Women's Wardrobe (Chic Simple) [Hardcover]

Ideal for the woman who frequently has nothing to wear in the morning (or, rather, has a closetful of clutter but with few coordinating outfits to be salvaged), Chic Simple Women's Wardrobe will prove a sanity saver. It's an organizational consultant in book form, as well as a tool for developing personal style by finding the most flattering fashions and accessories for your lifestyle and personality. How exactly do you fold and tie a scarf? Is it really gauche to wear black to a wedding? Which designers make pants that successfully camouflage wide hips? What's acceptable for "casual day" at work, and what veers too far to the sloppy side? Such fashion conundrums are solved in these inspiring, sumptuously photographed pages. Women's Wardrobe also features helpful guides for deciphering care labels and treating stains, plus etiquette guidance for dressing for events and different locations (job interview in Boston vs. Seattle; daytime vs. nighttime party). Addresses and phone numbers for stores, and mail-order catalogs for everything from nursing bras to cashmere sweaters are included.

Women cozy with Ralph Lauren and Ann Taylor labels will probably get more out of this book than those whose tastes and pocketbooks run to J. C. Penney, though all three are mentioned. Still, there are some good, commonsense tips to be had about developing personal style and building a sensible wardrobe that will last for a very long time. The book design is probably more trendy than the advice. In fact, the use of different typefaces, ranging from extra extra large to so small a magnifying glass may be in order, may cause a few difficulties for readers. However, numerous photographs (only seen in galley) will certainly balance things out: they make the book not only great for browsing but also a visual smorgasbord of wardrobe ideas. Add to that some tips on packing for trips, a chapter on clothing jargon, and a selective list for catalog shoppers, and you have a book that may go out of date fairly quickly but won't be a shelf sitter now. Stephanie Zvirin

You have lots of clothes but nothing to wear. If you could only start over. You can -- and look fashionable and save money. Chic Simple Women's Wardrobe will help you pick what to keep in your closet and what to discard; shop cleverly and economically; and develop a unique personal style that truly works. How? By asking a few simple questions: Who am I? What clothes suit my lifestyle? What do I like to wear? The answers will help you learn to dress for any occasion, choose the right clothes and accessories for your body type, and look smashing from morning to evening. In addition, you will learn to:

SAVE MONEY BY BUYING THE RIGHT OUTFIT THE FIRST TIME
SHOP IN YOUR CLOSET
EXPAND YOUR WARDROBE BY MIXING VERSATILE PIECES FROM DIFFERENT OUTFITS
APPLY THE NEW CORPORATE CASUAL LOOK
TRANSFORM A WORK SUIT FOR A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
DRESS FOR AN INTERVIEW, WEDDING, OR PARTY
TRAVEL LIGHT AND IN STYLE
The book also includes such practical information as a glossary of fashion terms and materials, regional dressing guidelines, care and maintainance tips. and an international directory of stores. Chic Simple Women's Wardrobe is the book that will eliminate all your fashion angst and help make getting dressed fun again.

Jeff Stone and Kim Johnson Gross created the Chic Simple series of guides to modern-day living.  They are also the owners of the SoHo design firm Blue Sky Enterprises.