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Women's Fiction
The Parisian Woman's Guide to Style

The Parisian Woman's Guide to Style

List Price: $19.95
Your Price: $13.57
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: C+, Mesdames
Review: As other reviewers have noted, this style guide offers much in the way of lovely photographs of the mother-daughter author team. However, the "how to dress" information seems rather basic. What is quite interesting, though, are the sections on French fashion history, including brief histories on several famous French perfumiers.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: subtle advertising
Review: Having just returned from Paris, I did find this book "right on" (simplicity, accessorizing etc.) in many ways, however , it lacked depth, and the costume jewelry was quite gaudy and not really that current. The subtle advertising for the author's store was a turn off.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A correct description
Review: I am an American who has lived in Europe for over two decades and always wondered how in the world French women manage to look so fabulous most of the time - whether at work, home, or just grocery shopping. I have been making my own observations, but was never quite able to put my finger on what really makes the difference. Finally I came across this book and - voila! - with just a few words and pictures all the pieces of the puzzle fall in place. This book also clears away the myth that "French Fashion" is oppulent - it is exactly the opposite: simple lines, simple colors, simple styles. Its actually very moderate, which is what intimidates Americans when they visit Paris and find themselves overdressed or hopelessly underdressed. Anyway, I sent my sister a copy so that when she visits Paris with me what she has in her suitcase will let her "fit in" appropriately - which is what the Parisian Woman wants to do at all times.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A mediocre look at French Style
Review: I bought this book expecting it to be as wonderful as French Chic by fashion writer Suzanne Somer (unfortunately out of print) or A Year of Style by Frederic Fekkai. Unfortunately, this book is filled with dated clothing and very little substance to explain the French fashion mystique. However, there are two other great books that are keepers. The first is Frederic Fekkai: A Year of Style. The famous French stylist does an excellent job of showing you how to be beautiful with easy and simple ideas to use throughout the year. The second book is A Guide to Elegance: For Every Woman Who Wants to Be Well and Properly Dressed on All Occasions by Geneviere Antonine Dariaux. Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, former directrice for Nina Ricci shares her extensive expertise on creating the classic French look.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: A mediocre look at French Style
Review: I bought this book expecting it to be as wonderful as French Chic by fashion writer Suzanne Somer (unfortunately out of print) or A Year of Style by Frederic Fekkai. Unfortunately, this book is filled with dated clothing and very little substance to explain the French fashion mystique. Save your money and buy the sumptious A Year of Style by Frederic Fekkai instead. Fekkai is a well known French stylist based in NYC. He enjoys evoking the French style of living in the simplest and most soul nourishing way. His gorgeous book is filled with mouth watering recipes, fashion and style tips for each month, and simple ways to unclutter your life. If you want to discover the true French style of living, leave this book on the shelf and buy Frederic Fekkai's A Year of Style.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Good, Basic,
Review: I recommend this book for the woman who would like to pack away her blue jeans and sneakers, and become more elegant. It gives the basics of the classic wardrobe: The black suit with good lines, the tailored white shirt, the little black dress, tasteful jewelry, when to incorporate color into your look, and when to stay in the range of neutrals. The focus is on maintaining an elegant line and keeping it simple, tasteful and classic. One of the best tips in the book is to ask yourself "Will this look good for the next fifteen years?" whenever you buy a new article of clothing. Style and quality are the most important things to look for. Another good tip is not to wear all your jewelry and accessories at once. Perhaps you should wear just the ring and bracelet, or just a scarf and earrings. I don't see this book dating itself for quite a few years, as the clothes that they show, the accessories listed and the advice given are all quite good.

There are a few flaws in the book, though. A primary flaw is that most of the featured outfits will only look good on a slender form. Almost every woman knows that turtlenecks and horizontal lines don't look good on plump women, and yet these details appear again and again throughout the book. A few pointers on how to tie a scarf would have been nice as well, since this is the item most associated with the French Style.

All in all, this is an excellent "Starter" book for the woman who wants to be more stylish. I highly recommend it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Dry Cleaner's Wire Hanger?
Review: It was an interesting book. Attractive mother & daughter and their great fashion taste. But a few photos of dresses with "dry cleaning wire hangers" were not appealing at all.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Interesting & Entertaining
Review: It's an elegant, high-class look that they describe. They do a really good job of explaining it, with repetition and examples. I got such a clear picture of what was wanted that with quite a lot of clothes in my closet, plus the coincidence of a department store in town having a closing out sale, I was able to get basically equipped in one hectic day.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Nice to look through but I wouldn't purchase this book
Review: Last night I read this little book that I bought in February. This is a simple book which at first I was disappointed in and put aside. If I were "starting over", re-entering society and/or the job market, I think it could be of help. It also has some very good historic reference pages such as its beginning which is a Chronology of French Fashion and a section on Perfume. The chapter on The Essential Wardrobe I think intersting. It really simplifies the "French look" which consists of: the perfect little black dress, the suit which is a jacket and pants and co-ordinating skirt and the perfect white shirt. The book describes a classic look that goes from Sept to June. Summer is the only oddity. Sections on accessories and jewelry give photographic examples of how to bring the look together. Jewelry is both precious and costume. But many of photographs add little since garments are on the authors or just laid out. Too many pictures of the authors and overall too much of an indirect plug for the garish jewelry that they sell.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Oh to look like a French woman
Review: Last night I read this little book that I bought in February. This is a simple book which at first I was disappointed in and put aside. If I were "starting over", re-entering society and/or the job market, I think it could be of help. It also has some very good historic reference pages such as its beginning which is a Chronology of French Fashion and a section on Perfume. The chapter on The Essential Wardrobe I think intersting. It really simplifies the "French look" which consists of: the perfect little black dress, the suit which is a jacket and pants and co-ordinating skirt and the perfect white shirt. The book describes a classic look that goes from Sept to June. Summer is the only oddity. Sections on accessories and jewelry give photographic examples of how to bring the look together. Jewelry is both precious and costume. But many of photographs add little since garments are on the authors or just laid out. Too many pictures of the authors and overall too much of an indirect plug for the garish jewelry that they sell.


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