative fast read -- and re-read.

I found this book more transforming than some others I've read because the author is truly focused on the reader, it seems, not her own story. She taps her own experience to make practical points, and conveys "no B.S." sincerity in her efforts to support and affirm the reader.

I feared this might be a "makeover" book with a smattering of broadly useful information (thought I could always pass it along to a woman friend). It's really the opposite -- largely helpful information for any person of size with just some specific tips for women only. If you want to explore accepting yourself as you are, this is as good a place as any to start the journey.

Also, guys, there aren't books for us out there directly on this subject -- don't pass up this one. Self image is one problem we can all share.

Rating:
Summary: Little of note here
Review: The fashion tips in this book are far from original. The tired ideas about wearing "neutrals" and "the uniform" have been presented in perhaps 95% of the books on this topic for the past 25 years. In fact, the truly fashion conscious among us are unlikely to find a wardrobe of black items and, of all things, white tee shirts to be appealing.

Though, unlike many popular books today, Catherine's does not contain the "poor mes," the trendy, boring ideas about "self-esteem" (and the assumption that one who is large is lacking in same) are totally stereotypical and tired. One wonders if those with weight problems (with which I can empathise, since it is a lifelong situation of my own) will not stop to think that few genuine difficulties in any life were caused by, or would be decreased by, anything connected with one's weight. It would be far better if Catherine had dealt with fashion in itself, rather than flavouring her work with pop psychology which falls flat.

Rating:
Summary: Little of note here
Review: The fashion tips in this book are far from original. The tired ideas about wearing "neutrals" and "the uniform" have been presented in perhaps 95% of the books on this topic for the past 25 years. In fact, the truly fashion conscious among us are unlikely to find a wardrobe of black items and, of all things, white tee shirts to be appealing.

Though, unlike many popular books today, Catherine's does not contain the "poor mes," the trendy, boring ideas about "self-esteem" (and the assumption that one who is large is lacking in same) are totally stereotypical and tired. One wonders if those with weight problems (with which I can empathise, since it is a lifelong situation of my own) will not stop to think that few genuine difficulties in any life were caused by, or would be decreased by, anything connected with one's weight. It would be far better if Catherine had dealt with fashion in itself, rather than flavouring her work with pop psychology which falls flat.

Rating:
Summary: A practical guide for feeling good and being "plus-sized"
Review: This is a wonderful book filled with great ideas on boosting your self esteem if you are a well rounded woman. I found the tool box sections to be really useful and the fashion advice to be right on the money. A good read filled with hard earned wisdom and practical advice on everything from what to wear to new ways of perceiving yourself.